More Jerry Reed stories at this link! I interviewed Jerry's friend, John Knowles and he shared some great stories about Jerry. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qbeKZKugnbyspZc.html

I got a killer Jerry reed story about my father in the hospital with a hernia. Jerry came in his room by accident made him laugh so hard he was in pain. And came back every day for a week just to watch him laugh till he cried

My favorite Jerry Reed song was "She got the gold mine, I got the shaft". Creative song writing. I miss this talented man.

Apparenttly, Parker tried that on Dolly with 'I will always love you'. But she held out, and Elvis never did record it. Dolly said that she cried all the way home from her meeting with Parker, but she was proud of herself, and still is.

We were big Jerry Reed fans growing up, thanks to my mom. She had learned to knit, and made guitar “sweaters”, and sent one to Jerry Reed. He sent a funny letter of thanks, saying that was the most interesting gift he’d gotten from a fan. My brother stumbled across that letter just the other day after going through her closet. Just shows what a great guy Jerry was to his fans💕

Most underrated guitar player of our time. Pickin 1999

Jerry Reed was a class act and sorely missed.

Jerry Reed would be in my top 5 Guitar players of ALL TIME...he really was incredible. I play mostly 60-70 rock music so I am not a hard core country fan, although I love it. But if you look at Jerry Reeds Guitar skills...he is one of the best that ever lived, and was a song writer that was second to none. So much talent, not many like that ever.

I’m glad to hear that Jerry Reed had the courage to stand up for himself & get what was rightfully his. Good job Jerry Reed. Loved the story. Anthony

Jerry’s breakdown with Chet Atkins is amazing... the fact they each have an album “me and jerry” and “me and Chet” are incredible.

I watched "Gator" recently. Man, Jerry Reed was straight up believable in his role. Elvis may have been handsome, but Jerry Reed had a certain charisma.

I drove the new Custom bus that was built by Florida coach and was delivered to jerry Reed. My name is Dave Smith. I help build the Custom Coach Bus that was bought by Jerry Reed. I drove Jerry for about 2 weeks until he found a driver. That was about around 40 years ago. One night about 2 in the morning Jerry could not sleep and he sat in the jump seat up front cab where I was driving. I said do you want to drive and he said ok. As the bus was traveling we switch seats. As he was driving the bus was swaying right and left. I told Jerry he was looking too Close to the front of the bus and he needed to look further down the road. The bus straightens out. I said you got all these trucker awards after the Smokey and the bandit, what the hell is going on. He said I never drove a big rig and the whole movie was done on a Flat bed. I then told him I will have to charge you double and I will teach you how to shift and drive. I drove for many bands and have a ton of stories. The bus company that I work and drove the lease busses for was Florida Coach owned by the Calhoun Twins (Jack & Jerry) that played at the Grand Ole Opry along time ago.

Jerry Reed singing “I’ve got a name” is the sweetest sound you’ll ever hear. He did a whole record of Jim Croce and it’s just a perfect blend.

Amos Moses is my favorite, but he did so many I liked.

When I think of jerry reed I think about him and burt I grew up in the 70s and they were the definition of cool it's sad there gone RIP Jerry and burt

How could you not like Jerry Reed? "East Bound and Down."

Wow! That's a great story, and a real lesson in music business! My favorite Jerry Reed song? Hard to say, there are so many. But I saw him on TV where he was doing a duet with Chet Atkins. Now, Atkins was a monster on guitar. Nobody would argue this. But Reed and him were going toe to toe, and it looked like Jet Li and Jackie Chan fighting, except with big smiles on their faces. At the end, Reed takes off the raggedy beaten-to-death fishing hat he was wearing, and hangs it on the headstock of Atkins' guitar! Both of them laugh.

"East bound and down", my all time favorite Jerry Reed song. As a trucker of 40 years I dig that Jerry was also a trucker at heart. He made a lesser known movie called "High Ballin" with Peter Fonda that although Fonda was the "star", Jerry steals the show.

