Born in 1955 in Armonk, New York, USA, Reed taught himself guitar almost entirely after quickly dropping classical instruction. He turned serious about playing during his mid-teens and, by age seventeen, backed beat poet Allen Ginsberg at the Smithsonian Institute. Once established as a professional musician, he performed across diverse contexts, earning enthusiastic listeners along with esteem from peers in the field. Recording commenced for him toward the end of the 1970s with multiple acoustic guitar releases issued via the Sky, Folkstudio, and Flying Fish imprints. Country music artist Lyle Lovett’s encouragement helped Reed land a deal with MCA Records during the latter part of the 1980s.
Having made Scotland his home since the early 2000s, Reed stands out as a composer of interest. His works encompass a suite composed for the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet as well as scores for film. Collaborations include sessions with guitarist Laurence Juber, resulting in duo recordings. Beyond his own performances, Reed instructs students, notably conducting sessions at the National Guitar Summer Workshop. At the beginning of the new millennium he established Outer Bridge Records and issued his first album on the imprint that same year, titled Handwritten Notes. Instructional videos have also appeared from him through Homespun Tapes.
Though Reed initially approached the acoustic guitar conventionally, he evolved a unique method over time that allows him to generate accompanying percussive patterns by striking the instrument’s body using either hand. Equally distinctive remains his application of unconventional tunings. His technical prowess proves remarkable and he keeps receiving acclaim from reviewers and other guitarists alike.
