Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Feel free to contribute! I never talked to J.D. When he returned to live performances in 1969, he hired yet another gospel group, the Imperials, featuring one of his favourite singers, Jake Hess. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Thats it. Music became an entity of its own. Years later, Presley would try out for The Songfellows Quartet, a group associated with The Blackwood Brothers, though did not receive an invitation to join. Filmography. It was then that he decided to walk away from it all. Donnie Sumner - Official Video for 'For Those Tears I Died [Live]', available now!Buy the full length DVD/CD 'Oh, My, Glory!' Here: http://smarturl.it/Oh.My.. November 26th join Powerhouse. 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". ), Donnie found time to write a book. He has affected my adulthood, my personality, Sumner responded quickly and unequivocally. Donnie Sumner is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. Other family members and associates include Elexus Sumner, Martha Sumner, Nona Sumner, Myra May and Robert Sumner. 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? "[citation needed] Sumner also stated that Elvis "had no idea that he was killing himself with his medications, he felt as long as he was doing what the Doctor was OK with, he was staying within the bounds. He (Presley) would fire you for using marijuana, he detested cocaine, and barely approved of me drinking. can get me to, I help her in the flowers. [citation needed] After Sumner's death, lead singer Ed Enoch,[5] a member of the Stamps since 1969, took over the group and renamed it "Ed Enoch and the Golden Covenant. Donnie Sumner - Official Video for "The Anchor Holds (Live)", available now!Buy the full length DVD/CD 'Red Rocks Homecoming' here: http://smarturl.it/RedRoc. Finally, Donnie's Uncle Russel H. Sumner was my Pastor of the Church of God in Easton, Md. They wouldve never got into any legal problems and Lisa Marie wouldve never gotten into some of the stuff that shes gotten into. That truth has sustained me through many times when the powers of darkness I was This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [2], On June 30, 1954, tragedy struck the Blackwood Brothers Quartet when a disastrous test run in their private plane cost the lives of baritone R. W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles. Since childhood his favorite form of entertainment has been "GOSPEL MUSIC" with styles ranging from "Foot-stompin' - hand-clappin' revival tunes" to what has become known in today's market as contemporary sacred music. I didnt care. I always Donnie Sumner with Stamps Quartet, J.D. I wont go into the personal reasons why I know but J.D. I want if I have enough people to get what they want. I hope that, while theyre there, they think, Boy! If he was still alive, first of all, he would've never let anything happen to his close friends. Music? Special? Please review our Privacy Policy to review how we may use your information. Because of logistics and the time element that I had wasted, I wasnt able to attend the funeral.. closer to telling my story than any that I know of. As of 2011, he has been surpassed only by the following three vocalists: Dan Britton (1984), Tim Storms (2002 and once more in 2012), and Roger Menees (2011). Its one of the finest Most everything else on the tape, I did it, Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Donnie's Mother mad the best Chicken ans Dumplings! an old-fashioned, conservative, Church of God preacher has probably influenced After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. Couple those people in certain religious environments and you definitely have an environment for interesting stories ripe for the picking. Sumner And The Stamps, Donnie Sumner both toured and recorded with Elvis. be because of the fact that my mother and father adopted me and took me (Sumner, Donnie's legendary uncle and bass singer for Elvis) was on the Geraldo show. [citation needed] Presley lived in Memphis, Tennessee as a young boy and would attend the all night sings at The Ellis Auditorium. I got it made. I am the most spoiled husband Favorite Soloist: David Phelps always be your best friend. Donnie: In 1987, I was on PTL when they were Where did Donnie Sumner live before Hendersonville TN? "MR. SONG MAN" and "I MISS YOU". in each line. Id like to go back somewhere and do what I want to do but I gotta keep on being Elvis. I turned around and walked out of the hospital. Is gospel singer Donnie Sumner still alive? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When you hit bottom, you aint got no place to fall. He is also all over Moody Blue, Elvis' final studio LP released . For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. [citation needed] The group was a showcase for Sumner's voice and compositions and won the 1981 Grammy Award for best traditional gospel performance. mamas name is Nell Sumner. Year. Then along came Bill Gaither and hes put together a Late in 1976, eleven months prior to the death of Elvis, Donnie having undergone a crucial emotional and drug related crisis and a subsequent spiritual "New-birth", resigned his position with Elvis and became actively involved in the pursuit of a "Faith walk with Christ Jesus". them into what they would wish to be and would be something for Gods glory. 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. Youve seen Bob Gruens work in galleries, books, and on the official John Lennon stamp by the U.S. Post Office. constantly day and night during my most formative adult years when I was From time to time Elvis would request that Donnie sing one of his "own" original love songs. Donnie Sumner - Official Video for 'The Night Before Easter [Live]', available now!Buy the full length DVD/CD 'Joy In The Camp' Here: http://smarturl.it/JoyI. So, what I did was when I came down Jennifer: Who has had the greatest influence Sumner, his beloved Uncle. I just kind of very casually swept my hand in front People are very often touched by the stories of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of others whether high profile or not. He has devoted more than forty years of his life to the world of music, and he still carries on the tradition of J.D. that you have and would like to accomplish? out in August. 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. with deadpan seriousness that contained the urge to burst out laughing. Sumner has Its the only form of music that can do that. Donnie: My wish would be that I could be 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. They split their time between Atlanta and Wheeling, West Virginia with the occasional trip to Hollywood to sing in Western movies. to the ending on that particular song, I raised my arms real high and brought For the brief moment that I had met and spoken with him, he struck me as a very kind and gentle man. Donnie was responsible for all the Elvis vocal arrangements during this time and on a regular nightly basis would perform "gospel tunes" to Elvis in private "living room" sessions at Elvis' request. Ive got a couple of people who talk to Elvis all the time. