Misplaced Pages

The Jordanaires: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 16:16, 8 April 2008 editToussaint (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers26,559 edits →References← Previous edit Latest revision as of 10:40, 2 December 2024 edit undoMartinevans123 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers233,377 editsm Reverted edit by 2601:2C4:4401:BB70:A0B5:1905:4D46:ACAD (talk) to last version by TenPoundHammerTag: Rollback 
(669 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American vocal group; back-up singers for Elvis Presley and other artists}}
{{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Use American English|date=April 2018}}
| Name = The Jordanaires
{{More citations needed|date= January 2018}}
| Img = Replace this image.svg
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| Img_capt =
| Img_size = | name = The Jordanaires
| Landscape = | background = group_or_band
| image = File:Elvis Presley and the Jordanaires 1957.jpg
| Background = group_or_band
| Alias = | caption = The Jordanaires with ], 1957
| Origin = | origin = ], United States
| Genre = ] | genre = ], ], ], ]
| years_active = {{Start date|1948}}–{{End date|2013}}<ref name="Cooper">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/03/27/gordon-stoker-leader-of-elvis-presleys-jordanaires-dies-bringing-legendary-group-to-end/|title=Jordanaires leader Gordon Stoker dies|last=Cooper|first=Peter|work=]|date=March 27, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref>
| Years_active = {{Start date|1948}} - Present
| Label = | label = ], ], ]
| website = {{URL|jordanaires.net}}
| Associated_acts =
| past_members = {{ubl|]|Curtis Young|Gordon Stoker|Bill Matthews|Bob Hubbard|Warren (Monty) Matthews|Culley Holt|Hoyt Hawkins|]|Don Bruce|Hugh Jarrett|Duane West|Louis Nunley}}
| URL =
| Current_members =
| Past_members =
}} }}
'''The Jordanaires''' were an ] vocal quartet that formed as a ] group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as ], ], ], ], ], Stop Records, and many other smaller independent labels.
{{Nofootnotes|article|date=February 2008}}
'''The Jordanaires''' are an ] singing group formed in 1948 in ].


In the mid-1950s, with a lineup of Gordon Stoker (first tenor), Neal Matthews (second tenor and lead vocals), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone and lead vocals), and Hugh Jarrett (bass vocals), they also began lending their vocal talents to other artists as background singers in recording sessions. They are widely known for having provided background vocals for ] in live appearances, recordings, and feature films from 1956 to 1970. Jarrett was replaced by then-teacher ] in 1958. The group worked in the recording studio, on stage, and on television with many ], ], and ] artists.
==Musical career==
The group formed in ], with members ] (first tenor), ] (second tenor/lead), Bill's brother ] (baritone), ] (bass), and pianist ]. After three years, Money was replaced by new pianist Gordon Stoker. This lineup lasted until 1952; at that time, Bob Hubbard was drafted and was replaced by Hoyt Hawkins. Later that year, Monty and Bill Matthews left. Hawkins switched to baritone, and new lead ] was recruited. Don Bruce came in as a new first tenor; however, he was drafted the next year. The group narrowed to a quartet, with Stoker taking over as first tenor.


They also provided background vocals using the names the Gordonaires (a play on the name of the group's first tenor Gordon Stoker), the Merry Melody Singers, and the Almanac Singers, sometimes using different personnel.
The lineup changed again in 1954, with Cully Holt leaving and new bass ] (later a disc jockey) coming in. Jarrett remained until 1958; at that time, he was replaced by ]. This lineup, consisting of Gordon Stoker, first tenor and manager, ], second tenor and lead, Hoyt Hawkins, baritone, and ], bass, would be the group's most stable lineup, lasting throughout the 1960s and 70s.


