Gordon Stoker (August 3, 1924 - March 27, 2013)
Biography
Gordon Stoker was born in Gleason, Tennessee on August 3, 1924. He began playing piano for the John Daniel Quartet in 1942 and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. Between his stint with the Daniel Quartet in the early 1940s and joining the Jordanaires in 1949, Stoker served in the United States Air Force from 1943-1945 and attended college from 1946 to 1948. Stoker joined the Jordanaires in 1949 initially to play piano, but later became a vocalist alternating between tenor and lead.
Stoker and the Jordanaires were well-known in Gospel circles in the early 1950s. They became household names for secular fans after 1956 when Elvis Presley called them to sing background vocals on his hit song "Hound Dog." The Jordanaires sang on many hit Country recordings including Patsy Cline's "Crazy," Kenny Rogers' "Lucille" and George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today."
Stoker passed away on March 27, 2013 at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee after a long illness. He was 88 years old.
Awards
2001 - Country Music Hall Of Fame (as a member of the Jordanaires)