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The JordanairesFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Jordanaires are an American singing group formed in 1948 best known for backing many of Elvis Presley's recordings, along with working with many prominent country music stars.
MembersThe group formed in 1948 as The Melodizing Matthews in Springfield, Missouri, with members Bill Matthews (first tenor), Bob Hubbard (second tenor/lead), Bill's brother Warren "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 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 recorded for Capitol Records in the early 1950s and began providing vocal accompaniment behind solo singers in Nashville, Tennessee. 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, 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, formally of the Anita Kerr Singers. Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young. Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31, 2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident in March. With Elvis Presley
One Sunday afternoon in 1955, the Jordanaires played a show in Memphis with Eddy Arnold to publicize their new syndicated TV series, Eddy Arnold Time (for the program the group used the name Gordonaires). They sang "Peace In The Valley", and when the show was over, a young man, quiet and courteous, with plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was Elvis Presley, a 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."[1] He was on Sun Records at that time. On January 10, 1956, Elvis recorded his first session for RCA with Scotty, Bill and D. J. That day, "I Got A Woman", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Money Honey" were recorded. True to his word, Elvis asked his new label RCA Victor if The Jordanaires could appear on the recordings. The next day Gordon Stoker was called by Chet Atkins to do a session with a new kid, named Elvis. RCA had also just signed The Speer Family. Chet asked Stoker 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 Presley 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". Stoker was called again, to sing a vocal trio with Ben and Brock. After the session, Elvis took Stoker aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he had wanted "The Jordanaires." This time, Stoker saw to it—and 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[citation needed] that he have "with the Jordanaires" on the label of his records. The reflected glory was enough to earn the Jordanaires "Group of the Year" awards well into the late sixties. They also appeared in some of Elvis's movies, and on many of his television appearances. Musical influenceThe Jordanaires have been one of country music's premier backup vocal groups, working with artists such as Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Horton, Ferlin Husky, Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown, 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 and Eydie Gorme, Connie Francis and Julie Andrews. They are best known across the world as the backup vocalists for a number of Presley's hit singles, with whom they performed for more than 15 years and backed up on 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, They continue to record: "On The Jericho Road", A Friend We Have in Jesus and others. In 1999, a call to Jordanaires' first tenor Gordon Stoker by lifelong Jordanaires' musical disciple and Grammy Award-Winning artist-producer Art Greenhaw resulted in an impressive run of 6 Grammy Nominated albums in 6 different years and a Grammy Award win. Gospel music pioneer James Blackwood was also responsible for the initial Jordanaires' collaboration on the indie label Greenhaw Records. The years between 1999 and 2006 saw The Jordanaires and Greenhaw artistically joined and Grammy Nominated with James Blackwood, The Light Crust Doughboys, Ann-Margret, Engelbert Humperdinck, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Larry Ford, Nokie Edwards (of The Ventures) and Larry T-Byrd Gordon. In addition, The Jordanaires-Greenhaw Records teaming also received a Dove Award Nomination for Best Country Album of the Year for GOD IS LOVE: THE GOSPEL SESSIONS with Ann-Margret. Guest appearancesThe Jordanaires performed with many modern recording artists as well as recent sessions with country music legends.
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Categories: American gospel musical groups | Musical groups established in 1948 | 1940s music groups | 1950s music groups | 1960s music groups | 1970s music groups | 1980s music groups | 1990s music groups | 2000s music groups | Southern gospel performers | Grammy Award winners | Grand Ole Opry members | Country Music Hall of Fame inductees | Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees | Rockabilly Hall of Fame inductees | Vocal quartets | RCA Victor artists |
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