==Group history==
The group changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West, formerly of ]' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen. The lineup remained constant for another two decades, with West leaving due to illness in 1999 (he died in 2002). His replacement was Louis Nunley.
===Early years===


The group was formed by brothers Monty and Bill Matthews, both of whom were evangelists, in the late 1940s.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1">{{cite web |last1=Rumble |first1=John |title=Jordanaires |url=https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/jordanaires |website=Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |publisher=Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |access-date=August 22, 2024}}</ref> The original lineup included Bill Matthews, Monty Matthews, Bob Hubbard (baritone), Culley Holt (bass vocals), soon joined by pianist Bob Money.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> By 1949, the group members had moved from ] to ].<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> <!-- edit here: In 1948, Monty and Bill Matthews left. Hawkins switched to baritone, and new lead ] was recruited. Don Bruce came in as a new first tenor, but he was drafted the next year. The group narrowed to a quartet, with Gordon Stoker taking over as first tenor. -->
Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young.


They became members of the ] in 1949,<ref>{{cite web| title = Opry Timeline – 1940s| url = http://www.opry.com/about/Timeline_1940.html| website = Opry.com| access-date = July 6, 2012| archive-date = March 17, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170317065341/http://www.opry.com/about/Timeline_1940.html| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="Rovi">{{cite web | title = The Jordanaires | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jordanaires-mn0000087113 | publisher = ] | date = 2012 | access-date = July 6, 2012}}</ref> where they frequently provided harmony and backing vocals for Opry "headliner" ].<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> In the early 1950s, the group featured many lineup changes. Pianist Bob Money was replaced by Gordon Stoker, and founding members Bill and Monty Matthews left the group and moved back to Missouri.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> Stoker began singing with the group, taking on lead vocal and tenor roles, and new members ] (second tenor, and unrelated to Bill and Monty Matthews), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone), and Hugh Jarrett (bass vocals) joined in the early-to-mid-1950s.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>
===Awards===
They were inducted into the ] in 1998, and the ] in 2001. The group is also in the ]. They were inducted into The ] in ].


] toured with the vocal group the Jordanaires in the late forties and early fifties, one of the first multiracial gospel pairings.
==Musical influence==
The Jordanaires have been one of ] premier backup vocal groups, working with artists such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. They also served as backup vocalists for ] artists such as ] & ], ] and ].


They recorded for ] in the early 1950s, and began providing vocal accompaniment behind solo singers in Nashville, Tennessee.<ref name="Rovi" /><ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>
They are best known across the world as the backup vocalists for a number of ]'s hit singles, with whom they performed for more than fifteen years and backed up on well over 100 different songs (singles and album cuts, on television and in a number of films). They also sang the harmonies on ]'s second album, ]. The Jordanaires also provided vocal support for ] on "Poor Little Fool," "Lonesome Town," "It's Late," and other hit recordings.


The quartet became well known in the Southern gospel genre, and what made them stand out from other quartets of that time was how they would bring ] (such as "Dry Bones") to a predominantly white audience. While continuing to turn out gospel albums of their own, the group became better known for the signature background harmonies they provided on dozens of secular records.<ref name=CMT>{{cite web|title=Jordanaires Biography|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/jordanaires/bio.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040731212016/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/jordanaires/bio.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2004|website=Cmt.com|access-date=11 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>
In addition to singing backup for other musicians, the group toured extensively around the world plus they recorded a number of ]s on their own, winning a ] in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album.


In the late 1950s, member Neal Matthews, Jr. created the ] for the Jordanaires (and the ]) to use to make recording easier and simplify any potential key changes during recording.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Nashville Number System |author= Chas Williams|url=https://nashvillenumbersystem.com/|access-date=January 21, 2023|website=nashvillenumbersystem.com}}</ref><ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>
The Jordanaires appear on the second album by ], on the song "Did You Forget God Today?"


===Elvis Presley===
The Jordainaires have been appreciated by a whole new generation and performed with many modern recording artists as well as recent sessions with Country music legends.


