Jerry Reed - City Of New Orleans

Jerry Reed nimbly performs his plucky rendition of "City Of New Orleans", written by Steve Goodman. The song was made famous by Arlo Guthrie and has been covered by many artists since then including Willie Nelson, with his Grammy-winning version.
Reed was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
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[@spinblackcircles]

I hope people realize this is one of the best guitar players of all time

[@davidkopec9442]

Yes he sure is. I’ve played 37 years, this man is loaded with 5 lifetimes of riffs

[@spinblackcircles]

@@davidkopec9442 ha I just heard of video of him playing with Chet Atkins and after his solo he goes ‘help me out Chet I’m all out of licks’, and I was thinking ‘bullshit Jerry, you never did run out of licks’

[@billysunday7507]

His tone is crap

[@gettyshiloh]

@@billysunday7507 He always seemed to want to play an acoustic like an electric; I often wondered.... why not just play an electric?

[@arch3088]

That is very debatable. He was damn good but the best? Nah

[@DreamCather147]

I grew up two blocks from Jerry. He would practice on his front porch.

[@GunBigotHater]

You were blessed to have him as a neighbor.

[@oysterman12johnnybuckets3]

Lucky!

[@augustineriley5582]

Larry, - that was a free world convert you got every day, RIP Jerry, - Peace, Gus from England

[@pauldashwood2897]

Great story Larry ..

[@raybates3119]

Such an underrated musician and actor. He was wonderful and one hell of a guitar player!

[@beanoil]

So much good music, so much talent. And all wrapped up into a decent man, who wasn't self centered or full of himself. One of the best guitar players ever to grace earth.

[@fernmann7]

100 💯

[@chilblain1]

What you said.

[@grammarhabitacademy6531]

Totally agree

[@michaelwilsonbarber]

I just stumbled across this today, simply amazing.

[@mikes9759]

We could use a lot more of him!!!!

[@badtexasbill5261]

In early elementary school, we were learning about music. The teacher told us what a "composer" was and asked if we could name a composer. I stuck my hand up and shouted "Jerry Reed"! She laughed. The students laughed. And I realized then, that we were hillbillies.

[@pugsymalone6539]

Best hillbilly story I've ever heard. Agreed!

[@dougc3647]

You were also correct. ;) Jerry is a star!

[@riccardodistefano7045]

Anyone who truly appreciates music will understand his musical genius.

[@PabluchoViision]

Haha. But you were right

[@adammartineau2818]

It's OK it's a big club .

[@ReedThomas71]

Jerry Reed and Glen Campbell were awesome guitar players. They could hang with Chester Adkins, Roy Clark, Eric Clapton any of the people that were famous for guitar. Very underrated in my humble opinion as musicians. I could sit and listen to Jerry just play whatever for hours.

[@James92028]

Roy Clark?🙄 Sorry nope.

[@ReedThomas71]

@@James92028 I’m not quite sure what you mean, because it can be taken both ways. Either you are saying they couldn’t hang with Roy because he was that good or you are saying that Roy Clark was not that good at all. Roy Clark was one of the best guitar players of all time, the man could make a guitar talk to him or a banjo, or a fiddle or a mandolin, anything with strings Roy could play it flawless and make it look easy doing it.

[@James92028]

@@ReedThomas71 I meant, Roy Clark is the best.

[@ReedThomas71]

@@James92028 Do you see how your original statement could be taken the other way?

[@taz7nads]

You are right sir!

[@adventureswithgrandpa]

Most people don't know just how good he was.

[@TheFloridaPappy]

I had no idea how good he was till the last couple of months.

[@david9783]

@@TheFloridaPappy I didn't either,but I'm pleasantly surprised!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Yes an outstanding player and a better composer.

[@BCDanno63]

Guitar pickers know who he is .. He and Tommy Emanuelle .. Another Chet Atkins. CGP...Are living breathing proof that , that moron Buddy Rich was an ass when he knocked country music...

