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{{Infobox comedian
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{{Infobox person
 
| name = Jerry Clower
 
| name = Jerry Clower
 
| image = Jerry Clower 1974.jpg
 
| image = Jerry Clower 1974.jpg
 
| imagesize = 200px
 
| imagesize = 200px
| caption = Clower in 1974
+
| caption = Clower at the Grand Ole Opry in 1974
| pseudonym =
 
 
| birth_name = Howard Gerald Clower
 
| birth_name = Howard Gerald Clower
 
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1926|9|28}}
 
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1926|9|28}}
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| death_date = {{death date and age|1998|8|24|1926|9|28}}
 
| death_date = {{death date and age|1998|8|24|1926|9|28}}
 
| death_place = Jackson, Mississippi
 
| death_place = Jackson, Mississippi
| medium = [[stand-up comedy|stand-up]]<br>television<br>[[recording]]s
+
| medium = Stand-up<br>television<br>[[recording]]s
 
| nationality = [[United States of America|USA]]
 
| nationality = [[United States of America|USA]]
 
| awards = [[American Campaign Medal]]<br>[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] (3)<br>[[World War II Victory Medal]]
 
| awards = [[American Campaign Medal]]<br>[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] (3)<br>[[World War II Victory Medal]]
| active =
+
| genre = Stand-up
| genre = stand up
+
| subject = Rural humor, observational humor, character study
| subject = rural humor
 
| influences =
 
 
| influenced = [[Jeff Foxworthy]]
 
| influenced = [[Jeff Foxworthy]]
| spouse = Homerline Wells <small>(1947-1998; by his death)</small>
+
| spouse = Homerline Wells <small>(1947–1998; his death)</small>
| notable_work =
 
| signature =
 
| website =
 
| footnotes =
 
| current_members =
 
| past_members =
 
 
| module ={{Infobox military person | embed=yes
 
| module ={{Infobox military person | embed=yes
 
| allegiance = [[United States]]
 
| allegiance = [[United States]]
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| serviceyears = 1944-1946
 
| serviceyears = 1944-1946
 
| rank = Radioman Third Class (RMN3)
 
| rank = Radioman Third Class (RMN3)
| servicenumber =
 
 
| unit =
 
| unit =
 
| commands =
 
| commands =
 
| battles =
 
| battles =
 
| awards = [[American Campaign Medal]]<br>[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]<br>Bronze Service Star (x2)<br>[[World War II Victory Medal]]}}
| battles_label =
 
| awards = [[American Campaign Medal]]<br>[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]<br>Bronze Service Star (x2)<br>[[World War II Victory Medal]]
 
| relations =
 
}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
   
'''Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower''' (September 28, 1926 – August 24, 1998) was a popular country comedian best known for his stories of the rural South. He was often nicknamed "The Mouth of Mississippi".
+
'''Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower''' (September 28, 1926 – August 24, 1998) was a popular country comedian best known for his stories of the rural South and nicknamed "The Mouth of Mississippi".
   
  +
==Life==
Clower was born in [[Liberty, Mississippi]], and began a 2-year stint in the [[US Navy|Navy]] immediately after graduating 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 then 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. By this time, he had developed a reputation for telling funny stories to boost his sales.
+
Jerry Clower was born in [[Liberty, Mississippi]], and began a two-year stint in the [[US Navy|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]].<ref name="google.com">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19820402&id=f4RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mzINAAAAIBAJ&pg=1113,172095&hl=en|title=The Evening News - Google News Archive Search}}</ref>
   
  +
hey yalllllll
Eventually, tapes of Clower's speaking engagements wound up in the hands of [["Big Ed" Wilkes|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 album]] for sales in excess of $1 million at the retail level.<ref>[http://www.kdav.com/bandrews.html KDAV DJ, Bud Andrews<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 
   
  +
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.<ref name="google.com"/>
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 (AM)|WSM]] radio in Nashville, and when Turner played it on the air, Clower said "that thing busted loose". [[Music Corporation of America|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 ten months and stayed in the Top 20 on the country charts for 30 weeks.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p142/biography|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic, Jerry Clower Biography]</ref>
 
   
  +
==Career==
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. Always a staunch Christian, this recording gave Clower an opportunity to present his personal testimony in a comfortable church setting.
 
 
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 [["Big Ed" Wilkes|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 album|platinum record]] for sales in excess of $1 million at the retail level.<ref>[http://www.kdav.com/bandrews.html Profile], kdav.com; accessed August 31, 2014.</ref>
   
 
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". [[Music Corporation of America|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.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p142/biography|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic profile]; accessed August 31, 2014.</ref>
Clower's stories often feature the Ledbetters, the quintessential Southern, agrarian clan which includes from story to story various combinations of Uncle Versie, Aunt Pet, Ardel, Burnel, Raynel, W.L., Lanel, Odell, Eudel, Marcel, Claude, Newgene, and Clovis.
 