According to the Jordanaires' website, in 1955, they first met musician Elvis Presley, a fan of the group, backstage after a concert in Memphis, Tennessee with Eddy Arnold; at the time, Presley was signed to the Memphis-based label Sun Records.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> During this meeting, Presley told the group that he would like them to sing backup for him if he ever was signed to a major record label. Stoker later stated that the group " Elvis well, 'But we never expected to hear from him again,' ... 'People were always coming up and saying that. We're still told that.'"<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref>
*Sung with The Tractors (of ])
*In 1996. they lent their vocal talents to the ] album, '']''.
*In 1997, they sang ''Who'll Be The One If Not Me'' for the ] musical ].
*In 2007, they recorded "Save Your Dreams" by ] artist ] (])
*They continue to record: "On The Jericho Road", ''A Friend We Have in Jesus'' and others.


After Elvis' contract was sold to ], he and his band ] (lead guitarist ], ]ist ], and drummer ]) had their first RCA sessions in January 1956.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> His co-producer, guitarist ], recruited Stoker to sing backup for "a 'new-probably-wouldn't-be-around-long kid, named Elvis Presley'".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> Instead of recruiting all of the Jordanaires, as Presley had wanted, Chet Atkins hired Ben and Brock Speer of the vocal group the Speer Family, who had also recently signed to RCA, to sing with Stoker. Elvis, his band, Stoker, and Ben and Brock Speer, recorded "I Was The One" (the B-side of "]") in January and "]" in April.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> After the April session, Presley asked Stoker if the full group could join him in the studio for the next sessions. Stoker arranged this, and the full group began working with Presley shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> They continued recording (and touring) with Presley regularly until 1968, and sporadically rejoined him for some sessions in 1970 and 1971.
==External links==

*
===Patsy Cline===
*
The group appeared on all of ]'s ] sessions from her first in November 1960 to her last in February 1963, during which time they backed her on songs such as:
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
*"]" (1961 recording)
*"]"
*"]"
*"]"
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patsified.com/decca.html|title=Patsy Cline's Recording Sessions - The Decca Years|first=William L.|last=Cox|website=Patsified.com|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===After Elvis and Cline===

According to the Jordanaires' official website, in 1976 and 1979, ] gave the group the "Superpickers" award "for having sung on more Top 10 discs than any other vocal group in history."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref>

The group's lineup changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West,<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> formerly of ]' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen, who had filled in for Hawkins on numerous occasions in the 1970s when Hawkins had been ill.

In 1984, they received the "'CMA Masters Award' for their lifetime contribution of music" from the Country Music Association.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jordanaires Biography |url=http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm |website=The Jordanaires |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref>

In 1990, the group provided backing vocals for Presley's former Sun Records labelmate ] on his ] album '']''. The group also recorded with the Swedish group ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article10427694.ab|title=Vikingarna tar farväl av fansen|website=Aftonbladet.se|language=sv|author=Linda Hjertén|date=22 January 2004|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref>

===Later years and deaths===

According to John Rumble and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in 2000, West left the group "due to illness".<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> He was replaced by Louis Nunley.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref> That same year, longtime member Neal Matthews, Jr. died, and he was replaced by Curtis Young.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

In 2001, the Jordanaires were inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31, 2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident in March.<ref name="Hugh Jarrett">{{cite web|title=Hugh Jarrett|url=http://www.jordanaires.net/History/HughJarrett.htm|website=Jordanaires.net|access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

Gordon Stoker died at 88 at his ], home on March 27, 2013, after a long illness. His son Alan confirmed that The Jordanaires were formally dissolved, per his father's wishes.<ref name="Cooper"></ref><ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

Unreleased recordings featuring the Jordanaires continue to be released. In 2023, Dolly Parton's ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2023/05/dolly-parton-rockstar-tracklist-release/|title=The Tracklist for Dolly Parton's Rock Album is a Sight to Behold|last=Young|first=Alex|work=]|date=May 9, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> album was released, which features a previously recorded version of "I Dreamed About Elvis" featuring the quartet. Parton performed this song in concert as early as 2007.