[@BCDanno63]

Captain Kangaroo Nothings long if it’s entertaining .. Good Job 👍 .. Being born an raised in NewYork ,..in the 60’s and 70’s I as well had great opportunity to rub elbows with the the likes of Gene Cornish and Carmine Appice and a slew more of talent that was prominent at that time .. Never had to do the “Touring” thing due to the proximity of so many venues from Long Island to The Jersey Shore... The poor management in addition to the lack of instant success and the need for instant gratification among other neurotic penchants, destroyed the band I had and subsequent pressures to get a Day Gig ground my “career” into a one man weekend warrior pub entertainer... Oddly enough that actually saved my ‘Life” when my domestic world dissolved and I was left with out a family a job and a home all at once,,, Where others have lost /sacrificed their worlds due to obsessive drive to be a success .. Mine was the opposite story wherein I gained a relatively solvent career after losing the traditional blue collar life .... There are things in Life I don’t have a taste for , Mexican Food , Desert environments, Techno , Rap, and Most types of JAZZ, I tried them I get them I just don’t have a taste for them .. I don’t knock them they are obviously appealing to others .. Which is why the pomposity of that Shmuck Buddy Rich and anyone the likes of him completely negates any interest I would have in their achievements... OK Cap’ how’s that for long and windy...🤣 !!!!

[@ElFrankElTank]

Been thinking about this song lately. It’s beautiful, truly a beautiful song. Romanticises the industriousness of a people, it’s inventions, and how it inevitably, has to move on. Maybe not for the better of the people, but because like all of us, time goes on, things get old, get updated. The song is like a snapshot of a time long gone, from a country I wasn’t even born in. Country/folk music will really make you feel something for things you never knew yourself. Of course Mr Reed does an incredible job with it too, as ever.

[@microwavedsoda]

Beautifully said.

[@JayBirdsChannel]

Damn, Jerry Reed may have been one of the most talented dudes to ever walk the earth! I caught the last 10-12 years. But every video I see of him continues to blow my mind.

[@rickhelm8106]

Incredible interpretation of the tune. What a freak of nature Jerry was.

[@bah93211]

one of God's own prototypes

[@as48507]

3 years later.. still listening..

[@donovanmurphy]

A lesson in how to burn cool. A zen magic only known to true masters and a calm that comes after weathering great storms. The subtle weariness and strong confidence of a lifetime lived by a thoughtful, good hearted man. Pure soul. Thank you, Jerry.

[@tamnightingale6636]

Eloquently put.

[@patriciajrs46]

Amen!

[@winterwillows2056]

YES!!! Very well said!

[@PabluchoViision]

Yes and yes. It takes a tremendous gift to swing this hard and yet gently at the same time.

[@000mrshooter]

Beautifully put, hope your well

[@WV591]

one of the most underrated guitarist and writers of all time. === ==== Update for all those idiots leaving hate messages that don't undrestand the meaning of underrated. it's a compliment morons not an insult.learn engllish .overrated is an insult.

[@ee4231]

I'm not so sure about underrated. I'm 51 yrs old and since my childhood Jerry's been a known guitar legend. Unfortunately since country music wasn't as mainstream during his career as it is today, those outside of country music only know him as the Snowman.

[@jonbutler4681]

Jerry Reed is definitely not underrated Why do people just throw that word around

[@little8940]

I wouldn't say underrated. Most people who love guitar know who he was. People from later generations know him from the movies, but not much about his musical career. Anyone Chet Atkins called a CGP is definitely not underrated.

[@donsturgeon6157]

Always held in highest regard

[@grokeffer6226]

I agree. A lot of people think of him as just another professional celebrity, but he was actually an exceptional musician. So was Glen Campbell.

[@writer125]

The late, great Snowman, Jerry Reed, he was the best. Great actor and musician.

[@winterwillows2056]

And don't forget funny! I just love the guy... he's great all the way around... just great!

[@jayroberts2017]

That harmonica!! This groove takes me back to being a kid in the 70's.

[@waltercannon4700]

I love it when something, unexpectedly, blows me away.

[@chrisquinn9104]

You know it’s the 70s when there’s a phase shifter on a nylon string guitar.

[@SteveDeHaven]

Probably a flanger.

[@12babyapes59]

Don't forget the beads he's wearing, son!

[@alexgramm5170]

I was thinking something similar.. Jerry Reed is great ,would have been no problem to hear without that effect.

[@gearoiddom]

Ha ha. Good call. Picking is timeless though.

[@Shatterthewaves]

It may seem an odd choice by today's standards but it sure does sound great. Nice fat tone, great definition and perfect playing from Jerry.

