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United States Jerry Clower, known as "The Mouth of Mississippi," was a celebrated American stand-up comedian and author, whose humor centered on the rural South and integrated Christian faith.
Jerry Clower shared stories involving the Marcel Ledbetter Moving Company, illustrating humorous situations related to moving and local characters. In one instance, he recounts how Marcel Ledbetter loaned money and trucks, leading to an amusing piano moving request.
Jerry Clower was involved in a business venture known as the Slim/Safe Bahamian Diet. This partnership reportedly faced complications, as Clower eventually filed a lawsuit against his business partners, leading to significant financial challenges.
After signing a recording contract with Decca Recording Company (later MCA), Jerry Clower's first record climbed to eleventh on Billboard's chart, marking his breakthrough into commercial success.
MCA Records distributed Jerry Clower's most successful albums, including "Jerry Clower from Yazoo City, Mississippi Talkin'" (1971), which retailed over a million dollars, and "The Coon Hunt," which achieved platinum status.
Word Records promoted and distributed Jerry Clower's album "Ain't God Good" in 1977. This unique recording, made at a worship service, allowed Clower to share his personal testimony and faith with his audience.
Howard Gerald “Jerry” Clower was born on September 28, 1926, in Liberty, Mississippi. After graduating high school in 1944, he served a two-year stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II, earning the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with two bronze service stars), and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, Clower pursued agricultural studies at Mississippi State University, where he also played college football and was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Upon completing his education in 1951, he began his professional career as a county agent, transitioning to a seed salesman, and later, starting in 1954, as a fertilizer salesman for Mississippi Chemical.
Clower’s unique ability to tell engaging and humorous stories informally to boost sales eventually led to his comedic career. Tapes of his speaking engagements caught the attention of Edwin “Big Ed” Wilkes and Bud Andrews in Lubbock, Texas, who facilitated a higher-quality recording. His debut album, “Jerry Clower from Yazoo City, Mississippi Talkin’,” distributed by MCA Records in 1971, sold over a million dollars in its first ten months and remained on the country charts for 30 weeks. This success was a turning point, leading to his first on-stage engagement in the early 1970s and subsequent widespread recognition. In 1973, Clower achieved a significant milestone by becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry, where he performed regularly for the remainder of his career.
Throughout his career, Jerry Clower released 27 full-length recordings, with “The Coon Hunt” achieving platinum status. His stories frequently featured fictional characters like the Ledbetters, portraying quintessential Southern country folk. Beyond his comedy albums, Clower co-hosted a radio show called “Country Crossroads” for over 20 years, starting in 1973, produced by the Southern Baptist Convention. He also taped segments for “Nashville On the Road” from 1975 to 1981. A staunch Christian, Clower often referenced his faith in his stories and published four books, including “Ain’t God Good,” which was adapted into an award-winning documentary. Jerry Clower passed away on August 24, 1998, at the age of 71, following heart bypass surgery.
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