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet tenor Bill Baize, lead Donnie Sumner, bassist J.D. after about two minutes of all these wild motions, he brought up a big I tried to make car arrangements. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. the Gaither Homecoming Videos. . I reserve Tuesday-Friday for my home life and I try to always leave on I lived with him That same spinning of survival after death has been around for years. He looked distinctive with his grey hair and hand cupped over his ear as though he were receiving personal messages from the Saviour. Tenor singer Sherrill [Shaun] Nielsen passed away after a courageous battle with lung cancer on December 10, 2010, at the age of 68. 2023 Boomerocity.comAll Rights Reserved. projects. Singer, Songwriter, Vocalist, Music Promoter, & Performer. Ive Sumner shared a story or two. When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three. Donnie Sumner is 80 years old and was born on 12/04/1942. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". It was Humbards contention that southern gospel music had the same effect on Elvis. mini-revival, but for the most part I just work Sundays. Sumner was most noted as the leader of the Stamps Quartet, which became known as J. D. Sumner & The Stamps. of Christian living that I have ever seen. Presley was an avid fan of Southern Gospel music and groups such as The Blackwood Brothers and The Statesmen Quartet. J. D. Sumner first sang with The Sunny South Quartet from 1945 to 1949. As part of J.D. in the studio, Im either helping my wife in the flowers or Im fishing. Donnie Sumner will be in concert at First Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 4. and Hymns. These stories begged the question about Sumners opinion as to the claim that Elvis staged his death in August of 1977. I was a scoundrel. Well, Ill start by telling you when J.D. The kid gave me one of those, Yes, you idiot looks. Thats the best part of the whole piece is if I can help somebody.. 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. Hes got a great presentation and I really enjoyed it. Feel free to contribute! of myself as I was singing and sure enough, I felt that I was insufficiently but an inspirational and a life-changing form of music. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet"), (now simply as "J.D. time I sing it. Yep, I dressed him. (n.d.). When I called him up at his Hendersonville, Tennessee, recording studio, he was in the midst of mixing a new album for a southern gospel quartet. It was during this time period that Donnie was seen on the Elvis, worldwide satellite television spectacular, "ALOHA FROM HAWAII ". I asked Donnie for his thoughts on his legendary uncle. Southern Gospel Music is the most exciting, stimulating form of music in As a teenager, Elvis Presley idolized Sumner's singing after seeing him perform with the Sunshine Boys. Comes in the Morning. Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning. Favorite Group: Martins [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. I ministered and sang 28 times that year. by reading A Conversation With Donnie Sumner., Donnies a couple of questions that only those who knew him best would know. Christian Rehab Centers this side of the Mississippi River. Donna died from lung cancer. I asked Sumner what his reactions and thoughts were on that fateful day. 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. He said, 'I am absolutely certain". I dont do anything on the road but eat, sleep, sing, Donnies uncle, the late J.D. He was wearing his TCB ring and pendant which Elvis had given him. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The only thing that would make my life any better But I never talked to Elvis again face-to-face. Second, was to tell the human side of Elvis and tell all this funny stuff and show him as a human being with no negative stuff. I was aware that, among the things that keep the sixty-nine year young singer very busy was his recording studio and production work. would have robbed me of my life, my health, and my possessions. And, given enough time, no matter where you start from, at some point, if Jesus is the lord of your life, at some point, people will look at you and brag on you about what a saint you are and theyll never notice how many times you fell down in the process of getting to the top of that mountain. you want to, and the only person that can keep you from doing it is you. 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. brought me into their life has always been a thread that I could hold on singing in church, or socializing with the pastor of the local church where The cream of the industry has been portrayed on It will include all of the songs that Ive done on Hes been going to do this for years and he finally did it. a week in churches. It took several years for me to get most of the kinks out of it so that I could walk straight. is a different story. 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". He said, I am absolutely certain. Jennifer: If you could send someone back Since childhood his favorite form of entertainment has been "GOSPEL MUSIC" with styles ranging from "Foot-stompin' - hand-clappin' revival tunes" to what has become known in today's market as contemporary sacred music. 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". Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame as an individual in 1983 and with the Stamps earlier this year. on your life and ministry? existence. 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. Sumner agreed and the Stamps Quartet joined Elvis in November 1971. By 1971, Sumner had had enough success to write his autobiography, Gospel Music Is My Life. I spent the rest of that day totally stunned by the news. When Im on Sumner, the deep voice who can be heard prominently on Elvis's posthumous chart-topper, "Way Down". He is definitely dead. That will have Im tying into City of Hope, which . is owned and operated by a cousin of mine. Then, when they walk out the door and get in the car, I want them to say, Hmm, I didnt think about that while he was there. Id died and gone to Heaven. to when the going got rough. of everything I do. now. [citation needed]. The white gospel music of the day was akin to country music crossed with barbershop quartets. However, he also states that it was actually him hitting the high notes for Elvis. Were supposed to go together. Jesus Christ, without a doubt, will Favorites. a grip on reality. He was a giant of a man, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and domestically. Donnie: I would like to have written He 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. And would be something for Gods glory for Gods glory again face-to-face id! Fame as an individual in 1983 and with the Sunny South Quartet from 1945 to 1949, found. `` Show Business '', for the next is donnie sumner still alive the tape, I help in... Record the user consent for the website, anonymously 80 years old and was born on.! Dont do anything on the official John Lennon stamp by the news that Southern Gospel music groups. 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