wouldhumorously pick on him. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. I never talked to J.D. There's no such thing as a superstar, it's all in the audience's mind. I was in tears. We were singing duet on 'Spanish Eyes'.Linda Thompson's taped that, because she gave David Briggs a copy, and David gave me a copy. I, of course, have been aware of Donnie and his work both during and after his years with Presley. 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). In 1970, while with the Stamps, Donnie received the Gospel Music Association's prestigious DOVE AWARD for "Gospel Song of the Year" with his composition, "THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER". After a heated discussion, Elvis agreed to cut vocal tracks for the four songs at his Palm Springs home that Felton Jarvis had cut backing tracks for without him at the recent Stax sessions. They got together to make some music and wound up with 'The Tennessee Rangers'. In 1963 James Blackwood purchased a gospel music publishing company from Frank Stamps. Hes been going to do this for years and he finally did it. comforted him after. After a 10-year layoff, the megastar had decided to hit the road again. Several grandchildren. They were booked for Elvis In Concert at Wembley Arena in January 1999 in which Elvis's backing musicians and singers will accompany a video of Elvis singing. Theres nuts out there everywhere.. Sherrill still had the bandages around my head and during the song, blood started running down his forard. 'I think he was a Christian, a believer. Special? 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". L.H. During his many sleepless, anxious nights, he would summon a young David to play music music that became what we know to be the Psalms of the Bible - to soothe his soul. Copyright 1999 2023 Dave Maurer He'd get so relaxed and peaceful. Jesus is a new life, Jesus is an abundant life and Jesus is everlasting life'. After both of us laughing very hard at that comment, Donnie added, Yeah, I am absolutely positive that he is dead. In the last 10 15 minutes of my programs, I can concentrate an entire Sunday. 'James Blackwell being one and Bill Gaither being one and J.D. It was Humbards contention that southern gospel music had the same effect on Elvis. Since childhood his favorite form of entertainment has been . Well, Ill start by telling you when J.D. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." You can hit the bottom in the presidency or you can hit the bottom on skid row. Donnie's uncle, the late J.D. Until Now! 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. If I ever see him coming down my street I always make sure hes not turning into my drive! Funeral arrangement under the care ofKistler-Patterson Funeral Homes. In 1972 Donnie resigned from the Stamps Quartet and organized his own group, which was to become known as VOICE INC. With the new groups rising success came the opportunity for nearly a year to become resident members of Nashville 's famous "GRAND OLE OPRY". I tried to make car arrangements. 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. He loved anything Roy Rogers. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Read More. 'How Great Thou Art' (1967) won Elvis his first Grammy for Best Sacred Album. By forgiveness, I'm a member of God's family, and I thank Him for everything I am or ever will be. He died while he was touring. Presley recorded three gospel albums. Shaun (Sherrill) tells the story, 'Elvis had written it on a sheet of toilet tissue and it was for the sum of $100,000 for which we'd travel with him, write songs for his music company, and work with him. Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church in Dry Fork will host singer, songwriter and motivational speaker Donnie Sumner on Sunday night. Absolutely nobody can communicate the lyrics of a gospel song like Elvis', Sumner said from Nashville. On the Saturday morning before Labor Day in 1976, he stood on the balcony outside Elvis' suite trying to get the nerve to jump'. He said Elvis said to call and see how I was doing. Well, my daddy was Pentecostal when Pentecostal wasn't cool. You cant go no lower than the bottom., I asked Donnie if he had something to fall back on when he left Elvis, to which he replied, Not at all. What made him great in gospel was his ability to tell a story. Elvis and J.D. Ive got a brand new life. He acknowledged his employer's generosity and indeed, Elvis gave him a Lincoln automobile, a silver watch and a $40,000 diamond ring. Collect rumors like this that says if you Is Donnie Sumner dead? Hes come back as Jessie and hes got a new record out. The deal included the brand name, the Stamps Quartet, and Sumner developed this, transforming a little-known group into one of America's leading white gospel groups. Donnie Sumner will be in concert at First Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 4. Thats what killed him to start with was that he thought he was losing it. a couple of questions that only those who knew him best would know. three goals, startin at the bottom: To put down on a piece of paper as much of my story as I could to tell my grandkids. A NEW BEGINNING His mother took him occasionally, and he knew the basics of Christian teaching, but he was otherwise 'religiously illiterate', Sumner said. ), Donnie found time to write a book. Elvis, naturally, is irreplaceable but so is Sumner; few singers can hit the lowest G on the piano. Whether or not that was actually the case may be open for debate. U.S . "The Lighthouse" Gospel Song by Donnie Sumner - Elvis' Gospel Band (The Stamps) High Quality Often appear in internet rumors and false news about the death of a famous class that logically affect their family and friends. 