The group formed in 1948, with members Bill Matthews (first teno… Read Full Bio ↴Members
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.
The lineup changed again in 1954, with Cully Holt leaving and new bass Hugh Jarrett (later a disc jockey) 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, formerly of Sonny James' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen. 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.
Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31, 2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident in March.
With Elvis Presley
One Sunday afternoon in 1955, the Jordanaires played a show in Memphis with Eddy Arnold to publicize their new syndicated TV series Eddy Arnold Time (on the program the group used the name Gordonaires). They sang "Peace In The Valley," and when the show was over, a young man, blond, quiet and courteous, with plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was Elvis Presley, a practically unheard of singer just getting his start in the area. There were a few polite exchanges, then Presley said, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." [1] He was on Sun Records at that time.
On January 10, 1956, Elvis recorded his first session for RCA with Scotty, Bill and D. J.. That day, "I Got A Woman", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Money Honey" were recorded. True to his word, Elvis asked his new label RCA Victor if The Jordanaires could appear on the recordings. The next day Gordon Stoker was called by Chet Atkins to do a session with a new kid, named Elvis. RCA had also just signed "The Speer Family". Chet asked Gordon to sing with Ben and Brock Speer so he could use them. On that day, "I'm Counting On You" and "I Was The One" made history by being the first recording session that Elvis did with vocal background. By April 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" was No. 1.
After having done several more recording sessions in New York with Scotty, Bill and D. J., Elvis flew to Nashville on April 14, 1956, to record "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You". Gordon was called again, to sing a vocal trio with Ben and Brock. After the session, Elvis took Gordon aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he had wanted "The Jordanaires." This time, Stoker saw to it - and Elvis used the Jordanaires on nearly every one of his recording sessions for the next 14 years. At a time when no backing musicians, producers, or engineers received a name recognition on any records, Elvis insisted[citation needed] that he have "with the Jordanaires" on the label of his records. The reflected glory was enough to earn the Jordanaires "Group of the Year" awards well into the Beatles era.
They also appeared in Elvis' movies, and on many of his landmark television appearances.
Musical influence
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, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dolly Parton, 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.
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). 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, They continue to record: "On The Jericho Road", A Friend We Have in Jesus and others.
Special Guests
The Jordainaires have been appreciated by a whole new generation and performed with many modern recording artists as well as recent sessions with Country music legends.
Appear on multiple tracks of Johnny Cash's 1978 album I Would Like To See You Again.
They sang the harmonies on Ringo Starr's second album, Beaucoups of Blues.
The Jordanaires also provided vocal support for Ricky Nelson on "Poor Little Fool," "Lonesome Town," "It's Late," and other hit recordings.
The Jordanaires appear on the second album by The Grascals, on the song "Did You Forget God Today?"
Sung with The Tractors (of Steve Ripley)
In 1996. they lent their vocal talents to the Ween album, 12 Golden Country Greats.
In 1997, they sang Who'll Be The One If Not Me for the off-Broadway musical Violet.
In 2007, they recorded "Save Your Dreams" by Americana artist Shark (Wild Colonials)
In 2006 & 2007 they are featured on Park Lane Drive Records. Friends of Henry Golis Wish You A Merry Christmas with The Jordanaires & Henry Golis Presents Good Music With Friends featuring The Jordanaires.
Awards
Grammy Award in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album.
Special awards from RCA for contributions Elvis Presley's Recordings
Nashville Music Association Masters Award
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences award for having sung on more, top-ten recordings than any other group.
Members of world famous Grand Ole Opry for 13 years.
Recognized for eight years, by readers of England's Record Mirror and New Musical Express magazines as one of the world's top ten vocal groups.
inducted, in 1998, into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
inducted, in 1998, into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
inducted, in 1999, into the NACMAI Hall Of Fame (North America Country Music Associations International).
