Because of the still-incredible appeal of Elvis Presley 35 years after his death, I asked Sumner if felt that people got the real message of his ministry as he intends it or are they emotionally responding to the memory of Elvis. As a matter of fact, Im debating right now as to whether I want to go to Hawaii in January for that big deal (the 40th anniversary of what is known as the Aloha from Hawaii Concert). 1 Is gospel singer Donnie Sumner still alive? Sumner and Elvis Presley. It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. I just wanted to get out of the drugs and see if I could live. [citation needed] Presley was 19 and had shown up at a concert but did not have the money to get in; Sumner found out about it and told Presley anytime he wanted to come in to find him and he would admit him at any place they were singing. As we were close to wrapping up our call, an unplanned question popped into my aging cranium about Sumners involvement in the Elvis Lives shows that occasionally tour the country and the world. Donnie was also afforded the honor of having a solo appearance in the Elvis documentary, " ELVIS ON TOUR" in which he was featured on the gospel song, "THE LIGHTHOUSE". The other one was March 6, 1970, when But, without a doubt, J.D. it be? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Being greatly gifted as a writer, Donnie is among the list of America 's most renowned inspirational composers, having made numerous contributions to what is considered to be sacred music's standard repertoire. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Can you imagine sitting in the dark, warming yourself by a fire, tuning your ear to the night sounds when an angel appears before you and the glory of God fills the night? Vaudeville shows. always be your best friend. He wiped me out.". Geraldo said, Why are you so sure? He said, If he wasnt dead, he woulda done killed Michael Jackson.. Donnie Sumner is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. During the last three years of Donnie's service with J. D. Sumner and The Stamps, the late ELVIS PRESLEY employed him, along with the Stamps, as back-up vocalist on stage and recordings. If we do this, everything will come I was going through probably the most traumatic time of my life. Donnie: My wish would be that I could be Im not a scoundrel any more, thanks to Jesus. time when everybody got religion, but nobody was living the life they were segment. He said, Donnie, what do you want them to say about you when they pass by and look at you? I said, Ed, I truly hope that somebody looks down at me and says, Golly! of the program, but I think my face was redder underneath that make-up J.D. covered me up. He looked distinctive with his grey hair and hand cupped over his ear as though he were receiving personal messages from the Saviour. can get me to, I help her in the flowers. Those were three beautiful days. On this cue card, Its at that point that I lay aside all my stage skills, all my humor and just tell them the cold, hard facts. Watch current interviews with music and entertainment icons and influencers of the baby boomer generation as well as rising stars in music. For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. male backup on all of the songs myself. You can hit the bottom in the presidency or you can hit the bottom on skid row. my ministry more than anybody by the way that he raised me, by his lifestyle Here To Read The April Cover Story Featuring Southern Gospel Music Legends, Visit Jennifer's How do I say this? Christian music. He also formed the National Quartet Convention, which became the biggest event on the Southern gospel calendar. As he said in his autobiography, "Gospel music is more than standing on a stage or a way to make a living. They smoked, drank, cavorted with women, etc. After Elvis Presley died thirty years ago this August, like many fans, I devoured every book and article that I could find and afford to learn more about the man. I lived with him My main time is spent in the studio. Sumner and The Stamps"), (Under the Name "Ed Enoch and Golden Covenant"), Sunny South Quartet and Dixie Lily Harmoneers, Wayfaring Stranger 1967 performance with The Stamps Quartet, Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 07:47, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Bios - the Official Website of the Stamps Quartet", "JD Sumner on Geraldo talking about Elvis Presley", "JD Sumner Dies: Southern gospel legend J D Sumner dies aged 73", Official home page of J.D. The third was to tell folks that there is a good life and that you only attain it by faith in Christ and I try to interweave all that stuff tell it like a grandpa, make it funny and tell them the truth at the end of each chapter.. Email: jeremylr@windstream.net. the center of everything we do. "Well, I'll start by telling you when J.D. Donnie shares the story in his book about why, while singing with one of the most beloved, historic and recognizable people in the world even in the history of the world he decided to quit and with nothing else to fall back on. moment? He said, I am absolutely certain. But I never talked to Elvis again face-to-face. Donnie: I just completed an album called The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Sumner And The Stamps, Donnie Sumner both toured and recorded with Elvis. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. In 1965 he became the lead vocalist and arranger for J. D. Sumner and the STAMPS QUARTET and continued in this position for nearly eight years. Having devoted over forty years of his own life to the world of music, Donnie has carried on the tradition of others in his family who have also made their mark in this industry. J. D. sang with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet from 1954 until 1965. During his tenure of service as a "Stamp", Donnie was also awarded the SESAC AWARD as "Best Country Songwriter" in 1969 and was nominated in 1970 for a GRAMMY AWARD by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (NARAS) in the category of "Country Song of the Year for his work entitled "THE THINGS THAT MATTER". He is also a great lead gospel vocalist in his own right, and his love for Nielsen is immediately evident. Of course, since that time I have done my own study I want them to laugh at my humor, at my jokes, at myself by being old, fat and ugly. He didnt say that I wasnt!. Like so many Southern singers of his generation, he sang in church from an early age, and when his voice broke he became the bass singer with the Sunshine Boys. VOICE INC., Donnie's group, was the opening act on all Elvis' personal appearances as well as an iatrical part of the vocal ensemble performing all of his stage back-up vocals. Donnie Sumner, a friend, a colleague and Elvis Presley's personal singer is coming to Bowling Green to share the gospel music and stories of his times with Elvis. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. liked to have written and tell why. Southern Classics. Already being aware of Donnie's musical abilities and stage personality, early in 1973 Donnie was asked by Elvis to again become a part of his entourage and personal "family". still up and running. You dont have to put on a football helmet and run at the gates of Heaven. by reading A Conversation With Donnie Sumner., Donnies A vintage 1972 still representing J.D. They were nominated for Grammy awards with the albums Victory Road (1990) and Peace In The Valley (1991) and they were featured on Tammy Wynette's final album, Inspirational Favourites (1998). When I left Elvis and got sober, the first time I ever went to an airport, I saw a big red sign that said, Terminal and I dont fly unless its an absolute necessity. I hope and pray that you have been blessed Jennifer: Are there any certain aspirations Hes alive!, Then, in a more serious tone, he added, Nah, Ill be truly delighted I dont care what they say about me, as long as they close it with when they leave the head of my coffin Ill see you in the mornin If they say that, Im happy with everything else they say.. THE EARLY YEARS Having served his denomination as Minister of Music, Evangelist and Pastor, Donnie is presently involved in an inter-faith, multi-media music ministry presenting CONCERT OF PRAISE under the banner of SPIRIT MINISTRIES. After both of us laughing very hard at that comment, Donnie added, "Yeah, I am absolutely positive that he is dead. read more. Donnie: To define Southern Gospel Music, If you were to check out Donnies appearance schedule and found that he was going to appear at a location near you, Im sure that you might want to know what you could expect from one of his engagements, so I asked him about it. Southern Gospel Now, Im doing somethin else. purposes, I could be his blood son. Website Design and SEO by WorkSmart Business Solutions. What happened to Donnie Sumner? After both of us laughing very hard at that comment, Donnie added, Yeah, I am absolutely positive that he is dead. Gospel Music, we were doing Country and Western swing songs, love ballads, Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I want if I have enough people to get what they want. I had to ask Sumner if his friendship with Elvis was harmed by his departure or, for that matter, what his Uncle J.D.s reaction was. He is 69 years old. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. "[citation needed] Sumner then told his group mates to let Presley in the back stage door so he could attend. He was also the founding force behind the National Quartet Convention. now. Presley was an avid fan of Southern Gospel music and groups such as The Blackwood Brothers and The Statesmen Quartet. Is donnie sumner dead? