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{{Short description|American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter (1924–1998)}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2014}}

{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name             = J. D. Sumner
| image            = J. D. Sumner.jpg
| birth_name       = John Daniel Sumner
| alias            = 
| birth_date       = {{Birth date|1924|11|19}}
| birth_place      = [[Lakeland, Florida]], United States
| death_place      = [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], U.S.
| death_date       = {{Death date and age|1998|11|16|1924|11|19}}
| origin           = 
| instrument       = Vocals
| genre            = [[Southern Gospel]], [[Country music|Country]], [[Rock & Roll]], [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]], [[Contemporary Christian music|Contemporary Christian]]
| occupation       = Singer, Songwriter, Vocalist, Music Promoter, & Performer. 
| years_active     = 1945–1998
| label            = Skylite Records, Heartwarming Records, Masters Records, [[RCA Records]], Riversong Records, Merinet Records, Vista Records, QCA Records, Crystal Records, Arrival Records, Spring Hill Records, NuSong Records, New Haven Records
| background       = solo_singer
}}

'''John Daniel Sumner''' (November 19, 1924 – November 16, 1998) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his [[bass (voice type)|bass voice]], and his innovation in the Christian and Gospel music fields. Sumner sang in five quartets and was a member of [[the Blackwood Brothers]] during their 1950s heyday. 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.

== Career ==
=== Sunny South Quartet and Dixie Lily Harmoneers ===
J. D. Sumner first sang with the Sunny South Quartet from 1945 to 1948.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} The quartet was headquartered in [[Tampa, Florida]], and was sponsored by the Dixie Lily Flour Company. In 1949, Sunny South manager Horace Floyd relocated the quartet to [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], but Sumner stayed behind in Tampa where he maintained the sponsorship and started a new group, the Dixie Lily Harmoneers, which he sang with for a few months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/rebels.htm |title=Rebels |access-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924140754/http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/rebels.htm |archive-date=2009-09-24 }}</ref>

=== Sunshine Boys ===
Later in 1949, J. D. Sumner left the Dixie Lily Harmoneers and moved up to [[Atlanta, Georgia]], where he joined the Sunshine Boys. They split their time between Atlanta and [[Wheeling, West Virginia]], with the occasional trip to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] to sing in Western movies. The lineup of Fred Daniel on tenor, Ed Wallace on lead, Ace Richman on baritone, and J. D. on bass continued on for five years until June 30, 1954.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/sunshine_boys.htm |title=GOGR Music History - the Sunshine Boys |access-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125022100/http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/sunshine_boys.htm |archive-date=2013-11-25 }}</ref>

=== Blackwood Brothers Quartet ===
On June 30, 1954, tragedy struck the [[The Blackwood Brothers|Blackwood Brothers Quartet]] when a disastrous test run in their private plane cost the lives of baritone R. W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} 

J. D. Sumner was immediately hired by the Blackwood Brothers to sing with them to replace Lyles. Cecil Blackwood joined at the same time to replace his brother R. W. on baritone. J. D. sang with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet from 1954 until 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/blackwoods_romans828.htm |title=GOGR Music History Blackwood Brothers |access-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103023059/http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/blackwoods_romans828.htm |archive-date=2012-01-03 }}</ref> He also established the [[National Quartet Convention]] along with James Blackwood to showcase the various quartets in the industry and the convention became an annual festival and mainstay in the industry that continues to this day. It was also during this time he met [[Elvis Presley]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} Presley lived in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], as a young boy and would attend the all night sings at The Ellis Auditorium. Presley was an avid fan of Southern Gospel music and groups such as the Blackwood Brothers and [[the Statesmen Quartet]]. Sumner recalled that Presley had missed a concert one month, and Sumner inquired why he did not attend. Presley replied he had no money to get into the show, and Sumner said "Son you come find me when you want to get in, money or not."{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}  Sumner then told his group mates to let Presley in the back stage door so he could attend. Years later, Presley would try out for the Songfellows Quartet, a group associated with the Blackwood Brothers, though did not receive an invitation to join. Shortly thereafter, Presley recorded a demo at [[Sun Records]] in Memphis which launched his legendary rock and roll career.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

