“A good snapshot keeps a moment that’s gone from running away.”
— Eudora Welty, (1909–2001) American short story writer, novelist and photographer.
A McCormick porcelain decanter bust of Elvis Presley was priced at $35. Framed photos of The King of Rock and Roll were modestly priced.
Perusing small-town antique shops is the way I break the monotony of travel. Can’t pass them up. Plus, I often score some really neat things.
Photos are a fascination for me in shops like this. Family pictures, school pictures, historic events and people.
Snippets frozen in time, once part of someone’s albums or collections.
What is the story behind these pictures?
One such picture in the Taylor shop caught my eye last weekend. A black-and-white snapshot of Elvis playing the piano with his backup group, The Jordanaires, singing behind him.
Something they did for 16 years.
It caught my eye because I have a similar photo. I wondered about this one because I was fortunate to have been friends with one of the people pictured.
In about 1986, I met Gordon Stoker, leader of the Country Music Hall of Fame vocal quartet. Our paths crossed on a cruise ship. Stoker was representing Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland. I was enjoying a week of 50s and 60s oldies music entertainers.
Stoker was a master storyteller with an engaging personality.
I was an Elvis fan with questions. Following his presentation of stories about his years with Elvis, I introduced myself to express gratitude for his insight into the life of one of the most influential singers in music history. Our conversation led to an invitation to join him and his wife, Jean, at dinner that night.
And thus began our friendship that would include other oldies music cruises plus Elvis Week events in Memphis.
Stoker’s career started as a teenager in 1942 as pianist for the John Daniel Quartet.
The Jordanaires quartet was formed in 1949.
Stoker’s story about connecting with Elvis was about a young aspiring singer who heard them at a gospel music program in Memphis in the early 50s.
“He came backstage after our show that night,” said Stoker, “… told us, ‘When I get a contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up.’
“We didn’t know him. We just told him, ‘OK, give us a call.’” When Presley began recording for RCA in January 1956, he requested The Jordanaires as his backing vocalists, a job they held until 1972.
“Little did we know,” Stoker laughed. “The only reason we stopped was Elvis’s strenuous concert schedule made it impossible to keep up our other studio commitments. And, we all had families, too.”
The Jordanaires were heard on more hit recordings than any other vocal group.
Hundreds of classic recordings with legends like Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Loretta Lynn, Rick Nelson and Fats Domino. Songs like Ferlin Husky’s “Gone.” Jim Reeves’ “Four Walls.” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.” Kenny Rogers’ “Lucille.”
George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” To name a few.
According to Stoker’s son Alan, a curator at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum since 1980, the quartet was on Grammywinning recordings in six decades. Besides singing with Elvis in 1956, that history ran from Johnny Horton’s 1959 number one hit, ‘The Battle of New Orleans’ through 2007 with an album by Ray Price and Willie Nelson. What would have perhaps been a job to some was obviously a joy to Stoker. That was apparent in visits with him reminiscing, telling stories about recording sessions with well-known performers. Anecdotes and personal insights into the personality of each one that bore no hints of boasting about the tremendous successes of the quartet. Simply fond recollections of someone who loved life and making music.
During one “Elvis Week” in Memphis, the annual pilgrimage of the faithful to memorialize the singer’s death, I singled out Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden after a concert. Told him how much I enjoyed getting to know Gordon Stoker on the first cruise.
Back home a few weeks later, Stoker called. “Soden said he’s heard good things about the cruise and mentioned your name.
Looks like we’re cruising for Elvis again.
You are booked, aren’t you?”
On another Elvis weekend in Memphis, without tickets to a sold-out dedication at Holmes High School, Elvis’s Alma Mater, I stood at the door.
Hoping to get a glimpse of the event renaming the auditorium in Elvis’ honor.
From the area near the stage, Stoker saw me and waved for us to come in. All I could do was shrug, “No can do – no tickets.” He walked to the door and told the attendants, “He’s family. Seat them with the rest of my family at the front.”
Between visits, I often heard from him.
About an upcoming TV special or the release of a new album. Once when he was seeking advice about the value of his parent’s 1953 Pontiac.
That’s when he sent the photo I have.
Stoker died in 2013.
“The group is over,” said his son Alan Stoker in a press release. “It was a wonderful run.
My father lived a great life and left us a great legacy.”
And that’s the story behind my photo. In case you see it one day in an antique shop.
After I’m gone.
“ The only reason we stopped was Elvis’s strenuous concert schedule made it impossible to keep up our other studio commitments. And, we all had families, too.”
- the late Gordon Stoker, leader of the The Jordanaires
