Jerry Reed was an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He was married to Priscilla Mitchell, and the two had three children. He was known for his distinctive guitar playing, often using a “clawhammer” style. He was also known for his acting roles in films such as Smokey and the Bandit and The Dukes of Hazzard. He had a long and successful career in music, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
Jerry Reed’s Early Life
Jerry Reed was born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 20, 1937. His parents were Robert and Cynthia Hubbard. He was raised in a musical family, and at the age of four, he began playing the guitar. He was a self-taught musician, and by the age of fourteen, he was playing professionally. He attended Georgia Tech University for a short time, but dropped out to pursue music full-time.
In 1955, he married Priscilla Mitchell, and the two had three children. He began to make a name for himself in the music industry, and in 1957, he had his first hit single, “Guitar Man”. He had a string of successful singles throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and he also wrote songs for other artists, including Elvis Presley.
Jerry Reed’s Professional Career
In the 1970s, Jerry Reed began to move away from country music and towards more rock-influenced styles. He appeared in several films, including Smokey and the Bandit and The Dukes of Hazzard. He also had a successful career as a session musician, playing on records by artists such as Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.
Reed continued to release music throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and in 2001, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He also received several awards, including the American Music Award for Best Country Artist in 1978 and the Academy of Country Music Award for Instrumentalist of the Year in 1979.
In 2008, Reed was diagnosed with COPD, and he passed away in September of that year. His legacy will live on through his music and acting career, and he will be remembered for his distinctive style of guitar playing.
Jerry Reed was a hugely successful country music singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He was an influential figure in the music industry, and his music and acting career will be remembered for years to come. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, and his legacy will live on through his music.
