Acting
J.D. Sumner
Birth Date
November 19, 1924
Death Date
November 16, 1998
(passed away at 73)
Place of Birth
Lakeland, Florida
Popularity
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Biography
John Daniel "J. D." Sumner was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his bass voice. Sumner sings the final note on the Elvis Presley song "Way Down", a C1. His vocal range extended below the lowest playable note on the piano, reaching the note G0 in a 26-second vocal slide at a concert while singing backing vocals for Presley. There are some claiming he reached an Eb0 in a recorded live concert while singing with the Blackwood Brothers, however this cannot be verified. He was famous for his group J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet and his associations with the Blackwood Brothers and Elvis Presley.
Photos
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
Self (archive footage)
2026
Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii
Self - Band
1973
Elvis on Tour
Self - Vocals, The Stamps
1972
Challenge of the Range
Guitar Player (uncredited)
1949
Quick on the Trigger
Band Member
1948
Elvis in Concert
Self - backing vocals (uncredited)
1977
Elvis: The Lost Performances
Self (archive footage)
1992
Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden
Self - Vocals
1972
Elvis In Concert Remastered
Self - backing vocals (uncredited)
2009
All Day Singing at The Dome
Self
1998
The Elvis I Knew
Self
1994
The Sweetest Song I Know
Himself
1995
This Is My Story
Himself
1997
Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis
vocals
2022
Gaither's Pond: The Lure Depths
1997
A Tribute To George Younce
2005
Kennedy Center Homecoming
2002
Feelin' At Home
1997
Atlanta Homecoming
Himself
1998
Sunday Meetin' Time
2006