It amazes me that so many folks don’t know how great of a guitar player Jerry was.. he and Chet actually recorded records together.. he like all the great players had a style all his own, and had unorthodox ways of playing that made him unique. He had a lot of great songs, like Alabama Wild Man, and so many others.. he came from very humble beginnings, like so many of the greats, he picked cotton, like my dad and his family did. Jerry grew up in the delta, and was deeply influenced by the black people he worked side by side with.. I was fortunate enough to live in that area and worked with old black gentleman that grew up in share cropper families.. when I was very young, I started working when I was 12 or 13.. I treasure those experiences, and the relationships I had. Sorry for the rambling..

My mother in law told me a story once about Elvis. Way back in the late 60’s my mother in law (mind you that she was a kid back then) and her father went up to the guard at Graceland and asked if they could take a look around. The guard got on the phone, talked for a moment then said go on ahead. She said they walked up to the front door and rang the door bell but nobody answered so she looked up in the window and saw Elvis looking down at them! It was nice that he let them have a look around. Elvis was one of a kind and I wished that he could have lived longer than he did and could have made more music. Long live the king of rock n roll! His legacy will never die

I never was a big Elvis fan. But, my favorite was Guitar Man. I didn’t know that Jerry had written and played it until I was watching an old program and Jerry was on it and told the story. I can’t imagine anyone not liking Jerry Reed😄

So jerry reed got one over Tom Parker not Elvis, he only wanted to sing the song. Thank you for posting it I’m glad Tom Parker didn’t get it his way

Dolly Parton would not sign over her publishing to Elvis for her song " I Will always Love you" One of my fav Jerry Reed songs " The Claw"

This will be the first, and probably last, time I’ve ever felt the need to comment on a KZfaq video. When I was a kid, some 50 years ago, I fell in love with Jerry Reeds’ music. My favourite uncle gave me the Georgia Sunshine album and a really crappy suitcase type record player. I’m not sure which wore out first, the needle of that 5 dollar record player or the album, but I know this, I played the hell out of that record. So, not to be long-winded, the story you just told made me smile. Thanks for telling it.

I was not have I ever been a Jerry Reed fan but his song The Bird has me in stitches everytime I hear it .He was one hell of a musician and actor .

I interviewed Jerry in Nashville, Tennessee in 1974 and again in Douglasville, Georgia in 1982 and both times he mentioned playing guitar for Elvis. When I saw Jerry in concert, we met again afterwards, and he gave me a signed photograph and a Gator belt buckle. Needless to say "The Ballad of Gator McKlusky" is one of my favourites!

I love they way he played and sung “Don’t Think Twice, it’s alright “

I'll just say like Jerry, my parents disappeared when I was a baby, went from my grandparents back to my re-married mother and new stepfather when I was almost 9 years old. Hands down (I too, have been playing guitar for over 50 years) among all the musical gifts he gave us, Papa's Knee hits home.

I started playing guitar when glen campbell first had the TV show so I became a big fan of jerry reed. I followed him for years. My theory was he had perfect pitch (glen campbell did). That story about weird tunings clinched it. In 1980 I was writing press releases for the state fair of Oklahoma and I got to spend a whole day reading his press packet and getting paid for it. He said in a "practice day" he would practice for as long as eleven hours. I went to the arena that night and saw the show (I had an employee badge) and he rode around the arena on top of a stage coach right up against the wall wearing a buckskin coat high fiving anybody who could reach him. I was an employee so I went and leaned out and high fived him. I was pretty thrilled. When I heard he was dying I wrote him a long nostalgic email about how long I'd admired him and his playing but it didn't go through. Such is life. Thanks for the stories. It made me laugh. Take care.

Jerry Reed was a bona fide guitar genius. I love "Lord Mr. Ford" for the super witty lyrics and social commentary, and the smoking licks in open tuning.

I have been a Jerry Reed Hubbard fan for as long as I can remember. I like them all,but my favorite is Amos Moses. RIP Jerry

I could listen to Jerry Reed stories all day long

Man I never listened to him much until recent years I was on here watching different videos and east bound and down came on. Jerry is on stage sitting on a stool, no shoes feet propped on a box and that was the first time I saw him play lead on anything. When he and his lead guitarist done the solo on that song I was mesmerized. I’ve never seen anybody so natural on the guitar and on stage for that matter. Well except for Jerry Lee Lewis. More Jerry And Jerry Lee!!!! Thank you for the continuance of the great stories Otis. You are the truth!