Surviving members include longtime member Ray Walker and later addition Curtis Young.<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

==Members==
{{Unreferenced section|date= March 2022}}

Partial credits from the ].<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

===Classic lineup===
* Hoyt Hawkins – baritone and lead vocals, piano, organ, percussion (1949–1980; died 1982)<ref>{{cite news |title=Jordanaires' Hoyt Hawkins Dies at Home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/112332456/?clipping_id=5230610&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjExMjMzMjQ1NiwiaWF0IjoxNjc5MzU1NTg4LCJleHAiOjE2Nzk0NDE5ODh9.CI4-2ms3XTZL-O2yiJzOE-wZJTCvUAypiYhEJU80TpY |access-date=20 March 2023 |work=The Tennessean |date=24 October 1982}}</ref>
* ] — second tenor and lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, double bass, bass guitar (1949–2000; died 2000)
* Gordon Stoker – tenor vocals, piano, organ, percussion (1951–2013; died 2013)<ref name="Cooper"/>
* ] – bass vocals (1958–2013)<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

===Other members===
* Bill Matthews – vocals (1948–1949; died 2003)
* Monty Matthews – vocals (1948–1949; died 2005)
* Bob Hubbard – baritone vocals (1948–1949)
* Culley Holt – bass vocals (1949–1954; died 1980)
* Bob Money – piano (1949–1951; died 2005)
* Don Bruce – first tenor vocals (1949–1950)
* Hugh Jarrett – bass vocals (1954–1958; died 2008)<ref name="Hugh Jarrett"/>
* Duane West – baritone vocals (1980–2000; died 2002)<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>
* Louis Nunley – baritone vocals (2000–2012; died 2012)<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>
* Curtis Young – lead vocals (2000–2013)<ref name="Jordanaires CMHOF 1"></ref>

