Born Name:  Howard Gerald Clower

Born Date:  September 28, 1926

Born Place:  Liberty, Mississippi

Died Date:  August 24, 1998

Died Place:  Jackson, Mississippi

Occupations:  Comedian, storyteller

Brief Biography:  Jerry Clower was a legendary American country comedian and storyteller known as the "mouth of Mississippi." Famous for his vivid tales of the rural South—particularly the Ledbetter family—he rose from a fertilizer salesman to a Grand Ole Opry member, delivering clean, fast-paced humor rooted in his upbringing.

Early Life and Career:
Clower grew up in poverty, which heavily influenced his storytelling.
Education & Service: He graduated from Mississippi State University, having studied agriculture and played football. He also served in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator on the U.S.S. Bennington CV-20 during World War II.
The Fertilizer Salesman: Before comedy, Clower worked for the Mississippi Chemical Company, using his storytelling talent to entertain farmers, which eventually led to his comedic career.

Comedy Style and Legacy:
The Ledbetter Stories: Clower's most famous stories featured the fictionalized, yet based on real people, Ledbetter family, including his best friend, Marcel Ledbetter, highlighting Southern culture.
Success: His first album, Jerry Clower from Yazoo City Talkin', sold over 8,000 copies without advertisement.
Impact: Known for his catchphrase "Ain't God good!", Clower was a regular on the Grand Ole Opry and a celebrated entertainer until his death in 1998.

Key Achievements:
Member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Prolific author and recording artist.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Southern storytellers.