How a fishing trip on the Cumberland River changed Elvis Presley's sound forever

Music · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Jerry Reed was a songwriter who considered himself a guitarist second, yet his unique fingerstyle technique became the secret weapon for Elvis Presley. After being tracked down while fishing, Reed transformed Presley's recording sessions, helping craft hits that defined a generation and cemented Reed's own legacy as a country icon.

Born in Atlanta in 1937, Jerry Reed Hubbard spent his early years in foster care before reuniting with his family in 1944. By age 18, he was already cutting records, eventually moving to Nashville in 1961 to pursue a career as a songwriter and session guitarist. While he often downplayed his instrumental prowess, legendary producer Chet Atkins considered Reed a superior fingerstyle player, even crediting him with helping refine the guitar work for the hit 'Yakety Axe'.

Reed's breakthrough with Elvis Presley occurred in 1967. Presley’s producer, Felton Jarvis, struggled to capture the specific sound of Reed's 'Guitar Man' during studio sessions. Reed, who was fishing on the Cumberland River when called, arrived to explain that he picked with his fingers and tuned his guitar in unconventional ways. His contribution was immediate; Presley was so impressed that he recorded 'U.S. Male' and 'Big Boss Man' during the same session. Presley eventually recorded four of Reed's compositions, including 'A Thing Called Love' and 'Talk About The Good Times'.

Beyond his work with Presley, Reed enjoyed a prolific career as a crossover artist. His 1971 hit 'When You're Hot, You're Hot' earned him a Grammy Award and showcased his talent for story-driven, spoken-word lyrics. He later pivoted to acting, co-starring with Burt Reynolds in the 'Smokey and the Bandit' trilogy and writing the theme song 'East Bound and Down'. By the time of his death in 2008, Reed had left an indelible mark on country music, influencing future generations of fingerstyle guitarists and seeing his work featured in everything from 'Grand Theft Auto' soundtracks to modern streaming series.

Reed's influence extended well beyond his own chart-topping singles. His song 'Amos Moses' became a cultural touchstone, covered by artists like Primus and Alabama 3, while his technical standards continue to be cited by publications like Vintage Guitar. Though he often felt like a songwriter first, his ability to blend rock, funk, and country styles ensured his music remained relevant long after his final film role in 1998's 'The Waterboy'.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Jimmy Reed's wife prompted his lyrics, and the Rolling Stones learned his songs
• How a sharecropper's son invented the sound of rockabilly and defined a generation
• How a dirt-poor Mississippi town birthed the King of Rock ’n’ Roll
• Sun Records turned a Tupelo twin into rock's king
• The man who gave Elvis Presley his first hit sound
• Was Jim Morrison’s most formative childhood memory a fabrication or a spiritual awakening?
• How Jerry Herman’s optimistic showtunes became the heartbeat of Broadway’s golden age
• The Singing Brakeman: How a Railroad Worker Invented Modern Country Music
• Jerry Goldsmith redefined film scoring by blending avant-garde techniques with traditional orchestral mastery.
• Jimmy Dorsey: The Virtuoso Reed Player Who Defined the Sound of the Swing Era
• Jerome Kern transformed the American musical from gaudy spectacle into a coherent, character-driven art form.
• From studio floor cleaner to a three billion dollar architect of modern music

More in Musicians and composers · More in Music · Latest · A–Z · All topics