"It is a great honor for me to work with the group
that backed up Elvis for the first fourteen years
of his career and for me were his best. They not
only influenced Elvis throughout his career, they
also influenced the greatest group of our times,
"The Beatles". I remember as a child hearing Elvis
singing "Don't Be Cruel" on the radio and singing
along to the "Bop Bops" thinking WOW these guys
are COOL, and YES they really are! Not only as
fellow musicians but as wonderful friends. I have
learned so much from these wonderful folks, Gordon
Stoker, Neal Mathews, Ray Walker, Duane West,
Louis Nunley, Curtis Young "Mr. Harmony" and yes
Ms. Millie Kirkham. For this I am truly grateful".
For those who don't know who they are, they've
also sung on countless other recordings such as
Patsy Cline's "Crazy" and the list goes on and on.
So thanks to The Jordanaires from me as well as
all those who appreciate the GREAT contribution
you have made through out the world through the
gift of music that you have been so dearly blessed
with.
Michael
Black has been singing, and writing
arrangements for The Jordanaires for
some time. There are times when he has
to sing a different part, as that
voice part was unable to sing today.
At times we have a problem pleasing
the director of the recording session,
but Michael is always ready to please
whomever we are recording for.
Michael always comes through with good
work and a big smile.
He has especially been nice to me
during my illness.
Gordon Stoker
First Tenor and Manager of The
Jordanaires since 1952
I HAVE KNOWN MICHAEL FOR SO MANY YEARS
I CAN'T REMEMBER, EXACTLY. FIRSTLY,
FROM HIS REPUTATION AS AN ALL-ROUND
TALENT IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS, WORKING,
MOSTLY, WITH OTHER GROUPS OR FORMING
ONE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. I HEARD HIS
COMMERCIAL
SOLO-ISM---WONDERFUL---SONGS WRITTEN
BY HIS OWN HAND. THEN, AN OCCASION
AROSE WHERE WE NEEDED A SPECIAL VOICE
TO WORK IN "THE JORDANAIRES". I HAD
WITNESSED HIM, SINGING ALL PARTS, WITH
AN INCREDIBLE RANGE, (RAISE THE PITCH
HIGH ENOUGH AND HE COULD SING
BASS---THIS I, HIGHLY, DISCOURAGED,
FOR PERSONAL REASONS) SO I SUGGESTED
HIM FOR OUR NEEDED PART AND WE'VE
NEVER LOOKED BACK. MICHAEL BLACK IS AN
UNSUNG-HERO IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS. I
LOVE AND RESPECT HIM, AS WE ALL DO.
You know I've always been a vocal
group lover and when I have the
opportunity to work with someone who
has the talent, musicality, aptitude
and attitude like you who also loves
it, it's a great day! Keep the music
coming!
I met
Michael Black in the late seventies.
What a nice friendly guy he was. We
worked a little together in the
studio, but we really got to know each
other in the early eighties, when we
shared the big screen in the Patsy
Cline movie “Sweet Dreams”, starring
Jessica Lange and Ed Harris. Since
then we have worked together a lot in
the studio, and have become very good
friends. Michael is an excellent
singer and song writer. He has subbed
for Gordon Stoker, Louis Nunley, and
for me as well in the Jordanaires
Quartet, over the past fifteen years,
when we were unable to be there. He
can adapt to each of our ranges and
you would never know when we are not
there. I have never met anyone who
doesn’t like Michael Black. He is one
of the most likeable people I have
ever met. He knows the music business
inside and out, and is always there to
help if you are in need. I couldn’t
ask for a better friend or co-worker
than Michael Black. I’m very proud to
call him my friend. He’s the best. God
Bless you Michael.
Curtis Young
Lead Singer for “The Jordanaires
Quartet”
