Georgia Steel Guitar Association

Jerry W. Braswell was born to George and Mozell Braswell on July 12, 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended James L. Mason and John Carey grade schools in Atlanta. In 1960, the family moved to Lithia Springs, Georgia where he attended Douglas County High School and Citizen’s High School in Atlanta.
From a young age, Jerry’s passion has been music. While in school, he played drums with numerous rock-n-roll bands, sometimes in venues that required a work permit. In addition to drums, he began playing bass guitar and performing vocal backup. As Jerry’s skills increased, his musical interests expanded to include the country music genre. Jerry moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1967 where hard work and dedication provided the opportunity to accomplish all of his musical goals, including being recognized and respected as a professional musician.
In July of 1988, Jerry returned to make his home in Lithia Springs. He married Gloria Jean Ray, a 1965 graduate of Douglas County High School, in May of 1990. Jerry & Gloria currently reside in Douglasville, Georgia.

Professional Experience

1966 through 1971 – Freelance musician working with nationally known recording artists including:

• David Rogers
• Hank Locklin
• Carl & Pearl Butler
• Carl Smith
• Lefty Frizzell
• Tanya Tucker
• Freddy Weller
• Don Gibson
• Hank Thompson
• George Morgan
• Ray Pillow
• Freddy Fender (and many others)

• 1971 – Donna Fargo: Front man, vocal backup, sound technician

• 1972-1975 – Del Reeves: Front man, bass player, sound technician; worked all TV & radio shows as well as vocal background on his recordings

• 1975 (July-Sept) – Relocated to Los Angeles, California and was a Talent Coordinator for a Santa Ana TV station

• 1975 (Oct-Dec) – Bob Luman: Front man, bass player, vocal backup, sound technician

• 1976-1981 – Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius: Front man, bandleader, built the sound system, vocal backup on recordings as well as stage shows & TV

• 1981 – The Masters Five Quartet (Jake Hess, J.D. Sumner, Hovie Lister, Rosie Rozell, James Blackwood): Operated sound, sold products, bus driver

• 1982 – The Kendalls (Royce & Jeanie): Built the sound system and traveled 8 months as their sound technician

• 1983-1984 – Porter Wagner: Front man, bass player, vocal backup, sound technician; after band dissolved, worked as his business manager and studio musician

• 1984-1985 – Texas Troubadours (group that traveled with the great Earnest Tubb): Front man, bass player, vocal backup, sound technician. Jerry was the last bass player hired with the Troubadours prior to the death of Earnest Tubb.

Professional Accomplishments
Jerry made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in1967. He continued working the Opry through 1986. In 1972, while employed with Del Reeves, Jerry had the privilege of working the last show in the old Opry House and the first show in the new Opry House.

Over a twenty-year period, Jerry made appearances on many nationally syndicated TV shows including, That Nashville Music,
Pop Goes Country, Del Reeves Country Carnival, Hee Haw, The Porter Wagoner Show, Grand Ole Opry Live, Ralph Emory’s Morning Show, and was a regular member on Nashville on the Road for seven years.

In the early 80’s, he had a bit part in the movie, Concrete Cowboy, starring Jerry Reed and Tom Selleck.

Jerry has traveled to many foreign countries and has been in every state in the USA. He has entertained Presidents, Governors, Senators and various elected officials in numerous states, and worked USO shows for approximately six years.

In November of 1993, he was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Honor and in November of 2003 was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.In 1996, Jerry became a member of the North Georgia Mountain Fair Staff Band and continues as bass player and vocalist for this group. He was a member of the Southern Gospel groups Southern Revival and Inner Peace.

Jerry has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians for over 43 years and a member of the Nashville Local 257 for 37 years. He has produced and engineered many recording sessions.

Additional Interests
Past Master of the Douglasville Masonic Lodge #289.
Jerry is a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason
Member of the Yaarab Shrine Center in Atlanta, Georgia and a member of the Sweetwater Shrine Club in Douglas County
Member and Past President of the Entertainers Unit, located in the Yaarab Shrine Center in Atlanta.