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| Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young. | Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young. | ||
| ==with Elvis Presley== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| One Sunday afternoon, in 1955, the Jordanaires played a show in Memphis with ]. They had just completed the "Eddy Arnold Show" for TV in 1954, and, were in Memphis, publicizing the series. The Jordanaires had sung "]" on the show that afternoon. When the show was over, a young man, blond, quiet and courteous, and, plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was ], a young, practically unheard of singer, just getting his start in the area. There were a few polite exchanges, then Elvis said, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." He was on "Sun" at that time. Thinking back to that night, The Jordanaires' first tenor, Gordon Stoker, remembers wishing Elvis well, "But we never expected to hear from him again," he said. "People were always coming up and saying that. We're still told that." | |||
| Sure enough!! Elvis recorded his first session with RCA on January 10, 1956, with Scotty, Bill, and, D. J. . That day, "I Got A Woman", "Heartbreak Hotel", and, "Money Honey" were recorded. On January 11, 1956, Gordon Stoker was called by ] to do a session with a "new-probably-wouldn't-be-around-long kid, named Elvis Presley"---oily hair, pink shirt, black trousers. RCA had, also, just signed "The Speer Family". Chet asked Gordon to sing with Ben and Brock Speer so he could use them. On that day, "I'm Counting On You" and "I Was The One" made history by being the first recording session that Elvis, did with vocal background. By April 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" was "No. 1". After having done several more recording sessions in New York with Scotty, Bill and D. J., Elvis flew to Nashville on April 14, 1956, to record "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You". Gordon was called, again, to sing a vocal trio with Ben and Brock. After the session, Elvis took Gordon aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he wanted "the" Jordanaires on all his future recording sessions. This time, Stoker saw to it that it was known - and - true to his word - Elvis used the Jordanaires on nearly every one of his recording sessions for the next 14 years. At a time when no backing musicians, producers, or engineers received a name recognition on any records, Elvis insisted that he have "with the Jordanaires" on the "labels" of his records. The reflected glory was enough to earn the Jordanaires "Group of the Year" awards well into the Beatles era. | |||
| They also appeared in his movies, and on many of his landmark television appearances. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Awards== | ||
| They were inducted into the ] in 1998, and the ] in 2001. The group is also in the ]. They were inducted into The ] in ]. | They were inducted into the ] in 1998, and the ] in 2001. The group is also in the ]. They were inducted into The ] in ]. | ||
Revision as of 21:17, 28 May 2008
| The Jordanaires |
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The Jordanaires are an American singing group formed in 1948 in Springfield, Missouri.
Musical career
The group formed in 1948, with members Bill Matthews (first tenor), Bob Hubbard (second tenor/lead), Bill's brother Monty Matthews (baritone), Culley Holt (bass), and pianist Bob Money. 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 Neal Matthews, Jr. 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.
The lineup changed again in 1954, with Cully Holt leaving and new bass Hugh Jarrett (later a disc jockey) coming in. Jarrett remained until 1958; at that time, he was replaced by Ray Walker. This lineup, consisting of Gordon Stoker, first tenor and manager, Neal Matthews, Jr., second tenor and lead, Hoyt Hawkins, baritone, and Ray Walker, bass, would be the group's most stable lineup, lasting throughout the 1960s and 70s.
The group changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West, formerly of Sonny James' 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.
Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young.
with Elvis Presley
One Sunday afternoon, in 1955, the Jordanaires played a show in Memphis with Eddy Arnold. They had just completed the "Eddy Arnold Show" for TV in 1954, and, were in Memphis, publicizing the series. The Jordanaires had sung "Peace In The Valley" on the show that afternoon. When the show was over, a young man, blond, quiet and courteous, and, plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was Elvis Presley, a young, practically unheard of singer, just getting his start in the area. There were a few polite exchanges, then Elvis said, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." He was on "Sun" at that time. Thinking back to that night, The Jordanaires' first tenor, Gordon Stoker, remembers wishing Elvis well, "But we never expected to hear from him again," he said. "People were always coming up and saying that. We're still told that."
Sure enough!! Elvis recorded his first session with RCA on January 10, 1956, with Scotty, Bill, and, D. J. . That day, "I Got A Woman", "Heartbreak Hotel", and, "Money Honey" were recorded. On January 11, 1956, Gordon Stoker was called by Chet Atkins to do a session with a "new-probably-wouldn't-be-around-long kid, named Elvis Presley"---oily hair, pink shirt, black trousers. RCA had, also, just signed "The Speer Family". Chet asked Gordon to sing with Ben and Brock Speer so he could use them. On that day, "I'm Counting On You" and "I Was The One" made history by being the first recording session that Elvis, did with vocal background. By April 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" was "No. 1". After having done several more recording sessions in New York with Scotty, Bill and D. J., Elvis flew to Nashville on April 14, 1956, to record "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You". Gordon was called, again, to sing a vocal trio with Ben and Brock. After the session, Elvis took Gordon aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he wanted "the" Jordanaires on all his future recording sessions. This time, Stoker saw to it that it was known - and - true to his word - Elvis used the Jordanaires on nearly every one of his recording sessions for the next 14 years. At a time when no backing musicians, producers, or engineers received a name recognition on any records, Elvis insisted that he have "with the Jordanaires" on the "labels" of his records. The reflected glory was enough to earn the Jordanaires "Group of the Year" awards well into the Beatles era.
They also appeared in his movies, and on many of his landmark television appearances.
Awards
They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The group is also in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. They were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Musical influence
The Jordanaires have been one of country music's premier backup vocal groups, working with artists such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton, Ferlin Husky, Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dolly Parton, Red Foley, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson, and George Jones. They also served as backup vocalists for pop music artists such as Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Connie Francis and Julie Andrews.
They are best known across the world as the backup vocalists for a number of Elvis Presley'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). In addition to singing backup for other musicians, the group toured extensively around the world plus they recorded a number of music albums on their own, winning a Grammy Award in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album. They continue to record: "On The Jericho Road", A Friend We Have in Jesus and others.
Specials Guests
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.
- They sang the harmonies on Ringo Starr's second album, Beaucoups of Blues.
- The Jordanaires also provided vocal support for Ricky Nelson on "Poor Little Fool," "Lonesome Town," "It's Late," and other hit recordings.
- The Jordanaires appear on the second album by The Grascals, on the song "Did You Forget God Today?"
- Sung with The Tractors (of Steve Ripley)
- In 1996. they lent their vocal talents to the Ween album, 12 Golden Country Greats.
- In 1997, they sang Who'll Be The One If Not Me for the off-Broadway musical Violet.
- In 2007, they recorded "Save Your Dreams" by Americana artist Shark (Wild Colonials)