J. D. Sumner
Encyclopedia
John Daniel "J. D." Sumner (November 19, 1924 - November 16, 1998) was an American
gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his extremely deep bass voice, his use of the vocal technique known as vocal fry, and his associations with Elvis Presley.
(1954 - 1965), the Stamps Quartet (originally The Stamps Trio) (1965 - 1980; 1988 - 1998), and the Masters V
(1981 - 1988).
For eighteen years, Sumner held the Guiness World Record for recording the lowest bass note. As of 2011, he has been surpassed only three times by the following vocalists: Mike Holcomb
(1984), Tim Storms
(2002), and Roger Menees (2011).
In 1964, Sumner founded the Gospel Music Association
with James Blackwood
. He was also the founding force behind the National Quartet Convention
.
Sumner was most noted as leader of the Stamps Quartet which became known as J.D. Sumner & The Stamps. Elvis Presley
, while a teenager, idolized Sumner's singing after seeing him perform with the Sunshine Boys. Presley hired Sumner & The Stamps as his back-up singers in 1971. The group toured and recorded with Presley from November 1971 until Presley's death in 1977. He not only sang at Elvis' funeral but had previously sung at Elvis' mother's funeral back in the late-1950s.
After the Stamps Quartet disbanded in 1980, Sumner with Hovie Lister
, Jake Hess
, Rosie Rozell, and James Blackwood
formed the Masters V as a special consolidation of members of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Statesmen Quartet. The group was a showcase for Sumner's voice and compositions and won the 1981 Grammy Award
for best traditional gospel performance. Sumner was credited not only for his singing, songwriting, and concert promotions, but was also noted for being the first to customize a coach bus for the entertainment business to use for music groups.
After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, Sumner reformed the Stamps Quartet and performed with the group until his death in 1998. He was often seen in his latter years appearing as a guest artist on the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos.
Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
in 1984 and the Southern Gospel Music Association
Hall of Fame in 1997.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his extremely deep bass voice, his use of the vocal technique known as vocal fry, and his associations with Elvis Presley.
Career
Sumner sang in Southern gospel groups including The Sunny South Quartet 1945-1949 (Tampa,Fl WFLA Studios) the Sunshine Boys (1949 - 1954), the Blackwood Brothers QuartetThe Blackwood Brothers
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet are an eight-time Grammy award-winning American Southern Gospel group. They have been around for 76 years, and were pioneers in the Christian music industry.-Musical career:...
(1954 - 1965), the Stamps Quartet (originally The Stamps Trio) (1965 - 1980; 1988 - 1998), and the Masters V
Masters V
The Masters Five or Masters V was a Southern Gospel Music quartet founded in 1980 by Hovie Lister as a special consolidation of well-known performers from The Statesmen Quartet and The Blackwood Brothers. The group featured J.D. Sumner as bass, Rosie Rozell as tenor, James Blackwood and Jake Hess...
(1981 - 1988).
For eighteen years, Sumner held the Guiness World Record for recording the lowest bass note. As of 2011, he has been surpassed only three times by the following vocalists: Mike Holcomb
Mike Holcomb
Michael Terry Holcomb is an American Christian bass singer, best known for his Southern Gospel work with The Inspirations. He is noted for his extraordinary deep voice, able to reach an extreme full three octaves below Middle C , one of the lowest voices in the world.-Biography:Holcomb was born in...
(1984), Tim Storms
Tim Storms
Tim Storms is an American singer and composer. He holds the Guinness World Records for "lowest note produced by a human" and the "widest vocal range".- Musical career :...
(2002), and Roger Menees (2011).
In 1964, Sumner founded the Gospel Music Association
Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
with James Blackwood
James Blackwood
James Webre Blackwood was an American Gospel singer and one of the founding members of legendary Southern Gospel quartet The Blackwood Brothers.-Biography:...
. He was also the founding force behind the National Quartet Convention
National Quartet Convention
The National Quartet Convention is an annual gathering of Southern Gospel quartets and musicians. It is currently held at Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.-History:...
.
