it, dont forget the Rock, the greatest foundation in the world, the foundation 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. Thats the best part of the whole piece is if I can help somebody.. Presley hired Sumner & The Stamps as his back-up singers in 1971. Saturday and get back home Monday. Ive One of the books I bought (but no longer have) was one written by the late televangelist, Rex Humbard. Jennifer: If you could send someone back Sumner sang in five quartets and was a member of the Blackwood Brothers during their 1950s heyday. They used to do Country, Western, Pop, Spirituals, He died while he was touring. you have to break it up into what was, what is, and what is to come. Favorite Hobby/Interest: Fishing Elvis, naturally, is irreplaceable but so is Sumner; few singers can hit the lowest G on the piano. Donnie's Appearance Schedule Be sure to call to make sure no times and dates have changed before you travel a long distance. [citation needed], J. D. Sumner was immediately hired by the Blackwood Brothers to sing with them to replace Lyles. THE EARLY YEARS I wont go into the personal reasons why I know but J.D. He's very much alive! 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. You can now see some of his choice work each month here on Boomerocity.com! brought me into their life has always been a thread that I could hold on I wouldve dug a ditch just to get straight and live. 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. It was then that he decided to walk away from it all. that is currently on once a week, but hopefully I can get it up to five male backup on all of the songs myself. Jennifer: Please tell me about any additional 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. existence. It was either die or start over and I chose to start over.. It will include all of the songs that Ive done on He was also the founding force behind the National Quartet Convention. If you build on anything besides that, its going Beautiful and powerful version of 'The Anchor Holds' on Bill and Gloria Gaither featuring Donnie Sumner, recorded Live. of my Father I have made known unto you. Learn to trust Him, go covered me up. my wife. Before moving to Donnie's current city of Hendersonville, TN, Donnie lived in Lebanon TN. I am the most spoiled husband "He (Elvis) helped saved my marriage, my health, my career, and ultimately, my life. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. called me and said that Elvis died. November 26th join Powerhouse. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. 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. in my life was when I was on National television, on prime time, on the of Christian living that I have ever seen. A kid had a local newspaper and I could see the headline that said something to the effect of, Elvis Heart Attack Victim. Sumner responded quickly and unequivocally. Sumner recalled that Presley had missed a concert one month, and Sumner inquired why he did not attend. Music became an entity of its own. Donnie sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice. Southern Gospel Christian Music Archive is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. instilled in me. Then there came a 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. "[6], For 18 years, Sumner held the Guinness World Record for recording the lowest bass note. Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of Christian music. Sumner, the deep voice who can be heard prominently on Elvis's posthumous chart-topper, "Way Down". did all of the orchestrations myself, except some guitar work and a girl He was wearing his TCB ring and pendant which Elvis had given him. Jennifer: What is your most embarrassing Thats the only thing that I aspire for. the road, Im either driving or writing music while my wife drives. cue card about twenty-five feet from the stage. upstanding folks. So, I guess Its a good country we live in, you can do anything For the next three years Donnie was a constant houseguest, companion and arranger and associate musician to his friend Elvis. They wouldve never got into any legal problems and Lisa Marie wouldve never gotten into some of the stuff that shes gotten into. Donnie: I would like to have written He years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. made everything else pretty much right. 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). singing about and Gospel Music took a big down sweep. daddy is J.D.s brother. 19 Nov 1924 Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, USA, 16 Nov 1998 (aged 73) Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina, USA, Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA Show Map. 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". If I can do it with a Scripture, Ill do it. 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". I dont do the little ones and I dont go overseas. "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. Year. Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame as an individual in 1983 and with the Stamps earlier this year. Sumner was most noted as the leader of the Stamps Quartet, which became known as J. D. Sumner & The Stamps. Jennifer: If you had one wish, what would Id died and gone to Heaven. I try to work at least two services In John 15:15, "[citation needed] Sumner also stated that Elvis "had no idea that he was killing himself with his medications, he felt as long as he was doing what the Doctor was OK with, he was staying within the bounds. the kind of husband, father, and granddad that would cause my wife, my In it he wrote, "Gospel music was designed by Christian people as a means of reaching the lost. 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 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. Because I really do believe that the most important but an inspirational and a life-changing form of music. Thats pretty much my time. It was Humbards contention that southern gospel music had the same effect on Elvis. External links are provided for reference purposes. out there by myself and I bumped into a song by Bill Gaither called Joy His story is interesting, entertaining and compelling. Then he was going to come back and freak everybody out. and my manner of conversation more than anybody in my life. How far away should your wheels be from the curb when parallel parking? the center of everything we do. 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 commented that it took a lot of courage to quit a gig like that. children, and my grandchildren to be proud of and to be worthy of their After Elvis Presley died thirty years ago this August, like many fans, I devoured every book and article that I could find and afford to learn more about the man. "[citation needed] Sumner then told his group mates to let Presley in the back stage door so he could attend. Self. They split their time between Atlanta and Wheeling, West Virginia with the occasional trip to Hollywood to sing in Western movies. Donnie Sumner is listed in the credits for the following albums: Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of Christian music. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Where did Donnie Sumner live before Hendersonville TN? The bottoms the same. Its without a doubt the most exciting and stimulating form of music in Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Time and again, Elvis would ask him to repeat low notes. Hawaii" in 1973. My life was still messed up. to the ending on that particular song, I raised my arms real high and brought It does not store any personal data. Why did Donnie Sumner walk away from rock and roll? Most everything else on the tape, I did it, 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. Donnie: My wife Marty and I were married Jesus says, I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard But, in those days in the middle 50's and the early Leave it to Elvis. A Conversation With Donnie Sumner by Jennifer Campbell Donnie Sumner is definitely no newcomer to Southern Gospel Music. Most of the acts were male quartets featuring four- part harmonies. I lived with him They kept talking about it on the news. always be your best friend. http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. 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. He was friendly with many gospel musicians and he worked for several years with J.D. He is definitely dead. didnt want to be around me because I was trying to quit, and the church Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Ill do other writings but not anything autobiographical., When Sumner set out to write the book, he said that he had, . 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. They wouldve never had any financial problems. together, including your relationship with Christ. The cream rose He said, I want you to come up and sing at the funeral. I said, Aw, Uncle Jake, he aint dead. That was the last time I ever talked to him face-to-face. I tried to make car arrangements. a big production out of cutting that song off. I hung up the phone and I started trying to find a flight to Memphis. I had the privilege of meeting J.D. ADATs, D88's, DA88's, and every kind of microphone. Sumner shared a couple of stories of some of the people his life has touched. 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 mamas name is Nell Sumner. that this song has probably carried me through one of the Darkest times I am now victorious in all things and they can be, too, just by deciding that they want to believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ. 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.. J. D. Sumner first sang with The Sunny South Quartet from 1945 to 1949. What happened to Donnie Sumner? Gospel Music, we were doing Country and Western swing songs, love ballads, Its some of my favorite songs and I did 12-voice them down to cut the song off with the soundtrack. There was no between Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville there was not one single charter service nor commercial flight available for a trip to Memphis. 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