   
 
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. Always a staunch Christian, this recording gave Clower an opportunity to present his personal testimony in a comfortable church setting. His stories often featured the Ledbetters, a quintessential Southern, agrarian clan.<ref>[http://www.olemiss.edu/mwp/dir/clower_jerry/index.html Jerry Clower profile], olemiss.edu; accessed August 31, 2014.</ref> Clower said his faith kept him happy and able to make others laugh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19840326&id=g4ZKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OpQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4890,4583664&hl=en|title=The Telegraph - Google News Archive Search}}</ref>
In 1973, Clower became a member of the [[Grand Ole Opry]], and remained with that organization 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 also very 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 that 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.
 
   
  +
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.<ref>[http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/clower_jerry/artist.jhtml Jerry Clower profile], cmt.com; accessed August 31, 2014.</ref>
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, 1975–1976, 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 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. {{citation needed|date=August 2014}}
Clower's last album was ''Peaches and Possums,'' released posthumously in October 1998.
 
   
 
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.
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''.
+
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''.
   
  +
==Death==
Clower died following [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|heart bypass]] surgery, aged 71. He had been married to Homerline Wells Clower since August 1947. He was also survived by a son, Ray (1953-2011), three daughters, Amy, Sue, and Katy, and seven grandchildren.
+
Clower died in August 1998 following [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|heart bypass]] surgery. He was 71. He had been married to Homerline (née Wells) Clower since August 1947. He was survived by a son, Ray (1953-2011), three daughters, Amy, Sue, and Katy, and seven grandchildren.<ref>[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=3573 Jerry Clower profile], findagrave.com; accessed August 31, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19980825&id=FbJdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w10NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5032,3198432&hl=en|title=Observer-Reporter - Google News Archive Search}}</ref>
   
 
==Discography==
 
==Discography==
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! rowspan="2"| Year
 
! rowspan="2"| Year
 
! rowspan="2"| Album
 
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="3"| Chart Positions<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jerry-clower-mn0000843230/awards</ref>
+
! colspan="3"| Chart Positions<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jerry-clower-mn0000843230/awards Jerry Clower awards], allmusic.com; accessed August 31, 2014.</ref>
 
! rowspan="2"| RIAA{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Jerry Clower|artist=Jerry Clower}}
 
! rowspan="2"| RIAA{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Jerry Clower|artist=Jerry Clower}}
 
! rowspan="2"| Label
 
! rowspan="2"| Label
 
|-
 
|-
! width="45"| <small>[[Top Country Albums|US Country]]</small>
+
! width="45"| <small>US Country</small>
 
! width="45"| <small>[[Top Comedy Albums|US Comedy]]</small>
 
! width="45"| <small>[[Top Comedy Albums|US Comedy]]</small>
! width="45"| <small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small>
+
! width="45"| <small>US</small>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 1971
 
| 1971
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|
 
|
 
| align="center"| Gold
 
| align="center"| Gold
| Decca
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| rowspan="2"| Decca
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 1972
 
| 1972
 
| ''The Mouth of Mississippi''
 
| ''The Mouth of Mississippi''
| align="center"|
+
| align="center"|
 
|
 
|
 
|
|
 
 
|align="center"| Gold
 
|align="center"| Gold
| rowspan="6"| MCA
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 1973
 
| 1973
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|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
| rowspan="5"| MCA
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 1974
 
| 1974
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|-
 
|-
 
| 1995
 
| 1995
| ''Fishin', Frogs, Hawgs, and Dawgs''
+
| ''Fish'n, Frogs, Hawgs, and Dawgs''
 
| align="center"|
 
| align="center"|
 
|
 
|
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==External links==
 
==External links==
* {{imdb name|id=0167274}}
+
* {{IMDb name|id=0167274}}
* [http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/clower_jerry/artist.jhtml Jerry Clower] article at [[Country Music Television|CMT.com]]
+
* [http://www.musicscribe.com/JC/index.html Jerry Clower discography], musicscribe.com; accessed August 31, 2014.
 
