In 1965, Priscilla Mitchell reached the top of Billboard’s country singles chart with a record that spent two weeks at No. 1. It was a remarkable achievement, especially considering that Priscilla Mitchell’s husband, Jerry Reed, was still years away from reaching the same position as a recording artist.
Most country fans remember Jerry Reed for the unforgettable guitar playing, humorous songs, and performances in Smokey and the Bandit. But long before Jerry Reed became a household name, Priscilla Mitchell was already an accomplished singer whose work helped support the family during some uncertain years in Nashville.
A Young Marriage and an Uncertain Future
Jerry Reed and Priscilla Mitchell married in Georgia in 1959. Jerry Reed was serving in the Army, and Priscilla Mitchell had already begun pursuing music professionally. Their first daughter, Seidina, arrived in 1960.
In 1962, Jerry Reed and Priscilla Mitchell moved to Nashville, hoping to build lasting careers in country music.
Jerry Reed had talent and experience. Capitol Records had released early recordings, and other artists were beginning to recognize Jerry Reed’s songwriting abilities. Porter Wagoner took Jerry Reed’s composition “Misery Loves Company” to No. 1 in 1962. But success as a songwriter did not automatically make Jerry Reed a successful recording star.
Priscilla Mitchell found paying work singing in recording studios. Background singers rarely received the public recognition given to featured performers, but the work mattered. A 1980 profile of Jerry Reed in Stereo Review specifically credited Priscilla Mitchell’s studio singing with helping the family get through those early Nashville years.
The Telephone Call That Became a No. 1 Hit
Priscilla Mitchell’s biggest breakthrough arrived in 1965 through a partnership with established country singer Roy Drusky.
Mercury Records released “Yes, Mr. Peters,” a clever duet written by Steve Karliski and Larry Kolber. Unlike an ordinary love song, the recording unfolds as a telephone conversation.
Roy Drusky portrays a married businessman receiving a call from another woman. Priscilla Mitchell supplies the woman’s side of the conversation. To conceal the relationship from anyone listening nearby, Roy Drusky responds as though the caller is a business associate named Mr. Peters.
The unusual arrangement allows listeners to follow both the real conversation and the cover story. Priscilla Mitchell’s controlled delivery gives the recording its distinctive character.
Country audiences responded enthusiastically. “Yes, Mr. Peters” became a No. 1 country hit in 1965, remaining at the summit for two weeks. It was the biggest chart success for both Priscilla Mitchell and Roy Drusky.
Priscilla Mitchell Had a Recording Career of Her Own
The success of “Yes, Mr. Peters” was not Priscilla Mitchell’s only contribution to country music.
Priscilla Mitchell and Roy Drusky continued recording together, releasing three duet albums, including Love’s Eternal Triangle. Other recordings included “Slippin’ Around” and “I’ll Never Tell on You.”
Priscilla Mitchell also released solo material. In 1967, Priscilla Mitchell recorded “He’s Not for Real,” written by Jerry Reed. The following year brought “Your Old Handy Man,” written by Dolly Parton, along with another Jerry Reed composition, “Natch-illy Ain’t No Good.”
These recordings reveal something easily missed when Priscilla Mitchell is remembered only as Jerry Reed’s wife: Priscilla Mitchell had an independent musical career, recording songs written by notable Nashville songwriters and collaborating with established performers.
Jerry Reed’s Breakthrough Came Later
Jerry Reed’s career gathered momentum during the late 1960s. Chet Atkins helped develop Jerry Reed’s recording career at RCA Victor, and Jerry Reed’s distinctive guitar technique became increasingly recognizable.
In 1971, Jerry Reed finally reached No. 1 on the country singles chart as a recording artist with “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” six years after Priscilla Mitchell’s success with Roy Drusky.
Greater fame followed, including more hit records, Grammy Awards, and movie appearances. Meanwhile, Priscilla Mitchell continued working in music, including background singing and eventually touring alongside Jerry Reed.
What Jerry Reed Said About Priscilla Mitchell Years Later
One of the most revealing acknowledgments came decades after “Yes, Mr. Peters” topped the charts.
During a 2005 interview with Frank Goodman for Puremusic, Jerry Reed discussed musicians appearing on the live album Live Still. When asked whether the performer credited as “Ms. Pris” was Priscilla Mitchell, Jerry Reed confirmed the identification and explained that Priscilla Mitchell had been traveling with the band for approximately twelve years.
“I couldn’t do it without Mama.”
It was a brief statement from Jerry Reed, but one that recognized Priscilla Mitchell’s continuing place in Jerry Reed’s musical life.
Jerry Reed and Priscilla Mitchell remained married until Jerry Reed’s death in 2008. Priscilla Mitchell died in 2014 at age 73.
Jerry Reed’s remarkable career deserves its place in country music history. So does Priscilla Mitchell’s. Before the movies, the famous guitar performances, and Jerry Reed’s own No. 1 recording, Priscilla Mitchell had already helped keep the family going through music and earned a chart-topping record of her own.
And years after that first success, Priscilla Mitchell was still making music beside Jerry Reed.