Joel Timmons celebrated 4/20 in style by releasing a delightfully quirky music video for his infectious jam-rock track, "Turbo." The video, which premiered over the weekend, hilariously stars Joel's charismatic dog, Casper, and an entourage of canine friends acting out a comical recounting of a real-life incident involving Joel, his band, and the Cookeville Police Department in rural Tennessee.
In the entertaining visual tale, Casper and his furry co-stars portray the whimsical drama centered around being detained due to profiling as cannabis users—a suspicion humorously confirmed as accurate. "Turbo" specifically narrates the story of a drug-sniffing black lab from the K9 unit that was instrumental in the traffic stop. Joel humorously shared an exclusive reflection on the filming process, "Never have I worked with a bigger bunch of divas than the actors in this film. Constant snack demands, missed cues, improvised lines, and an excessive amount of butt sniffing—it’s a miracle we got the footage we did. Huge thanks to director Stu White and all the pet parents who lent us their incredibly talented pups for this ridiculous little video. No animals were harmed (or stoned) in the making of this masterpiece."
Musically, "Turbo" channels a rock ‘n’ roll vibe reminiscent of '90s country infused with classic Chuck Berry rhythms. Joel candidly acknowledges the incident's layers of privilege, recognizing their fortune in leaving the encounter with mere citations and a memorable story.
Timmons, a versatile songwriter, musician, and lifelong adventurer, grew up in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, deeply influenced by his love for the ocean and vibrant local arts community. He rose to prominence as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the enduringly popular roots-rock outfit Sol Driven Train, a band he co-founded with lifelong friends in 2000. Over two decades, the band has carved a significant niche within the jam and Americana scenes, known for both their energetic performances and commitment to social causes.
His musical journey includes pivotal life experiences, such as recovering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome after falling seriously ill in India in 2004. This challenging chapter significantly influenced his artistic depth and community connection.
Beyond Sol Driven Train, Joel has collaborated with notable artists like Maya de Vitry, Yarn, and Sam Rae, and further explored acoustic and bluegrass territories with the group Lovers Leap and the duo Sally & George, alongside his wife Shelby Means.
Joel Timmons released his highly anticipated debut solo album, "Psychedelic Surf Country," in 2025. Produced by Maya de Vitry in Nashville, the album blends Joel’s oceanic roots with the country music heartland's influence.
Fans can catch Joel Timmons live on his upcoming tour dates:
5/2 - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, Pittsboro, NC
5/4 - Sundays on the River, Asheville, NC
5/7 - Natalie's Grandview, Columbus, OH
5/9 - Mr. Small's Funhouse, Millvale, PA
5/10 - Pale Fire Brewing, Harrisonburg, VA
5/11 - Mountain Stage, Charleston, WV
5/22-5/25 - Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival, Martinsville, VA
5/30 - Party at the Point, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Check out the fun-filled video for "Turbo" here: and visit Joel's official website for more information: https://www.joeltimmons.com.
