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Dmann says his goodbyes to The Snowman, Jerry Reed...
Breaker, breaker, this here’s the Dmann here with a heavy heart. “The Snowman” Jerry Reed, is now driving his big rig on the great highway in the sky. I have to say, Smokey and the Bandit is THAT movie for me, my favorite of all time. It’s that movie I remember sitting and watching with my Dad as a boy, and falling in love with, both of us smiling, Dad thrilled that he could share this moment of cinematic happiness with his son. Most of us movie fans have one or two movies so tied to happy memories, all of the faults disappear, even when watching as an adult, SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT is one of those for me. What made Jerry Reed so perfect in the role of Snowman, was how much fun he seemed to be having. It comes through in every joke he set up for Bandit, or a wisecrack to Fred the basset hound, and it comes through on the theme song, EAST BOUND AND DOWN, which ranks among the most perfect theme songs to any movie ever. He was having a blast. If you look on IMDB, you will see that, as an actor, Reed’s roles were never varied, he always seemed to play the good old boy who was always having too much fun. There was an authenticity to him, that when planted in the right role, shined. He didn’t get that many of those roles, but that was probably ok, because he always was more of a country singer/songwriter/guitarist than an actor. Listen to his music and you get the same feeling, this is a guy who can’t help smiling’ because it’s just too much fun doing what he’s doing. That freewheeling, shitkickin’, fingerpickin’ style of the seventies, somewhere between outlaw and pop star, is infectious, and you couldn’t help but smile. There isn’t a hell of a lot to say, I could go on about Smokey and the Bandit, or list his hit songs, but given the choice, I’d rather just listen to some Jerry Reed music, pop in Smokey and the Bandit, and have a cold Coors. That’s a big Ten Four, Dmann OVER AND OUT!
Readers Talkback
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Why couldn't it have been the guy who played Big Enus instead? :(
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One of the funniest movies of all time in my book, RIP Jerry, you were a big part of that movie!
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I wasn't a fan of the Smokey flicks, but Jerry Reed looked to be having such a great time, being just Jerry Reed. I always liked his role in the little seen and overlooked The Survivors with Robin Williams and Walter Matthau. I seriously can't recall a year where more talented people in the entertainment industry left us...
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But, I could be wrong.
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Jerry Reed, too?!?! Sigh...<P>RIP
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His name is Jerry Reed, not Jeremy Reed. That right there is enough to make you look like a complete idiot, although you then backed this fact up by asking 'who the fuck is...?' on an obit talkback. If you don't know who he is, then why grace us with your moronic presence? I hope Mr Reed is happy parking at the great truck-stop in the sky. RIP.
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Sept. 2, 2008, 4:09 p.m. CST
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
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He dead, too!!!!!!!!
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Saw him in a concert years ago. It was a tiny venue inside a mall, but he sang and played and treated us like we were the best audience he'd ever had. He will be missed.
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That drawl, and the basset hound and of course the imcomparable Jackie Gleason(the biggest reason it must be said) helped make that movie one of the funniest of all time.
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Pardon the typo o Great one.
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This really hurts, as he was my favorite in the movie.<p> It wasn't the Bandit, but the Snowman.<p> Favorite part was when the Bandit says he picked up a rider and the Snowman asked who she was.<p> The bandit says a bride and all of the sudden her dress comes flying past and he asks "What's she got on now?"<p> Damn shame he is gone.
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One thing I was never clear on, did Cletus get the nickname Snowman because he did a lot of coke or he sold a lot of coke?
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This is very sad news. My website, Cannonball Run Pit Stop, which covers all the Smokey and Cannonball movies will be preparing an extensive tribute to Mr. Reed. Vist at ca.geocities.com/cannonballrunpitstop (no www. on that)
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is Somkey and The Bandit. Sad day...RIP Jerry.
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When he gets beat up by the bikers and he gets outside and runs over their rides.<p> Classic.<p>
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and pay tribute to his passing. Back when I got a job as a projectionist Smokey and the Bandit was a film we had for about 6 weeks so I spent many a afternoon with Jerry's humor. Good times! RIP.
