Jerry Kennedy
1940 -2026
Jerry Kennedy was just a young teenager when he and a friend first heard Elvis Presley’s Sun recording. Captivated by the electric guitar they heard, the two set out to see Elvis perform in their hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1955 — before the young singer’s meteoric rise. They later learned the guitarist was Scotty Moore, though the excitement of the crowd made it difficult to fully appreciate his playing. Ironically, Jerry’s own extraordinary talents would one day lead him to perform on the Louisiana Hayride and record with both Elvis and Scotty.
As a Nashville studio musician, Jerry contributed to hundreds of recordings, including Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde, and played guitar on Elvis Presley’s 1962 hit “Good Luck Charm.” He was also heard on Dobro throughout Jeannie C. Riley’s 1968 hit “Harper Valley PTA.” Over the course of his distinguished career, Jerry earned four Grammy Awards and built a remarkable reputation as a producer, signing artists such as Roger Miller, Tom T. Hall, and the Statler Brothers. Yet beyond these accomplishments, he was widely respected for his humility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to music.
My own journey to meet Jerry stretched over two decades. On my first trip to Nashville as a NAMM employee in 2000, I tried unsuccessfully to arrange an interview. I asked around again before the 2001 Summer Show, still without success. Years passed, and though we spoke briefly by phone in 2006, our schedules never aligned. From time to time, I would cogitate on how remarkable it would be to capture his story for our Oral History collection.
That long-awaited moment finally arrived in 2022, thanks in part to his son Gordon — an accomplished studio musician himself — and our dear friend Glenn Rieuf, who kindly brought Jerry to the Musicians Union Hall where we were conducting interviews. Suzanne served as videographer that day, and when Jerry walked in, it felt less like meeting a legend and more like welcoming an old friend. There were hugs, warm smiles, and an interview filled with fascinating memories.
Jerry Kennedy was far more than a gifted musician and producer — he was gracious and thoughtful. After the day of his interview, he became a friend, faithfully calling each year after receiving my birthday card. He will be deeply missed.
Dan Del Fiorentino
NAMM Music Historian