Choctaw Member Enters the Music World
By Zach Maxwell
Choctaw Nation
Durant, Okla. - Jerry Tims is “Movin’ On” through the music world – and a big part of that move comes from the talented voice of his daughter, Sierra.
Under the name of Jerry Tims Music, Jerry (a Choctaw Nation member and employee of Choctaw Nation Social Services) has released his third studio album titled …Movin’ On.
The 10-song album follows Chosen and Keep Pressing On and all three are influenced by Tims’ Southern gospel upbringing with a mix of popular music from the past three decades.
“The feedback that I get is that it is contemporary, it has some mainstream country but we also have hymns in there,” Tims said. “It covers about four genres.”
The versatility of Tims – and the sheer power of 17-year-old Sierra Tims’ voice – makes the father-daughter duo a potent mix in the growing world or Choctaw music.
Sierra’s studio performance of “I Need You,” a thoughtful, contemporary inspirational song, garnered 500 views on YouTube on the first day of release.
“It feels really cool that we are able to get our songs out there and minister to people, that’s what it is all about,” she said. “My dad has helped me a lot and encouraged me to never give up. It’s fun to travel and spend time with him.”
She has gone to Nashville with her father several times to record professionally and take part in photo shoots for the albums.
“I’m glad he took me,” she said. “It was once in a lifetime and something I will always cherish.”
Sierra will graduate high school soon and plans to study physical therapy at University of Oklahoma. As for her musical talent, she says, “You never know what the future holds.”
The Tims family, who live in McCurtain County, are in the process of joining the Choctaw Artists Registry. Jerry has been a regular fixture in the Sunday lineup at the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival. Daughter Sierra has joined him onstage in recent years.
“Our goal is just to create good music,” Tims said. “It’s something to be proud of.”
Tims is getting a boost from those in the contemporary gospel music family, recording a song on …Movin’ On with Weston Hinson. Tims often performs live at churches and other venues across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas with band members Robert Nichols, Daniel Hines, Jarvis Watson and Ron Ferrier.
His music is available here.