Jerry Reed was an incredible guitar player.

I always loved Jerry Reed's music. He was a masterful musician with his own distinctive style. I like the song, 'Good Lord Mr Ford' which in many ways is just as relevant now as it was when he recorded it in 1973. Another favourite of mine was his cover of 'Wabash Cannonball'. He performed this song on the Porter Wagner Show, and you can see not only how talented he is as a guitarist, but also what an intuitively spontaneous entertainer he was. At one point when he's about to play the solo, he calls to the studio band, "Quit out-loudin' me. I'm gonna pick!" He was truly a unique talent, and a very gifted man.

The line I heard was "My God, you're a beautiful man!" Which I think would crack up just about any superstar. The one thing I always noticed about every TV appearance that ol' Jerr was on was that no matter who the other people were on stage with him, it wasn't long before they were ALL trying to be like Jerry. Without exception. His attitude was infectious. The best there ever was in my book!

My two favorite Jerry Reed songs are kind of two ends of the spectrum: Amos Moses & Today is Mine. I love both of those songs. They were on a cassette tape of Jerry Reed that my dad bought in maybe 1973. He had a cassette player in this 3-wheeled former Post Office delivery vehicle that he had purchased and converted into a car of sorts. My brother and I would sit on the floor in the back where the mail used to go, and we rode all around Lexington, KY, with him, listening to music. We would also listen to Johnny Cash, Bobby Gentry, Glen Campbell, Andy Williams, and others. These trips around town listening to music are possibly the happiest memories I have of my childhood years.

East bound and Down was written the night before it had to be included in Smokey and the Bandit

Loved Jerry Reed, all of his songs. My wife and son and daughter got to meet and talk to him. They said he was a very sweet and a character. My son and I carry the same name, Jerry Reed!!

Otis, thank you for sitting down and taking the time to tell us these Jerry Reed stories. It was like you were sitting on our front porch (just as cold). What a history you must have along with being a truly great story teller. Cheers! tal

My favorite Jerry Reed song, " Lord Mr. Ford, what have you done."

My mom went to high school with him she said he would skip class and they would send her to find him and he would be off somewhere playing his guitar

Can you imagine if Elvis had a manager who wasn't chasing a dollar and respected the music instead? The thought blows my mind. It's a shame that Parker didn't respect Elvis' vision. I love how Elvis came back STRONG in 68...in spite of it all. I can't leave without a shout out to Jerry Reed. I love the mental picture of the two of them working out Guitar Man in the studio. I could feel the energy. I have to say that was one of my favorite songs at the time...still is to honest. Take care be safe on this December Friday afternoon. 2020 has been probably the craziest year I've seen. I don't think many would disagree. When things look dark...music lights your heart. R I P Elvis and Jerry Big love for being a part of my yesterdays

My favorite Jerry Reed song is, by far, 'The Preacher And The Bear'. Great song, and I listen to it to this day. Good for you, Jerry! Rest In Peace.

Tupelo Mississippi flash. First heard that song when I was about 24. I’m now 76. Loved it then and love it even more now. Did Elvis ever make comment on that song? I’m quite sure he would have loved it

"The guitar man" , really hits home for me , because in the song, it all comes together in Mobile,Alabama , at a club called "Big Jack's".Not far from where I live. It sounds like a true life's story song. "Mr. Guitar " himself, Jerry Reed was one of a kind .

Jerry Reed is always there when I turn on music. But with me, my favorites from him vary from time to time. There's the usuals like "Eastbound and Down", "Caffeine, Nicotine, Benzedrine", "Take a Walk" etc, but lately I've been all over "The Man With The Golden Thumb", and his version of "Wabash Cannonball"-probably my favorite version of that classic song. I even recall a time where I thought "Guitar Man" was the be all end all Jerry Reed song forever. But all of his music never fails to disappoint!

Cool story, thanks for sharing. There was another incident where a songwriter got the deal he wanted with Elvis - that was for "Suspicious Minds" recorded at American Sound Studios in 1969. There was a standoff between producer Chips Moman, Mark James the songwriter & Elvis' publishing company Hill & Range. It turned out to be the big international comeback hit he needed at that time.