=== The Stamps Quartet ===
In 1962, J. D. Sumner became the manager of the Stamps Quartet, and three years later, he left the Blackwood Brothers to sing with them. Sumner was most noted as the leader of the Stamps Quartet, which became known as J. D. Sumner & the Stamps. As a teenager, [[Elvis Presley]] idolized Sumner's singing after seeing him perform with the Sunshine Boys. Presley hired Sumner & the Stamps as his back-up singers in 1971. The group toured and recorded with Presley from November 1971 until Presley's death in 1977. Sumner not only sang at Elvis' funeral but had previously sung at the funeral of Elvis' mother Gladys in 1958.<ref>{{cite book | first=Don | last=Cusic | title=The sound of light: a history of gospel music | url=https://archive.org/details/soundoflighthi00cusi | url-access=registration | publisher=Popular Press |date=January 1990 | isbn=978-0-87972-498-6 | page=[https://archive.org/details/soundoflighthi00cusi/page/119 119]}}</ref> J. D. and the Stamps opened for [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] in 1980 in the United Kingdom, the Stamps only overseas performance.

=== Masters V ===
After the Stamps Quartet disbanded in 1980, Sumner with [[Hovie Lister]], [[Jake Hess]], Rosie Rozell, and [[James Blackwood]] formed the [[Masters V]] as a special consolidation of members of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet and [[The Statesmen Quartet|Statesmen Quartet]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} The group was a showcase for Sumner's voice and compositions and won the 1981 [[Grammy Award]] for best traditional gospel performance. 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.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

=== Later career with Stamps ===
After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, Sumner reformed the Stamps Quartet and performed with the group until his death in 1998. He was often seen in his latter years appearing as a guest artist on the [[Gaither Homecoming|Bill Gaither Homecoming videos]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} After Sumner's death, lead singer Ed Enoch,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thestampsquartet.com/bios.html |title=Bios - the Official Website of the Stamps Quartet |access-date=2012-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307050814/http://www.thestampsquartet.com/bios.html |archive-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a member of the Stamps since 1969, took over the group and renamed it "Ed Enoch and the Golden Covenant."{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

=== Relationship with Elvis Presley ===
Sumner met a young Elvis Presley when he was singing with the Blackwood Brothers.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} Presley was 19 and had shown up at a concert but did not have the money to get in; Sumner found out about it and told Presley anytime he wanted to come in to find him and he would admit him at any place they were singing. The two formed a strong relationship.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

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. "I knew Elvis from the time he was 14, and all I ever saw him drink was one glass of [[peach brandy]]. He (Presley) would fire you for using marijuana, he detested cocaine, and barely approved of me drinking."{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} 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."{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} Presley's death hit Sumner hard and the Stamps sang at Presley's funeral and Sumner credits Presley with saving his own life by intervening with his own alcohol use. "He (Elvis) helped saved my marriage, my health, my career, and ultimately, my life."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D870dwssD0A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/D870dwssD0A |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=JD Sumner on Geraldo talking about Elvis Presley|date=28 December 2011|access-date=5 November 2018|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Range and awards ==
For 18 years, Sumner held the [[Guinness World Record]] for recording the lowest bass note. As of 2011, he has been surpassed only by the following three vocalists: [[Dan Britton]] (1984), [[Tim Storms]] (2002 and once more in 2012), and [[Roger Menees]] (2011).<ref>{{cite book | first=W.K. | last =McNeil | title=Encyclopedia of American gospel music | publisher=Routledge |date=September 2005 |isbn=0-415-94179-2}}</ref> Sumner was inducted into the [[Gospel Music Hall of Fame]] in 1984 and the [[Southern Gospel Music Association]] Hall of Fame in 1997.<ref>[http://www.gmahalloffame.org//inductee_bio.cfm?ID=333 J.D. Sumner] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019185156/http://www.gmahalloffame.org/inductee_bio.cfm?ID=333 |date=2007-10-19 }}, Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Association, retrieved 13 August 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.sgma.org/inductee_bios/jd_sumner.htm "John Daniel "J.D." Sumner"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015013311/http://sgma.org/inductee_bios/jd_sumner.htm |date=2010-10-15 }}, Hall of Fame Inductees, Southern Gospel Music Association, retrieved 13 August 2010</ref>

