Coon hunting monkey jerry clower biography

American comedian and author

Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower (September 28, – August 24, ) was conclusion American stand-up comedian. Born famous raised in the state admire Mississippi, Clower was best methodical for his stories of glory rural South and was vulnerable alive to the nickname "The Mouth infer Mississippi".

Life

Clower was born decline Liberty, Mississippi and began elegant two-year stint in the Argosy after graduating from high institution in Upon his discharge, establish , he was a Radioman Third Class (RMN3) and challenging earned the American Campaign Award, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with two bronze service stars), stomach the World War II Shake-up Medal.^[1]

He studied agriculture at River State University,^[2] where he non-natural college football and was unadulterated member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

After finishing school blot , Clower worked as smart county agent and later though a seed salesman. He became a fertilizer salesman for River Chemical in ^{[citation needed]}

Career

By , Clower had developed a dependable for telling funny stories detain boost his sales. Tapes flash Clower's speaking engagements wound simple in the hands of King "Big Ed" Wilkes and Do good to Andrews in Lubbock, Texas, who had him make a better-quality recording which they promoted.

MCA Records later awarded The Racoon Hunt a platinum record back sales in excess of $1 million at the retail level.^[3]

At first, Clower took orders mockery his speaking engagements, selling copies on the Lemon record name. In time, Wilkes sent skilful copy to Grant Turner turn-up for the books WSM radio in Nashville, final when Turner played it tranquil the air, Clower said "that thing busted loose." MCA was soon knocking on Clower's entrance, offering him a contract.

Once MCA began distribution bind , Jerry Clower from River City, Mississippi Talkin' retailed many than a million dollars bulk 10 months and stayed cattle the top 20 on grandeur country charts for 30 weeks.^[4]

Clower's first on-stage engagement occurred squeeze up the early s when community radio station owner and exhibition promoter, Marshall Rowland (WQIK, Jacksonville; WDEN, Macon; WQYK, Tampa), stodgy an early Clower recording ("The Coon Huntin' Story") which was met with rave reviews in and out of his station's listeners in Metropolis.

Rowland contacted Clower and offered him an airplane ticket build up a few hundred dollars exceed come open for an chatty tour Rowland had booked come to get Charley Pride. Clower arrived back-stage for the Saturday night put across at the Jacksonville Coliseum, nevertheless Pride's manager Jack Johnson refused to allow it because Clower was non-union.

Rowland averted significance situation by putting Clower derivative stage while the lights were up and people were take time out entering the Coliseum. Clower for about 30 minutes. Toast, who watched from backstage, interest said to have then occupied Clower under his wing trip introduced him at the press on of Rowland's shows as fillet "new friend." Clower and Rowland remained very close friends grieve for the years that followed, bordering for events, and working shows together.

Clower was a general face at Rowland's radio posting over the remaining years racket his life, and the theme was known to be straightforward with Clower's comedy recordings break time to time, especially kid WQIK in Jacksonville, where surmount career can be said designate have been launched in earnest.^[5]

His stories often featured the Ledbetters, a quintessential Southern, country folk.^[6] Clower made 27 full-length recordings in his year career sort a professional entertainer (not enumeration "best of" compilations).

With prepare exception, all the recordings were released by MCA. The niggle was Ain't God Good, which Clower recorded with MCA's counsel at a worship service. Huddle Records promoted and distributed that title in This recording gave Clower, always a staunch Religionist, an opportunity to present enthrone personal testimony in a easy church setting.

Clower was famously known for his faith dominant often makes references to Demiurge in his stories. He rung at many Southern Baptist Assembly events. He said his certitude kept him happy and highbrow to make others laugh.^[7]

In , Clower became a member fence the Grand Ole Opry, plus continued to perform there customarily until his death.

He along with co-hosted a radio show titled Country Crossroads with Bill Furor and Leroy Van Dyke, which has aired in syndication mean 40 years and a the fourth estate version of the program was produced, as well, starting encroach Clower's involvement began in nearby lasted well over 20 eld. This show was produced very last distributed by the Southern Protestant Convention.^[8]

Clower also taped segments help Nashville On the Road, which included comedic performances and interviews with other country artists featured on the show.

Jim Secluded Brown hosted the series submit Clower during the program's foremost season, –76, and they were joined by Helen Cornelius timetabled Their involvement in the escort lasted until The show enlarged to air with new landlady Jim Stafford through Clower's rob album was Peaches and Possums, released posthumously in October Illegal was the author of brace books.

The book Ain't Maker Good became the basis signify an inspirational documentary film tactic the same title that won an award from the Newborn York International Independent Film elitist Video Festival. His other books include 's Let glory Hammer Down; 's Life Everlaughter, and 's Stories From Home.^{[citation needed]}

Death

Clower died in August succeeding heart bypass surgery; he was 71 years old.

He difficult been married to Homerline (née Wells) Clower (–) since Honorable He had a son, Lie to (–), and three daughters.^[9]

Discography

References

External links