Musical Career

1948 - He formed a band with brothers Albert and Lonnie Woods, and Carl Gideon. All were under 15 years old. Albert and Lonnie played single neck steel guitars and Carl played rhythm guitar. Their manager was Floyd Davis, who at one time played on the Old Chicago Born Dance.

1949 - He began taking accordion lessons from ' Tex' Heppner, who was with the Western Band, Son's of the Range. They played daily over KVOO Radio in Tulsa, every morning and at noon. He got to perform with them once in a while.

1950 - He frequented the famous 'Cimarron Ballroom in Tulsa. The legendary Leon McAuliffe and Cimarron Boys performed every day at noon and also Saturday and Wednesday night. Leon had him sing 2-4 songs every dance night. He also allowed him to sing on many of his radio programs broadcasted on KVOO. He was asked to travel with the band to Oklahoma and Missouri engagements.

1951 - He was featured as a guest vocalist on Leon McAuliffe's first T.V. program broadcast on KOTV in Tulsa.

1953 - He performed with many musicians around Tulsa and Oklahoma City, including several Western Swing bands from the Sacramento area.

1954 - He became a member of a western stage band managed by 'Art Lamon' and he booked shows in Tulsa and surrounding towns within a 100 mile radius. Every evening they performed in a different town and weekly they would feature different starts from the 'Ozark Jubilee'. Stars such as Porter Wagoner, Wayne Raney, Len and Goo-Goo, Hawks haw Hawkins, Jeanie Shepherd and The Kimberley’s (Harold, Vera, Carl and Vern).

1960 - Jerry began playing the piano, playing rhythm and Floyd Cramer style country. He moved to Oklahoma City and began teaching accordion lessons. During this time, he became acquainted with Merle Lindsey and was hired to play piano with his band. His piano helped back up guest artists such as: Floyd Tillman, Jimmy Dickens and Justin Tubb. He helped in recording sessions at Gene Sullivan Recording Studios in Capitol Hill, Oklahoma City along with the Kimberley's who were singing backup.

1961 - Jerry moved his family back to Tulsa were he accepted employment with Rockwell International.

1992 - He retired as a tooling inspector in 1992, after 30 years with the company. During his career, he continued his music career along with his wife Shirley, who performed as a vocalist.

1961 - Jerry and Billy Parker formed a band and played in Broken Arrow.

1963 - He joined up with Speed West and his Band, where he performed every Saturday night at the Cimarron Ballroom. There was also a weekly show called the 'Long Horn Brothers Jubilee'. He had the opportunity to accompany many well-known artists, such as: George Morgon, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cark, Country Johnny Mathis and Wanda Jackson.

1966 - Jerry joined up with Gene Mooney and the Westerners every Saturday night at Cain's Ballroom. Guests included Freddie Hart, Mel Street, Charlie Walker, Earnest Tubb, Faron Young, Jack Green Jeanie Sealy, Stonewall Jackson, Ray Price, and the Cherokee Cowboys.

1978 to 1980 - He belonged to the 145th Army Country Band, while a member of the National Guard... His piano was heard all over Oklahoma at festivals and recruiting engagements. He retired from the National Guard and Army Reserves in 1991 with 23 years of service.

1990 - Jerry became familiar with the Hall of Fame Ceremonies in Sacramento, CA.

1991 - Jerry was inducted into the California Western Swing Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Shirley, return to Sacramento every year to perform with various bands.