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Dr. Jimmie James Jr.
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(JACKSON, Miss.) - After 43 years of dedicated service as a teacher, band director, and music department chairman at Jackson State University, Jimmie James Jr. is retiring. James will be honored with a retirement celebration at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Jackson State University Student Center.
Commonly known as the voice of the Sonic Boom of the South - a position he's held since 1966 - James looks back on his years as at his yeas at Jackson State University with pride. "When I was first asked to do the announcing by Mr. William W. Davis, the former band director, I was interested in impressing him," James said, adding that he later became focused on impressing himself. "I decided that it always had to be the best."
James, a Hattiesburg, Miss., native, began his professional career in 1966, six years after graduating from the then Jackson State College. He was Jackson State's first tuba major.
A lover of all kinds of music, James helped found the Church Music Workshop of America in 1977, which is held annually at Jackson State. The event attracts participants from across the country for three days of training, discussion and study on such topics as vocal health, the role of pastors in music, and African-American church hymns.
Even in his retirement, James has Jackson State students in mind. Money raised from the celebration which will include a silent auction with some of James' most prized possessions will go towards a scholarship fund.
"I've always been a supporter of student academics," James said. "I always say, 'Students first.' That means I really support student efforts to achieve and I will always do that whether I'm here or whether I'm not here."
Tickets to James' retirement celebration cost $30 and can be purchased at the F.D. Hall Music Center on the main campus of Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch St. in Jackson, Miss. For more information, call 601-979-2141 or 601-214-1348.
To watch JSU's YouTube video of Dr. James, click here.
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About Jackson State University: Challenging Minds, Changing Lives Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of the state of Mississippi. Jackson State's nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippis Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, health-care, technological and educational initiatives. The only university in the Jackson metropolitan area, Jackson State is located near downtown, with three satellite campuses throughout the city. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.
