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The Jordanaires

The Jordanaires were an American vocal quartet that formed as a gospel group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Vocalion Records, Stop Records, and many other smaller independent labels.

In the mid-1950s, with a lineup of Gordon Stoker (first tenor), Neal Matthews (second tenor and lead vocals), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone and lead vocals), and Hugh Jarrett (bass vocals), they also began lending their vocal talents to other artists as singers in recording sessions. They are widely known for having provided vocals for Elvis Presley in live appearances, recordings, and feature films from 1956 to 1970. Jarrett was replaced by then-teacher Ray Walker in 1958. The group worked in the recording studio, on stage, and on television with many country, gospel, and rock and roll artists.

They also provided background vocals using the names the Gordonaires (a play on the name of the group's first tenor Gordon Stoker), the Merry Melody Singers, and the Almanac Singers, sometimes using different personnel.

Birth and Death Data: Died Ceased 2013

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1949 - 1968

Roles Represented in DAHR: Vocal group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 182 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia CO55994 10-in. 5/1/1956 Just walking in the rain Eddie Zack and his Dude Ranchers ; Dick Richards Male vocal solo, with instrumental acc. Vocal group  
Columbia CO55997 10-in. 5/1/1956 Born to lose Eddie Zack and his Dude Ranchers ; Dick Richards Male vocal solo, with string band Vocal group  
Decca 76057 3/31/1950 Dig a little deeper The Jordanaires Vocal group  
Decca 76058 3/31/1950 I'm free again The Jordanaires Vocal group  
Decca 76059 3/31/1950 Peace in the valley The Jordanaires Vocal group  
Decca 76060 3/31/1950 The church in the wildwood The Jordanaires Vocal group  
Decca 102377 4/24/1957 Today, tomorrow and forever Patsy Cline Vocal group  
Decca 102378 4/24/1957 Fingerprints Patsy Cline Vocal group  
Decca 102379 4/24/1957 A stranger in my arms Patsy Cline Vocal group  
Decca 102380 4/24/1957 Don't ever leave me again Patsy Cline Vocal group  
Decca L 13988 2/23/1966 Night train to Memphis-2 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 13997 2/22/1966 Louisiana man Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 13998 2/22/1966 Congratulations-1, 3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 13999 2/22/1966 Truck drivin' man-2 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14000 2/22/1966 No vacancy Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14001 2/22/1966 Hello walls-1, 3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14002 2/23/1966 I'm a fool to care-1, 3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14003 2/24/1966 You just can't quit-3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14004 2/24/1966 Here I am-1, 3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14005 2/24/1966 Bright lights and country music-3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14006 2/24/1966 Kentucky means paradise-2 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14007 2/24/1966 Welcome to my world-1, 3 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14149 8/15/1966 Alone Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14150 8/15/1966 Big Chief Buffalo Nickle-1 Rick Nelson Vocal group  
Decca L 14151 8/15/1966 Peddler man Rick Nelson Vocal group  
(Results 1-25 of 182 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jordanaires, The," accessed January 22, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/324094.

Jordanaires, The. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/324094.

"Jordanaires, The." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 22 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/324094

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