Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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JORDANAIRES, The

Vocal quartet originally formed in 1948 in Springfield MO. They appeared on the Grand Ole Opry '49 and became well-known throughout the South, especially for gospel material. They backed Red Foley on his million-selling 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee' in 1950, the same year Hugh Gordon Stoker (b 3 August 1924, Gleason TN), who was already an experienced musician and singer, joined as their piano player. The lead tenor could not perform on a date in 1952 and Stoker took his place; Hoyt Hawkins (d 1982) came in to play piano, and the group became nationally famous when they backed Elvis Presley on many records beginning '56.

Stoker sang in a trio with Ben and Brock Speer on Presley's first RCA recording session in early '56 (because Chet Atkins had just signed the Speer Family); the 'Hound Dog' date in July included Stoker, Hawkins, Neal Matthews and Hugh Jarrett (d 31 May 2008 aged 78 after a traffic accident) as the Jordanaires, the personnel completely changed since 1948 but then remaining constant for many years. They sessioned on countless country records, often making several a day. They won a Grammy '65 for the best religious album; combined with the Imperial quartet on Elvis's 'Indescribably Blue' ('67, his 54th gold disc), etc. Their albums included Church In The Wildwood on Vocalion (MCA), The Jordanaires on Columbia.