James Gregory is beloved by millions, including us here at WSFL, and anyone who ever listened to the John Boy & Billy Big Show, on which he was a regular. We lost James in 2024, and the story of his amazing rise to success as “The Funniest Man in America” has never been told—until now.

Inside this book, you’ll discover:

• The Roots of a Legend: How James Gregory’s upbringing in small-town Georgia shaped his humor, grit, and love for his craft.
• Behind the Curtain: Never-before-told stories of the comedy boom, from smoky clubs to national stages, alongside names like Jay Leno, Steven Wright, and even country music legend, George Jones!
• A Life of Generosity: How James’ unwavering kindness and support transformed lives and launched careers.
• The Wisdom of Comedy: Insightful, hilarious, and moving reflections from a man who has seen and done it all.

James’ story isn’t just for comedy fans—it’s for anyone who values perseverance, kindness, and the pursuit of a dream.

Excerpt from a note from Michael Long, the ghostwriter:

An iconic entertainer in the modern South, his funny stories about family life and small-town America resonate with audiences from all walks of life, drawing them in with relatable humor and real warmth. For the last twenty years he has sold out every gig. James thought of his fans as the customers he served. For forty years, he and those fans treated each other like family. In 2023, James was dying. He’d released CDs and paperbacks of his material but never the story of his life—the real story, which is what his fans had always wanted to hear.

For days, from morning until supper, James and I spread out at his kitchen table while he told me his tales. These were the experiences he’d shared on the road—those fall-down funny stories that working comedians swap late at night but audiences never get to hear. Ask any comedian: the best stuff is the conversation after the show. This was that. James told it in his own golden style; I didn’t have to ghostwrite so much as protect what he said. My job was to get it from the tape recorder to the page without getting in the way.

What a joy it was. The fellow known as “The Funniest Man in America” looked me in the eye and told me his life story from birth to present day. I shaped and ordered the material, reviewed it with him—a comedian is picky about words—and guided him through traditional publishing. (Bragging here: I sold it on the first phone call. Didn’t even have to write an email.) Three days after he finished captioning the photos, James passed away, but the collaboration was complete. The fans got the story they wanted. I got closure on an old ambition. And James left ‘em laughing. Again.

Click here to order your copy of A Bushel of Beans and a Peck of Tomatoes: The Life and Times of “The Funniest Man in America”. You can also enter to win a copy below, compliments of Permuted Press and the Funniest Man team.