==Session appearances==
The Jordanaires performed with many modern recording artists, as well as recent sessions with country musicians.
*1957: ]'s "Poor Little Fool", "Lonesome Town", "It's Late", "I Believe What You Say" and other hit recordings
*1959: Several tracks on ]'s albums '']'' and '']'', the 1978 album '']'' and others
*1962: ]'s 1962 single "The Comeback"
*1964: ]'s 1965 singles "]", "Wind Me Up (Let Me Go)", "On My Word" and a few other album and EP tracks<ref name="Cliff Richard The Complete Recording Sessions">{{cite book | first1= Peter | last1= Lewry | first2= Nigel | last2= Goodall | year= 1991 | title= Cliff Richard The Complete Recording Sessions 1958-1990 | publisher= Blandford | location= London| isbn= 0-7137-2242-8| pages= 62–63}}</ref>
*1970: ]'s second solo album, '']''
*1971: ]'s "Summer Side of Life"
*1973: ]'s hit single "Ride Me Down Easy"
*1975: ] two albums ''I Wonder'' (a live album) and ''Honky Tonk Man''
*1975: Gary Stewart's RCA debut '']'', that spawned three top ten hits including the "She's Acting Single"
*1980: ]'s album '']''
*1981: Don McLean's album '']''
*1981: On several tracks for ]' LP '']''
*1984: ]'s song "]" on the album '']''
*1985: Four songs by ]' from their album '']'' including "Samson and Delilah" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hard-line-mw0000838669|title=Hard Line - The Blasters - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref>
*1988: Appeared in ]'s music video "My Baby's Gone"
*1993: "Bigger Than Elvis" on ]'s album titled '']'', recorded in 1993 and published in 2008<ref name="Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus, credits at Allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1391522|tab=credits|access-date=July 15, 2013}}</ref>
* 1996: ]'s album '']''
*1997: On "Who'll Be The One If Not Me" for the ] musical '']''
*1998: On "You Better Move On" and "Tomorrow Night" on ]'s album ''Sweet & Swingin' ''
*1999: Began their collaborative work with ], which resulted in a ] for ''We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album'' (2003),<ref name="Grammy2003">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Complete-list-of-Grammy-nominees-ceremony-set-2687689.php |title=Complete list of Grammy nominees; ceremony set for Feb. 23 |archive-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207011605/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Complete-list-of-Grammy-nominees-ceremony-set-2687689.php |date=January 8, 2003 |access-date=September 22, 2012 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |publisher=Hearst Corporation |url-status=dead }}</ref> and six Grammy nominations for Best Album of the Year in a gospel category for other album titles, including ''The Great Gospel Hit Parade'' (2001), ''God Is Love'' (2002), ''Always Hear The Harmony'' (2004), ''20th Century Gospel'' (2005) and ''Southern Meets Soul'' (2006)<ref>Official records, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, 2000–2006.</ref> ] noted about the ''20th Century Gospel'' album that "Greenhaw's manly baritone is warm and inviting, and when backed by vocal-group legends the Jordanaires ("Gospel Woman," "Welcome to My World"), the resultant sound suggests the glory days of Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/20th-century-gospel-from-hymns-to-blackwood-brothers-tribute-to-christian-country-mw0000140879|title=20th Century Gospel: From Hymns to Blackwood Brothers Tribute to Christian Country - Various Artists - Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>
*2002: Sang with The Tractors' ]
*2006: ] album ''Long List of Heartaches'', on the song "Did You Forget God Today?"
*2006–07: ''Friends of Henry Golis Wish You A Merry Christmas with the Jordanaires'', and ''Henry Golis Presents Good Music With Friends featuring the Jordanaires''
*2007: Appeared with the Christian pop band Chicago's Band of Praise on the songs "Between You & Me" and "Live Like A King" on the album ''A Road Less Traveled'' written by Howard Stanley
*2007: "Save Your Dreams" by ] artist ]
*2009: ''Today, Tomorrow & Forever'' EP by Pete Molinari
*2010: ''Last Night In Nashville'' album by The Kingmakers
*2011: ]'s '']'', on "What Would Dolly Do"
* 2023: Dolly Parton's "I Dreamed About Elvis" (credited to "Dolly Parton with ] and special guests The Jordanaires") from Parton's 2023 album ''Rockstar''. While released in 2023, the song was recorded at some point prior to 2013, when the group disbanded after Gordon Stoker's death.

==See also==
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|refs=Rahman auditorium project615}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.jordanaires.net/}}
* Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page
*
* Spencer Leigh, , ''The Independent'', April 2, 2013
*
* at the ].
* {{Discogs artist}}

{{Grand Ole Opry members}}
{{2000s Country Music Hall of Fame}}
{{Elvis Presley}}
{{Authority control}}

<!-- Do not add Category:american boy bands -->


{{DEFAULTSORT:Jordanaires, The}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Jordanaires, The}}
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 10:40, 2 December 2024

American vocal group; back-up singers for Elvis Presley and other artists

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "The Jordanaires" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires with Elvis Presley, 1957The Jordanaires with Elvis Presley, 1957
Background information
OriginSpringfield, Missouri, United States
GenresGospel, country, rock and roll, folk
Years active1948 (1948)–2013 (2013)
LabelsCapitol Records, RCA Victor, Decca Records
Past members
  • Ray Walker
  • Curtis Young
  • Gordon Stoker
  • Bill Matthews
  • Bob Hubbard
  • Warren (Monty) Matthews
  • Culley Holt
  • Hoyt Hawkins
  • Neal Matthews Jr.
  • Don Bruce
  • Hugh Jarrett
  • Duane West
  • Louis Nunley
Websitejordanaires.net

The Jordanaires were an American vocal quartet that formed as a gospel group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Vocalion Records, Stop Records, and many other smaller independent labels.

