The Legendary Voice of the Sonic Boom of the South

Dr. Jimmie James, Jr. is best known as the long-time voice of the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University’s storied marching band. His dazzling, virtuosic displays of verbosity rallied and inspired crowd across decades. Now he brings us The Legendary Voice of the Sonic Boom of the South, an inspirational and educational tool for our youth and adults, and especially for educators: all who are teachers in the body of Christ, who desire to help others find their purpose.

Now, once again, let us welcome that legendary voice…

About the Authors

Dr. Jimmie James, Jr. retired as Chair of the Department of Music and Professor of Music at Jackson State University in June of 2009 after serving the institution for 43 years. He received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from JSU where he, as the first tuba major, graduated cum laude. He received his MS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was the first African-American to receive that degree. He was also honored by JSU by being named to deliver the 1992 Summer Commencement Address.

He was married to the late Carrie Green James and is the father of one son, Michael, and the proud grandfather of Ryan Michelle and Chandler Michael.

Arthur James is an innovative entrepreneur, with degrees in mathematics from Jackson State University and an MBA from Loyola University. An Army veteran, Arthur began his civilian career with Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York as a system programmer, and continued in the public, non-profit and for-profit sectors, and as an author.