donnie sumner obituary

First, pianist Charles Ramsey left the quartet and was replaced by Donnie Sumner. In 1956 the Blackwood Brothers Quartet found national acclaim when they won Arthur Godfrey's television talent show. I talked to him twice about sessions. Those who knew Elvis agree he felt trapped by his fame. Obituary. Local obituaries for Blountstown, Florida. Jay Bonds and the Rev. Donnie Sumner - Tour Coordinator But when we'd sing for him, it was like throwing a bucket of cold water on a fire. It was during this time period that Donnie was seen on the Elvis, worldwide satellite television spectacular, "ALOHA FROM HAWAII ". When you hit bottom, you aint got no place to fall. I was curious who, from his perspective, Donnie saw as the typical purchaser of In the Shadow of Kings. Wanda Grey Slate Obituary 2023 - Moody Funeral Services In a further contradiction, those sessions were often conducted in a drug- or booze-induced haze, Sumner said. Elvis said well I'm not coming there, Elvis said if they want a record they can come here and get it. "MR. SONG MAN" and "I MISS YOU". Donnie Sumner, a multi-talented veteran of musical performance, weaves together a fast-paced, well-planned, themed format of Sacred and Gospel repertoire, utilizing standard, as well as, his own original compositions. Sumner, the deep voice who can be heard prominently on Elvis's posthumous chart-topper, "Way Down". He had personal problems and demons, but he did a lot of good in his own way. 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. Southern gospel legend J D Sumner dies aged 73 ONE OF the father figures of Southern Gospel, JD Sumner died on November 16th 1998. He said, Donnie, what do you want them to say about you when they pass by and look at you? I said, Ed, I truly hope that somebody looks down at me and says, Golly! Theres nuts out there everywhere.. He was the most human Christian gentleman that I had ever known other than my father. 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." 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. 'He had a pitch problem. Sumner responded quickly and unequivocally. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet; Donnie is to the immediate left of Elvis L To R: Bill Baize, future Oak Ridge Boy Richard Sterban, Donnie Sumner, Elvis, J.D. Ive got a couple of people who talk to Elvis all the time. 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. He rarely went to church or read the Bible, according to one close associate, and his partying and overindulgence in food and drugs eventually led to his death at age 42. 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. He didnt wear his salvation on his arm sleeve. Stay up to date with Christian Music Archive via E-Mail! The vast majority of them are false. Donnie Hooker the Rev. 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. 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". Reality is home, church and friends'. He wiped me out.". That is exactly what Donnie Sumner did. As a changed man, Donnie brings a new message of hope'. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three. about what he thought when I left but he was certainly proud of me. In Polk County, where I lived, and in Hillsborough County in Tampa and in Orlando in those three big cities, there was not one single limousine that was available for long distance service. hi-res2004 Home For Christmas (Image Records/SM-1204): The Christmas Story (as read by JD Sumner); What Child Is This; Do You Hear What I Hear; O Come All Ye Faithful; Christmas Bells Medley; Away In A Manger; Birthday Of A King Medley; The First Noel; Silent Night; Joy To The World; I'll Be Home For Christmas; The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year; White Christmas; Home For Christmas. Charlie (Hodge) would call from time to time to see how I was doing. Eventually, Charlie Hodge, Elvis' right-hand man called and said they needed someone to help out with the high notes'. New email address ada@ls.net (LSNET) Keeping the Faith with ELVIS,Allen, Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, If anyone knows any info as to who attended J.D's funeral, who sang at it, who, You do not have permission to delete messages in this group. Recently, he was welcomed into the Bill Gaither 'Homecoming' family, performing alongside other legends of Gospel music. It aint gonna be perfect tomorrow but, with Jesus living in ya, it can get better and better and better. 'It's kind of a world of fantasy'. I had the hairdresser come in and we fixed his hair and I had so-and-so cosmetologist come in and put on his make-up. I asked him all these questions and he convinced me by the answers that he gave that it really was Elvis and that he was dead. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. Donnie Sumner Story Christian Music Archive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. He was a member and deacon of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. said that he would rent a limousine to bring me up there. It wasn't "The Lighthouse" which the Stamps did in _Elvison Tour_; the title may have been "Ship Ahoy." And as if to vindicate his original desire to be a gospel singer, Presley's only three Grammy awards were given for his own gospel-music recordings. Right now Donnie is an OWNER AND MANAGER at Donnie Sumner. J.D. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. I never talked to J.D. They kept talking about it on the news. In the audience I recognized JoeGuercio, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, country singer Charlie Walker, andformer Stamp Terry Blackwood. In the last 10 15 minutes of my programs, I can concentrate an entire Sunday. Access to SGHistory.com may be temporarily blocked if multiple pages are loaded in less than ten seconds. At Elvis' request, they were flown to Vegas to sing backup on the Tom Jones show, and at the end of that engagement, Elvis signed the three voices: Donnie Sumner, Sherrill Nielsen and Tim Baty to be his personal gospel group, and he changed their name to 'Voice' (the name actually came from a religious periodical Elvis received). Donnie Sumner Story with deadpan seriousness that contained the urge to burst out laughing. 'I don't think anyone could judge him', Moscheo said. (70 years old). 83 Obituaries. Shortly after Elvis's death, Sumner and the Stamps released a tribute album, Elvis Has Left The Building (1977), and there were two further albums, Elvis's Favourite Gospel Songs (1977) and Memories Of Our Friend Elvis (1978). J.D'.s 'zoom bass' was always a favorite of Elvis, who loved southern gospel music. They dont see me in all the places of ill repute that I found myself in during that time period. 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. attleboro obituaries this past weekend; elder high school alumni directory; edgewood valley country club initiation fee; heartland mallory and jake wedding; Gallery By Industry. And Ive got one that Elvis talks to her all the time. . He was a graduate of Irwin County High School and served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He died while he was touring. But I never talked to Elvis again face-to-face. 's face, I did not approach the bier. Is Donnie Sumner dead? - vooxpopuli Yep, I dressed him. L.H. Within a short time, they had transformed Elvis' living room into a state of the art recording studio. The bottoms the same. Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame as an individual in 1983 and with the Stamps earlier this year. For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. He said, I want you to come up and sing at the funeral. I said, Aw, Uncle Jake, he aint dead. I was aware that, among the things that keep the sixty-nine year young singer very busy was his recording studio and production work. 205 E Elm St, Olney, IL 62450. Elvis Interviews , Elvis Articles , Elvis Biography , By David Adams. Because of logistics and the time element that I had wasted, I wasnt able to attend the funeral.. Donnie Sumner currently lives in Hendersonville, TN; in the past Donnie has also lived in Lebanon TN. 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. Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. J.D. Elvis Australia was founded in 1996 www.elvis.com.au was literally born from the concept of wanting to represent 'Elvis in Australia', so www.elvis.com.au Read more. That's what I've been doing for 48 years'. From time to time Elvis would request that Donnie sing one of his "own" original love songs. He was born March 3, 1953, to Alma and Orba Sumner. Sumner, is legendary in the southern gospel quarter genre and is known for holding the Guinness World Record for eighteen years for recording the lowest vocal bass note - a "G0". Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Friday, September 17, 2021, at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, in Irwin County, Georgia, with the Rev. Ronnie Sumner's Instagram, Twitter & Facebook on IDCrawl Everything that I have, I'll ever be, what I've got and all I'll ever have, I have to say thanks be to God for it all, because when I found him, I had nothing', he said. Would you like to offer Phoebe R. Harrisons loved ones a condolence message? + Plus Bonus DVD Audio. 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. Candle 2. Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound. He passed away in November of 1998; just three days shy of his 74th birthday. Even if you're not familiar with world of southern gospel, chances are, you've heard Donnie sing. Sumner shared a story or two. His father was a Pentecostal preacher, and his uncle, J.D. Obituary - Community Funeral Home Inc. of Beulaville NC 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. J.D. 