His mother enrolled him in Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie Texas, secure in the knowledge that her son would now be exclusively singing his songs to the Lord.
But legend has it that he tore into a boogie woogie rendition of “My God Is Real” at a church assembly that sent him packing the same night. Pearry Green, then president of the student body, related how during a talent show Jerry played some “worldly” music.
The next morning, the Dean the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn’t be expelled because “he didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Years later Pearry asked Jerry “Are you still playing the devil’s music?” Jerry replied “Yes, I am. But you know it’s strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don’t.”