== Death ==
On November 16, 1998, three days before his 74th birthday, Sumner was found dead of a heart attack in his hotel room in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], while on tour with the Stamps Quartet.<ref>[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/JD_Sumner_Dies/31378/p1/ "JD Sumner Dies: Southern gospel legend J D Sumner dies aged 73"] retrieved 12 October 2022</ref>

== Other activities ==
In 1964, Sumner founded the [[Gospel Music Association]] with [[James Blackwood]]. He was also the founding force behind the [[National Quartet Convention]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

== Songwriting ==
Sumner wrote more than 700 songs including the following:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*''A Land Where Milk And Honey Flows''
*''A Million Years From Now''
*''Aloha Time''
*''Because Of Him''
*''Behind Your Tears''
*''Beyond God's Horizon''
*''Crossing Chilly Jordan''
*''Each Step I Take''
*''Eternal Paradise''
*''Everybody Ought To Love''
*''For I've Got the Lord''
*''Give Me the Strength To Stand''
*''God Made A Way''
*''He Means All the World To Me''
*''He Will See You Through''
*''Heaven For Me''
*''He's All That I Need''
*''His Love''
*''I Believe In the Old Time Way''
*''I Can Feel the Touch Of His Hand''
*''I Do Dear Jesus I Believe''
*''I Don't Mind''
*''I Found God''
*''I Know It's So''
*''I Serve A Living God''
*''I Wanna Rest''
*''I Want To Meet You Up In Heaven''
*''I Wouldn't Trade''
*''I'll Follow Where He Leads''
*''I'm Happy And Free''
*''In That Land''
*''Inside the Gate''
*''I've Got To Walk That Lonesome Road''
*''Jesus Is Mine''
*''Keep Me''
*''Listen''
*''Mammy's Boy''
*''My All I Give''
*''Never''
*''Old Man Death''
*''On That Happy Golden Shore''
*''On the Other Side Of Jordan''
*''One Day''
*''Only One Touch''
*''Paradise Valley''
*''Pay As You Go''
*''Rolling Along''
*''Some Wonderful Day''
*''Someday Soon''
*''Something Old Something New''
*''Sweet Peace''
*''Thank God For Calvary''
*''The Old Country Church''
*''The Touch Of His Hand''
*''The Victory Road''
*''There Is A Light''
*''Walking And Talking With My Lord''
*''Walking In the Light''
*''What A Glorious Morning That Will Be''
*''What A Morning''
*''When I'm Alone''
*''When the Clouds Roll By''
*''Wonderful Love''
*''Wonderful Savior''<ref>{{cite book | first1=Donnie | last1=Sumner | first2=Shirley | last2=Enoch | first3=Frances | last3=Dunn | title=The J. D. Sumner Song Library | volume=1 | publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | year=2014 | isbn=978-1494985141}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==The Stamps Quartet members==
===Line-ups===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1962–1963<br /><small>(under the name "the Stamps Quartet")</small>
! 1963–1964
! 1964–1965
|-
|
*'''Jerry Redd''' – tenor
*'''Roger McDuff''' – lead
*'''Terry Blackwood''' – baritone
*'''John Hall''' – bass
*'''Joe Roper''' – piano
|
*'''Jim Hill''' – tenor
*'''Roger McDuff''' – lead
*'''Terry Blackwood''' – baritone
*'''John Hall''' – bass
*'''Joe Roper''' – piano
|
*'''Jim Hill''' – tenor
*'''Roger McDuff''' – lead
*'''Mylon LeFevre''' – baritone
*'''John Hall''' – bass
*'''Joe Roper''' – piano

