'Smokey & the Bandit' star Reed dies at 71
                                                                      
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Jerry Reed, a singer who appeared in the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies, has died of complications from emphysema at age 71, his longtime booking agent said Tuesday.

Carrie Moore-Reed, who is no relation to the star, said Reed died early Monday morning.

Reed was a gifted guitarist who later became a songwriter, singer and actor.

As a singer in the 1970s and early 1980s, he had a string of hits that included "Amos Moses," "When You're Hot, You're Hot," "East Bound and Down," and "The Bird."

Damn...Gone too soon!  While not a classic, Smokey and the Bandit will be remembered for some very funny lines, most delivered by this man.  A very accomplished musician and songwriter!  My first Reed album was When You're Hot, You're Hot which I believe also featured Amos Moses, two of his signature tunes.  He always made music fun, and never took himself, or his music seriously.  

Jerry Reed always seemed like the kind of guy who would be great to go for beers with....a laid back, straight shootin', good ol' boy.  with a hit song like "She got the gold mine, I got the shaft"   and that great scene in Smokey where he gets beat up by the bikers in the truck stop...... then drives over their motorcycles with his rig on his way out....how could he not have been fun to be around?  personally, i likend those bikers to radio station general managers, which made the destruction of the bikes all the more fun to watch, but that's another story.   RIP Snowman!  we're Eastbound and down......

Sorry to hear Jerry Reed has passed on - I enjoyed his music, and only his presence and his song "East Bound and Down" made "Smokey & The Bandit" watchable. I'll miss him.

Even though his accomplishments were varied and plenty, he will always be remembered as "one of the finest pickers around".

"Thirty days, Jerry!"

"I said, 'Thanks a lot!'"