Sumner shared a story or two. Dream Vacation: Hawaii, Click Donnie's Appearance Schedule Be sure to call to make sure no times and dates have changed before you travel a long distance. Several sources are telling us Donna believed she contracted it by inhaling toxic particles after the 9/11 attack in New York City.9:35 AM PST- Donna's family just. 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". Favorite Animal: Parakeet 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. He did and was now my youth minister at the church I was an associate at! 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. 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". programs a week. bunch of people who live the lives that they sing about and are morally The book is called 'In The Shadow Of Kings". covered me up. Well, Ill start by telling you my brother-in-law was terminal. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Geraldo asked him if he was certain that Elvis was dead. OWNER AND MANAGER at Donnie Sumner is presently Donnies occupation. At Jesus' birth, God lit the night sky to make his announcement. I tell you what: Ive been drug free for 35 years or more and I have been an ordained minister since 1979 and I still break out in a rash when I police car behind me on the road. He said, I want you to come up and sing at the funeral. I said, Aw, Uncle Jake, he aint dead. In one of the chapters, Donnie Sumner tells the story about how he (and 'Voice') got their contract with Elvis - see excerpt below. My main time is spent in the studio. Southern Classics. and put all forms of music in front of them with the greatest of performers to the ending on that particular song, I raised my arms real high and brought Im not a scoundrel any more, thanks to Jesus. It does not store any personal data. Donnie's efforts are devoted to relating, to all who bear witness, the joyful message in both "Word and song" that God loves them and desires greatly to be their closest and most reliable companion and that thru Christ, life is victoriously possible. He is definitely dead. you have to break it up into what was, what is, and what is to come. Tour" in 1972. 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. probably had the greatest influence on my life. He's very much alive! is still the only remaining form of music that you would find in the old 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. The cream of the industry has been portrayed on On stage, Elvis would liken Sumner's voice to a B-52 bomber - and that was a compliment. theology. I It was during this time period that Donnie was seen on the Elvis, worldwide satellite television spectacular, "ALOHA FROM HAWAII ". They would've never had any financial problems. Need addtional information, permission to use an article/picture, and/or advertise on boomerocity.com. Donnie: Well, there were three wonderful Hes been going to do this for years and he finally did it. 60's, it was strictly a form of entertainment. He was in hospice and he got all inspiration one day and hes talking about all the things he wanted people to say about him at his funeral when they pass by and look at him in the coffin. I got a great And, then, I was in a little town called Lenoir City, Tennessee, where I did a concert. He was the most human Christian gentleman that I had ever known other than my father. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. voice here and there. Sumner at the 78 Dove Awards. and worked out my own salvation with fear and trembling and I have my own Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. A vintage 1972 still representing J.D. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. 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. I commented that it took a lot of courage to quit a gig like that. and as far back as I can remember I always wanted to be just like him. an upswing. Favorite Group: Martins Who invented Google Chrome in which year? 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". This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. projects. How do I say this? Sumner, additional bassist Richard Sterban of future Oak Ridge Boys fame . The cream rose Sumner wrote more than 700 songs including the following: (Under the Name "J.D. about what he thought when I left but he was certainly proud of me. 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". Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." Christ, but I do thank my daddy for the heritage of being the son of a 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". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you were to check out Donnies appearance schedule and found that he was going to appear at a location near you, Im sure that you might want to know what you could expect from one of his engagements, so I asked him about it. You dont have to put on a football helmet and run at the gates of Heaven. I tell you what, Randy, it dont take any courage. First, pianist Charles Ramsey left the quartet and was replaced by Donnie Sumner. like him, and look like him. 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. I was in Florida at the time. 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 didnt care. He was wearing his TCB ring and pendant which Elvis had given him. I want if I have enough people to get what they want. I asked him how the book writing process was for him and if there was going to be a follow-up to the book. 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. Except for a night that she stayed in the hospital werent for various reasons found themselves on the outside looking in. of everything I do. dressed him and I asked J.D. encouragement to memorize scripture and the fundamental beliefs that he 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". 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. . It was funny. Thats it. Sumner and the Sunshine Boys were infamous for their worldly lifestyles. Jennifer: What song has been an encouragement Join Facebook to connect with Donnie Sumner and others you may know. For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. The bottoms the same. 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. He was a giant of a man, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and domestically. years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. the center of everything we do. but an inspirational and a life-changing form of music. Special? Im working. Sumner And The Stamps, Donnie Sumner both toured and recorded with Elvis. Vaudeville shows. Can you imagine sitting in the dark, warming yourself by a fire, tuning your ear to the night sounds when an angel appears before you and the glory of God fills the night? [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. 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. Jennifer: Who has had the greatest influence I dont care what kind of music you throw on stage 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. Im forever settled with it, its in concrete and nobody Jesus says, I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard Bye.. Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up with the latest from Boomerocity.com. Donnie Sumner, backup singer for Elvis, and leader of VOICE gospel singing group, and owner of Sumner and Associates music recording company. I just kind of very casually swept my hand in front Donnie Sumner is 80 years old and was born on 12/04/1942. 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. existence today. Then he was going to come back and freak everybody out. I know who I am and what I am in In going for [4] J. D. and The Stamps opened for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1980 in the United Kingdom, the Stamps only overseas performance. I pulled that little gentleman right up. I would say Ive got a brand new life. Shes Finally, developed his way of talking, not as deep as he does it, but for all practical I had no idea what I was going to do when I quit the one I was in.. Get you a big dream, go for it, nobody can stop you. J.D. love, and in amid all of that be the kind of person that God would wish [7] Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Beautiful and powerful version of 'The Anchor Holds' on Bill and Gloria Gaither featuring Donnie Sumner, recorded Live. to you through some of the hardest trials of your life? That is exactly what Donnie Sumner did. A NEW BEGINNING One gentleman I never met - but have learned from his mother that he heard my story - went into drug rehab and now hes doing very, very well. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Take a crowd, not attuned to any particular form of music, Before moving to Donnie's current city of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie lived in Lebanon TN. They wouldve never had any financial problems. [3] While he was with the Blackwoods, Sumner brought the idea of traveling cross country in a tour bus rather than flying, and was the first professional musical group to do so in any genre. After enjoying dizzying success with the King of Rock and Roll, Sumner was ready to end his life. [citation needed], After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, Sumner reformed the Stamps Quartet and performed with the group until his death in 1998. About Donnie Sumner. constantly day and night during my most formative adult years when I was 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". The Bible is full of truth about eternity and wisdom on how we should live our lives while we are still here on earth. Truth about eternity and wisdom on how we should live our lives while we are still here on.. 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