Mr. Sumner was gracious enough to grant a phone interview with me to discuss the book and his post-Elvis life. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." Sumner remembers on one occasion singing all four verses of 'In the Sweet By and By' 18 times in a row at Elvis' bidding. He was the most human Christian gentleman that I had ever known other than my father. I wont go into the personal reasons why I know but J.D. I came back years later and was the associate pastor of that church. 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. I asked Sumner what his reactions and thoughts were on that fateful day. "The Lighthouse" Gospel Song by Donnie Sumner - YouTube His vibrato would be a quarter-tone on either side of the note. (Sumner, Donnies legendary uncle and bass singer for Elvis) was on the Geraldo show. 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". J.D. Donnie Sumner currently lives in Hendersonville, TN; in the past Donnie has also lived in Lebanon TN. They were the favourite group of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, and they sang at her funeral in 1958. 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". Mr. Sumner was born May 30, 1947, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Leonard & Lois Roberts Sumner. Jesus is a new life, Jesus is an abundant life and Jesus is everlasting life'. THE MINISTRY 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". He can be seen on some of the Gather shows now. (Partial List)All I Do Is Ask The LordDreamin'God's HeavenIf I Could Have The WorldIf You Find The LordI'll Live OnLove Found A PardonLove Him SoSailing Toward HomeSounds Of LoveStreet Corner PreacherThe Army Of The LordThe Night Before EasterThe Shadow Of His LoveWhere Has Our Love Gone. He was 73. Presley's style of gospel singing was reverential, in contrast to his rambunctious rock 'n' roll vocalizing, but he had a penchant for songs with big endings. He used to talk a lot in the living room of all the funny ways he was going to disappear and what he was going to do while he was gone. That's what I've been doing for 48 years'. I hate to say it, but I turned into a stone drug addict'. Donnie Sumner Story in the Valley." George Richey spoke of how J.D. Candle 1. Donnie Sumner | Christian Music Archive Elvis relaxed by singing gospel favourites and, fortunately, an impromptu jam session with the Stamps was recorded in 1972. to join his group, the Stamps, as a pianist. 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. J.D. Blountstown Obituaries | Local Obits for Blountstown, FL - Legacy.com 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 She was predeceased by : her parents, George H. Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Thomas (Carson); her spouse Carman "C. L." Harrison; and her siblings, Connie Dressback and George H. Thomas, Jr.. She is survived by : her children, Jerry Tucker (Melissa Sechrest) of Sumner and Tasha Legg (Matt) of Sumner; her grandchildren, Destiny, Emily, Jaedyn, Dylan Legg and Tristan Tucker; her sister Joan Lomas of Olney; her boyfriend Donnie Wininger of Sumner; and her nieces and nephews, Wanda Rice, Terri Bailey, Kevin Poland, James Wesley Lomas, Troy Thomas and Timmy Thomas. Sherrill Nielsen had just left The Statesmen Quartet, (Elvis loved Sherrill as he could hit notes higher than a normal tenor, and Elvis had him to sing the very high endings in concert. 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 sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice. wasimpressed by their arrangement of the song.) The ceremony was supposed to end with a videotape of one ofJ.D. Obituary. sumnercountysource.com OBITUARY: Donnie Lee Culbreath Hes like everybody else in the world of entertainment every once in a while hed slip but just because you slip doesnt mean youre down. 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.. If he was still alive, first of all, he wouldve never let anything happen to his close friends. Only the big ones. Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. For Engagements Contact: She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James A. Dunn, parents, J.D. When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. 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. Hes got a good voice. 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. Ronnie Sumner's Instagram, Twitter & Facebook on IDCrawl The vast majority of them are false. Hes been going to do this for years and he finally did it. Sherrill Nielsen had just left The Statesmen Quartet, (Elvis loved Sherrill as he could hit notes higher than a normal tenor, and Elvis had him to . He was born March 3, 1953, to Alma and Orba Sumner. Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Yvonne "Vonnie" Houston Futrell on this permanent online memorial. Shaun (Sherrill) tells the story, 'Elvis had written it on a sheet of toilet tissue and it was for the sum of $100,000 for which we'd travel with him, write songs for his music company, and work with him. It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. 