I have 2 favorites- 500 Miles Away From Home, & Early Morning Rain. Jerry Reed was no doubt, remembered as one of the greatest guitarists, but he could really sing too. In those 2 songs, I believe that you get some of the best of, BOTH voice and guitar. God bless Jerry Reed's family, and may Jerry rest in peace. I'm certain that there's an endless jam session going on in heaven right now, because most of the best, EVER are there, jam'in away!

I'm glad you cleared up that Elvis didn't really care about the publishing and all that. I was going to say, the title of your video should read, "Jerry Reed Stories: - How He Got One Over on Col. Tom Parker and his money men'! ...It worked to Jerry's favor that they got "Guitar Man" (and "Big Boss Man".Both were done in that session) before they came to him about his publishing. The songs were in the can, they sounded awesome Elvis loved them, and that gave Jerry the leverage he needed. If they had approached him beforehand, the songs never would have happened. As for my favs by Jerry Reed, "Amos Moses" and "When You're Hot You're Hot"

Chip Young (Jerry Stembridge) was my uncle and I just love this story since he and Jerry Reed grew up in Atlanta together (southside in Hapeville)! Thanks for the great telling of it!

I met him in person to some years ago. I need you to read was a musician but I did not realize how good he actually was. Not to mention how hilarious he was. He was going around the dinner theater telling jokes about everybody came across. He came up behind me yes my wife is this your husband. She explained I was. He said I was going to tell a joke but he's in way too big and I might get hurt. The entire show was absolutely amazing. I have to say it was one of the best that I've ever been to. Other people may have had pyrotechnics visual effects of all kinds Jerry had his personality It shined better than any of those things. I love every song to he is ever done I can't put my finger on the favorite. I love the Smokey and the Bandit theme. The bird, She Got the Goldmine I got the shaft, Amos Moses. Well you can see what I mean I love everything he did. May God bless his family and I know God is having a heck of a time with him up in heaven. I just thought I would share that with you guys. Forever a fan

Ko Ko Joe, is shockingly overlooked. It's composed and delivered exquisitely, and the message is universal...

I loved Jerry Reed! I wish all the songwriters had went against Parker in front of Elvis! Elvis really liked Jerry Reed. Parker kept the good songwriters or anybody that could open his eyes to how Parker was hurting his career away from Elvis! Can you imagine all the great new songs he could've had that would've been hits? It's a shame he waited until the last few years of his life that he Finally went against Parker and said He was going to pick his songs and didn't care about publishing rights! He did 5 or 6 songs that Red West wrote that were fantastic! That might've been why Parker busted up the Memphis mafia to get control of Elvis again! It's a shame that this man smothered Elvis creativity and took advantage of him so brazenly!

Chet Atkins had a tight circle of player friends he dubbed CGPs: Certified Guitar Pickers. It was a small group, the cream, and it included Jerry Reed.

Someone like Jerry Reed does not get rusty laying off a few days.

Thanks for posting this story. I'm a huge fan of Elvis and Jerry Reed. I became very familiar with both when I was a kid. I come from one of those families where everyone plays a musical instrument. I'm a guitar player, so Guitar Man is naturally one of my favorites. I had heard a bit about how Jerry was asked to play on the Elvis recording, but the more detailed version of this is so interesting to hear. Very enjoyable.

Amos Moses, absolutely one of my favorite Jerry Reed songs! In addition, I think it would have been great if Elvis recorded Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" Dolly stuck to her guns by saying no.

Every line he speaks in Smokey and the Bandit is simply gold!

Mid-90s, My buddy, a musician not easily start struck, was on an elevator in Vegas when Jerry came in and stood quietly. My buddy got excited and worked up the nerve to say "You're Jerry Reed!" Jerry looked over his sunglasses at my buddy and said "What's left of him..."

the "Tupelo Mississippi Flash", I believe Jerry wrote this about Elvis ... that's my favourite Jerry Reed song

He didn’t get 1 over on Elvis he stopped himself getting robbed is what he did

At the end of the video I mentioned going to Jerry's grave, but I got the time frame wrong. I said it was 15 or 16 years ago, but it was actually 9 or 10 years ago. It seems like 30 years ago, but that's a whole other story. All apologies! : )

Thank You Sir for the history lesson..... I do believe, that sounds like, what Mr. Reed would have done! ONE OF THE GREATEST GUITAR ARTIST!!@@ STRAIGHT FOWARD GENUINE MAN! GOD LOVE HIM..... RIP

Lord Mr. Ford! The reason he looked like a wild man is ‘cause he was one! Like Amos Moses!😂🤣🤠😜 My favorite uncle was very much like him. Down to the voice, and facial expressions. About the same age as well. Great story! Thanx.

