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"**
I Want to Be Free
The Jordanaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only sorrow
And I'm sad
As a man can be
I sit alone in the darkness
Of my lonely room
And this room
Is a prison to me
I look at window
And what to I see
I see a bird
Way up in the tree
I want to be free free
Free
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree
What good are my eyes,
They can't see you
And my arms,
They can't hold so tight
I have two lips
That are yearning,
But they're no good to me
Cause I know I can't kiss you tonight
I look at window
And what to I see
I see a bird
Way up in the tree
I want to be free free
Free
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree
The lyrics of The Jordanaires' song "I Want To Be Free" express a deep sense of longing and sadness. The singer feels trapped and imprisoned in their own loneliness and sorrow. The opening lines convey a lack of joy and overwhelming sorrow, painting a picture of a desolate state of mind. The reference to sitting alone in a dark room implies a sense of isolation and confinement.
The mention of seeing a bird outside the window introduces the central metaphor of the song. The singer longs to be free like the bird in the tree. The bird symbolizes freedom, escape, and the ability to soar above the troubles of the world. The contrast between the bird's freedom and the singer's imprisonment serves to emphasize their desire to break free from their emotional confines.
The second verse further emphasizes the singer's sense of limitations. Their eyes cannot see the person they yearn for, and their arms cannot hold them tightly. The mention of their lips yearning for a kiss highlights their intense longing for physical and emotional intimacy that feels out of reach.
Overall, "I Want To Be Free" captures the universal human desire for freedom from emotional pain and isolation. The longing for freedom symbolized by the bird in the tree conveys a yearning for release from the constraints and limitations that hold the singer captive.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no joy in my heart,
I feel complete sadness and lack of happiness within myself,
Only sorrow
Nothing but deep sadness and grief prevails,
And I'm sad
I am overwhelmed with emotions of sadness,
As a man can be
To the extent a person can possibly experience,
I sit alone in the darkness
I remain by myself in a state of complete obscurity,
Of my lonely room
Within the confinement of my solitary space,
And this room
This physical enclosure,
Is a prison to me
Feels like a place of captivity and confinement,
I look at window
When I gaze outside towards the windowpane,
And what to I see
I am able to perceive,
I see a bird
The sight of a bird,
Way up in the tree
Perched high on a tree branch,
I want to be free free
I yearn to experience freedom, liberation,
Free
Emancipated, without any constraints or limitations,
I want to be free
My desire is to break free from the shackles holding me back,
Like the bird in the tree
Similar to the bird enjoying its unrestricted existence,
What good are my eyes,
The purpose of my eyes is rendered useless,
They can't see you
As they are unable to perceive your presence,
And my arms,
In the same manner,
They can't hold so tight
They are incapable of tightly embracing,
I have two lips
My pair of lips,
That are yearning,
With a strong longing,
But they're no good to me
Yet, they are of no use or benefit to me,
Cause I know I can't kiss you tonight
As I am aware that I cannot have the privilege of kissing you this evening
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TODD ANTHONY SHAW, J. R. BAILEY, ISAAC HAYES, MELVIN KENT, KENNETH WILLIAMS, WILLIE BECK, LEROY BONNER, MARSHALL E. JONES, RALPH MIDDLEBROOKS, MARVIN R. PIERCE, CLARENCE SATCHELL, JAMES L. WILLIAMS
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