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.
Filmography
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
2026
as Self (archive footage)
Elvis: A Life in Music
2026
as Self (archive footage)
Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis
2022
as vocals
Elvis In Concert Remastered
2009
as Self - backing vocals (uncredited)
Sunday Meetin' Time
2006
A Tribute To George Younce
2005
Kennedy Center Homecoming
2002
Atlanta Homecoming
1998
as Himself
All Day Singing at The Dome
1998
as Self
This Is My Story
1997
as Himself
Feelin' At Home
1997
Gaither's Pond: The Lure Depths
1997
The Sweetest Song I Know
1995
as Himself
The Elvis I Knew
1994
as Self
Elvis: The Lost Performances
1992
as Self (archive footage)
Elvis in Concert
1977
as Self - backing vocals (uncredited)
Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii
1973
as Self - Band
Elvis on Tour
1972
as Self - Vocals, The Stamps
- No poster
Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden
1972
as Self - Vocals
Challenge of the Range
1949
as Guitar Player (uncredited)
Quick on the Trigger
1948
as Band Member