I had no idea


Artists that you had no idea about how truly great they were.

Here's my entry.

Goofy side kick in goofy movies including "Smokey and the Bandit", author and singer of countless goofy songs like "When your hot your hot". He even stared in a Scooby Doo episode... This pretty much describes my previous impressions of Jerry Reed.

Then after a friend emailed me a youtube link I was flabergasted.

I had no idea that Jerry Reed: Wrote and played guitar on four of Elvis's biggest hits, one of only 4 people to be given the title "Certified Guitar Player" by Chet Atkins and was quoted stating "Jerry was a better finger style player than myself". As far as singing goes, just check out his cover of "City Of New Orleans" in the link below. World class song writer, guitarists and vocalists... I had no idea.

Chet and Jerry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE

City of New Orleans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_h3E_wkYNo
128x128lokie
Roy Clark is a stringed instrument wizard.Don't be put off by the country bumpkin "Hee Haw" persona.
I'd have to say that Elvin Bishop probably falls into that category. He's best known for the one-hit wonder song "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" but he's done so much more great music. Give "Raisin' Hell: Live! or "Juke Joint Jump" a listen. He cut his teeth with the "Paul Butterfield Blues Band" and is quite an accomplished blues guitarist.
Totally agree with Tpreaves. Search on YouTube “Odd Couple Roy Clark” and be amazed!

Also, I was never a George Michael fan (still not) but search on YouTube for his live performance with Queen (tribute to Freddy Mercury concert) of “Somebody to Love”.

The first time I saw this on MTV years a go, I was blown away by his vocal ability and stage presence on this song. I had a new respect for his talent—not easy to sing this song and nail it like he does—while making it look easy.
Duane Allman (his brother is no slouch, either) but he hadn't died at age 26; he may have rivaled slow hand for kudos. Check out his Anthology , esp. the Janpanese remaster. Also who he sessioned for in the New Orleans' studios (Aretha and the like). Just a great string man, humming it along with a cold medicine bottle on his slide fingers....
because I'm a jerk, I have to say: 'The Beatles.'

I was so busy not liking what was popular (the Beatles were the sonic wallpaper of my youth), I completely blinded myself to their polyglot genius.

Needless to say, the 'rediscovery' of that catalog was a phenomenal pleasure!