JD Sumner is responsible for many "firsts" in gospel music. He is credited for writing over 500 songs.

You may have heard the story that has often been told about him writing "On the Other Side of Jordan". This story is in Bob Terrell's book, "The Music Men".

The way the story goes is that James Blackwood wanted some new material. As the group was riding along on the bus, he said "Men, I have three song writers in my quartet. JD, Bill Shaw, and Wally Varner. I am going to give you a title and I want you each to write a song using that title. When you are finished, you can sing your song to me and I'll choose the best of the three. The title I'm giving you is "On the Other Side of Jordan".

The Blackwoods soon recorded JD's version of that song.

Why is this story inaccurate?

:jd:

© CMG SGMRadio.com 2008

The song came out in 1958 on the album "His Hands." Wally Varner did not join the Blackwood Brothers until 1959. Jackie Marshall was the pianist in 1958.

You're right, Norm.

One year at GOGR, the Blackwoods opened with "Crossing Chilly Jordan". James later told that story about "On the Other Side of Jordan". Someone in the audience yelled, "Sing that song, James!"

JD replied, "We just sang it, you dummy!"

I'm supposing that if the story is true, the song names were changed to protect the innocent.