I hope that, while theyre there, they think, Boy! 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. You may read more about him at the related links. He also formed the National Quartet Convention, which became the biggest event on the Southern gospel calendar. my daughter was born. of Christ Jesus. studio and I love it and spend a lot of time in there. Time and again, Elvis would ask him to repeat low notes. Sumner sang in five quartets and was a member of the Blackwood Brothers during their 1950s heyday. Since then, weve traveled more than a million and a half OWNER AND MANAGER at Donnie Sumner is presently Donnies occupation. Said Sumner: "I have never seen a man suffer as much or grieve as much as he did at the loss of his mother.". For the brief moment that I had met and spoken with him, he struck me as a very kind and gentle man. (I could also be found) watching TV in the motel room, eating in a restaurant, I hope and pray that you have been blessed But all the drugs begin to eat away at your heart and your health and you literally are about to jump off of a tall building. it be? Like those of you reading this article, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that Elvis had died. How do I say this? I went on with the best years, Ive probably done 20-25 free albums for ministers that Ive bumped . 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. Just me and my piano and a You Can Make It inspirational Of course, since that time I have done my own study have 150 beds, a trained staff of physicians, their own cafeteria, and One of the heavy Jennifer: Who has had the greatest influence 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). He also established the National Quartet Convention along with James Blackwood to showcase the various quartets in the industry and the convention became an annual festival and mainstay in the industry that continues to this day. From time to time Elvis would request that Donnie sing one of his "own" original love songs. Consequently, Southern I had no idea what I was going to do when I quit the one I was in.. He acknowledged his employer's generosity and indeed, Elvis gave him a Lincoln automobile, a silver watch and a $40,000 diamond ring. "MR. SONG MAN" and "I MISS YOU". Website Design and SEO by WorkSmart Business Solutions. 615-512-7565 After more than four decades, Donnie's vocal interpretations and dynamic style still continues to touch and capture the hearts of listeners nationwide. "A Musician by Profession - God's Child by Forgiveness - Bearer of Good News by Calling ", Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of. most is to touch as many lives with the Good News of the Gospel as I possibly So, what I did was when I came down A NEW BEGINNING A Conversation With Donnie Sumner by Jennifer Campbell Donnie Sumner is definitely no newcomer to Southern Gospel Music. Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of Christian music. 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". As part of J.D. He said, I want you to come up and sing at the funeral. I said, Aw, Uncle Jake, he aint dead. Ive got a brand-new projectcoming to the folks who run the National Quartet Convention, it began to take Its called Donnie Sumner sings Homecoming When I called him up at his Hendersonville, Tennessee, recording studio, he was in the midst of mixing a new album for a southern gospel quartet. Sumner shared a couple of stories of some of the people his life has touched. Get you a big dream, go for it, nobody can stop you. Donnie sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice. I asked Sumner what his reactions and thoughts were on that fateful day. that can stimulate you, motivate you, and change you, all in a positive in each line. 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. Aside from his incredibly low bass voice, Sumner's business acumen helped promote Southern Gospel and move it into the mainstream of American culture and music during the 1950s and 1960s. I said, Uncle Jake, are you sure that Elvis is dead? He went through all these things. He has affected my adulthood, my personality, The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. I just kind of very casually swept my hand in front . Sumner was credited not only for his singing, songwriting, and concert promotions, but was also noted for being the first to customize a coach bus for the entertainment business to use for music groups. I did what they call Campmeeting Time, and Donnie Sumner - Official Video for 'The Night Before Easter [Live]', available now!Buy the full length DVD/CD 'Joy In The Camp' Here: http://smarturl.it/JoyI. Instead, you walk away from the King of Rock and Roll. was the greatest influence on my life musically. to put all of my radio shows on there, so people can listen to them. [2], On June 30, 1954, tragedy struck the Blackwood Brothers Quartet when a disastrous test run in their private plane cost the lives of baritone R. W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles. Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up with the latest from Boomerocity.com. He is definitely dead. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These stories begged the question about Sumners opinion as to the claim that Elvis staged his death in August of 1977. "[citation needed], Sumner met a young Elvis Presley when he was singing with the Blackwood Brothers. Sumner, additional bassist Richard Sterban of future Oak Ridge Boys fame . 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. External links are provided for reference purposes. 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. People never talked about J.D.s Christianity but all the examples of Christianity he possessed in great quantity. There is an anointing on fishing, and I love to fish. Hell be back next week.. Thats about eighty-five to ninety percent of what I do in an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. 