|-
! 1965
! 1965–1966<br /><small>(under the name "J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet")</small>
! 1966
|-
|
*'''Jim Hill''' – tenor
*'''Roger McDuff''' – lead
*'''Mylon LeFevre''' – baritone
*'''John Hall''' – bass
*'''Chuck Ramsey''' – piano
|
*'''Jim Hill''' – tenor
*'''Roger McDuff''' – lead
*'''Jimmy Blackwood''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Chuck Ramsey''' – piano
|
*'''Jim Hill''' – tenor
*'''Roger McDuff''' – lead
*'''Jimmy Blackwood''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – piano

|-
! 1966–1968
! 1968–1969
! 1969–1970
|-
|
*'''Jim Hill''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Jimmy Blackwood''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Tony Brown''' - piano
|
*'''Roy McNeal''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Jimmy Blackwood''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Tony Brown''' - piano
|
*'''Roy McNeal''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Tony Brown''' - piano
|-
! 1970–1971
! 1971–1972
! 1972
|-
| 
*'''Gary "Buck" Buckles''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''[[Richard Sterban]]''' – bass
*'''Tony Brown''' - piano
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Richard Sterban''' – bass
*'''Tony Brown''' - piano
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Richard Sterban''' – bass
*'''Linda Robinson''' - piano

|-
! 1972–1973
! 1973
! 1973–1974
|-
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Richard Sterban''' – bass (1972)
*'''Nick Bruno''' - piano
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Ed Wideman''' – bass
*'''Phil Johnson''' - piano
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Donnie Sumner''' – lead
*'''Ed Enoch''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano

|-
! 1974
! 1974–1976
! 1976
|-
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Dave Rowland''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano
|
*'''Bill Baize''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass (1976)
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano
|
*'''Ron Booth''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano

|-
! 1976
! 1976–1977
! 1977–1978
|-
|
*'''Pat Brown''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano
|
*'''Gary "Buck" Buckles''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano
|
*'''Gary "Buck" Buckles''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass
*'''Milton Smith''' - piano

|-
! 1978–1979
! 1979–1980
! 1980
|-
|
*'''Sandra Steele''' – alto
*'''Gary "Buck" Buckles''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano
|
*'''Jennifer O'Brien''' – alto
*'''Gary "Buck" Buckles''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Richard Lee''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass (1979)
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano
|
*'''Jennifer O’Brien''' – alto
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''David Ponder''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Ronnie Mabe''' - piano

|-
! 1980–1987
! 1987–1988<br /><small>(back as "the Stamps Quartet")</small>
! 1988–1989<br /><small>(now simply as "J. D. Sumner and the Stamps")</small>
|-
|
*Disbanded until 1987
|
*'''Mike Eldred''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''[[Guy Penrod]]''' – baritone
*'''Larry Strickland''' – bass
*'''Wayne Campbell''' - piano
|
*'''[[Steve Warren (entertainer)|Steve Warren]]''' – tenor
*'''Jack Toney''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''C. J. Almgren''' - piano

|-
! 1989–1990
! 1990–1991
! 1991–1993
|-
|
*'''Jerry Trammell''' – tenor
*'''Jack Toney''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''C.J. Almgren''' - piano
|
*'''Jerry Trammell''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''C.J. Almgren''' - piano
|
*'''Steve Warren''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''C. J. Almgren''' - piano/vocals

|-
! 1993–1995
! 1995–1998
|-
|
*'''[[Rick Strickland]]''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''C. J. Almgren''' - piano
|
*'''Rick Strickland''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''J. D. Sumner''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano
|}

==Golden Covenant members==
===Line-ups===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1999–2002<br /><small>(under the name "Ed Enoch and Golden Covenant")</small>
! 2002
! 2002–2003
|-
|
*'''[[Rick Strickland]]''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''Tom Graham''' – bass
*'''C. J. Almgren''' - piano
|
*'''Royce Taylor''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''David Hester''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano
|
*'''Royce Taylor''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''Butch Owens''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano
|}

