Donnie Sumner

Donnie Sumner is a Southern Gospel singer, songwriter, and minister. He began his professional music career in the early 1960s and is the nephew of gospel singer J.D. Sumner. In 1965, he joined J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, serving as the lead vocalist and arranger for nearly eight years. Sumner was also a member of the Elvis Presley entourage, working as a vocal arranger and backup singer for Presley from 1971 to 1976. During this period, his songwriting earned significant recognition. He received the SESAC Award as "Best Country Songwriter" in 1969. The following year, his composition "The Night Before Easter" won the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for "Gospel Song of the Year." Also in 1970, his song "The Things That Matter" was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of "Country Song of the Year." Following his years in the music industry, Sumner became a minister in the Church of God. He has performed in a ministry capacity known as "Concerts of Praise." He also authored an autobiography titled *In the Shadow of Kings: From the 'King of Rock' to 'The King of Kings.'*