You’re looking at an image of the greatest bass singer to ever step foot on a concert stage.
J.D. Sumner, known to friends and family as “Big Daddy” and gospel music fans worldwide as “Mr. Gospel Music,” was a legend in his own time.
My “Desert Storm” soft cover has some never-before published, fun material that high-lights his onstage relationship with Elvis.
J.D.’s appearance in the Guiness Book of World Records for a low note on the recording ‘Blessed Assurance’ earned him the monikor of “The World’s Lowest Bass Singer.”
The 1971 Stamps lineup of J.D. Sumner, Richard Sterban, Ed Enoch, Donnie Sumner, and Bill Baize, was tops – nobody else in the business could come close to what these five gentlemen accomplished vocally.
When J.D. and his Stamps Quartet joined The Elvis Presley Show in November 1971, they were one of Southern Gospel Music’s hottest quartets.
The Imperials were a good, solid quartet but they lacked the power and dynamic stage presence of The Stamps.
They also lacked the bass singer that Elvis had looked up to since he was a teenager and attended all night sings in Memphis.
TCB band pianist Glen Hardin observed: “I don’t think Elvis could’ve done without J.D., you know, when it’s all said and done.”
Two essential projects are “The Final Sessions”’ CD and “A Video Portrait.” The Sumner family’s official website features a number of additional J.D. audio and video recordings that belong in your collection.
Visit www.jdsumnerandthestampsquartet.com if you’re interested.
MINNIE MOUSE
Kathy Westmoreland was a dear friend to Elvis and I hope one day Lisa Marie will be able to sit down and spend a few hours with her. She is a fantastic ambassador for Elvis and an even more fantastic lady. CLICK HERE to visit my page dedicated to “The Little Girl With The Beautiful High Voice.”
