Howard Gerald Clower – The Mouth of Mississippi

Howard Gerald “Jerry” Clower (September 28, 1926 – August 24, 1998) was an American stand-up comedian. Born and raised in the Southern United States, Clower was best known for his stories of the rural South and was given the nickname “The Mouth of Mississippi”.

His Life


Clower was born in Liberty, Mississippi, and began a two-year stint in the Navy immediately after graduating from high school in 1944. Upon his discharge, in 1946, he was a Radioman Third Class (RMN3) and had earned the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with two bronze service stars), and the World War II Victory Medal.

He studied agriculture at Mississippi State University, where he played college football and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. After finishing school in 1951, Clower worked as a county agent and later as a seed salesman. He became a fertilizer salesman for Mississippi Chemical in 1954.

His Career


By 1954, Clower had developed a reputation for telling funny stories to boost his sales. Tapes of Clower’s speaking engagements wound up in the hands of Edwin “Big Ed” Wilkes and Bud Andrews in Lubbock, Texas, who had him make a better-quality recording which they promoted. MCA Records later awarded The Coon Hunt a platinum record for sales in excess of $1 million at the retail level.

At first, Clower took orders at his speaking engagements, selling 8000 copies on the Lemon record label. In time, Wilkes sent a copy to Grant Turner at WSM radio in Nashville, and when Turner played it on the air, Clower said “that thing busted loose.” MCA was soon knocking on Clower’s door, offering him a contract. Once MCA began distribution in 1971, Jerry Clower from Yazoo City, Mississippi Talkin’ retailed more than a million dollars over 10 months and stayed in the top 20 on the country charts for 30 weeks.

Clower’s first on-stage engagement occurred in the early 1970s when country radio station owner and show promoter, Marshall Rowland (WQIK, Jacksonville; WDEN, Macon; WQYK, Tampa), received an early Clower recording (“The Coon Huntin’ Story”) which was met with rave reviews by his station’s listeners in Jacksonville. Rowland contacted Clower and offered him an airplane ticket and a few hundred dollars to come open for an upcoming tour Rowland had booked with Charley Pride. Clower arrived back-stage for the Saturday night show at the Jacksonville Coliseum, but Pride’s manager Jack Johnson refused to allow it because Clower was non-union. Rowland averted the situation by putting Clower on stage while the lights were up and people were still entering the Coliseum. Clower performed for about 30 minutes. Pride, who watched from backstage, is said to have then taken Clower under his wing and introduced him at the next of Rowland’s shows as his “new friend.” Clower and Rowland remained very close friends for the years that followed, connecting for events, and working shows together. Clower was a frequent face at Rowland’s radio stations over the remaining years of his life, and the music was known to be interrupted with Clower’s comedy recordings from time to time, especially at WQIK in Jacksonville, where his career can be said to have been launched in earnest.

Clower made 27 full-length recordings in his 27-year career as a professional entertainer (not counting “best of” compilations). With one exception, all the recordings were released by MCA. The exception was Ain’t God Good, which Clower recorded with MCA’s blessing at a worship service. Word Records promoted and distributed this title in 1977. This recording gave Clower, always a staunch Christian, an opportunity to present his personal testimony in a comfortable church setting. His stories often featured the Ledbetters, a quintessential Southern, agrarian clan. Clower was well known for his faith and often makes references to God in his stories. He spoke at many Southern Baptist Convention events. He said his faith kept him happy and able to make others laugh.

In 1973, Clower became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and continued to perform there regularly until his death. He also co-hosted a radio show called Country Crossroads with Bill Mack and Leroy Van Dyke, which has aired in syndication for 40 years and a television version of the program was produced, as well, starting in 1993. Clower’s involvement began in 1973 and lasted well over 20 years. This show was produced and distributed by the Southern Baptist Convention.

Clower was visible as a commercial spokesman. While it was mostly confined to local commercials and those airing in the Southern states, Clower could be seen selling anything from Dodge cars and trucks to transmission repairs and oil service to barbecue and fishing and hunting equipment. In fact, his salesmanship was so strong, he was named Pitchman of the Year for his commercials for flying fishing lures in 1995. An illustration of this type of propeller bait appears on his album released that year.

