Bill Text: MS HR90 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Jerry Clower; acknowledge legacy and talent upon dedication of Country Music Trail Marker in his honor.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-03-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR90 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-HR90-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: The Entire Membership
House Resolution 90
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JERRY CLOWER AND POSTHUMOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGING HIS LEGACY AND TALENT UPON HAVING A COUNTRY MUSIC TRAIL MARKER DEDICATED IN HIS HONOR.
WHEREAS, Jerry Clower, born Howard Gerald Clower in Liberty, Mississippi, on September 28, 1926, was and remains perhaps one of the most highly recognizable and famous names on the entertainment circuit synonymous with the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, for an individual who came from the modest and humble beginnings of being raised on a farm, Jerry, who initially aspired to be an agricultural extension agent working with 4-H clubs, attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship after serving in the United States Navy in World War II, received a degree in agriculture and later became the 4-H agent he had wanted to become; and
WHEREAS, it was not until 1970, while working as a fertilizer salesman for Mississippi Chemical Corporation, a job to which he devoted 18 years, that Jerry's talent was discovered as he brought his colorful, observant, comic stories of southern life, developed as a sales tool and an attraction at industry conventions, and after Edwin "Big Ed" Wilkes, a local radio director in Texas, taped one of Clower's conversations, "The Coon Hunt," forwarded that regional recording to MCA Records, they signed him, launching Jerry into stardom as a country comedian; and
WHEREAS, for more than 25 years, beginning in 1973, Jerry Clower joined the eclectic cast of the Grand Ole Opry, and was one of the most successful and acclaimed country comedians of all time as he performed live shows and recordings, made television appearances and wrote four bestselling books; and
WHEREAS, from the time of his epic discovery until his death and beyond in 1998, there would be nearly three dozen hit Jerry Clower albums, from his first, Jerry Clower from Yazoo City, Mississippi Talkin' in 1971, to Ain't God Good!! in 1977, to the posthumous release of Peaches and Possums in October 1998 to name a few, Clower's audience base expanded and continues to grow with each passing year; and
WHEREAS, his deep, lifelong commitment to Christianity was reflected not only in his storytelling, but in his 20-year involvement with the Southern Baptist Convention-produced radio and television program, Country Crossroads, work as a lay minister, and his testament and memoir Ain't God Good!; and
WHEREAS, noted Mississippi author, editor and fellow Yazoo City resident, Willie Morris, noted that Clower's broadly appealing comic art, "reveals the richness of the spoken language of the American South in all of its inwardness and nuance and sweep. He knows what he is talking about. His humor is rooted in a region, but is not regional."; and
WHEREAS, Jerry shared the joys of his newfound and humbling success with his family: wife of 51 years, Homerline Wells Clower; son, Ray; daughters, Amy, Sue and Katy; and seven grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend citizens such as Jerry Clower, who was a Mississippi legend and a gentleman, whose life of entertainment brought joy and laughter into the lives of countless millions, and who is worthy of this most prestigious honor:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of Jerry Clower and posthumously acknowledge his legacy and talent upon having a Country Music Trail Marker dedicated in his honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Jerry Clower and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
