J.D. Sumner

[john carpenter]

Here's some info on J.D. Sumner...J. D." Sumner was born in Lakeland, Florida. Sumner was inspired to become a bass singer at the age of four after hearing Frank Stamps perform. He began developing his talent from that moment.
Sumner served in the United States military during World War II from 1942 until his discharge in 1945. He began to pursue his dream of being a bass singer when he formed the "Sunny South Quartet." He began to make a name for himself after joining the "Sunshine Boys" in 1948.;

[Tony Trout]

Here's some info on J.D. Sumner...J. D." Sumner was born in Lakeland, Florida. Sumner was inspired to become a bass singer at the age of four after hearing Frank Stamps perform. He began developing his talent from that moment.
Sumner served in the United States military during World War II from 1942 until his discharge in 1945. He began to pursue his dream of being a bass singer when he formed the "Sunny South Quartet." He began to make a name for himself after joining the "Sunshine Boys" in 1948.;

The above is only a small part in the story of J.D. (John Daniel) Sumer. Here is the rest (with proper corrections being made as to J.D.'s history with Elvis. The WikiPedia article states that they began working with Elvis in February of 1971. They did not begin working with Elvis onstage until November 1971 and stayed with Elvis until his untimely death on August 16, 1977):

Early years

"J. D." Sumner was born in Lakeland, Florida. Sumner was inspired to become a bass singer at the age of four after hearing Frank Stamps perform. He began developing his talent from that moment.
Sumner served in the United States military during World War II from 1942 until his discharge in 1945. He began to pursue his dream of being a bass singer when he formed the "Sunny South Quartet." He began to make a name for himself after joining the "Sunshine Boys" in 1948.

Sumner/Blackwood partnership

In 1954 James Blackwood asked Sumner to replace Bill Lyles in the The Blackwood Brothers' bass slot when R. W. Blackwood and Lyles lost their lives in a plane crash. After joining the Blackwood Brothers, Sumner's fame began to skyrocket.
Sumner and James Blackwood soon became partners in a number of business ventures that took on a life of their own. In 1956, they formed the National Quartet Convention, an event which continues to be the largest event in gospel music. Sumner dubbed it "the Granddaddy of them all." Sumner and Blackwood also formed the Gospel Music Association, which recognizes achievement annually in all forms of gospel music through the Dove Awards. Sumner and Blackwood adapted the first bus for touring purposes.


In 1963 James Blackwood purchased the Stamps Quartet Music Company from Frank Stamps. The Stamps Quartet was a part of the music company. Sumner continued to sing with the Blackwood Brothers for a period of time after this. He ultimately decided to leave the group and sing with the Stamps so he could manage them directly. It is during this time JD decided that each singer needed a microphone, thus the beginning of the use of individual microphones. In time they began to be billed as "J. D. Sumner and the Stamps."

Elvis Presley

In November 1971, The Stamps were invited to tour and record with Elvis Presley. The group became a regular fixture with Presley until his untimely death on August 16, 1977. The Stamps were also featured on most of Presley’s studio recordings between 1972 and 1977. In the midst of their popularity while performing with Presley, the Stamps released what is probably their most critically acclaimed recording, a double LP titled Live At Murray State. The singers joining J. D. Sumner on that recording were Ed Hill, Ed Enoch, and Bill Baize.

Masters V

Sumner disbanded the Stamps in 1980. He then joined Jake Hess, Hovie Lister, Rosie Rozell, and James Blackwood to form the Masters V. This group toured until 1988. Lister served as the group's emcee while Sumner injected his brand of dry humor into their performances. One of the highlights of Sumner's years with the Masters V was a joint concert in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with an up and coming group known as the Rivertown Boys.

Guinness Book of World Records

In 1983, the Guinness Book Of World Records recognized Sumner's 1966 solo recording of the hymn "Blessed Assurance." According to Guinness, the song contained the lowest recorded note ever produced by a human voice, a "double low" C. The recording was re-issued in 1984 as part of Sumner's solo project Thank God For Kids and again in 1999 posthumously on The Wait Is Over.

Stamps Reborn

After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, J. D. Sumner brought back the Stamps with former member Ed Hill, Jack Toney, and former Masters V tenor and arranger Steve Warren. The Stamps were active participants in the Gaither Homecoming videos. They also enjoyed a great deal of success performing at Elvis Presley tribute events, both nationally and internationally. In addition to Ed Hill, Ed Enoch, Rick Strickland, Jerry Kelso and CJ Almgren were members of the group during Sumner’s final years. In 2003 Ed Enoch became the owner /manager of the Stamps Quartet after receiving the official trademark for the historical Stamps Quartet name. The Stamps Quartet continues to sing and record and travel the world, nationally and internationally. website: www.thestampsquartet.com


Death


J. D. Sumner died in 1998 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was on tour at the time of his death. In addition to his other accomplishments, he wrote more than 700 songs and has inspired many generations of future southern gospel singers

[Diane]

Great articles David and Tony..thanks for sharing.

Diane

[franny]

Thanks, for sharing David.

In addition to his other accomplishments, he wrote more than 700 songs and has inspired many generations of future southern gospel singers

Wow, he wrote over 700 songs! Thanks, for the info Tony.

franny

[Miss Clawdy]

Very interesting, thank's David and Tony !

[U.S. Male]

Cool stuff...thanks

BTW, David is that you sitting there @ the desk?

[elvislady]

Thanks for posting...interesting info.
elvislady

[nigelelviskingsley]

if there's anyone out there who wd like me to sing just like the bass like jd sumner on their recordings or live shows - hook up with me !!!!
nigel elvis kingsley
www.elvis-presley.ch
+41 79 222 2323

[Tony Trout]

if there's anyone out there who wd like me to sing just like the bass like jd sumner on their recordings or live shows - hook up with me !!!!
nigel elvis kingsley
www.elvis-presley.ch
+41 79 222 2323

No offense is meant but....I don't think it's wise for you to post your phone number on a public messageboard.

[john carpenter]

Cool stuff...thanks

BTW, David is that you sitting there @ the desk?

Yes, that is me at the computer table