In the mid-1950s, with a lineup of Gordon Stoker (first tenor), Neal Matthews (second tenor and lead vocals), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone and lead vocals), and Hugh Jarrett (bass vocals), they also began lending their vocal talents to other artists as background singers in recording sessions. They are widely known for having provided background vocals for Elvis Presley in live appearances, recordings, and feature films from 1956 to 1970. Jarrett was replaced by then-teacher Ray Walker in 1958. The group worked in the recording studio, on stage, and on television with many country, gospel, and rock and roll artists.

They also provided background vocals using the names the Gordonaires (a play on the name of the group's first tenor Gordon Stoker), the Merry Melody Singers, and the Almanac Singers, sometimes using different personnel.

Group history

Early years

The group was formed by brothers Monty and Bill Matthews, both of whom were evangelists, in the late 1940s. The original lineup included Bill Matthews, Monty Matthews, Bob Hubbard (baritone), Culley Holt (bass vocals), soon joined by pianist Bob Money. By 1949, the group members had moved from Springfield, Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee.

They became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, where they frequently provided harmony and backing vocals for Opry "headliner" Red Foley. In the early 1950s, the group featured many lineup changes. Pianist Bob Money was replaced by Gordon Stoker, and founding members Bill and Monty Matthews left the group and moved back to Missouri. Stoker began singing with the group, taking on lead vocal and tenor roles, and new members Neal Matthews, Jr. (second tenor, and unrelated to Bill and Monty Matthews), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone), and Hugh Jarrett (bass vocals) joined in the early-to-mid-1950s.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe toured with the vocal group the Jordanaires in the late forties and early fifties, one of the first multiracial gospel pairings.

They recorded for Capitol Records in the early 1950s, and began providing vocal accompaniment behind solo singers in Nashville, Tennessee.

The quartet became well known in the Southern gospel genre, and what made them stand out from other quartets of that time was how they would bring spirituals (such as "Dry Bones") to a predominantly white audience. While continuing to turn out gospel albums of their own, the group became better known for the signature background harmonies they provided on dozens of secular records.

In the late 1950s, member Neal Matthews, Jr. created the Nashville Number System for the Jordanaires (and the Nashville A-Team) to use to make recording easier and simplify any potential key changes during recording.

Elvis Presley

According to the Jordanaires' website, in 1955, they first met musician Elvis Presley, a fan of the group, backstage after a concert in Memphis, Tennessee with Eddy Arnold; at the time, Presley was signed to the Memphis-based label Sun Records. During this meeting, Presley told the group that he would like them to sing backup for him if he ever was signed to a major record label. Stoker later stated that the group " Elvis well, 'But we never expected to hear from him again,' ... 'People were always coming up and saying that. We're still told that.'"

After Elvis' contract was sold to RCA Victor Records, he and his band the Blue Moon Boys (lead guitarist Scotty Moore, double bassist Bill Black, and drummer D. J. Fontana) had their first RCA sessions in January 1956. His co-producer, guitarist Chet Atkins, recruited Stoker to sing backup for "a 'new-probably-wouldn't-be-around-long kid, named Elvis Presley'". Instead of recruiting all of the Jordanaires, as Presley had wanted, Chet Atkins hired Ben and Brock Speer of the vocal group the Speer Family, who had also recently signed to RCA, to sing with Stoker. Elvis, his band, Stoker, and Ben and Brock Speer, recorded "I Was The One" (the B-side of "Heartbreak Hotel") in January and "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" in April. After the April session, Presley asked Stoker if the full group could join him in the studio for the next sessions. Stoker arranged this, and the full group began working with Presley shortly afterwards. They continued recording (and touring) with Presley regularly until 1968, and sporadically rejoined him for some sessions in 1970 and 1971.

Patsy Cline

The group appeared on all of Patsy Cline's Decca sessions from her first in November 1960 to her last in February 1963, during which time they backed her on songs such as:

After Elvis and Cline

According to the Jordanaires' official website, in 1976 and 1979, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences gave the group the "Superpickers" award "for having sung on more Top 10 discs than any other vocal group in history."

