Gospel music pioneer, publisher. Founder of the Frank Stamps Quartet, the first southern gospel group to sign with a major recording label, RCA Victor, and the first to have a gospel hit single with "Give the World a Smile". He formed the Stamps Quartet Music Company. He is a member of the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997. (from Paul, Karen, & Katherine)
The following letter of condolence, and "letter of intent", from J.D. Sumner appears in the May 1965 issue of Gospel Music Hi-Lites. "As you know, we have lost the Leader, the Pusher, and the Father of Gospel Music. My words to express what Mr. Frank did and what he was to Gospel Music are inadequate. I am sure the magazine will be filled with the things he stood for and with the great things he did; but, I know words at our disposal will not express how great he was. No man has ever done more than he in all fields of Gospel Music.
"He started the quartet field of music as we know it today. He hired Dwight Brock to play the piano and be the first quartet to use this instrument. Of course, no professional quartet since then has ever been without a piano. He also, recorded on the first major record label with the Stamps Quartet. So, he certainly was a leader in Quartet Music.
"He was the leader of the convention singing too. The name, Frank Stamps, in our world of music was like water to a thirsty man..was like food to a hungry man. One did not have to say what he did or who he was. Just his name told all.
"We will never hear his deep bass voice again; but, we know his work will never be forgotten. Because of his great work we have a guide to go by. We have footsteps to follow.
"When I was a boy, Frank Stamps was my idol. I tried to sing like him. Once his father-in-law, Rev. Marks, after hearing me sing, told me he would get me a job with his son-in-law, Mr. Frank Stamps; and, I was thrilled to death.
"As you know, the Blackwood Brothers were chosen by Mr. Frank to carry on his great work. [In the early 1940's, the Blackwoods were known as "The Blackwood Brothers' Stamps Quartet.] I think when he spoke to me about it in Fort Worth that he knew it would not be long until this day would come. He said he had his eye on the boys and wanted us to join him in his work. I am proud of his choice and we won't let him down. Nobody can do what he did, but we will try with your prayers and your support.
"We are proud to have his lovely wife with us; and, you can rest assured that as long as there is a Stamps Quartet Music Company, Mrs. Sally Stamps will help guide the work. No one is more dedicated nor knows more about the organization. May the grace of God be with you Mrs. Stamps. Your loss is far greater than ours. But, we know Mr. Frank is in heaven and will be awaiting us. Our loss has certainly been Heaven's gain.
"We of the Stamps Quartet Music Company love and appreciate all of you for your kindness. May God Bless You and Yours." (Signed) J.D. Sumner
The following letter of condolence, and "letter of intent", from J.D. Sumner appears in the May 1965 issue of Gospel Music Hi-Lites. "As you know, we have lost the Leader, the Pusher, and the Father of Gospel Music. My words to express what Mr. Frank did and what he was to Gospel Music are inadequate. I am sure the magazine will be filled with the things he stood for and with the great things he did; but, I know words at our disposal will not express how great he was. No man has ever done more than he in all fields of Gospel Music.
"He started the quartet field of music as we know it today. He hired Dwight Brock to play the piano and be the first quartet to use this instrument. Of course, no professional quartet since then has ever been without a piano. He also, recorded on the first major record label with the Stamps Quartet. So, he certainly was a leader in Quartet Music.
"He was the leader of the convention singing too. The name, Frank Stamps, in our world of music was like water to a thirsty man..was like food to a hungry man. One did not have to say what he did or who he was. Just his name told all.
"We will never hear his deep bass voice again; but, we know his work will never be forgotten. Because of his great work we have a guide to go by. We have footsteps to follow.
"When I was a boy, Frank Stamps was my idol. I tried to sing like him. Once his father-in-law, Rev. Marks, after hearing me sing, told me he would get me a job with his son-in-law, Mr. Frank Stamps; and, I was thrilled to death.
"As you know, the Blackwood Brothers were chosen by Mr. Frank to carry on his great work. [In the early 1940's, the Blackwoods were known as "The Blackwood Brothers' Stamps Quartet.] I think when he spoke to me about it in Fort Worth that he knew it would not be long until this day would come. He said he had his eye on the boys and wanted us to join him in his work. I am proud of his choice and we won't let him down. Nobody can do what he did, but we will try with your prayers and your support.
"We are proud to have his lovely wife with us; and, you can rest assured that as long as there is a Stamps Quartet Music Company, Mrs. Sally Stamps will help guide the work. No one is more dedicated nor knows more about the organization. May the grace of God be with you Mrs. Stamps. Your loss is far greater than ours. But, we know Mr. Frank is in heaven and will be awaiting us. Our loss has certainly been Heaven's gain.
"We of the Stamps Quartet Music Company love and appreciate all of you for your kindness. May God Bless You and Yours." (Signed) J.D. Sumner
Gospel music pioneer, publisher. Founder of the Frank Stamps Quartet, the first southern gospel group to sign with a major recording label, RCA Victor, and the first to have a gospel hit single with "Give the World a Smile". He formed the Stamps Quartet Music Company. He is a member of the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997. (from Paul, Karen, & Katherine)
The following letter of condolence, and "letter of intent", from J.D. Sumner appears in the May 1965 issue of Gospel Music Hi-Lites. "As you know, we have lost the Leader, the Pusher, and the Father of Gospel Music. My words to express what Mr. Frank did and what he was to Gospel Music are inadequate. I am sure the magazine will be filled with the things he stood for and with the great things he did; but, I know words at our disposal will not express how great he was. No man has ever done more than he in all fields of Gospel Music.
"He started the quartet field of music as we know it today. He hired Dwight Brock to play the piano and be the first quartet to use this instrument. Of course, no professional quartet since then has ever been without a piano. He also, recorded on the first major record label with the Stamps Quartet. So, he certainly was a leader in Quartet Music.
"He was the leader of the convention singing too. The name, Frank Stamps, in our world of music was like water to a thirsty man..was like food to a hungry man. One did not have to say what he did or who he was. Just his name told all.
"We will never hear his deep bass voice again; but, we know his work will never be forgotten. Because of his great work we have a guide to go by. We have footsteps to follow.
"When I was a boy, Frank Stamps was my idol. I tried to sing like him. Once his father-in-law, Rev. Marks, after hearing me sing, told me he would get me a job with his son-in-law, Mr. Frank Stamps; and, I was thrilled to death.
"As you know, the Blackwood Brothers were chosen by Mr. Frank to carry on his great work. [In the early 1940's, the Blackwoods were known as "The Blackwood Brothers' Stamps Quartet.] I think when he spoke to me about it in Fort Worth that he knew it would not be long until this day would come. He said he had his eye on the boys and wanted us to join him in his work. I am proud of his choice and we won't let him down. Nobody can do what he did, but we will try with your prayers and your support.
"We are proud to have his lovely wife with us; and, you can rest assured that as long as there is a Stamps Quartet Music Company, Mrs. Sally Stamps will help guide the work. No one is more dedicated nor knows more about the organization. May the grace of God be with you Mrs. Stamps. Your loss is far greater than ours. But, we know Mr. Frank is in heaven and will be awaiting us. Our loss has certainly been Heaven's gain.
"We of the Stamps Quartet Music Company love and appreciate all of you for your kindness. May God Bless You and Yours." (Signed) J.D. Sumner
The following letter of condolence, and "letter of intent", from J.D. Sumner appears in the May 1965 issue of Gospel Music Hi-Lites. "As you know, we have lost the Leader, the Pusher, and the Father of Gospel Music. My words to express what Mr. Frank did and what he was to Gospel Music are inadequate. I am sure the magazine will be filled with the things he stood for and with the great things he did; but, I know words at our disposal will not express how great he was. No man has ever done more than he in all fields of Gospel Music.
"He started the quartet field of music as we know it today. He hired Dwight Brock to play the piano and be the first quartet to use this instrument. Of course, no professional quartet since then has ever been without a piano. He also, recorded on the first major record label with the Stamps Quartet. So, he certainly was a leader in Quartet Music.
"He was the leader of the convention singing too. The name, Frank Stamps, in our world of music was like water to a thirsty man..was like food to a hungry man. One did not have to say what he did or who he was. Just his name told all.
"We will never hear his deep bass voice again; but, we know his work will never be forgotten. Because of his great work we have a guide to go by. We have footsteps to follow.
"When I was a boy, Frank Stamps was my idol. I tried to sing like him. Once his father-in-law, Rev. Marks, after hearing me sing, told me he would get me a job with his son-in-law, Mr. Frank Stamps; and, I was thrilled to death.
"As you know, the Blackwood Brothers were chosen by Mr. Frank to carry on his great work. [In the early 1940's, the Blackwoods were known as "The Blackwood Brothers' Stamps Quartet.] I think when he spoke to me about it in Fort Worth that he knew it would not be long until this day would come. He said he had his eye on the boys and wanted us to join him in his work. I am proud of his choice and we won't let him down. Nobody can do what he did, but we will try with your prayers and your support.
"We are proud to have his lovely wife with us; and, you can rest assured that as long as there is a Stamps Quartet Music Company, Mrs. Sally Stamps will help guide the work. No one is more dedicated nor knows more about the organization. May the grace of God be with you Mrs. Stamps. Your loss is far greater than ours. But, we know Mr. Frank is in heaven and will be awaiting us. Our loss has certainly been Heaven's gain.
"We of the Stamps Quartet Music Company love and appreciate all of you for your kindness. May God Bless You and Yours." (Signed) J.D. Sumner
Inscription
"Give The World A Smile"
