Wright Presents Musical Legacy to Fortnightly Club

MARTIN (April 4) - “A Musical Legacy: My Uncle Gordon, the Jordanaires, and Elvis” was the title of Jenna Wright’s presentation for the April 4 meeting of The Fortnightly Club of Martin. The meeting was held at Martin Public Library.

Hostess Carolyn James introduced Jenna, niece of Gordon Stoker, a member of the world-famous Jordanaires, probably the most prolific backup singers in music. From 1956 to 1972, Jenna’s Uncle Gordon and the Jordanaires worked with Elvis Presley and were included in his records, movies, and television shows. The group was for many years on the NBC portion of the Grand Ole Opry. The Jordanaires often had four recording sessions a day and recorded with such musical legends as Kenny Rogers, Rick Nelson, Connie Frances, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Don Gibson, and Eddy Arnold.

Through personal anecdotes and historical information, Jenna took her uncle from growing up in a musical family in rural Tennessee, through his service in WWII, college, his musical career, and his many awards and honors, including a quartet Grammy. The Fortnightly group delighted in the family stories of this music icon who never forgot his roots in Gleason, Tennessee.

Before this wonderful presentation, which included many photos, a short video, and music, Fortnightly president Anna Clark presided at a business meeting and social time. Hostesses Judy Clark, Carolyn James, and Barbara Trentham set tables with a Spring and Easter theme highlighting rabbits and colored eggs. Plates with scones, butterscotch haystacks nests with jelly bean eggs, and chocolate dipped pretzels were served with a small bag of gourmet popcorn to take home.

Attending the meeting, in addition to those already mentioned, were Carolyn Brown, Frances Cates, Lisa Evans, Vicki Exum, Mollie Gallien, Carol Gibson, Carolyn Gresham, Ann Hall, Edna Harris, Pam Harris, Sherrie Hatchel, Didi Johnson, Jenny Landrum, Sara Sieber, Linda Slack, Ann Swaim and Melani Yarbro.