==The New Stamps Quartet members==
===Line-ups===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 2003–2005<br /><small>(under the name "the Stamps Quartet")</small>
! 2005–2006
! 2006
|-
|
*'''Royce Taylor''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Ed Hill''' – baritone
*'''Butch Owens''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano
|
*'''Royce Taylor''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Michael Helwig''' – baritone
*'''Butch Owens''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano
| 
*'''Steve Warren''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Michael Helwig''' – baritone
*'''Butch Owens''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano

|-
! 2007–2008
! 2008–2011
! 2011–2012
|-
|
*'''Joseph Frech''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Michael Helwig''' – baritone
*'''Seth Dillehay''' – *'''Teddy Ray Bullard''' -- bass
|
*'''Brian Worley''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Terry Allen''' – baritone
*'''Brandon Barry''' – bass
| 
*'''Joseph Frech''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Roger Robinson''' – baritone
*'''Brandon Barry''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano

|-
! 2012–2015
! 2015–2016
! 2016
|-
|
*'''Joseph Frech''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Joe Combs''' – baritone
*'''Michael Means''' – bass
*'''Jerry Kelso''' - piano
|
*'''Tony Goforth''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Joe Combs''' – baritone
*'''Michael Means''' – bass
|
*'''Tony Goforth''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Joe Combs''' – baritone
*'''Blake Whitlock''' – bass

|-
! 2016–2017
! 2017–present
|-
|
*'''Steve Ladd''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Joe Combs''' – baritone
*'''Michael Means''' – bass
|
*'''Bobby Davenport''' – tenor
*'''Ed Enoch''' – lead
*'''Joe Combs''' – baritone
*'''Michael Means''' – bass
|}

== Discography ==

=== Solo albums ===
*1965: ''Bass, Bass, Bass'' (re-issued in 1975 as ''the Stamps Quartet Present Their Dynamic Bass'')
*1968: ''The Many Moods of the Illustrious J. D. Sumner''
*1969: ''The Heart of a Man'' (re-issued in 1982 as ''The Masters V Present Their Majestic Bass, J. D. Sumner'')
*1972: ''The Way It Sounds Down Low''
*1984: ''Thank God for Kids''
*1985: ''An American Trilogy'' 
*1988: ''The Masters V Present the Superlative Bass Voice of J. D. Sumner''

==== Compilations ====
*1999: ''The Wait Is Over''
*2009: ''A Musical Biography''

=== With the Blackwood Brothers ===
{{See also|The Blackwood Brothers discography}}
*1956: ''Hymn Sing''
*1957: ''I'm Bound for That City''
*1958: ''His Hands''
*1959: ''The Stranger of Galilee''
*1959: ''Paradise Island''
*1959: ''The Blackwood Brothers''
*1959: ''Give the World a Smile''
*1960: ''Beautiful Isle of Somewhere''
*1960: ''Sunday Meetin' Time''
*1961: ''The Pearly White City''
*1962: ''Precious Memories''
*1962: ''The Blackwood Brothers Combine With the Statesmen to Wish You a Musical Merry Christmas''
*1962: ''The Keys to the Kingdom''
*1962: ''At Home with the Blackwoods''
*1963: ''The Blackwood Brothers Quartet Featuring Their Famous Bass J. D. Sumner''
*1963: ''Give Us This Day''
*1964: ''Blackwood Family Album''
*1964: ''Gloryland Jubilee''
*1965: ''Something Old – Something New''
*1965: ''Do You Thank the Lord Each Day''

