Russ Taff

Russ Taff
Background information
Origin	United States
Genres	Southern Gospel Contemporary Christian
Associated acts	The Imperials
Website	RussTaff.com

Russ Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer who is originally from Farmersville, California. Taff later then moved to Arkansas where he graduated from Cutter-Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

His contemporary Christian music is pop-rock, often with traditional Southern Gospel influences, and on his 1995 album, a contemporary country music bent. His initial work was as the lead singer for The Imperials. One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise The Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and toured with Bill Gaither in the Homecoming series. As a solo artist, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand".

Taff and his wife, Tori, have two daughters: Maddie Rose and Charlotte.

Discography

Solo

Singles

With Gaither Vocal Band

• 2003 A Cappella (SpringHouse/EMI, Grammy Nomination)
• 2002 Everything Good (SpringHouse/EMI, Grammy Nomination)

With The Imperials

• 2007 The The Definitive Collection (Word, Greatest Hits)
• 2006 Classic Hits (New Haven/Provident, Greatest Hits)
• 1996 The Imperials LEGACY (Word, Double CD Collection)
• 1986 Old Fashioned Faith (Dayspring/Word, Greatest Hits)
• 1981 The Very Best of The Imperials (Dayspring/Word Greatest Hits)
• 1980 Christmas With The Imperials (Dayspring/Word)
• 1980 Priority (Dayspring/Word, Grammy)
• 1979 One More Song For You (Dayspring/Word, Grammy Nomination)
• 1979 Heed The Call (Dayspring/Word, Grammy)
• 1978 Imperials Live (Dayspring/Word, Grammy Nomination)
• 1977 Sail On (Dayspring/Word, Grammy)
• 1976 unreleased (Word, later named 'The Lost Album' and released in 2006)

With The Sounds of Joy

• 1974 YHWH (Shalom Records)

With other Artists

• 2007 "Were You There" with Selah
• 2006 "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" with Bart Millard of MercyMe
• 2006 "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand" with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
• 2006 "We Will Stand" with Avalon
• 2002 "We Were So Young" with Randy Stonehill
• 2001 "In The Bleak Midwinter" with First Call
• 2000 "Nothing Ever Happens To A Shepherd" with Wayne Watson, Michael W. Smith, Bob Carlisle, Gary Chapman
• 2000 "The Mary I Know" with Steven Curtis Chapman
• 2000 "Mary Recitative" with Crystal Lewis
• 2000 "Zacharias Recitative" with Michael Crawford
• 2000 "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" with Anthony Burger
• 2000 "One Way" with Sherri Easter
• 1999 "Giver of Life" with Sandi Patty & Vestal Goodman
• 1999 "Raven and the Dove" with Anointed
• 1998 "Prove That By Me" with Greg Long
• 1997 "The Greatest Gift of All" with Glen Campbell
• 1997 "He Shall Feed His Flock" with Sheila Walsh
• 1996 "People of God" with Carman
• 1992 "Who At My Door is Standing?" with Tanya Goodman Sykes
• 1992 "Child, Child" with the Johnson Sisters
• 1992 "Just Wait For Me Up In Glory" with the Johnson Sisters
• 1991 "A Dove Amongst Eagles" with Sheila Walsh
• 1991 "Wipe A Tear" with Olanda Draper & The Associates
• 1990 "There's Something About That Name" with Eddie DeGarmo
• 1989 "Your Love Broke Through" with Phil Keaggy
• 1988 "Awfully Loud World" with Randy Stonehill
• 1988 "Aint Got No" with Phil Keaggy
• 1985 "Do Something Now" featured with 'The Cause'
• 1985 "King of Who I Am" with Lulu Roman Smith
• 1984 "Strength of My Life" with Leslie Phillips
• 1984 "Home of The Lord" with Sandy Patty
• 1984 "I'll Keep My Eyes on You" with Joyce Landorf
• 1984 "Here We Are" with Amy Grant
• 1983 "Give Your Love" and "Divina" with Koinonia

Grammy Recognition

• 14 Total Grammy Nominations
• 3 Grammy Awards (solo)
• 3 Grammy Nominations (solo)
• 4 Grammy Awards (group/Imperials/Gaither Homecoming Friends)
• 4 Grammy Nominations (group/Imperials/GVB)

GMA/Dove Recognition

Solo

• 2003 - Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (Nomination)
• 2003 - Country Album of the Year (Nomination)
• 1989 - Rock Album of the Year - Russ Taff
• 1989 - Recorded Music Packaging of the Year - Russ Taff
• 1986 - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year - Medals
• 1984 - Male Vocalist of the Year

As a Member of The Imperials

• 1998 - The Imperials were inducted into the GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame. All five original members, Jake Hess, Armond Morales, Gary McSpadden, Sherrill Neilsen & Henry Slaughter, as well as Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Shermen Andrus, Jim Murray, and Russ.
• 1982 - Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1981 - Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1981 - Song of the Year - Praise The Lord - The Imperials
• 1981 - Male Group of the Year - The Imperials
• 1980 - Male Group of the Year - The Imperials
• 1979 - Male Group of the Year - The Imperials
• 1977 - Male Group of the Year - The Imperials

Notes

• In 1979 on the The Imperials 'Priority' album, Russ sang lead on the song "Into My Life", which was written/produced by Beeb Birtles/Graeham Goble, founding members of the Little River Band.
• In 2007, Russ was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and accepted his award at the Induction Awards Show on June 14, 2008 in Allen, Tx.

See also

Dove Award for Song of the Year
Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary

References

• Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music; Powell; pp 46, 47; Hendrickson Publishers; Pap/Cdr edition (August 2002) ISBN 1565636791 ISBN 978-1565636798
• Resource Publications, "The Christian Music Directories" formerly "The Recording Locator" - http://www.rpinet.com/cmd.html
• http://www.theimperials.com - The Imperials Official Website
• http://www.gaithernet.com - Gaither Homecoming & Gaither Vocal Band Website
• http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/taff_russ/artist.jhtml - Russ Taff on CMT.com

Sources

• Alfonso, Barry (2002). s The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music
• Gaither, Bill (2008). Gaither.com
• Jones, Kim (2008). About.com
• Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
• Mansfield, Brian (2005). Allmusic.com
• TPE Interview (2006). Today's Pentecostal Evangel

External links

• Russ Taff's Official Website
• The Imperials Official Website
• Gaither Homecoming Website