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 Funeral and Cremation Lakeside - Hendersonville Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Linda Michele Boyd Linda Michele Boyd, age 54 of Hendersonville, passed away April 22, 2023. Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up with the latest from Boomerocity.com. His story is interesting, entertaining and compelling. When he returned to live performances in 1969, he hired yet another gospel group, the Imperials, featuring one of his favourite singers, Jake Hess. He had personal problems and demons, but he did a lot of good in his own way. This video remembers Donald Lee Sumner, Jr, who passed away from Covid in December 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Donnie Sumner website: http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. He was a Glynn County firefighter and a painter. His mother took him occasionally, and he knew the basics of Christian teaching, but he was otherwise 'religiously illiterate', Sumner said. J.D. http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. I didn't realize how much I needed to say goodbye to the man until I was there at the celebration of his life. The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Entering this and that into the search form will return results containing both "this" and "that". That guys got a lot of stage skills. Donnie Hooker the Rev. Elvis insisted his backup groups gather to sing gospel music after his concerts, sometimes until dawn. A simple quote is in my book: If you eat a bowl of cherries, the only thing youve got left is the pits and too much candy will make you sick. I had lost my voice, my family and I had absolutely come to the end and I had to make a change. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Sumner, Ed Enoch, and Nick Bruno. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three. Search Donald Sumner Obituaries and Funeral Services - Legacy.com Sumner and his quartet, the Stamps, had been performing at a theatre in Myrtle Beach. 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". (70 years old). I was aware that, among the things that keep the sixty-nine year young singer very busy was his recording studio and production work. 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. I live in a neighborhood where a police patrol car comes through here every three hours. He was born in Marshes Siding, Kentucky on May 22, 1947 the son of Jerome and Nellie (Bryant) Sumner. Those who knew Elvis agree he felt trapped by his fame. Donald Sumner Obituary (1953 - 2020) - Brunswick, GA - The Brunswick News Search results can also be filtered using a variety of criteria. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Contemporary gospel singerMark Lowry told some funny stories about his six-year friendship with J.D. You can now see some of his choice work each month here on Boomerocity.com! . They wouldve never got into any legal problems and Lisa Marie wouldve never gotten into some of the stuff that shes gotten into. Donnie's uncle, the late J.D. There were several hundred people inattendance. Bye.. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. As can easily be imagined, the targeted niche for Sumners book is the very wide, diverse and, sometimes, strange demographic of Elvis fans as well as those who love southern Gospel music. The story goes that in 1951, Elvis Presley, then 16, walked into the First Assembly of God in Memphis, Tenn., and struck up a friendship with another teenage boy, Cecil Blackwood. wouldhumorously pick on him. 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 a carpenter and worked in construction. Moscheo called him 'a lonely person'. Geraldo asked him if he was certain that Elvis was dead. For six years, he toured with and was a close personal friend of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. He didnt say that I wasnt!. Raised in poverty, he earned a fortune, then gave away most of it. Sumner was born May 30, 1947, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Leonard & Lois Roberts Sumner. Entering this not that into the search form will return results containing "this" and not "that". I was in a revival. Sumner said stories of Elvis growing up in church are exaggerated. Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church in Dry Fork will host singer, songwriter and motivational speaker Donnie Sumner on Sunday night. Find the obituary of Phoebe R. Harrison (1952 - 2022) from Sumner, IL. Donnie Sumner (Glenn), Pink Hill, NC. There is no photo or video of Phoebe R. Harrison.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. 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. said that he would rent a limousine to bring me up there. Hes alive!, Then, in a more serious tone, he added, Nah, Ill be truly delighted I dont care what they say about me, as long as they close it with when they leave the head of my coffin Ill see you in the mornin If they say that, Im happy with everything else they say.. I hung up the phone and I started trying to find a flight to Memphis. I wish someone would have video or cassette taped it I'd lve a copy. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. Donnie Sumner, "The Lighthouse" - video by Susan Quinn Sand 55,607 views Jun 8, 2016 Jeff Lewis and Friends Gospel Show at end of Tupelo Elvis Festival 2016, Sunday, 6-5-2016 465 Dislike Share. Thank you for understanding. What made him great in gospel was his ability to tell a story. A lot of Elvis fans, a goodly number of my old friends and a tremendous number of people who have kids in similar situations who want to give it to their kids and grandkids. These stories begged the question about Sumners opinion as to the claim that Elvis staged his death in August of 1977. Besides the Blackwood Brothers, Presley idolized J.D. Ive been there and done that and these are the stories that Ive got to prove it. 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". 'I don't think anyone could judge him', Moscheo said. In the end, every one of my songs says that no matter where you're at or what you're involved in, you can make it. Donald Sumner Donald "Donnie" Sumner, of Adel, Ga., died March 25, 2020. The next day two semi trucks pulled up outside of his home. He tried to overdose on cocaine twice, attempting suicide three times. If he were alive, he would still be doing it in some fashion because it wouldve killed him not to do it. I hope that, while theyre there, they think, Boy! Late in 1976, eleven months prior to the death of Elvis, Donnie having undergone a crucial emotional and drug related crisis and a subsequent spiritual "New-birth", resigned his position with Elvis and became actively involved in the pursuit of a "Faith walk with Christ Jesus". You dont have to put on a football helmet and run at the gates of Heaven. A valid email address is required when you select contact by email. Sumner, was a legendary musical figure'. John Daniel Sumner, nicknamed Jim Dandy or J.D., was born in Lakeland, Florida in 1924. Unfortunately, you'll find many suicides that are not resolved . 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. J.D. 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. Reality is home, church and friends'. 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. 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. Then the Stamps sang three songs, including "I Can Feel the Touch of HisHand," my favorite J.D. I asked him how the book writing process was for him and if there was going to be a follow-up to the book. For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. Elvis Gospel Live, Nashville Elvis Festival, April 2, 2017Dean Z, Jay Dupuis, Bill Cherry, Jeff Lewis, Donnie Sumner 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. 'James Blackwell being one and Bill Gaither being one and J.D. Yet his backup groups throughout his career - The Jordanaires, The Imperials, The Stamps - were gospel groups, and after his concerts, Elvis frequently held impromptu gospel singing sessions that lasted into the early-morning hours. But Elvis never forgot Donnie. '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. Website Design and SEO by WorkSmart Business Solutions. 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.. That is exactly what Donnie Sumner did. People are very often touched by the stories of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of others whether high profile or not. Special? flats for sale ninian court, middleton; bitbucket workspace vs project vs repository; sarah ferguson journalist; mr amos sedgefield community college; derek underwood . After several weeks, he signed a contract with Sun Records and went on to rock 'n' roll stardom. Before the ceremony began, the coffin was open and although Icould see J.D. THE ELVIS YEARS After a 10-year layoff, the megastar had decided to hit the road again. 'My life was totally ruined'. Sumner in concert at First Baptist Sept. 4. - Record Herald Youve seen Bob Gruens work in galleries, books, and on the official John Lennon stamp by the U.S. Post Office. 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'. called me and said that Elvis died. They dont see me in all the places of ill repute that I found myself in during that time period. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. As he said in his autobiography, "Gospel music is more than standing on a stage or a way to make a living. Sumner. If I ever see him coming down my street I always make sure hes not turning into my drive! He never brought it on stage with him. Roy Conner officiating. That was the last time Donnie talked to Elvis face to face. After awhile you begin to believe it and you turn into not the kind of person you should be because you think you're better than everybody else'. The limit is due to overactive search engine bots (Bing, Google, etc.) The next morning, I called J.D. They left in 1971 following a dispute over pay with Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker. My uncle said for me to sing until they got somebody, and I sang for eight years', he said. I attended J.D. And if I cant do that no more, Ill be in Heaven.. Ive got a brand new life. He had a sense of fun and amused audiences with his impression of "the Gooney Bird". Donnie was with the Stamps until the Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973. Being greatly gifted as a writer, Donnie is among the list of America 's most renowned inspirational composers, having made numerous contributions to what is considered to be sacred music's standard repertoire. 