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My heart is breaking. Jerry was an original, and one of the best pickers ever to come out of this rotten Cumberland town. Now, there's only two of the Old Dogs left; Shel went first, then Waylon. I'm gonna go put on their only cd, and pray that I won't hear about the death of Mel Tillis or Bobby Bare anytime soon...
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Like Engelhast above me, I think I saw Smokey and the Bandit more times than Star Wars, if that's possible. It was the first movie I ever taped off the TV and I used to watch it over and over. I still have the same VHS somewhere and will dig it out and give it a look again. Jerry's best bit - when he takes revenge on all the bikers outside the bar and destroys their rides by driving over them in his rig. Always made me smile. So long Snowman - over and out.
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I loved that fucker and his cornhusk pipe.
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You beat me to it with the best moment. Oh well, it still applies.
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He seemed to like using that word "well" a lot in his songs. But that doesn't effect the quality of many of those tunes. I liked him. R.I.P. buddy.
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...and all-around session men has passed away. I've got a Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed album from 1969 that's just monstrous.
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After reading about the death of Don LaFontaine earlier today somewhere else, I surfed on in to AICN thinking to myself: "ha ha.. Let's go see if anyone else has died today" <p> Imagine my shock to see that someone else had indeed died.. <p> Colour me embarrassed... Jerry Reed was a good musician AND good actor.. But it never looked like he was acting.. It was just him doing what he did best.. Have fun...<p> Damn.. I saw him perform once when I was kid right after Smokey and the Bandit came out.. Great show...
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It never seemed like he was working.<p> Always seemed like one of those guys that had fun in whatever he did.<p> Yep will have to give Smokey and the Bandit a go tonight and go get some Coors.<p>
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I got the Shaft. Right on Mr. Nice Gaius. Sad truth though is Smokey III sucked big blue balls. But props to Jerry. He guest starred on Scooby Doo.
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RIP Jerry.
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But according to Alfred Hitchcock's daughter, the old chap loved the flick. RIP.
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But according to Alfred Hitchcock's daughter, the old chap loved the flick. RIP.
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I missed the guy's name, but I heard on the news today that someone died that had provided the voice in hundreds of movie trailers.
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I literally just told somebody this yesterday. World's Greastest Mustache: Sam Elliott. World's Second Greatest Mustache: Burt Reynolds. World's Greatest Beard: Kurt Russell (in John Carptener's The Thing). World's Second Greatest Beard: Kris Kristofferson. World's Greatest Sideburns: Jerry Motherfuckin' Reed. World's Second Greatest Sideburns: Nobody. No one could touch him. Not Elvis, not anyone. Damn.
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Great countrysinger/writer and loved his moments in acting. He was the backbone of Smokey and the Bandit. Loved his work in the Survivors with Robin Williams and Waterboy with Adam Sandler. Will be missed.<p>Goodbye, Snowman.
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When I get home, I'm gonna punch yo momma in the mouth.
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Best video game song ever....RIP
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Here's to you.
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and when you're not you're not. I'd say about now ol' Jerry is right around room temperature.
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...I still got my shaft. Jerry Reed is one of the small group of musicians that helped define real country music. And son, the man could JAM on the strat. RIP Jerry. I'm a gonna go to the nearest choke n puke tonight and order up a round of Coors.
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So he called on the Snowman for the job. Smokey and the Bandit is one of the best movies ever made. Westbound and down buddy remember Smokey's got his ears on.
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Jerry Reed was the perfect straight man for Burt Reynolds. He will be missed
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Smokey & The Bandit is part of my childhood. One of my memories as a kid is when they beat the crap outta Snowman in that bar. They say they're gonna eat his dog. I always felt sorry for Snowman during that part. He'll be missed. The Bandit just ain't the Bandit without Snowman!
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I recognized his name somehow, but when I kept hearing SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT, which I never watched, I wasn't sure. I remember this guy being all over the place when I was a little kid. He was cool. Aw. This is sad.
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"I just did my version of joe palooka. I just went 10 rounds with some bikers." "How'd ja do?" "Bout normal......I lost!" R.I.P. sir.