Clower also taped segments of Nashville On the Road, which included comedic performances and interviews with other country artists featured on the show. Jim Ed Brown hosted the series with Clower during the program’s first season, 1975–76, and they were joined by Helen Cornelius in 1976. Their involvement in the series lasted until 1981. The show continued to air with new host Jim Stafford through 1983. Clower’s last album was Peaches and Possums, released posthumously in October 1998. He was the author of four books. The book Ain’t God Good became the basis for an inspirational documentary film of the same title that won an award from the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. His other three books include 1978’s Let the Hammer Down; 1987’s Life Everlaughter, and 1993’s Stories From Home.

His Death

Clower died in August 1998 following heart bypass surgery; he was 71 years old. He had been married to Homerline (née Wells) Clower (1926-2018) since August 1947. He was survived by a son, Ray (1953–2011), three daughters, Amy, Sue, and Katy, and seven grandchildren.

Please Leave All Comments in the Comment Box Below

 


 

 

 

 

Author: HBS & DwJ

10 thoughts on “Howard Gerald Clower – The Mouth of Mississippi

  1. Though I never actually knew his real name, knowing that his name that I knew was the nickname, the mouth of Mississippi is really an interesting one and I got to know that he was actually a very interesting figure who has really spoken a lot of things through his comedy to condemn and also make mockery of so many things. 

    I like this post about him!

    1. Hello, 

      Thank you for your interest in this post, if you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy related products located in JMJ45TECH’s ONLINE STORE. Thank you for liking this post, please stop by godinourliveseveryday.com for more information.

      Thank you again for reading and commenting on this post.

      I Hope The Best For You In Your Future Endeavors!

  2. What a beautiful site, content, and great motivation.  

    I was something of a prodigal son until 2 years ago, but I am now back on track, on the Christian track. I read the Bible daily, pray and participate in online services. 

    I have bookmarked your site for further guidance. I loved the story of H G Clower. My Father served in WW2 as a commando in Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and throughout Europe until VE Day. Nearly dying in Holland.  

    Not a comedian though, but he was a Christian. His faith helped him throughout the war. 

    Have you considered adding testimonials of people who have survived recent wars in e.g. Afghanistan & Iraq and how their faith helped them?

    1. Hello, 

      Thank you for considering this a beautiful site, with beautiful content, with great motivation. It pleases me that you really find so much wisdom and truth from this article, not to mention deciding to give your life back to GOD. 

      Adding testimonials of people who have survived recent wars in e.g. Afghanistan & Iraq and how their faith helped them has not crossed my mind, however, since you have mentioned it, I am going to have to incorporate that into this website as well, thank you for this question and idea! 

      I am Truly Thankful for you, my brother in Christ!

      Many Blessings To You!

  3. Never really knew his name until recently, and I think he is a very magnificent man who has blossomed from his young age to become a big person. My dad use to listen to his CD on the radio and it was really funny as we would laugh all the way down to our location. 

    Reading about him brings some nostalgic feeling.

    1. Good evening,

      Thanks a lot for your comment. When starting this site I wanted to share the things that I have been learning, continuing to grow on, and share them with the rest of the world. Like you, I also remember listening to a Clower CD many years ago. 

      All The Best To You My Friend!

  4. Hello there Jerry, 

    Thank you for taking your time to do your research on Howard Gerald Clower and posting this amazing and inspiring article. I really enjoyed reading it and learning about Howard Gerald Clower. I think his story is truly a beautiful one and an example of a fulfilled life as a result of following one’s dreams and standing in faith. 

    1. Good day,

      Thank you for reading and commenting on this research performed about Howard Gerald Clower, I think going into deep details helps to answer questions as the reader continues reading, especially if it is amazing, inspiring and enjoyable, as you have described this post. 

      Thank You,

      Many Blessings To You My Friend! 

  5. Your article has brought back back some good old memories. I have always heard stories about Howard Gerald Clower, but I never really paid attention to them despite been really intriguing. It is important to remember the works of some people and appreciate them. 

    Thank you for this insightful post.

    1. Hey there, blessings to you my friend,

      It really pleases me that you find this article to be so informative, as well as insightful, that it brought some good ole memories back to you. Thank you for utilizing a portion of your time to read and comment on this post.

      I Hope The Best For You!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *