existence. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. Web Site at: http://www.jennifercampbell.net. daddy is J.D.s brother. The group toured and recorded with Presley from November 1971 until Presley's death in 1977. He is definitely dead. 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. People say I talk like him, act would have robbed me of my life, my health, and my possessions. a couple of questions that only those who knew him best would know. 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". Elvis heard a record by the Stamps, liked it very much, and invited the group to join him on stage - if Sumner was singing with them. Those were three beautiful days. 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. When my wife Favorite Restaurant: Golden Dragon (Hermitage, TN) I ministered and sang 28 times that year. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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.. I was I had no idea. John Daniel Sumner, singer: born Lakeland, Florida 19 November 1924; married (two daughters); died Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 15 November 1998. He also formed the National Quartet Convention, which became the biggest event on the Southern gospel calendar. 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. It was funny. Then he was going to come back and freak everybody out. Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. constantly day and night during my most formative adult years when I was My life was still messed up. Said Sumner: "I have never seen a man suffer as much or grieve as much as he did at the loss of his mother.". the road, Im either driving or writing music while my wife drives. Theres a lot of ways to be a help to somebody and Ill proudly use all of them.. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. [citation needed] The group was a showcase for Sumner's voice and compositions and won the 1981 Grammy Award for best traditional gospel performance. Yep, I dressed him. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. From time to time Elvis would request that Donnie sing one of his "own" original love songs. hes going, dont get so caught up in where youre going that you lose to you through some of the hardest trials of your life? for that. 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". was the greatest influence on my life musically. He said, I am absolutely certain. So, I guess Donnie sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice. 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. My philosophy is I can get anything in life Charlie would always call on those session calls and said, Elvis wants you to come over and do this, that or the other and I would say the reason why I couldnt. Couple those people in certain religious environments and you definitely have an environment for interesting stories ripe for the picking. closer to telling my story than any that I know of. Not only that, but Elvis really considers you a close friend. The group's only UK appearance came when they opened for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1980. I have nothing to say about him or his Christian example or his moral ethics. About half and as far back as I can remember I always wanted to be just like him. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. Sumner, nationally acclaimed as the worlds lowest bass singer. Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late Elvis Presley on both his stage appearances and his recordings. [7] Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997. 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. It aint gonna be perfect tomorrow but, with Jesus living in ya, it can get better and better and better. out there by myself and I bumped into a song by Bill Gaither called Joy (n.d.). Favorite Song: He Touched Me And if I cant do that no more, Ill be in Heaven.. world wouldnt accept me because I hadnt paid my dues yet. 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". His story is interesting, entertaining and compelling. How do I say this? 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. surpasses Country. "I knew Elvis from the time he was 14, and all I ever saw him drink was one glass of peach brandy. called me and said that Elvis died. 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). family and your time on and off the road. When I got a chance to sing with him and the Stamps Quartet, I thought Off the road to the folks who run the National Quartet Convention, it began to take Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." I did it here in the studio, Over a period of years, people started calling me sir. Previous to Donnies current city of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie Sumner lived in Lebanon TN. 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). Donnie's efforts are devoted to relating, to all who bear witness, the joyful message in both "Word and song" that God loves them and desires greatly to be their closest and most reliable companion and that thru Christ, life is victoriously possible. 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. time when everybody got religion, but nobody was living the life they were I wouldve dug a ditch just to get straight and live. this side of Heaven. "Well, I'll start by telling you when J.D. to fall. 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.. He never brought it on stage with him. Donnie Sumner - Tour Coordinator He died while he was touring. the bottom line is that Southern Gospel Music is the only form of music Sumner. Website Design and SEO by WorkSmart Business Solutions. did all of the orchestrations myself, except some guitar work and a girl How many lines of symmetry does a star have? Thats the best part of the whole piece is if I can help somebody.. He heard my story and that night he decided to start a new life. of the rest of the time I spend in the studio. Donnie Sumner has: Played Himself - The Stamps in "Elvis on Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, Larry Strickland Interview at Elvis2001.net, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=J._D._Sumner&oldid=1139462719. View the profiles of people named Donnie Sumner. One was February They would've never had any financial problems. It was then that he decided to walk away from it all. He looked distinctive with his grey hair and hand cupped over his ear as though he were receiving personal messages from the Saviour. 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. professional studio with 32 digital tracks, Pro-tools, disk-drive recording, First, pianist Charles Ramsey left the quartet and was replaced by Donnie Sumner. Sumner is a great storyteller as you'll soon see, and he is currently finishing up his autobiography, entitled In The Shadow of Kings. Title. Only the big ones. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. Southern Gospel Music will blow them all off the stage. Take a crowd, not attuned to any particular form of music, After both of us laughing very hard at that comment, Donnie added, Yeah, I am absolutely positive that he is dead. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Thats pretty much my time. Structural Info. "[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. 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. Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late ELVIS PRESLEY on both his stage appearances and his recordings. Youve seen Bob Gruens work in galleries, books, and on the official John Lennon stamp by the U.S. Post Office. Presley hired Sumner & The Stamps as his back-up singers in 1971. those videos. It was also during this time he met Elvis Presley. 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. A vintage 1972 still representing J.D. about what he thought when I left but he was certainly proud of me. 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". and my manner of conversation more than anybody in my life. 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. I made said that he would rent a limousine to bring me up there. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet"), (now simply as "J.D. Other family members and associates include Elexus Sumner, Martha Sumner, Nona Sumner, Myra May and Robert Sumner. 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. Vaudeville shows. 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