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The Jordanaires

From Alfawiki
The Jordanaires
Company typeVocal group
IndustryMusic
Founded1948
Headquarters
Nashville, Tennessee
,
United States
ProductsGospel and mainstream music recordings, backing vocals
Number of employees
4 (classic lineup) (1950s–1970s)
Websitewww.jordanaires.com

The Jordanaires originated as a gospel vocal quartet in 1948 in the United States. Their discography spans both religious and mainstream genres, having recorded for prominent labels such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, and Decca Records.

By the mid-1950s, the group—comprising Gordon Stoker (first tenor), Neal Matthews (second tenor and lead singer), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone and lead singer), and Hugh Jarrett (bass)—shifted focus to providing backing vocals for various artists. They gained widespread recognition for their support of Elvis Presley across live shows, studio recordings, and films from 1956 until 1970. In 1958, Ray Walker took over Jarrett’s role. Their extensive collaborations spanned country, gospel, and rock genres, including performances in studios, on stage, and television appearances.

Occasionally, they performed under different names such as the Gordonaires, the Merry Melody Singers, and the Almanac Singers.

Early years

The group was established in the late 1940s by evangelist siblings Monty and Bill Matthews. The original members featured Bill Matthews, Monty Matthews, Bob Hubbard (baritone), Culley Holt (bass), and pianist Bob Money. In 1949, they moved from Springfield, Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee.

That same year, they became part of the Grand Ole Opry, frequently harmonizing with headliner Red Foley. During the early 1950s, Bill and Monty Matthews exited the group; Bob Money was succeeded by Gordon Stoker who assumed lead vocals and tenor duties. Neal Matthews Jr., Hoyt Hawkins, and Hugh Jarrett joined around this time.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, The Jordanaires toured alongside Sister Rosetta Tharpe, marking one of the earliest racially integrated gospel collaborations.

By recording with Capitol Records in the early 1950s, they established themselves as leading backing vocalists within Nashville. Their talent for popularizing spiritual songs like "Dry Bones" set them apart in Southern gospel circles. Alongside their own gospel releases, they earned acclaim for their background harmonies on numerous secular hits.

In the late 1950s, Neal Matthews Jr. created the Nashville Number System to enhance efficiency during recording sessions and accommodate key changes for The Jordanaires and other Nashville musicians.

Elvis Presley

In 1955, backstage in Memphis, The Jordanaires met Elvis Presley who was then signed to Sun Records. Presley expressed interest in having them as backup singers should he sign with a major label. Following his move to RCA Victor Records, Presley's co-producer Chet Atkins initially brought in Gordon Stoker from The Jordanaires for backup vocals during early 1956 sessions. At first, Atkins hired only Stoker along with Ben and Brock Speer of the Speer Family rather than the entire quartet. Presley later requested the full group for subsequent recordings, resulting in ongoing collaboration through 1968 with occasional reunions in 1970 and 1971.

Patsy Cline

From November 1960 through February 1963, The Jordanaires provided backing vocals on every Decca recording session for Patsy Cline. They contributed to major hits including "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," "Sweet Dreams," "She's Got You," and "Walkin' After Midnight," playing a vital role in her commercial achievements during that era.

Post-Elvis and Patsy Cline Era

The Jordanaires' official website notes that in both 1976 and 1979, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored the group with the "Superpickers" award, recognizing them as the vocal ensemble supporting more Top 10 records than any other in history.

Following the passing of Hoyt Hawkins in 1982, Duane West, previously a member of Sonny James' Southern Gentlemen, stepped in to fill the baritone role. Two years later, in 1984, the Country Music Association bestowed upon them the "CMA Masters Award" in recognition of their lifelong contributions to music.

In 1990, The Jordanaires lent their backing vocals to Johnny Cash's Mercury Records release Boom Chicka Boom and also worked alongside the Swedish group Vikingarna.