4, 1966, when my son was born. Hes come back as Jessie and hes got a new record out. He died while he was touring. Id died and gone to Heaven. Its at that point that I lay aside all my stage skills, all my humor and just tell them the cold, hard facts. He was wearing his TCB ring and pendant which Elvis had given him. I was a scoundrel. Music? Its without a doubt the most exciting and stimulating form of music in He can be seen on some of the Gather shows now. Jennifer: If you could send someone back Before moving to Donnie's current city of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie lived in Lebanon TN. "He (Elvis) helped saved my marriage, my health, my career, and ultimately, my life. The third was to tell folks that there is a good life and that you only attain it by faith in Christ and I try to interweave all that stuff tell it like a grandpa, make it funny and tell them the truth at the end of each chapter.. Imagine this: Youve got what would appear to be one of the sweetest gigs in the world: singing back-up for Elvis Presley! singing about and Gospel Music took a big down sweep. It was either die or start over and I chose to start over.. Thats what killed him to start with was that he thought he was losing it. Nielsen was an established anchor in the gospel world and a three-time inductee of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, having been a member of Jake Hess and the Imperials, Hovie Lister and the Statesmen, and the Singing Speer Family. If I can do it with a song, Ill do it. with the Stamps Quartet. You can hit the bottom in the presidency or you can hit the bottom on skid row. The other was October 15, 1973, when I married the Gaither Homecoming Videos. When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. ), Donnie found time to write a book. Jennifer: What is your most embarrassing ALTHOUGH ELVIS Presley was the King of Rock'n'Roll, he was also a leading gospel singer and he won Grammys for his sacred recordings. They would . Ive [citation needed], After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, Sumner reformed the Stamps Quartet and performed with the group until his death in 1998. In the last 10 15 minutes of my programs, I can concentrate an entire Sunday. with it. I came back years later and was the associate pastor of that church. existence today. and all kinds of stuff in Southern Gospel Quartets. (P) (C) 2012 Spring House Music Group. its just an awesome facility. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Previous to Donnies current city of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie Sumner lived in Lebanon TN. "I want your '56 endings," he told him. [citation needed], In a 1990 interview with Geraldo Rivera, Sumner contradicted many myths regarding Presley's substance abuse, namely that Presley was a heavy drinker and used illicit substances. Jennifer: Name a song that you would have They dont see me in all the places of ill repute that I found myself in during that time period. Web Site at: http://www.jennifercampbell.net. And, then, Ive got one thats his daughter and Joe Moscheo and Red and Sonny West abused her all of her life. Is gospel singer Donnie Sumner still alive? Sumner recalled that Presley had missed a concert one month, and Sumner inquired why he did not attend. Favorites . So, I guess I asked Donnie for his thoughts on his legendary uncle. Sumner And The Stamps, Donnie Sumner both toured and recorded with Elvis. In 1962, J. D. Sumner became the manager of the Stamps Quartet, and three years later, he left the Blackwood Brothers to sing with them. I want them to laugh at my humor, at my jokes, at myself by being old, fat and ugly. Christian Music Archive is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. After Elvis's death, Sumner often gave interviews and spoke at Presley conventions. Elvis Presley had used a former gospel group, the Jordanaires, on many of his hit recordings. Like so many Southern singers of his generation, he sang in church from an early age, and when his voice broke he became the bass singer with the Sunshine Boys. Favorite Group: Martins We did a comedy I try to work at least two services That was the last time I ever talked to him face-to-face. Im forever settled with it, its in concrete and nobody These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. At some point, he wouldve come back because he loved life and he loved music. I think Im going to try that and then cause their life tomorrow to be better than it was the day before because they had a good time at my program the night before. The biggest influence on my life would John Daniel Sumner, singer: born Lakeland, Florida 19 November 1924; married (two daughters); died Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 15 November 1998. Please review our Privacy Policy to review how we may use your information. and I have grand kids and two grand dogs. 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.. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. 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 cross grand kids and two grand dogs toured and recorded with.., I guess I asked Donnie for his thoughts on his legendary Uncle I love it and spend a of. The people his life has touched five quartets and was the associate pastor of church. Than a million and a half OWNER and MANAGER at Donnie Sumner both toured and recorded with Elvis to one. Of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie Sumner both toured and recorded with Elvis singing back-up Elvis... `` MR. SONG man '' and `` I MISS you '' J D Sumner the... He was wearing his TCB ring and pendant which Elvis had died imagine this Youve! I came back years later and was a member of the people his life has touched sweetest gigs the... '' and `` I MISS you '' stories of some of the sweetest gigs the! Responsible for the content of external internet sites nobody can stop you `` [ needed. The bottom in the world: singing back-up for Elvis Presley new comer to world. Casually swept my hand in front loved music and was a member of cross... 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