I would like to start by saying thank you. Many of you were kind enough to write and call me, after reading last months column. I appreciate the relationships and prayer warriors. I seem to be moving ahead of the fog and out of the storm. I have to admit, being in a storm can be refreshing.
As I get older I learn more about the important things in life. Some of you have asked me to share more stories of my life in and around the music industry. This month I would like to share with you some of the fun I had managing and promoting JD Sumner. Well, let me rephrase that- "No one manages JD- they just supervise."
When I worked in secular music I would be watching Oprah or Geraldo, and seeing this guy named JD Sumner talking about Elvis. This was all long before I had the opportunity to promote Elvis Presley's first gospel single to radio for BMG, something that was very exciting even though he had been dead 27 years.
I would frequently read JD's column "I Cant Wait" in the Singing News. Few people knew that JD only wrote about 3 of those columns aa year, the rest were written by a very popular lady, and mutual friend, in Nashville. I would often pick up the phone to call him and let him know I appreciated his style.
There was a time when weeks went by and I had forgotten I called him. This was during a time when I was fighting to get a Garth Brooks record up the charts. JD phoned and me began to fill me in on the inner workings of Nashville. He told me not to be afraid and fight for Garth. I was thinking, "how does he know what I am battling with this song?" Later, he told me he had seen me on a local news channel in an interview at the Country Radio Seminar. We chatted and set up a time to talk again.
My life was crazy for the next several months and years. I would cross JD's path a few times a year. He would always call me "King Louie" from the "Jungle Book." I still don't know who or what that is. JD would say, "King Louie when your ready to take on a real star and stop playing Mr. Hollywood with these country folks-call me."
Little did I know we would become dear friend's and we would share many hit records and journeys as a team. I picked up promoting a few JD Sumner and the Stamps records while working in country music. We encountered the usual walls, "JD was with Elvis we cant play his music," or "JD is of the world we cant be a part of his music." I would get a kick out of calling JD with the news. His response would usually be, "So, I am of the world. Good it beats the alternative. Last I checked we were all a part of the world." His attitude was, if I die tonight, I don't have to quit smoking tomorrow."
As Benson began to shut down its Southern gospel label, Riversong, we had to find a record label for JD. I called around town and began to hear some great stories about the real JD Sumner. The late Dan Adkins was a dear friend of mine and worked for Eddie Crook company as a promoter. He discussed with me his ideas of starting a record label and would love to launch it with JD Sumner and the Stamps. Dan began to tell me how JD helped him get home one night when he was a teenager. Dan was stranded at a concert one evening, and after the show Dan went to the hotel room and asked to see JD. JD came to the door and Dan begin to tell him his story. He was a kid, broke and couldn't get back home or buy anything to eat. JD bought him food, and gave him the money to get back home. Dan promised JD he would pay him back. Dan Adkins was so excited to have met a man and singer he only dreamed of meeting and JD had befriended him.
At the record contract signing Dan presented JD with a check for $10,000 as a signing bonus. JD laughed and said, "I only gave you 20 bucks to get back home, I like the way you do business. This is going to be my favorite label." JD signed with Nusong records and the work had begun.
I am reminded of another night that the phone rang and JD said, "I am doing it whether the powers that be like it or not. You stand behind me."
We shipped "Sweetest Song I Know" with JD Sumner and Mike English to radio. With some rocky roads and lots of ambition the song started rocking up the charts. My phones began ringing for interviews, giveaways, fan mail. Everyone loved the new sound Dan and Nusong had given the Stamps. I thought our battles had been won and JD was happy to be a Christian extending a hand to Mike English. But, little did I know we were not finished.
JD called and told me of an idea. During his set at National Quartet Convention he wanted to let Mike English sing on the mainstage. The meetings and battles were on for days. Here I was a country radio promoter at National Quartet Convention trying to find my place and pay my dues to the Southern Gospel system and my biggest client was going to break every sacred cow and allow Mike English to sing on NQC.
I was clutching JD's arm as he got up to do his set. I continued my ranting, "JD do you know what this could do? What are our options? Let Mike English sing at your booth - not the mainstage." JD pulled away and said, "this man has fans that need to hear his side of the story, he has a right to fight the gossip and rumors. He is going on with me."
The buzz had started and a roar was growing over the entire convention center. I began to sweat it out for JD. He looked at me and said," I am an old man what can they do to me. I started this thing and I'll finish it."
Several others walked in and warned him not to put English on the stage. By this time every seat in Freedom Hall was filled, every door way was blocked. The thousands of fans sat patiently to see if the rumors were true. Would Mike English show his face, would he be accepted? Everyone in the industry wondered if JD was going to go through with this. As a roar hit the auditorium, JD simply said, "I have a friend that's been down lately." English came out to a roaring, standing ovation, he cried and apologized for the things he had done. Out of all moments in NQC history this has to be one of the Number One moments.
The crowd was so pumped, the Stamps and English were singing harder than ever. I looked around and thought to myself, this almost didn't happen. JD gave thousands of fans closure, he gave English a place to let his heart cry out for mercy and forgiveness. I felt I was a part of this forgiveness. JD had broken the rules and the heat was on. But, he always did what he believed in.
I have had people from all walks of life constantly telling me stories of JD buying them cars, giving them money, finding them homes or sitting and talking to them for hours. He left me many smiles, wrinkles to my brow, and ulcers to my stomach. But, knowing him was worth it all. He shared many personal sides of himself to me that made me love him more. He always enjoyed talking about Elvis. Elvis depended on JD and loved him to sing to him.
JD always loved talking about his lovely wife. She was his rock. One of the last concerts I did with JD was in Greenville, SC. He was holding my daughter on his lap. JD said" I hope you have as much fun as I did, but I hope you don't get caught." I never saw JD again. He died a few weeks later.
