Andrew James, who grew up in McCurtain County, will celebrate his 70th birthday in August of this year. James comes from a large but close family. His parents and grandparents all had a hand in raising him. He is a full-blood Choctaw, and Chahta Anumpa is his first language. James started singing Choctaw hymns at Hampton Chapel when he was 4. He didn’t speak English regularly until he started school at age 5.
His family was in attendance to see him receive this honor.