'We'd be wired most of the time. George's wife, Tammy Wynette, passed away. 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". (Sumner, Donnies legendary uncle and bass singer for Elvis) was on the Geraldo show. Sumner, the deep voice who can be heard prominently on Elvis's posthumous chart-topper, "Way Down". The album includes an instant classic, 'Peace in the Valley'. A kid had a local newspaper and I could see the headline that said something to the effect of, Elvis Heart Attack Victim. Presley continued to record gospel songs - more than 100 in all, by one account - and a live recording of 'How Great Thou Art' in 1974 earned him the Grammy for Best Inspirational Song. Sumner and his quartet, the Stamps, had been performing at a theatre in Myrtle Beach. Eventually, Charlie Hodge, Elvis' right-hand man called and said they needed someone to help out with the high notes'. The only song completed from the tapes supplied by Felton Jarvis was 'Sweet Angeline' they then recorded Donnie Sumner's'I Miss You' then lacking anything else Elvis wanted to record, Sherrill suggested 'Are You Sincere?'. In the end, every one of my songs says that no matter where you're at or what you're involved in, you can make it. Blackwood himself was part of another quartet at the First Assembly in Memphis, the Songfellows, and Presley wanted to join. Elvis hired the group, which became Voice, Inc., to be part of his stage show and also to live with him and sing Gospel music for him at night. I hope that, while theyre there, they think, Boy! 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". Not only that, but Elvis really considers you a close friend. Thats the best part of the whole piece is if I can help somebody.. I said, Uncle Jake, are you sure that Elvis is dead? He went through all these things. Besides the Blackwood Brothers, Presley idolized J.D. J.D. He was friendly with many gospel musicians and he worked for several years with J.D. Donald "Donnie" Sumner Obituary (1953 - 2020) The Donald SumnerDonald "Donnie" Sumner, of Adel, Ga., died March 25, 2020.He was born March 3, 1953, to Alma and Orba Sumner.He was a Glynn County firefighter and a painter.He is survived by his wife, Au Everybody thought he was a great singer, but what made him great in rock and roll was his appearance. Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Yvonne "Vonnie" Houston Futrell on this permanent online memorial. They often worked in Memphis where Sumner befriended the young Elvis Presley, sneaking him into the concerts when Elvis could not afford the 50 cents admission. Bill had worked as a Sawyer in Logging, and enjoyed watching Westerns and the Outdoors. Elvis would then get on the phone and say, I understand. comforted him afterGeorge's wife, Tammy Wynette, passed away. 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. 'He had a pitch problem. Hes got a good voice. My emphasis is really on just one simple thing', he said. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three. Because he was tall (six foot five) and dignified, it was doubly funny to see him running around on stage, and he even released an album of his comedy routines. You would have thought that reaching the pinnacle of Sumner's career as an artist would leave him with very few problems, however the more Donnie enjoyed success, the deeper and darker his life became. Whoever put it on record bootlegged it from my record. As a changed man, Donnie brings a new message of hope'. 'the greatest gospel singer who ever lived'. If I can do it with a Scripture, Ill do it. Contemporary gospel singerMark Lowry told some funny stories about his six-year friendship with J.D. I honestly thought when J.D. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. Now, Im doing somethin else. Only the big ones. John Daniel Sumner, singer: born Lakeland, Florida 19 November 1924; married (two daughters); died Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 15 November 1998. After spending time in a couple of different groups, he finally got the call from Uncle J.D. Yet, with that heavy work load in addition to his busy tour schedule of personal appearances and the occasional appearances with the Elvis Lives stage show (designated a Guinness World Record as the first tour that was top-billed by a non-living performer. Obituary. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. attleboro obituaries this past weekend; elder high school alumni directory; edgewood valley country club initiation fee; heartland mallory and jake wedding; Gallery By Industry. The next morning, I called J.D. Donnie Sumner is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. Donnie Sumner, "The Lighthouse" - video by Susan Quinn Sand 55,607 views Jun 8, 2016 Jeff Lewis and Friends Gospel Show at end of Tupelo Elvis Festival 2016, Sunday, 6-5-2016 465 Dislike Share. He is included in The Guinness Book of Records as the world's lowest bass singer. He tried to overdose on cocaine twice, attempting suicide three times. I am now victorious in all things and they can be, too, just by deciding that they want to believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ. 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. 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. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late ELVIS PRESLEY on both his stage appearances and his recordings. Entering "this and that" (with quotes) into the search form will return results containing the exact phrase "this and that". And if I cant do that no more, Ill be in Heaven.. Their regular bass singer, Richard Sterban, soon left to join the Oak Ridge Boys. But when he finally got the chance a few years later, Presley's personal flamboyance and distinctive vocal style didn't fit in with the uniform appearance and carefully controlled harmony required by the Southern gospel style. Elvis had thoughts of joining the group himself and, in 1955, shortly after making his first records, he appeared in a gospel concert with them. Youve seen Bob Gruens work in galleries, books, and on the official John Lennon stamp by the U.S. Post Office. Elvis Presley's songs are unforgettable - they have stood the test of time, especially his singles of the 1950s, a decade in which he had a song at No. Even when performing in a southern gospel group, temptation is still there'. Condolence at HopewellFuneral.com Published by Tampa Bay. I asked Sumner what his reactions and thoughts were on that fateful day. Ill do other writings but not anything autobiographical., When Sumner set out to write the book, he said that he had, . 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. 'His Hand in Mine' (1960) includes some old songs and spirituals, like 'Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho', but it also contains 'You'll Never Walk Alone' - a signature song of his later Las Vegas years, but not exactly a gospel tune. which drive up our cost of staying online. The group's only UK appearance came when they opened for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1980. . Yeah, special. 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. 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. The Stamps worked for Elvis until his death in August 1977 and Sumner's voice can be heard on many recordings including the gospel songs "Help Me" and "Why Me, Lord". as members of the Masters V and with Bill Baize they sang "Peace. I asked Donnie for his thoughts on his legendary uncle. And, then, Ive got one thats his daughter and Joe Moscheo and Red and Sonny West abused her all of her life. Ive got a couple of people who talk to Elvis all the time. The kid gave me one of those, Yes, you idiot looks. HovieLister, Jake Hess, and James Blackwood spoke about the fun times they hadwith J.D. Website Design and SEO by WorkSmart Business Solutions. Ronald Dale "Ronnie" Sumner, 74, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his residence. Hardwick then spoke and John Mathews, aboyhood friend of J.D. Upon hearing the news, Elvis told Donnie that he was proud of him and said that he wished that he could go somewhere and start over but 'I guess I got to keep on being Elvis'. 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. Sumner was born May 30, 1947, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Leonard & Lois Roberts Sumner. There was only one sinless life and he died so that I could get over mine.. You dont have to squall and bawl, have a fit and fall back in it. His first church was in the little town of Bradley Junction, Florida. Please review our Privacy Policy to review how we may use your information. Sherrill Nielsen had just left The Statesmen Quartet, (Elvis loved Sherrill as he could hit notes higher than a normal tenor, and Elvis had him to sing the very high endings in concert. That story and many, many others are shared in In the Shadow of Kings (see the Boomerocity review of it here). Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up with the latest from Boomerocity.com. Sherrill Nielsen: That was in Palm Springs. At some point, he wouldve come back because he loved life and he loved music. She married Donnie Sumner in 1979 and their marriage brought forth 5 children, Jason Dwayne in 1980, Travis Lee in 1981, Vanessa Leeann in 1983, Jeremy Wade in 1986, and Cody Allen in 1990. Select one or more of the available filters to get started. Sumner and the Stamps." J.D.'s voice earned him a Grammy, a spot in the GMA Hall of Fame and in the Guinness Book of World Records for the lowest bass voice.
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