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. Voice: The original group consisted of Sherrill Nielsen, Donnie Sumner and Tim Baty (Thinking About You). The doctor cut a big hole in one of Elvis' sheets, draped it over him with his head centered inside the hole andproceeded to remove small plugs of hair from the back side of Sherrill's head and then inserted the plugs into holes he had previously made in the top of Sherrill's scalp. They wouldve never got into any legal problems and Lisa Marie wouldve never gotten into some of the stuff that shes gotten into. So they were the only songs completed by Elvis, although 'Voice' did record a number of demos at Elvis' insistence. Well, Ill start by telling you when J.D. And I want them to understand that I did, in fact, work with Elvis. They wouldve never had any financial problems. Sumner in concert at First Baptist Sept. 4. - Record Herald 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. All you gotta do is believe and, if you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ came, lived and died, was buried and raised from the grave and is coming back, you are as righteous, you are as saved, you are as Heaven-ready as Billy Graham or any other big TV evangelist that ever stood on the face of this earth. Ive got a brand new life. called he called about one oclock in the afternoon on the day Elvis died I really didnt think that Elvis was dead. He did and was now my youth minister at the church I was an associate at! Copyright Currentobituary.com, Your source for online obituaries and funeral notices. Its at that point that I lay aside all my stage skills, all my humor and just tell them the cold, hard facts. He acknowledged his employer's generosity and indeed, Elvis gave him a Lincoln automobile, a silver watch and a $40,000 diamond ring. recitations, "The Farmer and the Lord," but gospel pianist Eva MaeLefevre got up and unfortunately spoke rather incoherently about her ownlife. Well, my daddy was Pentecostal when Pentecostal wasn't cool. If we can inspire people to live better lives, we've performed a ministry.". Sumner and his quartet, the Stamps, had been performing at a theatre in Myrtle Beach. The kid gave me one of those, Yes, you idiot looks. Said Sumner: "I have never seen a man suffer as much or grieve as much as he did at the loss of his mother.". Sumner at the 78 Dove Awards. For Engagements Contact: It was Humbards contention that southern gospel music had the same effect on Elvis. 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). Instead, you walk away from the King of Rock and Roll. It was a cleansing of emotions. Donnie Sumner Play artist More actions Listeners 263 Scrobbles 1,439 Join others and track this artist Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account Sign Up to Last.fm Donnie Sumner is the nephew of JD Sumner and was lead singer for the stamps dureing the days of backing Elvis Presley. The Stamps were EdEnoch, Ed Hill, and Rick Strickland (the youngest member of the group) andno one couldn't have noticed that they sang the old arrangements without abass singer. The group's only UK appearance came when they opened for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1980. Donnie Sumner, 'Voice', and Elvis Presley | Elvis Interviews 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. years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. Can you imagine, Elvis: 'Hey Sherrill, The doc's here to give you a hair transplant'. Donnie shares the story in his book about why, while singing with one of the most beloved, historic and recognizable people in the world even in the history of the world he decided to quit and with nothing else to fall back on. 'My life was totally ruined'. He loved anything Roy Rogers. Gospel music executive BobWhitaker and former Stamps pianist and current MCA Nashville presidentTony Brown said a few words. confirmed those visible answers to the point that, if it was not Elvis in that casket, it was the greatest make-up job and greatest wax dummy ever known ever in human existence.. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. After Elvis's death, Sumner often gave interviews and spoke at Presley conventions. Gospel music is my life.". 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". That's my story, and that's my song'. His first church was in the little town of Bradley Junction, Florida. I wouldve dug a ditch just to get straight and live. 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. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Kenneth Alan Shaw. Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church in Dry Fork will host singer, songwriter and motivational speaker Donnie Sumner on Sunday night. Lister, Jake Hess, and James Blackwood spoke about the fun times they had. Entering "this and that" (with quotes) into the search form will return results containing the exact phrase "this and that". Over a period of years, people started calling me sir. (Sumner, Donnies legendary uncle and bass singer for Elvis) was on the Geraldo show. About Donnie Sumner. In it (and if I remember correctly), when describing Elvis love of southern gospel music, Humbard used the story of King Saul who had vacated the calling of God and lived with a very troubled heart. Donnie Sumner, "In the Sweet By and By", "The - YouTube Donnie Sumner will be in concert at First Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 4. As he said in his autobiography, "Gospel music is more than standing on a stage or a way to make a living. