J.D. Sumner
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.
Movie Appearances
Elvis on Tour
as Self - Vocals, The Stamps
1972
This Is My Story
as Himself
1997
The Sweetest Song I Know
as Himself
1995
Atlanta Homecoming
as Himself
1998
All Day Singing at The Dome
as Self
1998
Elvis in Concert
as Self - backing vocals (uncredited)
1977
Elvis: The Lost Performances
as Self (archive footage)
1992
Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii
as Self - Band
1973
Quick on the Trigger
as Band Member
1948
The Elvis I Knew
as Self
1994
Kennedy Center Homecoming
2002
Sunday Meetin' Time
2006
Feelin' At Home
1997
Challenge of the Range
as Guitar Player (uncredited)
1949
Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden
as Self - Vocals
1972
Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis
as vocals
2022
A Tribute To George Younce
2005
Gaither's Pond: The Lure Depths
1997
Elvis: A Life in Music
as Self (archive footage)
2026
Elvis In Concert Remastered
as Self - backing vocals (uncredited)
2009