Many folks say, they find their life lonely and dark without JD. I cannot say that. Knowing JD made me feel more complete even after his death. Me and my son placed flowers at his tomb last week. I have personally witnessed JD stand up for homosexuals, drug addicts, thieves and bad preachers. He always fought for people no matter what their circumstance. But, when the doors closed he put that big boot on their feet and said, "I am a big fella- you don't wanna go to Hell do you? Next time you pull a stunt like that this boot might be somewhere else." He was just a great guy. After writing over 500 hit songs, singing with Elvis, recording country, rap and gospel, JD Sumner will forever be a part of history. I will forever cherish his friendship and trust in me.
Rick Hendrix
http://www.rickhendrix.com
Author: RickBHendrix
| Author's Website: http://www.rickhendrix.com
Written: 03/01/2006
| 
Category: Leave No Stone Unturned
Comments: 22
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Finally you have an article up- Great story. JD was an honest and dependable man. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Dale
LOL- JD was great. He always made me laugh. Thanks for sharing. He is missed.
Sue
I enjoyed reading your article & hearing about the great J.D. Sumner. He was a piece of work & I loved him dearly & miss him terribly. There will never be another like him.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Rick, thanks for the great memories of JD. I have one that I will always cherish. It was the late 1980s, my regional group opened up for JD and the Stamps. He was at the bottom the stairs as we exited and as soon as I stepped down, he reached out and slapped me in the chest and said, "Hey, whoever heard of a red-headed bass singer?" and laughed. I have shared that line with many people since. JD also commented, "Ya'll stayed on pitch. I know, I have a good ear." Then I stood at the back of the auditorium and heard him drop a Low F, as easily as I could hit a low C. Amazing man.
THANK YOU I love hearing about JD. he was the funniest man. He gave our church back the offering one evening. We have never forgotten him.
Rick,
what a great article. I only had the opportunity to work with JD a hand full of times through the years, but it was always an honor to work with someone so instrumental in creating this industry. I'm an Elvis fanatic anyway, so getting to meet and work with JD, knowing how close he and Elvis always were, was so cool!
David Staton
JD certainly was a great man. I wonder what Mike English is up to? What a talent. I love his music.
Roger
Does anyone have a copy of the rap record JD recorded?
Great article,
JD and I both grew up in Lakeland Fla. Our families lived next to each other on the farm in the early years. After I started promoting concerts 21 years ago I call JD and booked his group. It was confirmed over the phone and we never signed a contract. He was a man of his word. About a month before he went to heaven, I had the privilege of sitting on his bus and having a reminiscing party about our parents and gospel music. Once again JD knew what he was talking about. I miss him and Miss Mary.
I CANT WAIT...
Dwight
jd was one of my heros. rick thank you for this article. i saw you and jd at the arena in bristol. you all allowed me to sing with the stamps that nite. i cherish that night
jds family still has his website up
http://www.jdsumnerandthestampsquartet.com/
Rick, I just read your article on J. D.. Thanks so much for such a feeling article. I saw J. D. several times in concert and always enjoyed him and watched him many years on the Gairher shows also. He was a great entertainer and it seems a geat person as well. Thanks for sharing.
JD was a man of God and will always be in everyone minds. He had a great Bass voice.
Glenn
I was in the audience that night at NQC, and I can say that it was by far the best time I have ever had at the NQC. I heard many people telling him not to do it, but he did and I am sure it not only helped Michael, but many of the fans that were not real sure what had happened. God bless people that will stand up for others.
I appreciate you Rick. Your articles are nice to read. I enjoy your outlook. I loved JD. Keep up the good work. We love you.
Linda
your right- it was an amazing event.
it was an amazing night. i love mike and jd
Great article Rick.
As a young bass singer, J.D. was, naturally, my hero. As a songwriter he's been a great inspiration.
I only got to work with J.D. once when I was helping Polly Grimes promote some shows in Pasadena and Oakland. I remember the Oakland show, when J.D. and the Stamps arrived at the backstage area fresh from a gig with Elvis in Reno. This was the seventies, so J.D. was wearing a leisure suit and that shaggy hairdo he used to wear. He was very nice to me. He said,"Hello there, young man." I was so awestruck, it was like talking to God. I'd been able to talk to, and make friendships with, Jake Hess, Hovie Lister, Ken Turner, Ed Enoch, Ed Hill, James and Cecil Blackwood, all of the Thrasher Brothers... but this was J.D.! He was like a rock star to me then.
Later, when I realized how humble and gracious the man really was, I wish I'd talked to him a bit more.
There will never be another quite like J.D.
Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA
Does anyone know how long JD was with Elvis? Do they know what songs he sang on that were secular?
Roger
Roger,
This is the first I've heard of a rap record. I do have "Mama Sang Bass" which JD recorded with Ray Stevens, though...great stuff. I also have the comedy recording he made for Riversong...I don't think it sold all that well, but it had some great moments on it.
—Making hay while the sun shines—
sgnforum@musicscribe.com - BLOG - SGHistory.com
The Stamps sang for Elvis from November 1971 to Elvis' death in 1977.
—Making hay while the sun shines—
sgnforum@musicscribe.com - BLOG - SGHistory.com
Hi All:
I was at a concert with THE STAMPS QUARTET this weekend in Pennsylvania and they sounded better than they ever have!!! There are 3 younger guys in the group along with Butch Owens the bass singer and ED ENOCH the lead singer. I talked to them about their website and all and they are getting all of that updated this summer. You ALL should go and listen to them. Lets try to get them on back on to the NQC. Come on now...JD SUMNER was a co-founder of the NQC and his group isn't even featured this year!!!! Yeah Right!!! Help me get them back!!!
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