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 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 Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. 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. Over the years, Donnie has served as a minister and evangelist, taking his message all over the country. Donnie Sumner: By profession, I'm a musician. Recently, I became aware of a new book written by Donnie. He said of that work, Aw, I stay in the studio from six-thirty or seven oclock in the mornin to about eight or nine at night, five days a week.. . Blackwood's father, two uncles and older brother were members of a famous Southern gospel group, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, and Presley admired their music. This site is sponsored as public resource by the independent funeral homes repesented here. Sherrill Nielsen: That was in Palm Springs. '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. 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". dressed him and I asked J.D. Singing his first solo in church at the age of 7, Donnie studied to be a classical vocalist and a classical pianist, turning down a scholarship at the Julliard School of Music to go to a Christian College'. He never brought it on stage with him. 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". It was funny. Christian Music Archive is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. It was a song he sang in a talent contest as a child, he came in second. 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". Donnie was with the Stamps until the Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973. If he wanted to kiss somebody or do karate, he'd point at me, and I'd hit the last note', Donnie said. "My first three years with Elvis was as a backup vocalist. Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late ELVIS PRESLEY on both his stage appearances and his recordings. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. CPA5 4775-04. to join his group, the Stamps, as a pianist. Sumner, was a legendary musical figure'. He was a carpenter and worked in construction. 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. Elvis was known for expecting almost unconditional loyalty from those who worked for him. I didn't realize how much I needed to say goodbye to the man until I was there at the celebration of his life. Sumner has been a part of my life for almost twenty years and as I wrote in a previous posting, I was fortunate to have met him five years ago. When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. After more than four decades, Donnie's vocal interpretations and dynamic style still continues to touch and capture the hearts . I wouldn't be on the road as much as I am, staying away from my family, if it were not so. The family will receive friends Monday from 12:30 until 2:00 PM at Genesis full Gospel Church. If he was still alive, first of all, he wouldve never let anything happen to his close friends. And, then, I was in a little town called Lenoir City, Tennessee, where I did a concert. 'He Touched Me' (1972) - a gospel standard of Bill Gaither - earned Presley his second Grammy for Best Inspirational Album. Not only that, but Elvis really considers you a close friend. No part of any article on this site may be re-printed for public display without permission. Just before this Elvis had decided to gift Sherrill with a hair transplant if you can believe that! 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. After fifteen minutes, most of the congregation left while she wasspeaking. 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. Within a year, Elvis Presley was dead. Donald SUMNER Obituary (1942 - 2022) - St. Petersburg, FL - Tampa Bay Times After a 10-year layoff, the megastar had decided to hit the road again. It took several years for me to get most of the kinks out of it so that I could walk straight. J.D. He was a graduate of Irwin County High School and served his country honorably in the United States Army during the . My heritage is that of a son of an old-fashioned Pentecostal preacher. Hovie. Biography. He sang a beautiful song comparing Jesus to aship's captain. Bill had worked as a Sawyer in Logging, and enjoyed watching Westerns and the Outdoors. George Younce, bass singer for. The service beganwith a recording of a recent composition of J.D. He died while he was touring. also sang with Elvis Presley as backup along with "The Sunshine Boys," "The BlackWood Quartet," and "J.D. Yeah, special. I dont hear many stories of that sort of thing because theyre not close friends and only a close friend would tell you a story like that.. Their performance of 'Softly, As I Leave You' was nominated for a Grammy when released posthumously in 1978) and Donnie Sumner had just left The Stamps. The Rev. 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. I had the privilege of meeting J.D. A valid email address is required when you select contact by email. THE EARLY YEARS 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. 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".

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