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GORDON STOKER DIES
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Tony
Mar 28, 2013, 10:31:08 PM3/28/13
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You might not have known the name Gordon Stoker, but odds are you
probably have an album in your collection with his vocals represented on
it.
Stoker, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 88, was a member of
Country Music Hall of Fame vocalists The Jordanaires for over 60 years,
with his tenor being heard on records by artists such as Elvis Presley,
Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves.
According to the group's website, total sales of music that included
their vocals total more than eight billion copies.
Stoker's son Alan told the Associated Press that Stoker died Wednesday
at his home in Brentwood, Tenn., after a lengthy illness.
Born in rural Gleason, TN in northwest Tennessee on August 3, 1924,
Stoker joined the group in 1949 -- the year they joined the Grand Ole
Opry. He was originally hired as a pianist, but by 1951, the Jordanaires
had evolved into a vocal group, bringing fans to their feet at the Ryman
Auditorium with their energetic performances of songs of the day in
addition to their warm and capable versions of Gospel songs, such as
"Noah."
In 1955, the quartet became acquainted with a local artist who at a
show in Memphis who told them if he ever got a recording contract with a
major company, he wanted them to back him up. Signed to Sun Records at
the time, Elvis Presley made good on his offer, as the singer inked a
deal with RCA Victor not soon after. From 1956-1970, the Jordanaires
were the background group on the majority of Presley's records and also
appeared on the soundtracks of many of his films in the 1960s.
In addition to Presley, Stoker and the Jordanaires appeared on classic
records such as Cline's "Crazy," Reeves' "Four Walls," and Loretta
Lynn's "Coal Miner' Daughter" . The group continued to be highly
sought-after into the new millenium, with recent performances on albums
by The Grascals and Kristin Chenoweth. The group was inducted into the
Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
In recent years, Stoker made many appearances in Bill Gaither's
"Homecoming" videos.
You might not have known the name Gordon Stoker, but odds are you
probably have an album in your collection with his vocals represented on
it.
Stoker, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 88, was a member of
Country Music Hall of Fame vocalists The Jordanaires for over 60 years,
with his tenor being heard on records by artists such as Elvis Presley,
Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves.
According to the group's website, total sales of music that included
their vocals total more than eight billion copies.
Stoker's son Alan told the Associated Press that Stoker died Wednesday
at his home in Brentwood, Tenn., after a lengthy illness.
Born in rural Gleason, TN in northwest Tennessee on August 3, 1924,
Stoker joined the group in 1949 -- the year they joined the Grand Ole
Opry. He was originally hired as a pianist, but by 1951, the Jordanaires
had evolved into a vocal group, bringing fans to their feet at the Ryman
Auditorium with their energetic performances of songs of the day in
addition to their warm and capable versions of Gospel songs, such as
"Noah."
In 1955, the quartet became acquainted with a local artist who at a
show in Memphis who told them if he ever got a recording contract with a
major company, he wanted them to back him up. Signed to Sun Records at
the time, Elvis Presley made good on his offer, as the singer inked a
deal with RCA Victor not soon after. From 1956-1970, the Jordanaires
were the background group on the majority of Presley's records and also
appeared on the soundtracks of many of his films in the 1960s.
In addition to Presley, Stoker and the Jordanaires appeared on classic
records such as Cline's "Crazy," Reeves' "Four Walls," and Loretta
Lynn's "Coal Miner' Daughter" . The group continued to be highly
sought-after into the new millenium, with recent performances on albums
by The Grascals and Kristin Chenoweth. The group was inducted into the
Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
In recent years, Stoker made many appearances in Bill Gaither's
"Homecoming" videos.
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