The group's lineup changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West, formerly of Sonny James' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen, who had filled in for Hawkins on numerous occasions in the 1970s when Hawkins had been ill.

In 1984, they received the "'CMA Masters Award' for their lifetime contribution of music" from the Country Music Association.

In 1990, the group provided backing vocals for Presley's former Sun Records labelmate Johnny Cash on his Mercury Records album Boom Chicka Boom. The group also recorded with the Swedish group Vikingarna.

Later years and deaths

According to John Rumble and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in 2000, West left the group "due to illness". He was replaced by Louis Nunley. That same year, longtime member Neal Matthews, Jr. died, and he was replaced by Curtis Young.

In 2001, the Jordanaires were inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31, 2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident in March.

Gordon Stoker died at 88 at his Brentwood, Tennessee, home on March 27, 2013, after a long illness. His son Alan confirmed that The Jordanaires were formally dissolved, per his father's wishes.

Unreleased recordings featuring the Jordanaires continue to be released. In 2023, Dolly Parton's Rockstar album was released, which features a previously recorded version of "I Dreamed About Elvis" featuring the quartet. Parton performed this song in concert as early as 2007.

Surviving members include longtime member Ray Walker and later addition Curtis Young.

Members

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Partial credits from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Classic lineup

  • Hoyt Hawkins – baritone and lead vocals, piano, organ, percussion (1949–1980; died 1982)
  • Neal Matthews Jr. — second tenor and lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, double bass, bass guitar (1949–2000; died 2000)
  • Gordon Stoker – tenor vocals, piano, organ, percussion (1951–2013; died 2013)
  • Ray Walker – bass vocals (1958–2013)

Other members

  • Bill Matthews – vocals (1948–1949; died 2003)
  • Monty Matthews – vocals (1948–1949; died 2005)
  • Bob Hubbard – baritone vocals (1948–1949)
  • Culley Holt – bass vocals (1949–1954; died 1980)
  • Bob Money – piano (1949–1951; died 2005)
  • Don Bruce – first tenor vocals (1949–1950)
  • Hugh Jarrett – bass vocals (1954–1958; died 2008)
  • Duane West – baritone vocals (1980–2000; died 2002)
  • Louis Nunley – baritone vocals (2000–2012; died 2012)
  • Curtis Young – lead vocals (2000–2013)

Session appearances

The Jordanaires performed with many modern recording artists, as well as recent sessions with country musicians.

