Inducted 1997

Spanning an amazing career of over 50 years, J.D. Sumner will long hold the title of being one of the most innovative men in the entire music field.

J.D.'s professional singing career began in 1945 with the Sunny South Quartet in Tampa, Florida. Over the next few years, he also gained valuable experience as manager of the Dixie Lily Harmoneers. 

His big break, however, came in 1949 when he was hired as bass singer for the Sunshine Boys. After a five-year stint with the Sunshine Boys, J.D. joined the Blackwood Brothers and sang some of the lowest notes in the business for the next eleven years. 

In 1965, he left the Blackwoods to manage and sing bass for the Stamps Quartet. Over the next generation, J.D. and the Stamps became a fixture of the Southern Gospel Music world and became known to millions outside the gospel music community as a result of touring with Elvis Presley from 1971 to 1977. 

During the 1980s, Sumner's bass anchored yet another critically acclaimed quartet-the Masters V.

J.D. has been listed in Guiness Book of World Records as the World’s Lowest Bass Singer.  J.D.'s many other contributions included the introduction of the tour bus to the music industry in 1955 and the creation of the National Quartet Convention in 1957. He also composed over 700 songs, including "The Old Country Church." He served as Southern Gospel Music Association President from 1996 to 1998.