* [http://www.libertymississippi.com/ Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi website]; accessed August 31, 2014.
* [http://www.musicscribe.com/JC/index.html Jerry Clower Discography]
 
 
* {{YouTube|bYUrdMzbtUg|Jerry Clower "Burning Building" routine}}
* [http://www.libertymississippi.com/ Liberty Mississippi]
 
  +
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUrdMzbtUg Jerry Clower "Burning Building" routine] at YouTube
 
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=3573 Jerry Clower (1926 - 1998)] at Find a Grave
 
* [http://www.olemiss.edu/mwp/dir/clower_jerry/index.html Jerry Clower] at [http://www.olemiss.edu/mwp/index.html The Mississippi Writers Page]
 
* [https://archive.is/20121205203240/www.facebook.com/pages/Jerry-Clower-Remembered/171705216266524 Jerry Clower Remembered]
 
 
{{Wikipedia|Jerry Clower}}
 
{{Wikipedia|Jerry Clower}}
   
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[[Category:1926 births]]
 
[[Category:1926 births]]
 
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
 
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
  +
[[Category:American country singers]]
  +
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
 
[[Category:American radio personalities]]
 
[[Category:American radio personalities]]
 
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
 
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
 
[[Category:American religious writers]]
 
[[Category:American religious writers]]
 
[[Category:Baptists from the United States]]
 
[[Category:Baptists from the United States]]
[[Category:Deaths from surgical complications]]
 
 
[[Category:Grand Ole Opry members]]
 
[[Category:Grand Ole Opry members]]
 
[[Category:Mississippi State University alumni]]
 
[[Category:Mississippi State University alumni]]
 
[[Category:People from Amite County, Mississippi]]
 
[[Category:People from Yazoo City, Mississippi]]
 
[[Category:People from Yazoo City, Mississippi]]
[[Category:People from Yazoo County, Mississippi]]
 
 
[[Category:Writers from Mississippi]]
 
[[Category:Writers from Mississippi]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
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[[Category:20th-century singers]]
  +
[[Category:20th-century American writers]]
  +
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
  +
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]

Revision as of 19:41, 29 April 2021

Jerry Clower
Jerry Clower 1974
Clower at the Grand Ole Opry in 1974
Born Howard Gerald Clower
(1926-09-28)September 28, 1926
Liberty, Mississippi
Died August 24, 1998(1998-08-24) (aged 71)
Jackson, Mississippi
Nationality USA
Spouse(s) Homerline Wells (1947–1998; his death)
Awards American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3)
World War II Victory Medal
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1944-1946
Rank Radioman Third Class (RMN3)
Awards American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Bronze Service Star (x2)
World War II Victory Medal

Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower (September 28, 1926 – August 24, 1998) was a popular country comedian best known for his stories of the rural South and nicknamed "The Mouth of Mississippi".

Life

Jerry 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.[1]

hey yalllllll

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.[1]

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.[2]

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.[3]

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. Always a staunch Christian, this recording gave Clower an opportunity to present his personal testimony in a comfortable church setting. His stories often featured the Ledbetters, a quintessential Southern, agrarian clan.[4] Clower said his faith kept him happy and able to make others laugh.[5]

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.[6]

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.[citation needed]

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.

Death

Clower died in August 1998 following heart bypass surgery. He was 71. He had been married to Homerline (née Wells) Clower since August 1947. He was survived by a son, Ray (1953-2011), three daughters, Amy, Sue, and Katy, and seven grandchildren.[7][8]

Discography

Year Album Chart Positions[9] RIAA[10] Label
US Country US Comedy US
1971 From Yazoo City - Mississippi Talkin' 19 Gold Decca
1972 The Mouth of Mississippi Gold
1973 Clower Power 7 MCA
1974 Country Ham 12
1975 Live in Picayune 8
1976 The Ambassador of Goodwill 40
1977 On the Road
1977 Ain't God Good!! Word Records
1978 Live from the Stage of the Grand Ole Opry! 50 MCA
1979 Greatest Hits 189 Gold
1980 Ledbetter Olympics
1981 More Good 'Uns 43
1982 Dogs I Have Known
1983 Live at Cleburne, Texas
1984 Starke Raving!
1985 An Officer and a Ledbetter
1985 The Best of Jerry Clower
1986 Runaway Truck
1987 Top Gum
1988 Classic Clower
1989 Let There Be Light
1990 The Mouth of the Mighty Mississip'
1991 Racoonteur
1992 Sidewinder
1993 Stories Told Funny
1994 Jerry Joins the Navy
1995 Fish'n, Frogs, Hawgs, and Dawgs
1997 Live at Dollywood
1998 Peaches and Possums {final album}
1999 Great Moments with Jerry Clower
1999 Legendary Clower
1999 More Clower Power
2005 The Jerry Clower Collection Madacy Records
2006 Classic Clower Power 52 3 MCA Nashville
2008 Collectors Edition Box Set Madacy Special Markets

References

External links

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Jerry Clower and the edit history here.