Page 66 - 2017 Official CMA Program

JERRY REED

VETERANS ERA ARTIST

There was a time when Jerry Reed was the fast-picking, wisecracking
face of Country Music for most Americans. Though Reed found
himself participating in some key music history moments as a
session player and scored his share of chart hits as a performer, it
was his good-natured wit and ability to transform into an outsized
In April, the Country Music Association personality as an actor without losing his authenticity that made him
announced the three newest inductees into its one of the genre’s most well-known ambassadors of the 1970s and
’80s.
Country Music Hall of Fame – Alan Jackson,
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Jerry Reed and Don Schlitz. It’s that ability as an all-around entertainer that brings Reed to the
Country Music Hall of Fame.
Jerry Reed will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category,
while Alan Jackson will be inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” Reed’s active career stretched from the 1950s into the 1990s, though
category. Don Schlitz will be inducted in the “Songwriter” category, he still toured and made public appearances well into the 2000s.
which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the “Recording
and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980” and “Non-Performer” • Born Jerry Reed Hubbard on March 20, 1937, in Atlanta
categories. • Received CMA Awards nominations over the course of four
decades — from 1969 to 1999
Jackson, Reed and Schlitz will increase membership in the coveted
Country Music Hall of Fame from 130 to 133 members. Formal • Two-time nominee for CMA Entertainer of the Year and a three-
induction ceremonies for Jackson, Reed and Schlitz will take place at time Grammy winner
the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater.
• Served a two-year stint in the U.S. Army
Since 2007, the Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion
of the Hall of Fame membership, has served as the official rite • Had minor hits and spent years recording and on stage before
of induction for new members. CMA created the Country Music moving to Nashville in 1962 for session work
Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their
outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest • Drew industry attention when two of his songs became hits:
honor. Gene Vincent released his version of “Crazy Legs” in 1958 and
Brenda Lee recorded “That’s All You Got to Do” in 1960
• Was dubbed a “Certified Guitar Player” by Hall of Fame member
Chet Atkins, a prestigious honorary title in Country Music

64 THE 51st ANNUAL CMA AWARDS