=== J.D. Sumner & the Stamps ===
*1965: ''The Stamps featuring Jim Hill''
*1966: ''The Incomparable Stamps Quartet'' 
*1966: ''The New, Very New Sound''
*1967: ''Colorful''
*1968: ''Music, Music, Music''
*1969: ''Signs of a Good Life''
*1969: ''Songs to Remember''
*1970: ''J.D. Sumner and the Exciting Stamps Quartet''
*1970: ''Get Together''
*1971: ''Goin' Home'' (re-issued in 1984 as ''Green Grass of Home'')
*1971: ''Live In Nashville''
*1971: ''The Touch of His Hand''
*1972: ''Sweet Song of Salvation''
*1972: ''Something Special''
*1973: ''Leaning on the Arms of Jesus''
*1973: ''Sing Gospel Classics''
*1974: ''I Will Never Pass This Way Again''
*1974: ''What a Happy Time''
*1975: ''Live at Murray State''
*1977: ''Street Corner Preacher''
*1977: ''Elvis' Favorite Gospel Songs (Sung at His Funeral)''
*1977: ''Memories of our Friend, Elvis'' (Live)
*1979: ''Keep Me''
*1980: ''I Believe in the Old Time Way'' (re-issued in 1983 as ''If I Can Help Somebody'')
*1988: ''Sing the Award-Winning Songs Of J. D. Sumner''
*1988: ''Today''
*1988: ''Inspirational Hymns''
*1988: ''Smile''
*1989: ''Live from the Alabama State Coliseum''
*1990: ''Victory Road''
*1991: ''Peace in the Valley''
*1991: ''Town & Country''
*1991: ''Southern Gospel Classics''
*1991: ''Light and Lively''
*1991: ''"Sing" - Cerely Yours''
*1992: ''Quartet Classics''
*1992: ''Master of the Wind''
*1993: ''20 Southern Gospel Favorites''
*1994: ''Songs You Requested''
*1994: ''Elvis Gospel Favorites''
*1994: ''Sing Elvis Classics'' (all secular songs)
*1995: ''Let's Have Church''
*1996: ''Golden Stairs''
*1999: ''The Final Sessions''

==== Compilations ====
*1968: ''Best of the Stamps''
*1974: ''Vintage Gospel''  (re-issued in 1983 as ''Daddy Sang Bass'')
*1974: ''Sing Golden Gospel Hits''
*1977: ''16 Greats''
*1979: ''For God So Loved the World'' (re-issued in 1982 as ''He Looked Beyond My Faults'')
*1983: ''The Joy of Knowing Jesus''
*1992: ''Masters of Gospel''
*1995: ''The Best of J. D. Sumner And the Stamps''
*1997: ''Pure Gospel: 16 Vintage Gospel Standards''
*1999: ''Gospel Music Hall of Fame''
*2005: ''Treasury of Memories''

=== With the Masters V ===
See [[Masters V#Discography|Masters V discography]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{YouTube|mu_wW4OJwjY|Wayfaring Stranger – 1967 performance with the Stamps Quartet}}
*[http://www.JDSumnerAndTheStampsQuartet.com/ Official home page of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821001437/http://jdsumnerandthestampsquartet.com/ |date=2017-08-21 }}
* {{Find a Grave|6975}}
*[http://www.elvis2001.net/ricky%20strick.htm Larry Strickland Interview at Elvis2001.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930165023/http://www.elvis2001.net/ricky%20strick.htm |date=2018-09-30 }}
*[http://www.elvis2001.net/donnie%20sumner.htm Donnie Sumner Interview at Elvis2001.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930164957/http://www.elvis2001.net/donnie%20sumner.htm |date=2018-09-30 }}
*[http://www.elvis2001.net/Ed%20Hill%20i.htm Ed Hill Interview at Elvis2001.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930164919/http://www.elvis2001.net/Ed%20Hill%20i.htm |date=2018-09-30 }}
*[http://www.elvis2001.net/Bill%20Baise.htm Bill Baise Interview at Elvis2001.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930164914/http://www.elvis2001.net/Bill%20Baise.htm |date=2018-09-30 }}
*[http://www.elvis2001.net/ed%20enoch.htm Ed Enoch Interview at Elvis2001.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230608/http://www.elvis2001.net/ed%20enoch.htm |date=2016-03-03 }}
*[http://www.elvis2001.net/shaun%20neilson.htm Shaun Neilson Interview at Elvis2001.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509171940/http://elvis2001.net/shaun%20neilson.htm |date=2016-05-09 }}
*{{YouTube|HZc2cIFwaT0|J. D. Sumner's lowest recorded note}}

{{Elvis Presley}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sumner, J. D.}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:American basses]]
[[Category:American gospel singers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Lakeland, Florida]]
[[Category:Singers with a four-octave vocal range]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Florida]]
[[Category:Southern gospel performers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Tampa, Florida]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Elvis Presley]]