Country Comedy

   http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2010/08/13/jerryclower_1.jpg : Jerry Clower

Howard Gerald “ Jerry “ Clower was a down home country boy born on September 28, 1926. He became famous for his popular comedic stories about the rural South and the non-fictional Ledbetter family, and especially his best friend Marcel Ledbetter.

In 1954, Clower was trying to make his living as a fertilizer salesmen for Mississippi Chemical. He soon developed a reputation for telling funny stories to help boast his sales.

He was speaking to the Alabama Dairy Convention in Point Clear, Alabama in 1970, when an attendee suggested he might have a future in comedy. Clower thinking he could have some potential begin to tape his speaking engagements.

His most famous tale, “ The Coon Hunt “ was first taped in Corpus Christi, Texas were a local DJ sent the recording to Big Ed Wilkes and Bud Andrews in Lubbock ,Texas. They in turn produced a better quality tape which they promoted. After hearing this tape MCA offered Clower a recording contract.

His first comedy album, “ Jerry Clower From Yazoo City Mississippi Talkin“, was released in 1971. It was not distributed nationally at first, but became a word-of-mouth hit, and climbed into the Top 20 Hits of the country charts. It was followed by a successful 27 full length recordings, and Clower became one of the most popular country comedians of his time.

In 1973, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and later co-hosted a radio show called, “ Country Crossroads “. It ran in syndication until 2003. He branched out into television commercials and could be seen selling just about anything from Dodge cars and car repair, to barbecue, fishing and hunting supplies. In 1995, he was named Pitchmen of the Year for his commercials on fly fishing lures.

He was also a fine author with three books, Ain’t God Good, Let the Hammer Down and Life Everlaughter. The first book was the title of a documentary film on his life.

Jerry Clower continued to perform and record steadily until his death in 1998, at the age of 71, following complication from open heart surgery. He was survived by his wife Homerline Wells Clower, one son, three daughters and seven grandchildren.

 Jerry Clower ( September 28, 1926-August 24, 1998) a comedic legend.