Facts About Jerry Reed

He was hot a lot.

Jerry ReedPhoto byCreative Commons: Brett Jordan

Generally speaking, I’m not a big country western music guy, but there are a few exceptions. In the past I’ve mentioned Roy Clark and Johnny Cash as exceptions. Jerry Reed also belongs in that group. Not only do I enjoy his music, but I also find him to be a likeable performer.

While Jerry often played the likeable sidekick, he played bad guy, Bama McCall, in the Burt Reynolds movie, Gator. Picking my favorite Jerry Reed song is tough. I enjoy East Bound and Down, Amos Moses, and When You’re Hot, You’re Hot. All have a certain feel about them. So, here are some things you don’t know about Jerry Reed.

1: Jerry wrote East Bound and Down in just a few hours.

Not only could the Snowman drive fast, but he could also write fast.

2: Originally, Jerry Reed was going to be The Bandit in Smokey and the Bandit, with no Burt Reynolds in the movie.

So, I guess Reynolds came in and stole the role of the Bandit. It seems fitting.

3: Jerry wasn’t a fan of catch and release.

Jerry appeared with Bill Dance on Bill Dance Outdoors and caught a particularly big largemouth bass. Jerry wanted to have it stuffed and mounted, but Dance objected and let the fish go free when Jerry wasn’t looking. Jerry proceeded to chase Bill Dance out of the boat and onto land. It would have been neat to have played East Bound and Down during the chase.

4: Jerry played guitar for Elvis Presley on a number of occasions. Elvis also covered a number of Jerry’s songs.

So, Jerry some time acting with Burt Reynolds and playing music with Elvis Presley. That’s much better than having it the other way around.

5: In 1977, Jerry, along with other country music performers were investors in a baseball team, the Nashville Sounds.

The team is currently part of the Milwaukee Brewers farm system. A nice concept. Getting Brewers and musicians together.

6: Reed married Priscilla Mitchell in 1959, and they remained married until his death in 2008.

Jerry’s songs didn’t talk much about cheating and running around. Maybe he didn’t know much about that stuff.

7: Jerry and his sister spent seven years in orphanages or foster homes.

It sounds like they had a rougher time than Amos Moses.

8: Reed briefly had a variety show.

There were two episodes of The Jerry Reed Show in 1976. I refer you back to Jerry’s hit, When You’re Hot You’re Hot. The show was not hot.

9: Jerry also appeared on the sitcom, Alice, twice.

On one episode, his huge bass is accidently cut up. Sound familiar? The punchline was when Vera told Jerry, “You can kiss your bass goodbye.”

10: Jerry was promoted as a new teenage sensation by Capitol Records.

Well, that makes sense. It’s hard to be an old teenage sensation.