Sumner served in the United States military during World War II from 1942 until his discharge in 1945. He began to pursue his dream of being a bass singer when he formed the "Sunny South Quartet." He began to make a name for himself after joining the "Sunshine Boys" in 1948.
In 1954 James Blackwood asked Sumner to replace Bill Lyles in the The Blackwood Brothers' bass slot when R. W. Blackwood and Lyles lost their lives in a plane crash. After joining the Blackwood Brothers, Sumner's fame began to skyrocket.
Sumner and James Blackwood soon became partners in a number of business ventures that took on a life of their own. In 1956, they formed the National Quartet Convention, an event which continues to be the largest event in gospel music. Sumner dubbed it "the Granddaddy of them all." Sumner and Blackwood also formed the Gospel Music Association, which recognizes achievement annually in all forms of gospel music through the Dove Awards. Sumner and Blackwood adapted the first bus for touring purposes.
The two men purchased the Stamps Quartet in 1963. Sumner continued to sing with the Blackwood Brothers for a period of time after this. He ultimately decided to leave the group and sing with the Stamps so he could manage them directly. It is during this time JD decided that each singer needed a microphone, thus the beginning of the use of individual microphones. In time they began to be billed as "J. D. Sumner and the Stamps."
In November of 1971, J. D. Sumner and the Stamps were invited to tour with Elvis Presley. The group became a regular fixture with Presley until his last concert on June 26th, 1977. The Stamps were also featured on most of Presley’s studio recordings between 1972 and 1977. In the midst of their popularity while performing with Presley, the Stamps released what is probably their most critically acclaimed recording, a double LP titled Live At Murray State. The singers joining J. D. Sumner on that recording were Ed Hill, Ed Enoch, and Bill Baize.
Sumner disbanded the Stamps in 1980. He then joined Jake Hess, Hovie Lister, Rosie Rozell, and James Blackwood to form the Masters V. This group toured until 1988. Lister served as the group's emcee while Sumner injected his brand of dry humor into their performances. One of the highlights of Sumner's years with the Masters V was a joint concert in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with an up and coming group known as the Rivertown Boys.
In 1983, the Guinness Book Of World Records recognized Sumner's 1966 solo recording of the hymn "Blessed Assurance." According to Guinness, the song contained the lowest recorded note ever produced by a human voice, a "double low" C. The recording was re-issued in 1984 as part of Sumner's solo project Thank God For Kids and again in 1999 posthumously on The Wait Is Over.
After the Masters V disbanded in 1988, J. D. Sumner brought back the Stamps with former member Ed Hill, Jack Toney, and former Masters V tenor and arranger Steve Warren. In the early 1990s, the Stamps were active participants in the Gaither Homecoming videos. They also enjoyed a great deal of success performing at Elvis Presley tribute events, both domestically and overseas. In addition to Ed Hill, Ed Enoch, Rick Strickland, Jerry Kelso and CJ Almgren were members of the group during Sumner’s final years.
J. D. Sumner died in 1998 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was on tour at the time of his death. In addition to his other accomplishments, he wrote more than 700 songs. He has also inspired many generations of future southern gospel singers, including the up-and-coming bass singer, Garrett Mathison.
J.D. was well-known among his many friends as someone who cared deeply about the disenfranchised and the struggling. Mark Lowry told the story of a young man whom J.D. worked diligently to have released from prison in time for Christmas, in order that the man could spend Christmas with his family. Lowry asked J.D. why the man had been in prison. "Why does it make any difference?" was J.D.'s reply.
1960s - Blackwoods Brothers recordings featuring J.D. Sumner:
1970s - Elvis Presley recordings featuring J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:
1970s - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:
1980s - Masters V:
1980s - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:
1990s - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps:
* Golden Memories Of Elvis
* The Real Facts About Elvis' Death
* Peace In The Valley - 1993
* The Final Sessions - 1999
* Hall Of Fame - 1999
GREEN
J.D. Sumner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas envy who they can't be
Put em on game, but they still ain't me
Coming up I had to struggle (I had to struggle!)
I ain't let my circumstances change me (I'll never change!)
You'll pay the price playing games, it ain't cheap (It ain't cheap!)
