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Wednesday, September 03, 2008

RIP Jerry Reed (1937-2008)

Sad news folks...

Jerry Reed-a singer and actor in car chase movies like "Smokey and the Bandit," has died of complications from Emphysema at 71.

His longtime booking agent, Carrie Moore-Reed, (no relation), said Reed died early Monday.

"He's one of the greatest entertainers in the world. That's the way I feel about him," Moore-Reed said.

Sony BMG Music Entertainment Nashville Chairman Joe Galante called Reed a larger-than-life personality.

"Everything about Jerry was distinctive: his guitar playing, writing, voice and especially his sense of humor," Galante said. "I was honored to have worked with him."

Reed's catalog of country chart hits, from 1967 through 1983, were released under the label group's RCA imprint.

In the mid-1970s, he began acting in movies such as "Bandit" with Burt Reynolds, usually as a good ol' boy. But he was an ornery heavy in "Gator," directed by Reynolds, Hot Stuff, directed by co star Dom DeLuise and as a hateful coach in 1998's "The Waterboy".

Reynolds gave him a shiny black 1980 Trans Am like the one they used in "Smokey and the Bandit."

His chemistry with Reynolds and Jackie Gleason in Bandit is what made those films work so well...And what I remember most.

Find out more about Reed's music career...

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