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"**
Swing Low Sweet Chariots
The Jordanaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
And I looked over yonder and what did I see,
Coming for to carry me home?
So a band, a band of angels, it was a coming for me,
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Well if you get there before I do,
Coming for to carry me home.
Tell all my friends, I'm a coming too,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me, you, us on, them home.
The Jordanaires's song Swing Low Sweet Chariot is a spiritual hymn that speaks about the anticipation and longing for home. The singer is waiting for the arrival of angels in a chariot to take them home. The use of repetition in the lyrics is a powerful element that conveys the emotional significance behind this hymn. The chorus, "Swing low, sweet chariot, coming to carry me home," stresses the importance of the existence of a higher being, who will come and take the singer to their final departure from this world.
In the second part, the lyrics describe the appearance of the "band of angels" coming for the singer, highlighting the overwhelming and powerful nature of the experience. The final part of the lyrics is a reminder to the singer's friends to also come along if they arrive first. This part conveys the theme of unity and reminds us that we are all on the same journey to our final destination. The overall mood of the song is a mix of melancholy, hope, and spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low, sweet chariot,
A plea to God or an angel to descend on a chariot and take the singer to their heavenly home.
Coming to carry me home.
The singer hopes that the chariot will arrive soon so they can be taken to their eternal home.
And I looked over yonder and what did I see,
The singer sees something in the distance and wonders what it could be.
Coming for to carry me home?
They wonder if the thing they saw is the chariot coming to take them to their eternal home.
So a band, a band of angels, it was a coming for me,
The artist sees that the thing they saw were not just angels, but a whole band of angels coming to take them home.
Coming for to carry you on home.
The angels are not just coming for the singer, but for all those who believe and hope to be carried on to their eternal home.
Well if you get there before I do,
The singer acknowledges the possibility that someone they know may pass away before they do and arrive in their eternal home first.
Tell all my friends, I'm a coming too,
The artist asks the person who arrives first to inform all their friends that they too will be coming soon.
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot,
The artist repeats their plea for the chariot to come and take them to their heavenly home.
Coming for to carry me, you, us on, them home.
The artist expands the scope of the chariot, hoping that it will come for everyone who believes and hopes to be carried home.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Only Çağatay Ulusoy
I believe this is the happiest that I saw him on screen since Viva Las Vegas. You can clearly see that this is the music he LOVED to do. So much passion and soul in this. 1:38 is especially endearing.
jkllcarpenter
Man you can hear it in his voice...see it in his face...feel it in his clapping...Elvis LOVED this type of music! Raw talent. ♥️♾😎
Tiger2k20
He puts a big grin on your face. Incredible talent, looks, soul. He puts his whole body into it.
Jamell Foster
Elvis truly had an amazing voice. He actually died 2 years before I was born but my Mom and uncle introduced me to him as a kid and I have been listening to him probably 35 years now...
A.C. Bernardo
The same here...and I will listen to Elvis for eternity!❤
Lynn Bainton
That man was born with rhythm flowing through his veins! 💖
Maria Mariscal
Yep 😁
A.C. Bernardo
Oh,yes,I agree 💯%!❤❤❤So true.UNIQUE ELVIS!❤❤❤
Belinda Smith
No one has come near having a voice like his, so pure and he sang with, such feeling.
Blackfeet
😂