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. Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. Elvis Presley's songs are unforgettable - they have stood the test of time, especially his singles of the 1950s, a decade in which he had a song at No. 'I got through college, but my heart was in quartets. It was exciting and I think Im going to tell my friends what a great program he does.. My heritage is that of a son of an old-fashioned Pentecostal preacher. View The Obituary For Yvonne "Vonnie" Houston Futrell. Music was in his blood and eventually he returned to the stage, this time with a much different focus'.I don't really consider it 'show business', it's just me', he said. Not only that, but Elvis really considers you a close friend. : The original group consisted of Sherrill Nielsen, Donnie Sumner and Tim Baty (, Elvis and J.D. Select one or more of the available filters to get started. The next day was the recording session [7-9:20pm, 1:15-3:15am] September 22-23, 1973. Donnie Sumner is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. Christian Music Archive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. In 1965 he became the lead vocalist and arranger for J. D. Sumner and the STAMPS QUARTET and continued in this position for nearly eight years. Watch current interviews with music and entertainment icons and influencers of the baby boomer generation as well as rising stars in music. 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. Candle 2. Elvis inspiration Sumner dies at 73 - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper Christian Music Archive is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. 'I think he was a Christian, a believer. being the other'. 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". Donnie Sumner, "The Lighthouse" - video by Susan Quinn Sand I commented that it took a lot of courage to quit a gig like that. with J.D. Couple those people in certain religious environments and you definitely have an environment for interesting stories ripe for the picking. Leave it to Elvis. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt and work in his garden. Sumner responded quickly and unequivocally. He was a fan of TV evangelist Rex Humbard, but otherwise gospel music was his whole religious world. Because of logistics and the time element that I had wasted, I wasnt able to attend the funeral.. Elvis' guitarist, James Burton flew in, Charlie Hodge played acoustic guitar, Donnie Sumner played the piano with Voice supplying bass. 1 albums ('56-'59). It aint gonna be perfect tomorrow but, with Jesus living in ya, it can get better and better and better. The bottoms the same. attleboro obituaries this past weekend; elder high school alumni directory; edgewood valley country club initiation fee; heartland mallory and jake wedding; Gallery By Industry. Thats the gospel truth! 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. 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. The Lakeland native sang in The Stamps quartet that backed up Elvis from 1971 to 1973. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, 25% off everything with this Red Letter Days discount code, 20 extra entries with this Omaze promo code, 5% off UK Theme Parks using this Attraction Tickets discount code, Up to 10% off Sony Playstation gift cards, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK April 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this April, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. 'He had a pitch problem. 'He embraced me and rather than jumping, I cried my way back to the room for a brand new beginning'. Recently, I became aware of a new book written by Donnie. 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. But I never talked to Elvis again face-to-face. It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. After more than four decades, Donnie's vocal interpretations and dynamic style still continues to touch and capture the hearts . Sumner. comforted him after. In 1956 the Blackwood Brothers Quartet found national acclaim when they won Arthur Godfrey's television talent show. 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! Even if you're not familiar with world of southern gospel, chances are, you've heard Donnie sing. Ronald Dale "Ronnie" Sumner - Obituary - CurrentObituary.com
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