I had to ask Sumner if his friendship with Elvis was harmed by his departure or, for that matter, what his Uncle J.D.s reaction was. Entering this not that into the search form will return results containing "this" and not "that". It aint gonna be perfect tomorrow but, with Jesus living in ya, it can get better and better and better. Spirit Ministries / Att. Another non-gospel song, 'Crying in the Chapel', that became a pop-chart hit. three goals, startin at the bottom: To put down on a piece of paper as much of my story as I could to tell my grandkids. I spent the rest of that day totally stunned by the news. 73-year-old Sumner was found dead of a heart attack in his hotel room in Myrtle Beach, SC. as members of the Masters V and with Bill Baize they sang "Peacein the Valley." 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. 'We'd be wired most of the time. I got saved - came back home. 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". Since he brought up the end of his life, I asked Donnie what, when hes joined Elvis in leaving this building called earth, he hopes his legacy is and how does he want to be remembered. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. 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). This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. View The Obituary For Yvonne "Vonnie" Houston Futrell. Well, I piddled at it for eight or nine years and then I took about three months off and concentrated on it, finished it up and got it out. 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. Obituary - Community Funeral Home Inc. of Beulaville NC He was friendly with many gospel musicians and he worked for several years with J.D. email Donnie, aving served his denomination as Minister of Music, Evangelist and Pastor, Donnie is presently involved in an inter-faith, multi-media music ministry presenting. Hes come back as Jessie and hes got a new record out. Donnie was with the Stamps until the Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973. 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. Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. During the last three years of Donnie's service with J. D. Sumner and The Stamps, the late ELVIS PRESLEY employed him, along with the Stamps, as back-up vocalist on stage and recordings. I have more books on the subject of Elvis than I do any other singular subject and thats after having lost one or two of them. Elvis, naturally, is irreplaceable but so is Sumner; few singers can hit the lowest G on the piano. God said that He wasnt going to remember my sins. Sumner responded quickly and unequivocally. Collect rumors like this that says if you Is Donnie Sumner dead? Then Donnie Sumner spoke beautifully abouthis uncle and about his own fight against drug abuse; I don't think therewas a dry eye in the house. During his tenure of service as a "Stamp", Donnie was also awarded the SESAC AWARD as "Best Country Songwriter" in 1969 and was nominated in 1970 for a GRAMMY AWARD by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (NARAS) in the category of "Country Song of the Year for his work entitled "THE THINGS THAT MATTER". He was a Glynn County firefighter and a painter. If you sit at a piano and hit the further key on the left, its two notes below that. sang represented the man'soutlook on life: "If I can help somebody as I pass along Then my living shall not be in vain. Yep, I dressed him. Often appear in internet rumors and false news about the death of a famous class that logically affect their family and friends. Because of logistics and the time element that I had wasted, I wasnt able to attend the funeral.. Joe Moscheo, who was a keyboard player and singer with The Imperials when they backed up Elvis from 1969 to 1972. Phoebe R. Harrison Obituary (1952 - 2022) | Sumner, IL - Echovita External links are provided for reference purposes. Link to index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1573&Itemid=3009, Jason Scheff Talks About Generation Radio, His Dad, and What's On His Radar, Bob Gruen's Studio - Sly Stone at NYC's Madison Squaare Garden 1973, Bob Gruen's Studio - Labelle-1972-and-Vicki-Wickham-OBE. But when he finally got the chance a few years later, Presley's personal flamboyance and distinctive vocal style didn't fit in with the uniform appearance and carefully controlled harmony required by the Southern gospel style. THE MINISTRY 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. Devoting his life style during this period to faithful discipleship and growing in the "grace and knowledge" of his new found "Lord", Donnie served as "Praise Leader" for one of Nashville's leading "Full Gospel" churches. People never talked about J.D.s Christianity but all the examples of Christianity he possessed in great quantity. DONALD SUMNER OBITUARY. J.D. It was a song he sang in a talent contest as a child, he came in second. Bill had worked as a Sawyer in Logging, and enjoyed watching Westerns and the Outdoors. Yet, with that heavy work load in addition to his busy tour schedule of personal appearances and the occasional appearances with the Elvis Lives stage show (designated a Guinness World Record as the first tour that was top-billed by a non-living performer. Need addtional information, permission to use an article/picture, and/or advertise on boomerocity.com. (J.D. Gallatin Obituaries | Local Obits for Gallatin, TN - Legacy.com While Donnie was a great musician, JD must have known that he would soon need a lead singer, as Roger McDuff had been contemplating singing full-time with his brothers, John and Colman. He can be seen on some of the Gather shows now. Moscheo called him 'a lonely person'. Jesus is a new life, Jesus is an abundant life and Jesus is everlasting life'. "My first three years with Elvis was as a backup vocalist. 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. 's, "God Still Lives inThis Ole House." Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late ELVIS PRESLEY on both his stage appearances and his recordings. CPA5 4775-04. a couple of questions that only those who knew him best would know. The next day two semi trucks pulled up outside of his home. Most of the acts were male quartets featuring four- part harmonies. I, of course, have been aware of Donnie and his work both during and after his years with Presley. Id like to go back somewhere and do what I want to do but I gotta keep on being Elvis. I turned around and walked out of the hospital. I was aware that, among the things that keep the sixty-nine year young singer very busy was his recording studio and production work. I hope that, while theyre there, they think, Boy! He always stressed the positive side of Presley's personality and never admitted that Elvis took anything other than prescription drugs. Leave it to Elvis. In a further contradiction, those sessions were often conducted in a drug- or booze-induced haze, Sumner said. Ive been there and done that and these are the stories that Ive got to prove it. Thats the gospel truth! Elvis Interviews , Elvis Articles , Elvis Biography , By David Adams. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. I had the privilege of meeting J.D. 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. J.D'.s 'zoom bass' was always a favorite of Elvis, who loved southern gospel music. It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. 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". 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. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. He didnt wear his salvation on his arm sleeve. Read More. Well, my daddy was Pentecostal when Pentecostal wasn't cool. It wasn't "The Lighthouse" which the Stamps did in _Elvison Tour_; the title may have been "Ship Ahoy." . The doctor then wrapped Sherrill's entire head in a huge, thick blanket of gauze. "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. 'I think he was a Christian, a believer. 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". They got together to make some music and wound up with 'The Tennessee Rangers'. I was in tears. 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 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. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. April 19, 1952 - 's, led the congregation in the 23rd Psalm. 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. My heritage is that of a son of an old-fashioned Pentecostal preacher. It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. Donnie Sumner is 80 years old and was born on 12/04/1942. Not only that, but Elvis really considers you a close friend.