James “Jimmy” Hart is an American professional wrestling manager, music composer, promoter and entertainer best known as “The Mouth of the South,” who helped shape manager-led storytelling in major U.S. promotions and remains a WWE-affiliated legend. He began in music as a member of the 1960s pop group The Gentrys before entering Memphis wrestling in the 1970s at the invitation of Jerry “The King” Lawler, where he worked as a manager and on-screen personality and even briefly held a regional heavyweight title[3][1]. In the 1980s Hart rose to national prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), where his megaphone, loud persona and managerial work backed stars such as Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, The Honky Tonk Man, The Hart Foundation, King Kong Bundy and numerous tag teams; his clients won multiple Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships under his guidance[2][1]. He also wrote and produced entrance themes and music for wrestlers, a role he continued through his career[2][3]. When Hulk Hogan signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1994, Hart joined him and managed Hogan to WCW World Heavyweight gold, while also contributing creatively behind the scenes in WCW booking and music production[1][2]. After WCW’s closure Hart made sporadic appearances for various promotions including TNA, helped launch short-lived ventures such as XWF with Hogan, and continued performing music and on-screen cameo roles[3][5]. Hart’s industry achievements include industry awards in the 1980s, a long record of high-profile managerial runs, and induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005; he is also routinely credited for popularizing the archetype of the flamboyant wrestling manager and for his crossover work between music and wrestling[3][2]. In recent years he has appeared occasionally on WWE programming in a legends/ambassador capacity and continues to be referenced in professional wrestling histories and retrospectives[4][2].