  • 1957: Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool", "Lonesome Town", "It's Late", "I Believe What You Say" and other hit recordings
  • 1959: Several tracks on Johnny Cash's albums The Fabulous Johnny Cash and Songs of our Soil, the 1978 album I Would Like to See You Again and others
  • 1962: Faron Young's 1962 single "The Comeback"
  • 1964: Cliff Richard's 1965 singles "The Minute You're Gone", "Wind Me Up (Let Me Go)", "On My Word" and a few other album and EP tracks
  • 1970: Ringo Starr's second solo album, Beaucoups of Blues
  • 1971: Gordon Lightfoot's "Summer Side of Life"
  • 1973: Bobby Bare's hit single "Ride Me Down Easy"
  • 1975: Jack Jersey two albums I Wonder (a live album) and Honky Tonk Man
  • 1975: Gary Stewart's RCA debut Out of Hand, that spawned three top ten hits including the "She's Acting Single"
  • 1980: Don McLean's album Chain Lightning
  • 1981: Don McLean's album Believers
  • 1981: On several tracks for Gene Summers' LP Gene Summers in Nashville
  • 1984: Dolly Parton's song "Save the Last Dance for Me" on the album The Great Pretender
  • 1985: Four songs by The Blasters' from their album Hard Line including "Samson and Delilah"
  • 1988: Appeared in Sawyer Brown's music video "My Baby's Gone"
  • 1993: "Bigger Than Elvis" on Chicago's album titled Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus, recorded in 1993 and published in 2008
  • 1996: Ween's album 12 Golden Country Greats
  • 1997: On "Who'll Be The One If Not Me" for the off-Broadway musical Violet
  • 1998: On "You Better Move On" and "Tomorrow Night" on Sugar Ray Norcia's album Sweet & Swingin'
  • 1999: Began their collaborative work with Art Greenhaw, which resulted in a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album for We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album (2003), and six Grammy nominations for Best Album of the Year in a gospel category for other album titles, including The Great Gospel Hit Parade (2001), God Is Love (2002), Always Hear The Harmony (2004), 20th Century Gospel (2005) and Southern Meets Soul (2006) AllMusic noted about the 20th Century Gospel album that "Greenhaw's manly baritone is warm and inviting, and when backed by vocal-group legends the Jordanaires ("Gospel Woman," "Welcome to My World"), the resultant sound suggests the glory days of Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves."
  • 2002: Sang with The Tractors' Steve Ripley
  • 2006: The Grascals album Long List of Heartaches, on the song "Did You Forget God Today?"
  • 2006–07: Friends of Henry Golis Wish You A Merry Christmas with the Jordanaires, and Henry Golis Presents Good Music With Friends featuring the Jordanaires
  • 2007: Appeared with the Christian pop band Chicago's Band of Praise on the songs "Between You & Me" and "Live Like A King" on the album A Road Less Traveled written by Howard Stanley
  • 2007: "Save Your Dreams" by Americana artist Shark
  • 2009: Today, Tomorrow & Forever EP by Pete Molinari
  • 2010: Last Night In Nashville album by The Kingmakers
  • 2011: Kristin Chenoweth's Some Lessons Learned, on "What Would Dolly Do"
  • 2023: Dolly Parton's "I Dreamed About Elvis" (credited to "Dolly Parton with Ronnie McDowell and special guests The Jordanaires") from Parton's 2023 album Rockstar. While released in 2023, the song was recorded at some point prior to 2013, when the group disbanded after Gordon Stoker's death.

See also

References

  1. ^ Cooper, Peter (March 27, 2013). "Jordanaires leader Gordon Stoker dies". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  2. ^ Rumble, John. "Jordanaires". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  3. "Opry Timeline – 1940s". Opry.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Jordanaires". AllMusic. 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  5. "Jordanaires Biography". Cmt.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2004. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  6. Chas Williams. "The Nashville Number System". nashvillenumbersystem.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  7. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  8. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  9. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  10. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  11. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  12. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  13. Cox, William L. "Patsy Cline's Recording Sessions - The Decca Years". Patsified.com. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  14. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  15. "The Jordanaires Biography". The Jordanaires. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  16. Linda Hjertén (22 January 2004). "Vikingarna tar farväl av fansen". Aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  17. ^ "Hugh Jarrett". Jordanaires.net. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  18. Young, Alex (May 9, 2023). "The Tracklist for Dolly Parton's Rock Album is a Sight to Behold". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  19. "Jordanaires' Hoyt Hawkins Dies at Home". The Tennessean. 24 October 1982. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  20. Lewry, Peter; Goodall, Nigel (1991). Cliff Richard The Complete Recording Sessions 1958-1990. London: Blandford. pp. 62–63. ISBN 0-7137-2242-8.
  21. "Hard Line - The Blasters - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  22. The Jordanaires at AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  23. "Complete list of Grammy nominees; ceremony set for Feb. 23". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. January 8, 2003. Archived from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  24. Official records, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, 2000–2006.
  25. "20th Century Gospel: From Hymns to Blackwood Brothers Tribute to Christian Country - Various Artists - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 February 2019.

External links

Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Current members
Former members

†Honorary former member; was scheduled to be invited, but died before the invitation was extended

Pending members
Country Music Hall of Fame 2000s
Elvis Presley
Studio albums
Soundtrack albums
EPs
Live albums
Budget albums
Compilation albums
Box sets
Biographical media
Documentaries
TV specials
Stage shows
Related people
Related articles
Categories: