The Jordanaires are an American singing group formed in 1948 in Springfield, Missouri. Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri. ...

History

The group formed in 1948, with members Bill Matthews (first tenor), Bob Hubbard (second tenor/lead), Bill's brother Monty Matthews (baritone), Culley Holt (bass), and pianist Bob Money. After three years, Money was replaced by new pianist Gordon Stoker. This lineup lasted until 1952; at that time, Bob Hubbard was drafted and was replaced by Hoyt Hawkins. Later that year, Monty and Bill Matthews left. Hawkins switched to baritone, and new lead Neal Matthews, Jr. was recruited. Don Bruce came in as a new first tenor; however, he was drafted the next year. The group narrowed to a quartet, with Stoker taking over as first tenor. 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

The lineup changed again in 1954, with Cully Holt leaving and new bass Hugh Jarrett coming in. Jarrett remained until 1958; at that time, he was replaced by Ray Walker. This lineup, consisting of Gordon Stoker, first tenor and manager, Neal Matthews, Jr., second tenor and lead, Hoyt Hawkins, baritone, and Ray Walker, bass, would be the group's most stable lineup, lasting throughout the 1960s and 70s.

The group changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West. The lineup remained constant for another two decades, with West leaving due to illness in 1999 (he died in 2002). His replacement was Louis Nunley.

Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young.

They have sung also with The Tractors (of Steve Ripley), with Tennessee Ernie Ford, and made several records: "On The Jericho Road", A Friend We Have in Jesus and others. Steve Ripley out in woods. ... Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 -October 17, 1991), better known by the stage name Tennessee Ernie Ford, was a pioneering U.S. recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country & western, pop, and gospel musical genres. ...

In addition, The Jordanaires lent their vocal talents to the Ween album, 12 Golden Country Greats. Ween is an alternative rock group formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. ... 12 Golden Country Greats (named not for the number of songs on the album, but the number of session musicians involved) was Weens 5th album, and third for Elektra Records. ...

Legacy

The Jordanaires have been one of country music's premier backup vocal groups, working with artists such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton, Ferlin Husky, Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Ween, Red Foley, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson, and George Jones. They also served as backup vocalists for pop music artists such as Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Connie Francis and Julie Andrews. This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Patsy Cline (September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American country music singer, who enjoyed pop music cross-over success during the era of the Nashville Sound in the early 1960s. ... Johnny Horton (April 30, 1925 – November 5, 1960) was an American country music singer. ... Ferlin Husky (born December 3, 1925 in Flat River, Missouri) is an American singer who has become well-known as a country-pop chart-topper under various names, including Terry Preston and Simon Crum. ... Tammy Wynette (May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998) was a country singer and songwriter. ... Kenneth Donald Kenny Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman. ... Ween is an alternative rock group formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. ... Clyde Julian Red Foley ( June 17, 1910 - September 19, 1968) was a country music singer. ... Jim Reeves (August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964) was an American country singer and pop singer. ... Willie Nelson (born William Hugh Nelson, 30 April 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... George Glenn Jones (born September 12, 1931), is an American country music artist known for his distinctive voice and phrasing that frequently evoke the raw emotions caused by grief, unhappy love, and emotional hardship. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ... Steve Lawrence (born July 8, 1935) is an American singer, perhaps best known as a member of a duo with his wife Eydie Gormé. The two have appeared together since appearing regularly on Steve Allens The Tonight Show in the mid 1950s[1][2]. Lawrence is an actor as... Eydie Gorme (real name Edith Gormezano) (born August 16, 1931 in The Bronx, New York City, United States), is an American singer, and wife of Steve Lawrence. ... Connie Francis (born December 12, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American pop singer best known for international hit songs such as Whos Sorry Now?, Where The Boys Are, and Everybodys Somebodys Fool. ... Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews, DBE (born Julia Elizabeth Wells[1] on 1 October 1935[2]) is a BAFTA, Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning English actress, singer, author and cultural icon. ...

They are best known across the world as the backup vocalists for a number of Elvis Presley's hit singles, with whom they performed for more than fifteen years and backed up on well over 100 different songs (singles and album cuts, on television and in a number of films). The Jordanaires also provided vocal support for Ricky Nelson on "Poor Little Fool," "Lonesome Town," "It's Late," and other hit recordings. Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

In addition to singing backup for other musicians, the group toured extensively around the world plus they recorded a number of music albums on their own, winning a Grammy Award in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album. An album (from Latin albus white, blank, relating to a blank book in which something can be inserted) is a packaged collection of related things. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Awards

They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The group is also in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. They were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals in all forms of gospel music. ... This official history of the Country Music Hall of Fame skirts the scandals well-documented by veteran Music Row historian Stacy Harris. ... The Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on March 21, 1997 to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre. ... The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor what they term the Greatest Vocal Groups in the World. The Hall of Fame is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• The Jordanaires Page
• 'The Jordanaires' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page