Recently, I was in a discussion about "flash in the pan" gospel groups. These were groups that made a big hit in the gospel music field, but had a very short life span. The Stamps Trio was one such group. Their career was short, but quite active.
The name of the trio recalls a deep heritage in gospel singing. There have been numerous versions of "Stamps" groups singing and promoting gospel music for many years. This is one of the few trios that used that famous name.
The members of the Stamps Trio were young, but all had made a mark in gospel music prior to forming the group. They began their career around 1964, and it lasted less than a year.
Donnie Sumner was the baritone singer and pianist for the group. The unique sound of the Stamps Trio focused around his interesting arrangements and original compositions. Donnie is the nephew of the late J.D. Sumner. He received much of his formal training in the Music Education Department at Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee. This trio demonstrated the ability to take songs both old and new and make them sound fresh and interesting.
The lead singer for the group was Byron Burgess. Byron had previously spent time singing with the Harmoneers Quartet and was also a member of the Rhythm Masters Quartet. He and Donnie often switched parts, so the title "lead singer" may be a bit misleading. Bryon possessed a very smooth voice, and was a noted vocal instructor at the famous Stamps Quartet School of Music.
Jim Murray was the tenor singer for the Stamps Trio. Jim's name became a household word among gospel music fans when he joined Jake Hess and the Imperials. Prior to joining the Stamps Trio, Jim had traveled the country with the Orrell Quartet. Jim added his beautiful tenor voice to the talents of Larry Orrell, Buddy Liles, Johnny Marine, and Chuck Ramsey in that fine young quartet.
This group was not a full time aggregation, for all the members had "day jobs" within the Stamps organization. Jim, Byron, and Donnie all worked at the Stamps Quartet Music Company in Dallas, Texas and were "weekend warriors" as the Stamps Trio. Instead of concert performers, their job was reminiscent of earlier years in gospel music. Their main job was to sell Stamps Quartet Music Company song books!
The Stamps Trio was known as an ambassador for the Stamps Quartet Music Company. While the big groups of the day were singing in air conditioned auditoriums, much of their time were spent at singing conventions promoting the latest Stamps Quartet Music Company song books. Instead of giving full concerts, they were relegated to hot school rooms singing one or two "special" songs after several hours of class singing. That is called dedication to gospel music!
Temple Records, a division of Stamps Quartet Music, Inc. released two recordings by this short-lived group. "Temple Records Presents the Stamps Trio" and "Command Performance Featuring the Stamps Trio" are very much in demand by gospel music collectors. It is very interesting to hear some of the arrangements contained on these albums, for several of them were used nearly note for note by other groups in later years.
The talents of these gentlemen were not overlooked by the gospel music community. Their exceptional talents probably led to the break up of the trio. Donnie Sumner joined his uncle J.D. as pianist and later lead singer for the Stamps Quartet. Jim Murray replaced Sherill Nielsen in the Imperials Quartet. Lee Gann and Dean Brown joined the trio for a short time before it disbanded.
The name "Stamps" was represented in fine fashion with this outstanding trio. They may have attained "flash in the pan" status, but they are no doubt an interesting part of the history of gospel music.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 10/01/2004
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Category: SG History 101
Comments: 20
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Once again, a very nice job! The Stamps Trio may have indeed been a "flash in the pan" in terms of longevity, but they made a major impact in many and sundry ways in the gospel music field, and your article illustrates that very well indeed!
John, I've got one of those Stamps Trio LPs, I had no idea that it was in such demand. Once again, great article.
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
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I too as well have a copy of those LP's. I have the Command Performance" LP. I haven't played it in awhile and last I remember was in near mint condition.
John,
John,
John, please keep those great articles coming. Interesting that Donnie later sang in another trio (Voice) with a one-time Imperial tenor -- Sherrill Nielsen. Is the Temple Records referred to the same label that re-released Statesmen recordings in the 1980s?
Hidee John,
Dear John
Another awesome article John. I'll have to pull out those records that my daddy has of them now!
John, you have yet to be wrong about your information so i'll join all the others and say they were a great trio and I recently had the pleasure of visiting with Byron Burgess and also relaying a message to Jim Murray at NQC from Byron so now they are renewing that friendship .... there many ways to enjoy our business..... right? Thanks John you've done it again!!
Thanks John, As always a good article.
This had to be one of the greatest all time trios ever assembled with Donnie Sumner, Byron Burgess and Jim Murray. Anything Donnie Sumner is involved in will be great. If anyone has one of their recordings, I would love to be able to obtain one. Thanks to these leaders in the industry.
Anything Mr Donnie Sumner does is great ! I love to hear Donnie sing he is a wonderful man !
The Stamps Trio was one of the first groups that I met when I was first getting introduced into Southern Gospel. They had a real impact on me and I was so amazed by those arrangements. I now sing with Lee Gann and still am amazed by these "ole" men and how they still can manage to "get the message across". Great artcle John. "Thanks for the memories".
it is great to hear about convention singers and the impact they made in the short time, I have found ther are many good quartets that sang for music companies at conventions Stamps/Baxter QT. for Stamps/Baxter,Hartford Qt.,and Vaughn Qt. to name a few. Once again thanks for the history lessons and
Planning our 50th Class Reunion and trying to locate classmater Byron Burgess. May be in Baldwin County, AL. Would appreciate an address if anyone knows where Byron now lives. We enjoyed his melodious voice when he was in high school.
James Barnett sang with the Stamps Quartet and others that I do not recall.
Heard donnie first time singing the lighthouse in 1975 on the elvis on tour movie put shivers down my whole being i was not saved at that time. But 2yrs
Thanks for another fine article. Luckily I have both LPs and I really enjoy the arrangements (even if it is a trio!).
Byron is my dad if anyone wants a copy of their albums I can get you in touch with him.
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