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You'll be glad you did.
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RIP Snowman
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And watched him in Gator the day before. Damn this REALLY sucks
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"...it just clipped my angel wings." Heaven bound and not down, RIP Snowman.
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“Everything’s okey dokey in the Okefenokee”.
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A great guy and a helluva guitar player. Sorry to see him go.
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Man that scene where snowman gets his ass kicked by those bikers and then gets revenge by driving over their bikes is fucking brilliant.
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Bama McCall was a mean bastid!
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I was just thinking about Jerry Reed a few weeks ago wondering what he had been up to lately. "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Hot Stuff" were two of my favorite films as a young 'un (I was a weird kid). Farewell Snowman. Say 'hi' to Fred when you see him.
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This just hits me where I live. I love Smokey and The Bandit. And Reed is the reason why. The guy was just having so much fun it comes across in his performance<p>Another story about Reed. He was playing his idea for the movie's theme song for director Hal Needham. After a few bars Needham stood up and grabbed Reed's hand. Reed said if he didn't like the song he could work on it some more. Needham said "Don't You Change One Thing." RIP Jerry-----m
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How has this site not yet mentioned the passing of Don "Mr. Trailer Voice" LaFontaine!?
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He was one helluva guitar player. He played with all the greats and recorded with Elvis. The generation of country players who could actually play. Put that hammer down and give em' hell Jerry.
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Smokey and the Bandit was one of my childhood favorites that has held up beautifully with age. We'll miss ya Snowman, hope your Northbound and Down.
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In a world...with great trailers for bad movies, he was the best.
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SATB has always been one of my faves. So long Snowman, over and out.
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My mistake.
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I was a big fan of his growing up. Heck, I remember a Scooby Doo cartoon he cameoed in too. Lol at Hot Stuff, that was one funny movie.
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Jerry was one of the finest guitar players that ever existed. His duets with Chet Atkins showcase two of the greatest pickers ever to play together. His solo work should have been played a lot more on country radio, and I can't think of anyone today who even comes close. RIP Snowman, you will be missed.
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This is a complete plug and I apologize but it's within the heart of this obit. First link on this page is of a sculpture I just built in NYC at Socrates Sculpture Park, the opening is this week and this death came at a weird time for the piece to be on display. Keep on truck'n Jerry! Jasonbailerlosh.com
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fuck....wrong sidekick
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Alright with me, right Scoob?<br><br> http://tinyurl.com/2pady9<BR><BR>.
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on guitar than *he* was, and that is really saying something; Chet was a veritable deity. Chet was also notoriously humble and soft-spoken, but don't let that fool you - Jerry Reed could do things on a guitar that would boggle your mind. Search youtube for Chet and Jerry live together - brilliant and quite funny too. The world is a lesser place without the two of them. :(
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With regards to Stuntcock Mike...the line "What's she wearing now, come back!" from Smokey and the Bandit, and from "The Survivors", while pinned down by gunfire starts laughing and asks "Hey! How 'bout a rolaids??
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this site is starting to read more like the obituaries than 'cool news.' Bummer.
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You gave us a goldmine; today, we all got the shaft.
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Crack a six pack of Coors with some friends and toasted his memory.
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keep on truckin' Jerry.
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He was called "Snowman" because he was always cool, no matter what... That pretty much sums up Jerry Reed - he will be missed.
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Sept. 2, 2008, 11:29 p.m. CST
"Send bill to Big Enous Bur..? Ber...? Hell, I gotta go!"
by Billyeveryteen
Indeed good Sir, you will be missed.
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I've been playing fingerstyle guitar for years, and one of my all time favorites is Jiffy Jam by him. I've never actually heard a recording of this, I just learned it from the sheet music. Great little tune.
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That sucks. Smokey and the Bandit is one of the funniest movies ever. R.I.P Jerry Reed. Let's not forget his Scooby Doo appearance too.
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Hope Jackie Gleason's in "Hot Pursuit" of Jerry somewhere in redneck heaven. R.I.P. Snowman.