Thank you so much for doing this. Jerry Reed was an American original, a legend, and sadly, there's been little said or done about him since his passing, probably bcz many of his contemporaries preceded him in death

I love them all but “Patches” was a great one too.

By far, my favorite Jerry Reed song has always been "Eight more miles to Louisville", #2. Muleskinner Blues, #3. The Preacher and the Bear, and # 4. Oh what a Woman...

Thank you for sharing. Huge influence past down to me from my dad n Thank you for sharing!! Gerry was a huge influence for me through my dad whom played the guitar for 35+ years. Chet had a charisma about him that had nothing to prove to anybody.... a style and finesse in his own dimension of his time.. Gerry & Chet, to me were like father and son......Let’s have fun doing it , and as long as were having fun doing it , well son .... we’re doin it right.!!!

I can’t be convinced that Jerry Reed doesn’t have the best cover of City of New Orleans...

Thing called love Jerry teached me this song on the guitar first I learned about tunning down the guitar my guitar teacher new him for years is real name was Jerry Hubbard thanks for the video your right on that story about Elvis I heard him tell the story I person I also went fishing with him at lake Lanier cat fishing lol he was a wonderful person

Amos Moses and East bound and down. I am a retired truck driver for 27 years and those songs got me through many late night sessions, God bless Jerry Reed. Ya know he's playing for the almighty in heaven. They don't make them like that anymore, but not too sure today's society would have that.

My favorite Jerry Reed song.. would have to be Concrete Sailor. Im a long haul trucker and I have listened to that song probably more than any. Its got me down the road more time than once.. I been a fan since I was a kid I always wanted to meet him but never got the chance. .. thanks for the story

There was one major song and writer that got over on the colonel! Elvis had recorded “ Suspicious Minds” in 1969. They did the same thing to writer Mark James! Chips Moman who was producing the session threatened to scrap the whole thing if the Colonel and his goons didn’t beat it out of the studio. They were arguing about the publishing! Elvis did the same thing and said “ F the old man, we are releasing that song!

Elvis wanted to record "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton. Everything was looking great until Dolly was informed about the publishing mandate. That ended the deal.

Jerry Reed (Hubbard) had tons of non-novelty, fantastic recordings. From "Remembering" in 1968, "A Good Woman's Love" in 1974, "Age" (my favorite) 1980, to "She's Ready For Someone To Love Her" in 1983. Damn, this man was a giant in the music world. More people should have discovered him and his awesome talent. RIP - Mr. Hubbard.

The first live performance I remember seeing was Jerry Reed and his band when I was about 4 years old. It was in Atlanta, Ga. at a Southern RR event. I learned later that he was our neighbor and lived in the same apartment complex in Hapeville, Ga. I've always been a huge Jerry Reed fan. Always felt like he was never fully appreciated for his awesome talent. I love all his music but if I have to choose a favorite it would be Jerry's Breakdown!

... Jerry is where he always is on his days off ... fishing. Comes into session as he is. Freaking awesome that he knows he is going into something major, but would rather be there as soon as he can instead of perfect. And it all worked out in the end. Massively love Jerry Reed and Elivis .... great story.

I definitely enjoy, and have watched it many times on KZfaq, His version of “Don’t think twice it’s alright” with Chet Atkins. Jerry’s guitar wasn’t plugged all the way in, and he looks at Chet and Chet says, “How long you been doing this, boy?” I laugh every time.

Favorite Jerry Reed Story. I ran a guitar rental business in North Hollywood. One day Jerry Reed walked in to rent a Tele for a session. He picked out a guitar from the wall. I asked if he wanted to plug into an amp and try it first. He said,,"I know what a Tele sounds like son". About an hour later he returned the guitar, smoking a cigar and drinking a Heineken.

