The requests for more bits of wisdom from the late JD Sumner keep pouring in. So, to honor those requests, I've put together one final post in this series. But, there are plenty more that could be used - and they just might show up down the road.

November, 1989

I have been so depressed since losing my tenor singer. When it seems I can't handle the battles of running a quartet any more, I hear the good news - I can get Steve back. Now Jerry [Trammell] is trembling and standing in fear because he knows little Stevie Boy is very near. There's just one catch, because nothing is perfect. I have to get rid of my egotistical lead singer, Jack Toney. How can you have a Jack Toney Show with Jack? What to do? What to do? I have the answer and I'll pass it on to you. I'll keep ole Jerry, Jack and Ed too, and even CJ. Jerry is good and Ed ain't half bad, but Jack and the Jack Toney Show...I'm sorry, Steve...but Jack ain't gonna go! I can boastfully say that Jerry is here and Jerry will stay, because on our California trip, he found the bus twice by himself, and even though he can't pick out his clothes, he can dress himself. He even gets out of bed sometimes by 10:00 AM. I think I may have found me a "dandy" this time!

January 1990

Fancy clothes...most of us don't make enough money to wear them sinful things, but I have noticed the Cathedrals; they can afford fancy clothes.

January 1991

When the McKameys came into our business, I was astounded, amazed, flabbergasted, to say the least. I had never seen a group so unique as Peg and The McKameys. I have never been one to remember names, but the name Peg stayed with me as she quickly blossomed as the star of the show. I owe an apology to Ruben because I have just learned his name. For four years now I thought his name was Whurzpeg because when people would pass by him, they would say, "Hi, Whurzpeg," so I thought that was his name.

May 1992

When I started singing Gospel in 1942, we opened up with 15 minutes of Gospel, 15 minutes of Western, 15 minutes of comedy, 15 minutes of Pop, and closed out with 15 minutes of Gospel. At that time, Stamps had fifty quartets on the road. They all followed the same pattern. We did not preach, testify, and sure didn't cry. We didn't take our troubles to the audience. It goes along with a phrase I used, "Give your testimony even if you have to use words." In other words, "Sing your testimony."

September 1994

My article is entitled I CAN'T WAIT. Sometimes it would be better if I did. This rings true with another article in The Singing News entitled "One Man's Opinion." It is written by Brian "Rush" Sanders. Where has this genius been? If we had his knowledge back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, our business would be so big that it could not be contained! Somebody needs to take him to one side, wipe his nose, change his diapers, and tell him something about Gospel Music.

January 1995

When a promoter books Gold City or The Cathedrals, The Stamps or The Kingsmen and then throws three local groups on before you hear what you paid to hear, it's bad and people are staying home because of it. I heard one group say that God does not look for quality, that He looks at the heart. I won't argue with them about what God does or does not look for, but one thing I do know - God doesn't pay $10 to get in!

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One final closing note: Happy 15th Birthday to my son Gregory. We're on the way to the driver's license office.

Pray.

Real hard.