Later Period and Member Passings

Due to health issues, Duane West departed in 2000 and was succeeded by Louis Nunley. That same year saw the death of Neal Matthews, Jr., a longtime member, whose place was taken by Curtis Young. The Jordanaires were inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Hugh Jarrett passed away in 2008 as a result of injuries from a car accident. Gordon Stoker died in 2013 after an extended illness; his son Alan confirmed that The Jordanaires officially disbanded following his father's wishes.

Previously unreleased tracks by The Jordanaires continue to emerge. A notable example is Dolly Parton's 2023 album Rockstar, which includes an earlier recording of "I Dreamed About Elvis" featuring the group—a song she has performed live since 2007.

Among the surviving members are longtime vocalist Ray Walker and Curtis Young, who joined later.

Classic lineup

  • Hoyt Hawkins – baritone and lead vocals, piano, organ, percussion (1949–1980; deceased 1982)
  • Neal Matthews Jr. – second tenor and lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, double bass, bass guitar (1949–2000; deceased 2000)
  • Gordon Stoker – tenor vocals, piano, organ, percussion (1951–2013; deceased 2013)
  • Ray Walker – bass vocals (1958–2013)

Additional members

  • Bill Matthews – vocals (1948–1949; deceased 2003)
  • Monty Matthews – vocals (1948–1949; deceased 2005)
  • Bob Hubbard – baritone vocals (1948–1949; deceased 2020)
  • Culley Holt – bass vocals (1949–1954; deceased 1980)
  • Bob Money – piano (1949–1951; deceased 2005)
  • Don Bruce – first tenor vocals (1949–1950)
  • Hugh Jarrett – bass vocals (1954–1958; deceased 2008)
  • Duane West – baritone vocals (1980–2000; deceased 2002)
  • Louis Nunley – baritone vocals (2000–2012; deceased 2012)
  • Curtis Young – lead vocals (2000–2013)

Session Contributions

Throughout their extensive career, The Jordanaires have collaborated with numerous distinguished artists across various musical styles, maintaining a strong presence in country music recordings over several decades.

Key collaborations include:

  • 1957: Ricky Nelson's chart-topping tracks such as "Poor Little Fool" and "Lonesome Town"
  • 1959: Johnny Cash's albums The Fabulous Johnny Cash, Songs of our Soil, and I Would Like to See You Again
  • 1962: Faron Young's single "The Comeback"
  • 1964: Cliff Richard's singles including "The Minute You're Gone"
  • 1970: Ringo Starr's album Beaucoups of Blues
  • 1971: Gordon Lightfoot's song "Summer Side of Life"
  • 1973: Bobby Bare's hit "Ride Me Down Easy"
  • 1975: Jack Jersey's albums I Wonder and Honky Tonk Man; Gary Stewart’s RCA debut Out of Hand, which featured three top ten hits
  • 1980-81: Don McLean’s albums Chain Lightning and Believers
  • 1984: Dolly Parton's rendition of "Save the Last Dance for Me" on The Great Pretender
  • 1993: Chicago’s track "Bigger Than Elvis" from Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus
  • 1996: Ween’s album 12 Golden Country Greats
  • Late 1990s to early 2000s: Extensive work with Art Greenhaw leading to a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album for We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music (2003) along with multiple Grammy nominations for projects like The Great Gospel Hit Parade and 20th Century Gospel
  • Between 2002 and 2007: Contributions to works by Steve Ripley of The Tractors, The Grascals, Henry Golis, Chicago’s Band of Praise, Americana artist Shark, Pete Molinari, and The Kingmakers
  • 2011: Kristin Chenoweth’s album Some Lessons Learned, providing backing on the track "What Would Dolly Do"
  • 2023: Dolly Parton's "I Dreamed About Elvis" from her album Rockstar, recorded prior to The Jordanaires’ dissolution following Gordon Stoker’s death in 2013

These sessions underscore The Jordanaires’ enduring impact and versatility within the music industry over more than sixty years.

See also

External links

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