Otis, dude- I love your presentation, your stories, everything about this channel. Thanks for this labor of love and keeping the oral tradition alive. The history and stories are so important and add so much to the music we've based our lives around. Peace...

Thanks for the story of Jerry - my favorite track is " Today is mine " he ticked all the boxes - Great singer , Songwriter , actor , Personality , & incredible guitarist.

Amos Moses by far is my favorite. I had it for a ring tone for a long time. Everyone always enjoyed it when they heard it. Didn't matter if they was young or old.

Great story. As a lead guitar player most of my life. I can relate. I have a friend who was kin to Jerry, has one of his guitars.

...Well...today it's "Fine on My mind"...That could change at any minute lol....I love all of them so much.

"The Bird", it's great to hear Jerry impersonate other singers; "When You're Hot You're Hot"; "Amos Moses"; "Smell The Flowers"; "Guitar Man".

A thing called love... Awesome song, covered by Elvis and Jonny Cash had a hit with it... Just wonderful.

Too many great tunes to choose, but I know that style has never been duplicated well. Just a true one-of-a-kind talent.

Mr. Gibbs, thank you so much for sharing this awesome story! Jerry Reed and Elvis were one of a kind artists! Col. Parker proposed the same deal to Dolly Parton for the song “I Will Always Love You” which Elvis really wanted to record. Ms. Parton refused to sign away any part of her song and so Elvis never recorded it! Too bad! ☮️🖖🏽

East bound and down is my favorite. It took me a couple of months to learn it and its one of my favorites to play live and the crowd from young to old loves it

Just learning Ray Stevens and Jerry Reed worked together for years was cool. I raised my kids on those guys.

It still amazes me to watch old TV programs with Chet and Jerry, and they're playing all this amazing stuff while just "fooling around".

Love Jerry Reed! Thank you for this story. I heard Dolly Parton say once Col. Tom called her and said Elvis wanted to record "I Will Always Love You." When he explained the publishing deal, she refused. He was apparently shocked she didin't just fold over, but she stuck to her guns. My favorite Jerry Reed song is "A Thing Called Love"

What a great story Mr. Gibbs and I hope you have heard about an interview with Jerry where he talks about being in a recording studio with Elvis . Elvis asks Jerry what he has been up to lately and what songs he has been working on . In essence , Jerry tells Elvis he has been " ironing out a new song ... and you probably wouldn't be interested in it " . Elvis said - "Ah hell Jerry , just play the damn song" . That song was U.S. Male I got seriously intoxicated with Jerry and some of his crew when he did an outdoor concert at the fairgrounds in Cedar Rapids Iowa many years ago . I was a young guy and had done studio work down in Branson . He yelled out my name and one of his roadies met me . Jerry's motorhome out back way behind the stage was a riot I kinda remember . Thanks for your video .

“She got the gold mine, I got the shaft”

Thanx very sweet told. Love it. I discovered elvis only in 2021. Great musician and greatest entrepeneur for 100 dreds of artist!!!!

I'm just getting around to discovering Jerry Reed and how awesome he was. I have not listened to all of his music yet but right now I really love 'Amos Moses' and 'East bound and down' The more I look in to his life, the more I wish he was still alive so I could meet him. Waterboy was one of my favorite movies growing up lol

Jerry Reed has always been one of my favorite artists. I love most of his songs so much that it's hard to choose just one. If I had to narrow it down, I'd choose either The Ballad of Gator or Amos Moses.

My favorite Jerry Reed song has already been claimed by others, so my second favorite is Jerry's instrumental version of "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden". Sensitive guitar man Jerry, he brings out that melody so beautifully.

I met Jerry Reed, Buck Owens and Roy Clark back in the late 70s at a Woolworth store in Dayton, Ohio. I was just a young kid and these guys were all holding up bib overalls to themselves and I was eating a grill cheese sandwich that I had got from the lunch counter. Just then Jerry looks up at me and says, what do you think? All the other guys were smiling, I replied, well it has a nice pocket on your chest for extra picks and candy. He smiled and said I'm sold. They were very down to earth, nice men.