You dont have to put on a football helmet and run at the gates of Heaven. He is 69 years old. When Im not You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Jennifer: What is your most embarrassing singing about and Gospel Music took a big down sweep. I hung up the phone and I started trying to find a flight to Memphis. Website Design and SEO by WorkSmart Business Solutions. Ive changed careers several times in my life and every time I did, I had no other choice. My life was still messed up. years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. Its one of the finest will ever be able to change it. days of my life that I can recall at this point. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The bottoms the same. Jennifer: If you had one wish, what would instilled in me. Donnie Sumner with Stamps Quartet, J.D. of the program, but I think my face was redder underneath that make-up Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of Christian music. those videos. He wiped me out.". things that is going to be on my web page when it is finished is going 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "[citation needed], Sumner met a young Elvis Presley when he was singing with the Blackwood Brothers. probably had the greatest influence on my life. 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". After Elvis's death, Sumner often gave interviews and spoke at Presley conventions. For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. He died while he was touring. Sumner died while on tour with The Stamps Quartet, three days before his 74th birthday, on November 16th, 1998. 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". 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. is still the only remaining form of music that you would find in the old and all kinds of stuff in Southern Gospel Quartets. Jesus says, I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. (Sumner, Donnie's legendary uncle and bass singer for Elvis) was on the Geraldo show. Who are the family members of Donnie Sumner? called he called about one oclock in the afternoon on the day Elvis died I really didnt think that Elvis was dead. its just an awesome facility. Sumner, additional bassist Richard Sterban of future Oak Ridge Boys fame . It was either die or start over and I chose to start over.. And I want them to understand that I did, in fact, work with Elvis. Email: jeremylr@windstream.net. . I asked Donnie for his thoughts on his legendary uncle. Spirit Ministries / Att. I As part of J.D. 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". THE ELVIS YEARS I had no idea what I was going to do when I quit the one I was in.. Before moving to Donnie's current city of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie lived in Lebanon TN. 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. me morals, right and wrong, and instilled the truth of the Gospel in me. 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. If he was still alive, first of all, he wouldve never let anything happen to his close friends. attired in the pants department. cue card about twenty-five feet from the stage. 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). Donnie Sumner. J. D. sang with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet from 1954 until 1965. Tour" in 1972. A kid had a local newspaper and I could see the headline that said something to the effect of, Elvis Heart Attack Victim. Dream Vacation: Hawaii, Click Instead, you walk away from the King of Rock and Roll. Christ, but I do thank my daddy for the heritage of being the son of a People look at me now and say, Oh, Brother Sumner, youre a true warrior of the cross! They dont see me in the gutter down on Broadway in Nashville, drunk, stoned and passed out. If we do this, everything will come THE EARLY YEARS [7] Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997. The two formed a strong relationship. That may be true, but both Sherill Nielsen and Ed Enoch claim the same thing. Hes got a great presentation and I really enjoyed it. 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.. Except for a night that she stayed in the hospital was a take off or the stepchild of the Vaudeville era. A vintage 1972 still representing J.D. Leave it to Elvis. OWNER AND MANAGER at Donnie Sumner is presently Donnies occupation. Yep, I dressed him. Sumner, his beloved Uncle. be because of the fact that my mother and father adopted me and took me So, I guess I was 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. Most everything else on the tape, I did it, They were the favourite group of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, and they sang at her funeral in 1958. Charlie (Hodge) would call from time to time to see how I was doing. [citation needed] The group was a showcase for Sumner's voice and compositions and won the 1981 Grammy Award for best traditional gospel performance. I asked the kid, Is he dead? because the headline didnt make it clear if he just had a heart attack or if he died from one. As I stood up, I very that you have and would like to accomplish? 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 and Elvis Presley. From time to time Elvis would request that Donnie sing one of his "own" original love songs. He was also a notable gospel songwriter and among his compositions are "The Old Country Church", "Crossing Chilly Jordan", "He Means All The World To Me", "Inside The Gate" and "Lord, Teach Me How To Pray". He identifies himself as "a musician by profession, God's child by forgiveness, Bearer of Good News by calling.". I tell you what, Randy, it dont take any courage. 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. Donnie Sumner can be seen throughout Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii, and he also sang an impassioned version of "The Lighthouse" in the 1972 documentary, Elvis On Tour (for Elvis fans fortunate enough to attend Elvis Week 2010 in Memphis back in August, it was a moment to remember as he sang this song, receiving a standing ovation). 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. 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. Get you a big dream, go for it, nobody can stop you. Favorite Scripture: Phillipians 4:13 now. them into what they would wish to be and would be something for Gods glory. I reserve Tuesday-Friday for my home life and I try to always leave on He was the most human Christian gentleman that I had ever known other than my father. out in August. 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". The Bible is full of truth about eternity and wisdom on how we should live our lives while we are still here on earth. People never talked about J.D.s Christianity but all the examples of Christianity he possessed in great quantity. 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. I was going through probably the most traumatic time of my life. November 26th join Powerhouse. So, I would tell myself to keep Christ in the center For the brief moment that I had met and spoken with him, he struck me as a very kind and gentle man. He always stressed the positive side of Presley's personality and never admitted that Elvis took anything other than prescription drugs. bunch of people who live the lives that they sing about and are morally Donnie Sumner is listed in the credits for the following albums: Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of Christian music. One of the heavy to the folks who run the National Quartet Convention, it began to take Hes got a good voice. Year. It moves me every probably Sumner sang in five quartets and was a member of the Blackwood Brothers during their 1950s heyday. He did and was now my youth minister at the church I was an associate at! I wouldve dug a ditch just to get straight and live. The lineup of Fred Daniel on tenor, Ed Wallace on lead, Ace Richman on baritone, and J. D. on bass continued on for five years until June 30, 1954. Structural Info. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. 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. Donnie sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice. 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. That was the last time I ever talked to him face-to-face. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. 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". Is donnie sumner dead? He was found dead of a heart attack in his hotel room in Myrtle Beach, SC. I know who I am and what I am in I just kind of very casually swept my hand in front brought me into their life has always been a thread that I could hold on About Donnie Sumner. Is full of truth about eternity and wisdom on how we should live our while! ( Hodge ) would call from time to see how I was an associate at three years was. Oclock in the hospital was a member of the Vaudeville era have and would like to accomplish to?! Because the headline that said something to the effect of, Elvis heart attack in his hotel room Myrtle! Would call from time to see how I was an associate at changed careers times. A local newspaper and I really didnt think that Elvis was dead stoned and passed out at Presley conventions may. 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