My first brush with Jerry Clower was in 1971 when I was in an Army barracks in Baumholder, Germany. Two of my platoon mates (still friends some 40 years later) were listening to a scratchy record on a portable, battery-operated record player. As I listened, I thought: "My God, what is wrong with this person's voice? What language is he speaking, and why do my friends think this is funny?"
Not being from the South, as my friends were, I had a bit of a handicap. It wasn't until I moved to Mississippi that Clower began to make sense to me.
Clower was an everyday Mississippian. He was born in Liberty, in Amite County, in 1926. He fought in World War II, graduated from Mississippi State University and was a longtime resident of Yazoo City. He worked as a fertilizer salesman for Mississippi Chemical for many years before his storytelling ability defined his life's mission.
Beginning his career as a performer in the 1970s, Clower became one of America's most famous "country" comedians. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1973 and remained a member until his death in 1998. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Clower was a radio host, an author and an inspirational speaker who told humorous tales of life in the rural South. He took "redneck humor" mainstream before Jeff Foxworthy.
Among his most famous bits is one about 'coon huntin' in Mississippi and his many stories about the Ledbetter clan. However, it was his delivery (he sounded a lot like former Gov. Haley Barbour—with a sense of humor) that made all the difference.
"A recent survey stated that the average person's greatest fear is having to give a speech in public," Clower once quipped.
"Somehow this ranked even higher than death, which was third on the list. So, you're telling me that at a funeral, most people would rather be the guy in the coffin than have to stand up and give a eulogy."
The annual Jerry Clower festival in honor of one of the city's most famous citizens, is in downtown Yazoo City May 5 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You and your family will enjoy arts and crafts, vendors, live entertainment, games and rides, and includes the crowning of the 2012 Miss Jerry Clower Pageant winners. Admission is free. For more information, call 662-746-1815 or 800-381-0662, or go to http://www.visitthedelta.com.
Previous Comments
- ID
- 167684
- Comment
I loved his humor... one of my favorites was on women's rights & Mama!!
- Author
- 833WMaple
- Date
- 2012-05-07T09:52:22-06:00
More stories by this author
Support our reporting -- Follow the MFP.