[@UncleCaptainMidnight]

...and there you have one of the all-time very best musicians and entertainers. Moments like this are gold.

[@tuff47]

Sing it Jerry!!!!! Thanks for all your great tunes! Rest in peace. March 20, 1937 to September 1, 2008. Born in Atlanta, Georgia

[@thegloobster]

I wish Jerry Reed was more popular with these slow songs, he can shred a guitar on those jazzy fun songs but man, he could turn around and play the most beautiful arrangement with the wildest and most amazing of chords, what a legend.

[@kevinkinnu341]

💯

[@cathydew]

His intro here to the City of New Orleans, though short, is beautiful and poignant, and does justice to the actual message of the song.

[@ROWDYMURPHY]

I can't believe that a man who loved life so much and did so much to enjoy life could possibly be this talented...One of a kind!

[@fljetgator1833]

I actually was fortunate enough to have dinner with Jerry in Florida back in the 80's! Great man. Awesome personality and obviously a great musician 🌴🇺🇸

[@nemo7782]

TRUE country musician. RIP, Jerry. Still love your music.

[@mtnwriter4011]

What an amazing artist he was. RIP.

[@Buran288gto]

He just makes it look so effortless and smooth. Top stuff.

[@williamdon3442]

Raw talent. You don’t hear stuff like this anymore

[@Kathy_Bennett]

Hey, look, no auto tune.

[@kentbeery4697]

I was Blessed to meet him in Sevierville Tennessee he was totally cool just like you'd think he would be, what a Great Talent a True Legend......

[@robbiet8583]

Can’t you hear it??? The man ooozes talent and personality. I have always loved Jerry Reed.🌟

[@michaelstoneburg7379]

I love the way he throws in all those great licks between the verses. He's a one man band !

[@IPman77]

i love Jerry. no matter how bad your day has been, stick on Jerry and everything's gravy, RIP

[@glen7318]

he has such a nice friendly face and smile

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

Georgia Jerry's version is probably a bit better than Arlo Guthrie's version -- which was more 'commercial' and a bit more predictable, but altogether it's still a great lyric....

[@mattm597]

One of the most talented performers in the history of Country Music.

[@Spikefade]

Just mind blowing how good he was.

[@42lookc]

I just love this man. The skill and talent and charisma of Jerry Reed defined an era.

[@dandyer2616]

Totally underrated...one of the best...thank you Jerry Reed

[@eleanormcwilliams5283]

The Great Jerry Reed is my favorite guitar player and singer. I listen to him almost every day.

[@peterwallis6524]

Same goes for me 🤠

[@Karl0wens]

Big thanks to Jerry for his music, and the personality, from here in Liverpool UK

[@coldwinter5710]

With Burt Reynold's passing, a lot of us are revisiting Jerry and his music as well. What a talent! He was one of Burt's very best friends. RIP good buddies...

[@kevinkinnu341]

What a groove. What an arrangement. Just perfect

[@cody_charlesguitar]

Sweet lord! Look at that control he has playing guitar as he sings on top of it! His picking was so clean! I’ve got to learn some Jerry Reed because he’s my favorite country player! Hell, I might just throw my guitar away! 😂

[@longgrayline8055]

Back in the day, you had to be a true killer to make it in show business. Judy Garland, Jerry Reed, Roy Clark, Buck Owens, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and many more superstars could sing, dance, play instruments, and were great actors/actresses/entertainers on top of it all. They were a master of all trades. It’s sad that has gone away.

[@crlguitar1]

What a talent he was....and I wasn't paying attention until much much later in his career.... I absolutely marvel at his guitar technique.....

[@rationalanalysis960]

It is the respect of fellow professionals that defines real talent; and Jerry was the tops it is said by none other than Chet Atkins.

[@robert4314]

people of youtube I present to you the one the only Mr Jerry Reed/what natural talent and humble person/there will never be another Jerry Reed in this life time/Good actor great performer and good person/he made the world a little better threw his music and acting/

[@j.j.lindseymusic]

“What would the world be like without Jerry Reed? I guess we’ll never know…”

[@johnbootle3511]

To Jerry's family....thank you for one of my life's great inspirations. From a time when truth was truth, and God was with us.

[@dwebster50]

I agree , Jerry was so dedicated to his guitar. This video of Jerry is priceless, so so very great ! ❤❤❤❤

[@Dan-qy1rg]

What a great talent, we sure could use his type around today.

[@eliofclark]

Unparalleled, such a wonderful performance of a timeless classic.

[@joseyzadoria7815]

Grateful that I was alive when he was back in the days when "Smokey and The Bandit" took the country by storm!

[@kalania14]

This is such a great that be sung and played in so many different genre.

[@andrewdinkel5900]

Jerry Reed could do it all. Sing, play guitar and act. A great song by Steve Goodman. RIP

[@EB4857]

You gonna love this guy! He had such a talent! I view this one over and over! Love it!

[@gymshoe8862]

That is the craziest guitar! Homemade cutaway? Look at the warpage around the bridge! But it sounds sweet anyway and Jerry is a master of course!

[@marylewter9789]

His singing and playing always made me smile. Thank you Jerry.

[@brunomoria383]

"Reed is one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived!" ~Tony Rice

[@jeffcollom7945]

Ever!

[@752brickie]

Now that is an endorsement! When Tony Rice said something like that cause that boy was an amazing guitarist too. RIP JERRY AND TONY- Thank you for all you did to lift everyone’s spirit that listened to you both.

[@VAHOSS]

I love Jerry Reed.

[@harrylee1985]

I’ve been watching this video for years, still gets me every time. Jerry’s picking is spectacular. They was he can play a solo on the high strings while maintaining the bass line/rhythm on the low strings is beautiful.

[@knuteskild]

Whough, this is one of his best performances, thanx 4 sharing!

[@patcom1013]

Wow, this is my first time hearing this - and its great!!!

[@brianmusson1827]

Have a listen to Arlo Guthrie’s version

[@michaelconvery3840]

Out of this world what a fantastic guitar player

[@christschool]

Jerry was that Southern uncle. He's the prototype of Southern I grew up with in my family in North Carolina.

[@Clearanceman2]

So much talent. Great songwriter and good actor too.

[@badnewsBH]

Jerry was such a talented composer and arranger, as well as a world class guitarist. This version along with Steve Goodman's own are my two favourite presentations of this classic tune.

[@HuwDouglasEvans]

Insanely underrated guitarist.

[@Datanditto]

By who?

[@HuwDouglasEvans]

@Evan Hodge Because I think Jerry Reed deserves to be mentioned more often as a great guitarist? Haha. Seems unusual, but it's interesting, at least. 😆😆😆

[@BluesDeville]

​@@Datanditto By anyone who thinks Jimmy Page is a great guitar player.

[@Datanditto]

@@BluesDeville and you are..?

[@BluesDeville]

@@Datanditto Your daddy.

[@drakejdf]

Jerry reed=national treasure.a mega talent.

[@WeAreNotAmused]

God bless Jerry's life and the gift of his incredible and versatile musical abilities quite a legacy to say the least It's like he never died in a way

[@rustyaxelrod]

Jerry on top of his game in this video. It’s cool to see him catch that groove and get his shoulders bouncing, most of his best stuff just had that feel to it. If you play, you understand what you just saw. If ya don’t play it just sounds good. I’m particularly fond of a song called Amos Moses if you’d care to get impressed a little further. I was probably 10 or 12 years old when that was on the radio and for a whole summer it was the best song ever written...no matter what my parents say. 🙂

[@tedpeterson1156]

He's in some alternate tuning and capo'd. Any idea on the tuning?

[@rustyaxelrod]

@@tedpeterson1156 - I found a couple of videos by other folks and even left a question on one but no real luck. If you watch at about 2:40 he gives it a strum open as he’s reaching for the volume knob and I think it might be open G (DGDGBD)

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Probably the greatest train tune of all time, and there have been many. Thank God he put Steve Goodman on this Earth. And then Jerry Reed played this version. And he took it and played it with his twist, and what a great, underrated guitar player. Underrated, but not by other guitar players. Chet Atkins though enough of him to make him an award winner. That is something. Thanks Jerry. Thanks Steve. Thanks God.

[@77firebird90]

Pure Charisma.....I love this cat. This version of this song is on high rotation at my joint atm.

[@kylebackman6461]

Steve Goodman wrote some great music that a lot of amazing musicians did some serious justice. It's cool to see all the musicians you love cover each other's songs

[@mauricesmith4270]

Has a guitar player myself the late Jerry Reed was one of the best thier ever was It's sad he didn't get the recognition he deserves enough said

[@MrArqferri]

AAwwhh! Boy! Weeeeeell done!, what a such beautiful versión!. I didn´t know it, many thanks for share it! Best wishes from Argentina, and god bless good Country Music! 😉

[@TwinStix]

Man makes it look easy ... what a talent ... rest in peace Snowman #whosgonnafilltheirshoes

[@geerterri]

This was written by Steve Goodman. He died of leukemia in September 1984. He was 36.

[@dapper189]

This is my new send off song. When my time has come..play this.

[@joemcmillan2089]

Great time with Jerry Reed. Saw him live way back when - maybe late 70's or early 80's.

[@BLOCKHEAD38]

I personally think this is the best version of this song!!!!!!

[@Soularddave]

not quite melancholy enough.

[@RJ1999x]

Willie Nelson's version way better

[@RJ1999x]

@Doug Fernandes only thing you tore was your pantyhose

[@stephenwalton1234]

The original by Steve Goodman is the best version.... He also wrote it.

[@msa4998]

A man named Mr. Cash does the best version IMO

[@grahamrobertson3807]

I never knew this guy was such an awesome musician . Only ever saw him in the bandit films .

[@coldwinter5710]

He wrote and performed most of the music in the the Bandit films as well as other films he was in with Burt.

[@johnanderson60]

he was a music way before those films... America was fun then...

[@wadeworkman7283]

Jerry was a highly sought after studio player in Nashville. Won guitarist of the year once.

[@pauldashwood2897]

Guitar man for elvis ....

[@mt-nv4jd]

He did many gigs with Chet Atkins.

[@christopherbright1048]

Truly Jerry Reed is one fine guitar player maybe one of the very best and very unappreciated Long Live Jerry Reed

[@johnnyrocket7129]

There will never be another Jerry. I miss you son!

[@unacamper6700]

Saw him at the Crete fairgrounds,,,,,early '70's....great show.

[@redbird1824]

Jerry Reed was a good human being. God bless him!

[@as48507]

I’ve listened to this on the daily... so relaxing.

[@jeffcarpenter396]

It's a shame all these people are dead and gone I miss the entertainers of the sixty's and seventys

[@timtravasos2742]

Great guitar work by Jerry. Wow!

[@djkentuckyham]

A complete and total natural gutiaist/musician. He made it look effortless.

[@slammajamma5435]

A master always does.

[@musicman201047]

Ladies and Gentlemen,presenting Mr. Jerry Reed, The Snowman, The Alabama Wildman--"Now I'm gonna pick". Yes Snowman,please do. 🎤🎸🎼🎶

[@MCOult]

An amazing performer, and the coolest dude on any stage, anywhere. Sure do miss you, Jerry. Thank you for a thousand gifts.

[@Gardner0871public]

I keep coming back to this video. I sure miss the 70’s and early 80’s. Nothing sounds as good as stuff like this. Jerry was a master, supremely talented and very funny. Seems like he would have been a cool dude to hang out. This version of this song is brilliant

[@jimdavis4923]

Re sew d re Greer gr tr4 tr4 tr4 and sew tree

[@Jon_2218]

PERFECT! Here in 2021.

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Greatest guitar innovator of our time

[@maxmiguel500]

Magic ...and Jerry makes it sound effortless !

[@CVGuitar]

Nylon string with thumbpicks and a phase shifter -- amazing

[@douglove2412]

Is playing in an open tuning?

[@jonandrewleon]

Jerry Reed rules man.

[@brucecarney4416]

I've always loved Jerry's style one of the great ones.

[@42lookc]

What a beautiful, smooth, mellow sound. What a musician.

[@cremebrulee6667]

This is the only version of this song I like. And it’s one of my favorite songs ever. Jerry slaps like no other.

[@russellmakar579]

Could this man pick or what ? !!! Gotta luv it !

[@marvinmccoun7253]

He's one of the best.the picking is like chet Atkins another one of the best,my mom's cousin. Bethel Blackwell played for chet years ago.its a small world.enjoy the good ones

[@wolfie316781]

I’ve played guitar diligently for 40 years and I’m still working on Jerry’s riffs every day. He is the absolute GOAT in finger style bluegrass playing

[@williamj.sheehan2001]

Pretty darn excellent!