RIP Jerry Reed (1937 – 2008)

September 2, 2008

I mentioned Jerry Reed’s East Bound and Down on the last Friday Collective Mixtape. But it seems only appropriate to share the story here as well.

Back in 2000, I was fresh out of grad school and landed a job in Barrington, IL working as a Flash desginer. I had mostly used the program on my own off and on, and really got introduced to the program by my friend and mentor Ron Fuhler. He was the one who showed me the ropes with Flash, and helped me really get a handle on the program.

Every once in a while, whenever a rush project would come in, or a fire would arise… he’d turn up his speakers and play Jerry Reed’s East Bound and Down. He did it sort of as a silly thing, to make fun somewhat of the situation. But it always felt to me like a bugle, like a rallying cry.

That song stuck with me. Years later, when I’d find myself working all-nighters… this song is what I’d turn to around 3:00 AM. I’ve had this track blasting out of my speakers more times than I care to remember, but it always gives me an extra burst of energy everytime I hear it.

It’s a pretty fantastic song, and I can’t recommend it enough. Particularly for late nights, it’s as good as a strong cup of coffee or a cigarette. [via]