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.

Known for

HD

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

2026 ⭐ 8.3

HD

Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis

2022 ⭐ 9.0

HD

All Day Singing at The Dome

1998 ⭐ 7.8

HD

Elvis: The Lost Performances

1992 ⭐ 7.1

Career timeline

2026

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Notable

Self (archive footage) · 2026

⭐ 8.3

Elvis: A Life in Music

Self (archive footage) · 2026

2022

Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis Notable

vocals · 2022

⭐ 9.0

2009

Elvis In Concert Remastered

Self - backing vocals (uncredi · 2009

2006

Sunday Meetin' Time

2006

2005

A Tribute To George Younce

2005

2002

Kennedy Center Homecoming

2002

1998

Atlanta Homecoming

Himself · 1998

All Day Singing at The Dome Notable

Self · 1998

⭐ 7.8

1997

This Is My Story

Himself · 1997

Feelin' At Home

1997

Gaither's Pond: The Lure Depths

1997

1995

The Sweetest Song I Know

Himself · 1995

⭐ 4.2

1994

The Elvis I Knew

Self · 1994

1992

Elvis: The Lost Performances Notable

Self (archive footage) · 1992

⭐ 7.1

1977

Elvis in Concert Notable

Self - backing vocals (uncredi · 1977

⭐ 7.3

1973

Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii Notable

Self - Band · 1973

⭐ 8.2

1972

Elvis on Tour Notable

Self - Vocals, The Stamps · 1972

⭐ 7.3

1949

Challenge of the Range

Guitar Player (uncredited) · 1949

⭐ 6.5

1948

Quick on the Trigger

Band Member · 1948

⭐ 6.5

Frequently appears with

Elvis Presley

Self (archive footage)

James Burton

Self (archive footage)

John Wilkinson

Self (archive footage)

Charlie Hodge

Self (archive footage)

Jerry Scheff

Self (archive footage)

Ronnie Tutt

drums

Glen D. Hardin

piano

Full filmography

HD

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

2026 ⭐ 8.3

HD

Elvis: A Life in Music

2026

HD

Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis

2022 ⭐ 9.0

HD

Elvis In Concert Remastered

2009

HD

Sunday Meetin' Time

2006

HD

A Tribute To George Younce

2005

HD

Kennedy Center Homecoming

2002

HD

Atlanta Homecoming

1998

HD

All Day Singing at The Dome

1998 ⭐ 7.8

HD

This Is My Story

1997

HD

Feelin' At Home

1997

HD

Gaither's Pond: The Lure Depths

1997

HD

The Sweetest Song I Know

1995 ⭐ 4.2

HD

The Elvis I Knew

1994

HD

Elvis: The Lost Performances

1992 ⭐ 7.1

HD

Elvis in Concert

1977 ⭐ 7.3

HD

Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii

1973 ⭐ 8.2

HD

Elvis on Tour

1972 ⭐ 7.3

HD

Challenge of the Range

1949 ⭐ 6.5

HD

Quick on the Trigger

1948 ⭐ 6.5