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