Elvis & The Jordanaires

Everyone told the Jordanaires to "Get it while they can," because that "boy" won't be around for long!

 But the writing was on the wall, Gordon Stoker said, "I heard him do 'Any way you want me,' our first day in the studio and I just knew."

Elvis was a big fan of The Jordanaires long before they were a fan of his, but a real friendship was struck right from the first meeting.




"Hi, I'm Elvis Presley," the humble (now known world wide) singer said, as he reached out to shake the hand of the newest member of The Jordanaires, Ray Walker.

"I know who you are," Ray said, "I'm Ray Walker."

To that Elvis chucked and replied, "And I know who you are too," solidifying their new friendship with a handshake.

Though the members of the Jordanaires had changed over the years--Bob Money to Gordon Stoker,Hugh Jarrett for Ray Walker--the Jordanaires had been staple figures at in Elvis' recording studio from the start.

Elvis had met the group while on tour with Edie Arnomd in 1954 he had told them when he got a recording contract he would request them to be on his records--and that he did!

To us fan's, one cannot think of Elvis in then 50's without hearing The Jordanaires somewhere in the mix. From Ray Walker's "No, No, No's" in Big Hunk to "Now and then, there's a fool such as I," they added their own brand of greatness to Elvis' rising star.

Even years later, throughout the 70's, the new members of Elvis' back up vocals--JD Sumner and The Stamps--would have to learn the parts that Elvis and The Jordanaires hand crafted so many years ago.

When Elvis asked Ray Walker, "Can you sing No-No-No at the very start," of Big Hunk, little did we all know JD would be next in line to carry on the tradition because, lets face it, without the No-No-No the song just wouldn't be the same. And it gives me a warm giggle whenever I hear JD sticking to the arrangement that proved Elvis was indeed in charge in every studio session he attended.

Art was created whenever The Jordanaires joined Elvis, "We taught him the lyrics of 'How Great Tho Art,' before that he did not really know the song. The Jordanaires toured the gospel quarted for many years and bonded with Elvis over his love of gospel

This week Dan and I (TL) cannot be more thrilled to be spining nothing-but the creative energy put down by these fine Legends of music.

The music will span from the early 50's right up to the last song The Jordanaires ever did with Elvis on the great "Love Letters" sessions from 1971.

Tune in and hear all thus great music, starting this weekend and all week long on BLUE SUEDE CONNECTION.

Thank you for listening!
Patricia Garber