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. 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. 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. They dont see me in all the places of ill repute that I found myself in during that time period. He was the most human Christian gentleman that I had ever known other than my father. 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". 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. There's no such thing as a superstar, it's all in the audience's mind. J.D. Being greatly gifted as a writer, Donnie is among the list of America 's most renowned inspirational composers . I had been involved in the drug culture ever since I entered the industry. Need addtional information, permission to use an article/picture, and/or advertise on boomerocity.com. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Southern Gospel History - Donnie Sumner 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. Elvis insisted his backup groups gather to sing gospel music after his concerts, sometimes until dawn. After fifteen minutes, most of the congregation left while she wasspeaking. J.D. Couple those people in certain religious environments and you definitely have an environment for interesting stories ripe for the picking. 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 died while he was touring. Most of the acts were male quartets featuring four- part harmonies. 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.. Funeral arrangement under the care ofKistler-Patterson Funeral Homes. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Phoebe R. Harrison of Sumner, Illinois, born in Olney, Illinois, who passed away on May 7, 2022, at the age of 70, leaving to mourn family and friends. September 10, 2021. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. I was in a revival. to join his group, the Stamps, as a pianist. J.D. Donnie H Sumner, 80 - Hendersonville, TN - Reputation & Contact Details 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. If he were alive, he would still be doing it in some fashion because it wouldve killed him not to do it. Gospel music is my life.". I got saved - came back home. He looked distinctive with his grey hair and hand cupped over his ear as though he were receiving personal messages from the Saviour. Read More. (J.D. If I can do it with a song, Ill do it. Copyright Currentobituary.com, Your source for online obituaries and funeral notices. Donald Sumner Donald "Donnie" Sumner, of Adel, Ga., died March 25, 2020. He introduced gospel music to a secular world. It wasn't "The Lighthouse" which the Stamps did in _Elvison Tour_; the title may have been "Ship Ahoy." Sumner agreed and the Stamps Quartet joined Elvis in November 1971. The album includes an instant classic, 'Peace in the Valley'. Elvis Australia was founded in 1996 www.elvis.com.au was literally born from the concept of wanting to represent 'Elvis in Australia', so www.elvis.com.au Read more. I wish someone would have video or cassette taped it I'd lve a copy. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. J.D. Sumner (1924-1998) - Find a Grave Memorial The King of Rock 'n' Roll also known for his religious music. J.D. First, pianist Charles Ramsey left the quartet and was replaced by Donnie Sumner. Hell be back next week.. I had no idea what I was going to do when I quit the one I was in.. ALTHOUGH ELVIS Presley was the King of Rock'n'Roll, he was also a leading gospel singer and he won Grammys for his sacred recordings. "The Lighthouse" Gospel Song by Donnie Sumner - Elvis' Gospel Band (The Stamps) High Quality 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. http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. Donnie Sumner is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. I will tell you flat out, one of the liabilities of the entertainment industry is your removal from the normal life of home, church and friends', Donnie said. 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. Thats what killed him to start with was that he thought he was losing it. I tell you what, Randy, it dont take any courage. There is no photo or video of Phoebe R. Harrison.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. 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. Recently, he was welcomed into the Bill Gaither 'Homecoming' family, performing alongside other legends of Gospel music. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? In the audience I recognized JoeGuercio, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, country singer Charlie Walker, andformer Stamp Terry Blackwood. Entering "this and that" (with quotes) into the search form will return results containing the exact phrase "this and that". Hes got a good voice. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three. The next day was the recording session [7-9:20pm, 1:15-3:15am] September 22-23, 1973. He was a graduate of Irwin County High School and served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. CPA5 4775-04. Donnie Sumner music, videos, stats, and photos | Last.fm 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'. Donnie Sumner Play artist More actions Listeners 263 Scrobbles 1,439 Join others and track this artist Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account Sign Up to Last.fm Donnie Sumner is the nephew of JD Sumner and was lead singer for the stamps dureing the days of backing Elvis Presley. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynn Sumner of Ocilla; a son, Brian & Sandi Sumner of Ocilla; a daughter, Kerri Sumner Eckstrand of Ocilla; grandchildren: Brianne & Ellis Douglas, Logan Sumner, Kalynn Sumner, Amelia Eckstrand, Aiden Eckstrand, and Savana Douglas; a great-grandchild on the way; a brother, Roger & Wanda Sumner of Ocilla; great-nephews and a great-niece that he helped to raise: Kevin Rains, Eric Muse and Ariel Rains. 'the greatest gospel singer who ever lived'. God said that He wasnt going to remember my sins. Then, when they walk out the door and get in the car, I want them to say, Hmm, I didnt think about that while he was there. Sumner at the 78 Dove Awards. 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. He wiped me out.". And I want them to understand that I did, in fact, work with Elvis. DONALD SUMNER OBITUARY. 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 just wanted to get out of the drugs and see if I could live. 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. They were booked for Elvis In Concert at Wembley Arena in January 1999 in which Elvis's backing musicians and singers will accompany a video of Elvis singing. Elvis, naturally, is irreplaceable but so is Sumner; few singers can hit the lowest G on the piano. When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. The last lines J.D. Mrs. Dunn is survived by her children, Kathy Hall (Greg), Jimmy Dunn and. He was raised the son of a minister and is no newcomer to the world of Christian music. In the past, Donnie has also been known as Donnie H Sunmer, Donnie H Sumner, Don H Sumner, Donnie Summer and Donnie M Sumner. After Elvis's death, Sumner often gave interviews and spoke at Presley conventions. sang represented the man'soutlook on life: "If I can help somebody as I pass along Then my living shall not be in vain. Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Collect rumors like this that says if you Is Donnie Sumner dead? J.D. dressed him and I asked J.D. 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. It aint gonna be perfect tomorrow but, with Jesus living in ya, it can get better and better and better.