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Thanks to the two TBers for joggin my memory. I haven't seen that movie 'Hot Stuff' since I was a kid...and I loved it. I assume its not on dvd, but damn, i should would just love to see it again.
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I love those movies (except for the utterly terrible third part).
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"Hey Waterboy...You're Fired!!"
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Sept. 3, 2008, 3:42 a.m. CST
"...but that crazy sumbitch just drove infront o' my truck..."
by Charlie & Tex
This really IS sad news. Mr Reed had an infectious enthusiasm that even managed to breathe enthusiasm into the otherwise appalling Smokey & the Bandit III - most of you will know that he was drafted in for the vast amount of reshoots after the original cut went down like a lead balloon. Probably his best scene in all three Bandit movies would be in II, when he tries to sober up Burt Reynolds. He'll be greatly missed.
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I got the shaft is, strangely enough, my parents song...dedicated to them on their anniversary by a local DJ. Its probably the only country song my dad knows. I guess Ill break it to him that Mr Reed has passed in the morning. Godspeed snowman...
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That was my fav for him. "Reputation is everything." <p> RIP
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Just out of curiosity as I haven't looked yet, anything on your site about The Gumball Rally? I never knew Cannonball Run was not an original concept until I saw Gumball years later.
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Jerry Reed is gone. That sucks. <p> You all should hop on the Tom T. Hall bandwagon before it's too late. <p> Come on back now. Go get im, Fred!
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Cobra vs. Ferrari Daytona Spyder in the L.A. riverbed.
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RIP Jerry! I'm listening to Amos Moses now and as always, I can't remove the smile from my face. Thanks for that, Jerry, and Godspeed!
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...I won it (along with the rest of TEAM BANDIT last year, tho they've all abdicated their shares to me) in the Alamo Drafthouse's awesome Smokey Scavenger Hunt. We drove from Atlanta to Texarkana in my '96 Geo Metro to win this awesome '79 Trans Am. You can damn sure bet that not only did we watch the movie before going (a few times) but one of Las Banditas (we were all girls) copied that song onto a CD that we listened to on the long, long drive. We showed up at the final stop with East Bound & Down absolutely blaring, and us singing loudly and badly along to it, announcing: Team Bandit is in the house!. We went on to win the car based on the points accrued, kicking the ass of the 5 other teams (of all boys!) no less. I bought the Spec. Ed of Smokey for xmas for myself, and a Bandita and will always hold a place in my heart for Reed, Reynolds, Gleason, et all. I got a txt from Dmann about this yesterday, and it made me sad. Nice to see others felt the same way. Grendy --(Capt. Team BANDIT)
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Just gutted to hear this news, first film i taped off tv Smokey and the Bandit, literally wore the tape out. Good old fashioned, unpretentious fun.
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I liked that song he did "Little Mary Sunlight".
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The Burt Reynolds redneck classic, WW AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS? Burt was a good 'ol boy promoter, Jerry was in the Dancekings band, and they were being pursued by Art Carney as a crazy preacher. I saw it at a Drive-In in Memphis TN with THE DEVIL'S RAIN...
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I googled an old review in the NYTs of Hot Stuff and it specifically says how good Reed was in WW and the Dixie Dancekings. I'll have to track it down.
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Thanks for asking about "Gumball" it is mentioned on the site in passing, however, it was not the original concept. All the movies, "Cannonball", "Gumball" etc. were based on the real life race that ran throughout the 70's. Brock Yates who created the real race actually considered suing the makers of "Gumball" but decided not to. Instead, he and "Smokey" director made their own version a few years later.
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So if he didn't do Gumball, did he do Cannonball, or was that somebody else. Also, was Speed Zone a Cannonball Sequel, or something else entirely. Funny how I've never seen any of these movies in their entirety (none of Speed Zone), but have caught enough snippets of the rest to know what went down. Much love for Captain Chaos.
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mBlCiFLA <a href="http://ifhwho.com/ ">WIEhNNB</a>
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gKesrW <a href="http://rtnlwi.com/ ">JmVwiv</a>
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