Singer-actor Jerry Reed dies at the age of 71

By JOHN GEROME, Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - 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.
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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."

In the mid-1970s, he began acting in movies such as "Smokey and the Bandit" with Burt Reynolds, "Gator" "Hot Stuff" and "High-Ballin'."

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What a bummer. Those first two Smokey and the Bandit movies are two of my favorites from when I was a kid. And he was a smokin' guitar player to boot.