Waved the rod at him, now he can't breathe
Fuck around and parlay me a nigga (Parlay!)
K C em no JoJo
One deep in a four door
Pop out with this steel and be still like a photo
Post up at yo shit like it's marketing, promo
My niggas say slide I'm gone ride, Somo (Bitch I'm gone ride!)
Ya not out, so don't tell them lies no mo (Shh!)
One's in the dash when I'm riding solo (It's in the dash!)
I'm good wherever
But niggas will never stop plotting til you ain't alive no more
Straight facts
Shown hella love to people and got hate back (Uh-huh)
Solid nigga, I've done everything I said I would
I'm everything these niggas not I know they hate that (Hahaha)
The type of love I show, ya can't fake that (Yeah)
I put that on my bros, I won't take that (Nah)
Out of all the people that stepped out on me
There isn't a soul that I'd take back
Once you pick a side you gone stay there
We play for keeps, that don't mean that we play fair
Better make peace with yourself while you can
Whatever bed you make you gotta lay there (You gotta lay there)
Aye
Sustaining more wealth has been stuck on my mind
Bitch, you know ain't no future in fronting
You ever front me I'm gone leave you behind
Yeah I done made up my mind already
Chasing that cheese like Tom and Jerry
There ain't too much that I worry about
But being broke that shit is kinda scary
Visualized it so it's mine already
Now I just gotta go get it
All of my niggas we tryna get millions
None of my niggas be sitting and chilling
Fuck anybody who telling me different
Every day wake up and get to the mission
Grind for my women, I grind for my children
You telling me quit, man that shit ain't convincing
Everyday wake up be busting my ass
Seeing me sweating, I run to the cash
Saying you knew me, I sit back and laugh
I ain't that same one from the past
But now I'm locked and loaded
Shoot my shot like Plaxico
Whole city know I'm next to blow
They goin love me like X and O's
I'm sick with it, let me blow my nose
I walk in and the room get cold
Yeah everybody say they got yo back
But fall down and the truth exposed
Nah that ain't me
Uh-uh
Put em on game, but they still ain't me (I had to struggle!)
I ain't let my circumstances change me (I'll never change!)
You'll pay the price playing games, it ain't cheap (It ain't cheap!)
Waved the Rod at him, now he can't breathe
Fuck around and parlay me a nigga
You'll be the homie that ya homies can't see
The song "Green" by J.D. Sumner is a lyrical description by the artist about his experience with drugs and the culture surrounding it. In the opening lines, he acknowledges that his name precedes him and he is known for being notorious in the drug industry. He talks about the different varieties of drugs that are available in the market and how he is like a menace to society due to his involvement with them. He then goes on to describe his writing style, comparing it to that of a pit bull off the leash, vicious and relentless.
Sumner then talks about the amount of money he makes from selling drugs and how he needs more. He mentions winter coming and needing fleece which can be seen as a metaphor for a sense of security or material possessions he wants. He searches for the strongest strains of weed that can provide him with a sense of peace amidst the chaos of his life. He talks about his fashion style and how it attracts women, giving the impression that he is somewhat of a ladies' man.
Further, Sumner references the COVID pandemic and how he is trying to be cautious by not coughing around others. He talks about the importance of being smart and cautious for the sake of his children. He then goes on to describe his environment, making a statement about how the field doesn't come with grass, and using kush as a metaphor for the environment he has created.
Sumner concludes with the thought-provoking line "You know the field don't come with grass, I just bought it where the kush be" which may be interpreted in different ways. With this line, he emphasizes that people need to create their own path and make their own opportunities.
Overall, "Green" by J.D. Sumner is a song that delves into the world of drugs and the effects they have on individuals' lives. Through his lyrics, he describes a gritty and dangerous world that is both thrilling and tragic.