inducted, in 2000, into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
inducted, in 2004, into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
inducted,in 2007 into the Southern Legends Entertainment & Performing Arts Hall of Fame
inducted in 2007 into the "Christian Music Hall Of Fame"
Gordon Stoker-inducted in 2006 into the "SOUTHERN GOSPEL PIANO ROLL OF HONOR"**
Good Luck Charm
The Jordanaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't want an old horse shoe
Want your kiss 'cause I just can't miss
With a good luck charm like you
Come on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight
Don't want a silver dollar
Rabbit's foot on a string
The happiness in your warm caress
No rabbit's foot can bring
Come on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
A-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight
If I found a lucky penny
I'd toss it across the bay
Your love is worth all the gold on earth
No wonder that I say
Come on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
A-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight
The Jordanaires' "Good Luck Charm" is a song about the power of love as a good luck charm. The singer sings about how they do not need any external lucky objects like a four-leaf clover or a rabbit's foot on a string because having their lover's kiss is enough to bring them good luck. They believe that having their lover by their side is like having a good luck charm that they can carry around and rely on at all times.
The lyrics are filled with romantic imagery and metaphors, such as the comparison between their lover and a lucky charm hanging on their arm. The singer's deep love for their significant other is expressed even further when they say that they would choose their love over any amount of gold on earth. The song's bright, upbeat tune and the Jordanaires' trademark harmonies make it a catchy tune that captures the joy and optimism of falling in love.
Overall, "Good Luck Charm" is a love song that uses the idea of a good luck charm as a metaphor for the power of love to bring good fortune and happiness into one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't want a four leaf clover
A four leaf clover isn't what I seek
Don't want an old horse shoe
Even an old horse shoe won't do
Want your kiss 'cause I just can't miss
I desire your kiss for it never fails me
With a good luck charm like you
You're my good luck charm
Come on and be my little good luck charm
Won't you be my little charm of luck
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
You're a wonderful, sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
I desire a lucky charm
A-hanging on my arm
Hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight
To possess and cherish for tonight
Don't want a silver dollar
I don't desire a silver dollar
Rabbit's foot on a string
Even a rabbit's foot won't bring me luck
The happiness in your warm caress
The happiness in your warm embrace
No rabbit's foot can bring
A rabbit's foot cannot bring the same level of happiness
If I found a lucky penny
Even if I found a lucky penny
I'd toss it across the bay
I'd throw it far away
Your love is worth all the gold on earth
Your love is more valuable than all the gold on earth
No wonder that I say
It's no surprise that I say
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON CASEY, BRANDON D CASEY, BRIAN CASEY, BRIAN D CASEY, CHAD ELLIOTT, RODNEY RICHARD, JOHN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leonardovitor9171
Don't want a four leaf clover
Don't want an old horse shoe
Want your kiss 'cause I just can't miss
With a good luck charm like you
Come on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
A-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight
Don't want a silver dollar
Rabbit's foot on a string
The happiness in your warm caress
No rabbit's foot can bring
Come on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
A-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight
If I found a luckyโฆ
@DelphineBournit
Delphine-Esmeralda.
Cette chanson est charmante!
Pleine d amour, pleine de charme!
Lors de sa jeunnesse, Elvis Presley avait un talent naturel pour chanter des chansons trรจs variรฉes, comme le rock qui รฉtait trรจs ร crobatique, trรจs rythme, les gospels รฉtaient magnifiques ร รฉcouter, avec les choristes qui avaient des voix en or!
Delphine-Esmeralda.
@_Emily_S
The back ground singer on this song is my Grandfather, Gordon Stoker. He left this earth in 2013, but I am still so blessed to be able to hear him in the songs he sang!
@_Emily_S
Well, also Ray Walker is singing. He's the bass. But- its mostly just Pop (Thats what we called my grandfather) singing.
@dusanilic7276
This is one of the nicest songs Elvis ever recorded, and that sound and background singing is so important. Thanks for posting!
@josephmeyers3597
That is so cool to actually have had a grandfather that sang with elvis
@yurisidnev9367
Thรฉ Jordanaires!!!
@georginamcnally1480
Amazing claim to fame, God rest his soul
@basketburger
One of my favourite Elvis songs just beautiful โค๏ธ
@anthonymcfaddin2967
The greatest for the next zillion years
@giuseppeg5318
Please, listen to my cover and subscribe the channel if you like it๐:
https://youtu.be/txCsVJLIfzU?feature=shared
@musicformemory8
Elvis Presley could sing any song that is why he's the king