Sumner was most noted as leader of the Stamps Quartet which became known as J.D. Sumner & The Stamps. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, while a teenager, idolized Sumner's singing after seeing him perform with the Sunshine Boys. Presley hired Sumner & The Stamps as his back-up singers in 1971. The group toured and recorded with Presley from November 1971 until Presley's death in 1977. He not only sang at Elvis' funeral but had previously sung at Elvis' mother's funeral back in the late-1950s.
After the Stamps Quartet disbanded in 1980, Sumner with Hovie Lister
Hovie Lister
Hovie Franklin Lister was an American gospel pianist.Lister was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and learned piano from age six. He accompanied a singing group composed of his father and three of his uncles at 14, and toured with Mordecai Ham at the same age...
, Jake Hess
Jake Hess
Jake Hess was an American Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer.-Life:Hess was born Manchild Hess December 24, 1927, in Limestone County, Alabama...
, Rosie Rozell, and James Blackwood
James Blackwood
James Webre Blackwood was an American Gospel singer and one of the founding members of legendary Southern Gospel quartet The Blackwood Brothers.-Biography:...
formed the Masters V as a special consolidation of members of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Statesmen Quartet. The group was a showcase for Sumner's voice and compositions and won the 1981 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for best traditional gospel performance. Sumner was credited not only for his singing, songwriting, and concert promotions, but was also noted for being the first to customize a coach bus for the entertainment business to use for music groups.
After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, Sumner reformed the Stamps Quartet and performed with the group until his death in 1998. He was often seen in his latter years appearing as a guest artist on the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos.
Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music.-Inductees:...
in 1984 and the Southern Gospel Music Association
Southern Gospel Music Association
The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues...
Hall of Fame in 1997.
Selected compositions
Sumner wrote more than 700 songs including the following:- A Land Where Milk And Honey Flows
- A Million Years From Now
- Aloha Time
- Because Of Him*
- Behind Your Tears
- Beyond God's Horizon
- Crossing Chilly Jordan
- Each Step I Take
- Eternal Paradise
- Everybody Ought To Love
- For I've Got The Lord
- Give Me The Strength To Stand
- God Made A Way
- He Means All The World To Me
- He Will See You Through
- Heaven For Me
- He's All That I Need
- His Love
- I Believe In The Old Time Way
- I Can Feel The Touch Of His Hand
- I Do Dear Jesus I Believe
- I Don't Mind
- I Found God
- I Know It's So
- I Serve A Living God
- I Wanna Rest
- I Want To Meet You Up In Heaven
- I Wouldn't Trade
- I'll Follow Where He Leads
- I'm Happy And Free
- In That Land
- Inside The Gate
- I've Got To Walk That Lonesome Road
- Jesus Is Mine
- Keep Me
- Listen
- Mammy's Boy
- My All I Give
- Never
- Old Man Death
- On That Happy Golden Shore
- On The Other Side Of Jordan
- One Day
- Only One Touch
- Paradise Valley
- Pay As You Go
- Rolling Along
- Some Wonderful Day
- Someday Soon
- Something Old Something New
- Sweet Peace
- Thank God For Calvary
- The Old Country Church
- The Touch Of His Hand
- The Victory Road
- There Is A Light
- Walking And Talking With My Lord
- Walking In The Light
- Wayfaring Stranger
- What A Glorious Morning That Will Be
- What A Morning
- When I'm Alone
- When The Clouds Roll By
- Wonderful Love
- Wonderful Savior
The Blackwood Brothers
- See Blackwood Brothers discographyThe Blackwood Brothers discography-Albums:-Compilations:*1960: Statesmen-Blackwood Favorites*1964: TV Requests*1964: The Best Of The Blackwood Brothers Quartet*1967: The Best Of The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Volume 2...
J.D. Sumner & The Stamps
- 20 Gospel Favorites 1996
- Great Gospel Performances
- Master of the Wind 1996
- Peace in the Valley 1996
- The Final Sessions 1999
- Hall Of Fame 1999
External links
- Wayfaring Stranger - 1967 performance with The Stamps Quartet
- Official home page of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet
- Larry Strickland Interviw at Elvis2001.net
- Donnie Sumner Interview at Elvis2001.net
- Ed Hill Interview at Elvis2001.net
- Bill Baise Interview at Elvis2001.net
- Ed Enoch Interview at Elvis2001.net
- Shaun Neilson Interview at Elvis2001.net