Line by Line Meaning
Name proceeds him
His reputation precedes him
Trap notoriety
He is famous in the drug dealing world
Flavors a variety
He deals with different kinds of drugs
Menace to society (Yeeeah)
He is seen as a danger to society
Pen vicious like a pit off da leash
He writes aggressively, like a fierce dog
Too much paper in the streets bruh I need me a piece (whew)
There are a lot of drugs being sold, so he wants to get his share of the money
Winter round the corner imma need me some fleece
He needs warm clothing for the upcoming cold season
Find the strongest strain round when I need me some peace (LOUD)
He looks for the most potent drugs to help him relax and escape from reality
Jordan 3's Ziplock fulla potent trees (uh huh)
He carries his drugs in a Ziplock bag inside his Jordan 3 shoes
These young niggas nowadays they just point and squeeze
He observes that young people these days tend to shoot without thinking, without any real purpose
Different pedigree cut from a different cloth
He sees himself as unique or different, set apart from others
Said she love my vibe & energy and clothes was slipping off
He had a sexual encounter with a woman who was attracted to his personality and style
Covid going round so round a nigga you can't even cough
Because of the pandemic, he is cautious about coughing around people
Moving smarter for ya kids but they say you getting soft
He is making strategic decisions to protect his family, but others perceive him as losing his edge or becoming less tough as a result
You know the field don't come with grass
He is referring to the drug dealing world, which is difficult and full of obstacles
I just bought it that where the kush be
He recently acquired a new batch of marijuana
You pass me the weed and you walk away
Someone gives him the weed and leaves without hanging out
You gon find the blunt where your foot be
He tells the person who left where to find the blunt they gave him
I know you just ain't crash that car
He is questioning someone's claim that they crashed their car
You ain't even drive that far
He doesn't believe they had traveled very far before the supposed crash
Ayo the vic got clapped up
Someone was shot (vic refers to victim)
The piff got wrapped up
The marijuana was packaged and secured
My girl ass fat, the homies seen, the kid got dapped up
His girlfriend's attractive body was noticed and appreciated by his friends
Acknowledgement, I like that, I ain't puff but I took a drag
He enjoys the recognition, even though he doesn't actually smoke marijuana
Of the OG like an oldie that shit took me back
A specific strain of marijuana reminds him of an earlier time or experience
We pushing facts on this side
He and his associates are truthful and reliable
Like Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Kinkos
He is emphasizing that they are a reliable and trustworthy source
Y'all better go and copy that
He is encouraging others to take advantage of their services
Reem poed a Japanese bottle
Someone named Reem drank from a Japanese bottle of alcohol
I threw the vodka back
He drank the vodka quickly
I thought they only made sake
He was surprised to hear that the bottle contained vodka, because he thought it was only used to make sake
Hunneds up in the Prada bag
Hundreds of dollars are in a designer bag
Ya product lack, my pocket monster like a Pokéman
He insults someone by saying their product is inferior, and boasts about his own wealth in a playful way
I'm famous on my cross streets, she wanna hold my hand
He is well-known in his local area, and a woman is interested in him
Come to my show, it's only fans, before only fans
He is inviting people to come see him perform (likely as a rapper), and referencing the OnlyFans website
No hoe tendencies I still gotta pose for cams
He doesn't behave in promiscuous ways, but still has to appear on camera
Y'all Roley pollie y'all Rollie tickin y'all phony fam
He insults others for wearing fake Rolex watches
I put my life in these lines and I ain't have to phone the fam
He takes risks and puts his own life on the line in his lyrics, without telling his family beforehand
You not fire, you a pool
He insults someone by saying they are not impressive, and compares them to a body of water
I'm a furnace not dependent on temperatures
He is self-sufficient and self-motivated, unlike a home heating system
I keep it cool like a thermos
Despite his confident demeanor, he is able to remain calm under pressure
You know the field don't come with grass
He repeats this line likely to emphasize the challenges that come with drug-dealing
I just bought it that where the kush be
He repeats this line to reaffirm the source of the marijuana he obtained earlier
You pass me the weed and you walk away
He repeats this line to signal he is ready to smoke the blunt his friend gave him earlier
You gon find the blunt where your foot be
He repeats this line to remind his friend where they left the blunt earlier
I know you just ain't crash that car
He repeats this line to emphasize his disbelieve about the claim of a recent car crash
You ain't even drive that far
He repeats this line to further emphasize his suspicions about the car crash
I know
He repeats this line to signify that he is aware or certain about something
I know
He repeats this line to reemphasize his previous line
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jayland Sanders, Sheldon Doss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind