AMVETS MOURNS COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND JERRY REED, 71 “Guitar Man” worked tirelessly to serve Nashville’s veteransin his
final years
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2008—Jerry “Reed” Hubbard, the country music legend and champion of the veterans’ community, died Monday morning at his home in Nashville due to complications with emphysema. Hubbard was 71.
Reed, an Army veteran, was presented with the AMVETS
Country music legend and veterans advocate Jerry "Reed" Hubbard recieves the prestigious Silver Helmet Award at his home in Knoxville, Tenn. in march
prestigious Silver Helmet award in 2008 for his tireless work with the Murfreesboro Veterans Hospital and his support to last year’s National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, where he performed his song “The American Veteran.”
His final studio album, “The Gallant Few” is dedicated to all members of the U.S. military in support of wounded warriors
“[Reed] was a tremendous asset to the veterans’ community and AMVETS was honored to acknowledge his work in support of our troops,” said AMVETS National Commander John C. Hapner. “Regardless of his personal obligations or even his personal health, [Reed] always had the interests of his fellow veterans in mind. He certainly will be missed by all in the AMVETS family.”
AMVETS Past National Commander John P. “JP” Brown III presented Reed with the award last spring at Reed’s home in Nashville. Brown made the special trip to Nashville to present “the Guitar Man” with the award. At the time, the legendary singer and actor could no longer travel and Brown felt the need to recognize Reed for his contributions to the veterans’ community.
“I know it means a lot to Jerry,” Brown said. “He served his country and decided to pursue a career enriching people’s lives. But he never forgot where he came from and what it means to support and defend this nation.”
Reed released his first album at age 17, prior to joining in the Army. He is best known for his Grammy Award-winning song “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” and has appeared in more than a dozen major motion pictures, including “Smokey and the Bandit,” for which he is also known for the hit single “East Bound and Down.”
Reed also became a popular session guitarist and songwriter in the Nashville music scene, writing songs for such notable performers as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. Reed earned three Grammy awards throughout his storied career, two of which he shared with fellow country music legend Chet Atkins.
Reed continued to tour throughout the nineties, until his health began to fail. Over the last few years, he has focused on performing for veterans in and around his community. Reed was honored to accept his Silver Helmet award in recognition of this work and even considered moving his Grammy awards to make space.
The Silver Helmet Award is an annual award presented by AMVETS that recognizes individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in their service to the veterans’ community. Past recipients had to be present at the awards dinner held in the Washington, D.C., area to receive what has been called “The Veterans’ Oscar.” However, AMVETS saw it fitting to make an exception to the rules to accommodate for Reed’s circumstances.
Reed is survived by his wife, Priscilla, who cared for her ailing husband until the end, as well as two daughters and two grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to thegallantfew.com, official Web site for Reed’s latest album. All proceeds go to AMVETS.
Media Contact: National
Communications Director Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035 jagg@amvets.org
National
Publications Editor Isaac Pacheco
(301)-683-4038 ipacheco@amvets.org
