J. D. Sumner
John Daniel "J. D." Sumner (
November 19,
1924 -
November 16,
1998) was an
American singer and songwriter. "J.D." Sumner was born in
Lakeland, Florida. Sumner was inspired to become a
bass singer at the age of four after hearing
Frank Stamps perform. He began developing his talent from that moment.
Sumner served in the
United States military during
World War II from
1942 until his discharge in
1945. He began to pursue his dream of being a bass singer when he formed the "Sunny Side Quartet." He began to make a name for himself after joining the "Sunshine Boys" in
1948.
In 1954,
The Blackwood Brothers members
R. W. Blackwood and Bill Lyles lost their lives in a plane crash.
James Blackwood asked Sumner to replace Lyles in the bass slot. When Sumner joined this group, his fame began to skyrocket.
Sumner and James Blackwood soon became partners in a number of business ventures that took on a life of their own. In
1956, they formed the
National Quartet Convention, an event which continues to be the largest event in gospel music. Sumner dubbed it "the Granddaddy of them all." Sumner and Blackwood also formed the
Gospel Music Association, which recognizes achievement annually in all forms of gospel music through the Dove Awards. Sumner and Blackwood adapted the first bus for touring purposes.
The two men purchased the
Stamps Quartet in 1963. Sumner continued to sing with the Blackwood Brothers for a period of time after this. He ultimately decided to leave the group and sing with the Stamps so he could manage them directly. It is during this time JD decided that each singer needed a microphone, thus the beginning of the use of individual microphones.In time they began to be billed as "J. D. Sumner and the Stamps."
In November of
1971, J. D. Sumner and the Stamps were invited to tour with
Elvis Presley. The group became a regular fixture with Presley until his last concert on June 26th, 1977. The Stamps were also featured on most of Presley's studio recordings between 1972 and 1977. In the midst of their popularity while performing with Presley, the Stamps released what is probably their most critically acclaimed recording, a double LP titled
Live At Murray State. The singers joining J. D. Sumner on that recording were Ed Hill, Ed Enoch, and Bill Baize.
Sumner disbanded the Stamps in 1980. He then joined
Jake Hess,
Hovie Lister,
Rosie Rozell, and
James Blackwood to form the
Masters V. This group of "living legends" toured until 1988. Lister served as the group's emcee while Sumner injected his brand of dry humor into their performances.
In
1983, the
Guinness Book Of World Records recognized Sumner's
1966 solo recording of the hymn "Blessed Assurance." According to Guinness, the song contained the lowest recorded note ever produced by a human voice, a "double low" C. The recording was re-issued in
1984 as part of Sumner's solo project
Thank God For Kids and again in
1999 posthumously on
The Wait Is Over.
(Note: This record was later surpassed by Dan Britton and again by current record-holder Tim Storms.)After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, Sumner brought back the Stamps with former members Ed Hill and Ed Enoch. In the early 1990s, the Stamps were active participants in the
Gaither Homecoming videos. They also enjoyed a great deal of success performing at Elvis Presley tribute events, both domestically and overseas. In addition to the two Eds, Rick Strickland and Jerry Kelso were members of the group during Sumner's final years.
J.D. Sumner died in
1998 in
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was on tour at the time of his death. In addition to his other accomplishments, he wrote more than 700 songs.
1960s - Blackwoods Brothers recordings featuring
J.D. Sumner:1970s - Elvis Presley recordings featuring
J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:1970s - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:1980s - Masters V:1980s - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:1990s - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:*
Golden Memories Of Elvis*
The Real Facts About Elvis' Death*
Peace In The Valley - 1993
*
The Final Sessions - 1999
* ''
Hall Of Fame - 1999
*
Official home page of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet