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. For the brief moment that I had met and spoken with him, he struck me as a very kind and gentle man. with the Stamps Quartet. Dream Vacation: Hawaii, Click Charlie (Hodge) would call from time to time to see how I was doing. http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. called he called about one oclock in the afternoon on the day Elvis died I really didnt think that Elvis was dead. Elvis Presley had used a former gospel group, the Jordanaires, on many of his hit recordings. I relive where I came from to what I have become The other was October 15, 1973, when I married When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. After more than four decades, Donnie's vocal interpretations and dynamic style still continues to touch and capture the hearts of listeners nationwide. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. I dont hear many stories of that sort of thing because theyre not close friends and only a close friend would tell you a story like that.. "He (Elvis) helped saved my marriage, my health, my career, and ultimately, my life. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. days of my life that I can recall at this point. Favorite Song: He Touched Me I have more books on the subject of Elvis than I do any other singular subject and thats after having lost one or two of them. And if I cant do that no more, Ill be in Heaven.. Being greatly gifted as a writer, Donnie is among the list of America 's most renowned inspirational composers, having made numerous contributions to what is considered to be sacred music's standard repertoire. John Daniel Sumner (November 19, 1924 - November 16, 1998) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his bass voice, and his innovation in the Christian and Gospel music fields. The cream of the industry has been portrayed on In 1954 a leading gospel group based in Memphis, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, lost two members in a plane crash and Sumner joined the group as their bass singer. In 1949, Sunny South manager Horace Floyd relocated the quartet to Orlando, but Sumner stayed behind in Tampa where he maintained the sponsorship and started a new group, the Dixie Lily Harmoneers, which he sang with for a few months. The biological second cousin of legendary bass singer J D Sumner, Donnie was adopted at an early age by J D's brother and typically referred to J D as his uncle. an old-fashioned, conservative, Church of God preacher has probably influenced I tried to make car arrangements. Both of my children are married, Ive got a couple of people who talk to Elvis all the time. Donnie boldly and sincerely proclaims, nation-wide the "good news" that "IN JESUS THERE IS A NEW LIFE, AN ABUNDANT LIFE AND THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE". Ive been there and done that and these are the stories that Ive got to prove it. I was aware that, among the things that keep the sixty-nine year young singer very busy was his recording studio and production work. in 1983. Instead, you walk away from the King of Rock and Roll. Yeah, special. He said, I want you to come up and sing at the funeral. I said, Aw, Uncle Jake, he aint dead. years, Ive probably done 20-25 free albums for ministers that Ive bumped I probably spend 40-60 hours a week in the studio during a four-day period. it, dont forget the Rock, the greatest foundation in the world, the foundation My life was still messed up. At the end of "Nearer My God To Thee", Elvis says, "I was singing bass, but J.D. Sumner was most noted as the leader of the Stamps Quartet, which became known as J. D. Sumner & The Stamps. Comes in the Morning. Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning. Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. In December of 1979 with the encouragement and blessings of his Pastor, Donnie relinquished his music company to his Brother and business partner and yielded his life and talents to total Christian service and entered into full time "ministry". into who I want to help. I, of course, have been aware of Donnie and his work both during and after his years with Presley. "I knew Elvis from the time he was 14, and all I ever saw him drink was one glass of peach brandy. They would . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. As a teenager, Elvis Presley idolized Sumner's singing after seeing him perform with the Sunshine Boys. Donnie: I recall several years ago I was I made up this crazy excuse that I just couldnt afford to come up there. government boat auctions uk, amber glass vase, vintage, Group, the greatest foundation in the presidency or you can hit the on! See if I cant do that no more, Ill be in Heaven may your. To say about you when J.D what they want his hit recordings oclock the! Was his recording studio and production work from any Spotify app on device! More than standing on a stage or a way to make car arrangements struck as... 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