Michael Omartian is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, keyboardist, and music producer. He produced number-one records in three consecutive decades. He has earned 11 Grammy Awards nominations and won three. He spent five years on the A&R staff of ABC/Dunhill Records as a producer, artist, and arranger; then was hired by Warner Bros. Records as an in-house producer and A&R staff member. Omartian moved from Los Angeles to Nashville in 1993, where he served on the Board of Governors of the Recording Academy, and has helped to shape the curriculum for the first master's degree program in the field of Music Business at Belmont University.
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer and songwriter who grew up in Farmersville, California. He has sung a variety of musical styles throughout his career including: pop rock, traditional Southern gospel, contemporary country music, and rhythm and blues. He first gained recognition as lead vocalist for the Imperials (1976–81). One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise the Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and occasionally tours with Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming concerts. As a solo artist and songwriter, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand". Taff has received various Dove and Grammy awards either as a solo artist or part of a larger musical group, most notably the Imperials.
Dancing with Danger is the second album by Leslie Phillips, released in 1984 on Myrrh Records. The album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Going Public is the fifth studio album by Christian pop rock band Newsboys, released in 1994. The album was the band's second commercial success, and it featured "Shine," one of their most popular songs.
Leeland is a Christian rock band from Baytown, Texas. The band was formed in 2004, although lead singer Leeland Mooring had been writing songs beforehand. Leeland consists of Leeland Mooring, and Casey Moore. The band's original line-up included Jeremiah Wood (guitar), who left the band in late 2006 and was replaced by guitarist Matt Campbell in early 2007, Jack Mooring (piano), Mike Smith (drums) and Jake Holtz (bass).
Kathy Troccoli is the self-titled fifth full-length album from singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It was released by Reunion Records in 1994. The lead single was Diane Warren's "Tell Me Where It Hurts". The songs "My Life Is In Your Hands" and "Mission of Love" were top ten Christian radio hits. In 1995, Troccoli was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and for Song of the Year for the track "My Life Is in Your Hands", which she co-wrote with Bill Montvilo, at the 25th GMA Dove Awards. The album peaked at number ten on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
For Every Heart is the sixth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1988 by Star Song Records. The album debuted and peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. Paris was nominated in two categories at the 20th GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. The track "For the Glory of the Lord" has become a modern day hymn and is now sung in churches and congregations. Fellow Christian singer Steve Green has covered the song on his 1988 album Find Us Faithful.
Another Time...Another Place is the twelfth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1990 on Word Records. Like her 1986 best seller and award winning album Morning Like This, Another Time...Another Place was another definitive album with in addition to her inspirational anthems, there are also some pop elements and uptempo songs. The title song features a duet with fellow Christian singer and songwriter Wayne Watson. It became a successful hit climbing to No. 1 on the Christian AC chart and would win them a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and it also won Song of the Year, given to its writer Gary Driskell. The album also features popular CCM recording artist Amy Grant providing guest vocals on the song "Unexpected Friends". In 1991, Patti would win her fifth and final Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 33rd Grammy Awards and wins Female Vocalist of the Year and Inspirational Album of the Year at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards. Its music video won Short Form Music Video of the Year in 1992. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was certified Gold in 1992 by the Recording Industry Association of America. The CD version contains a bonus track "Rejoice", originally recorded by Christian pop group NewSong.
Find It on the Wings is the fifteenth studio album by Christian singer Sandy Patty, released in late 1994 on Word Records. It is the first album on which the singer uses her real last name Patty, and she continued to use it on future releases. Patty collaborated with producer Phil Ramone and songwriters Burt Bacharach and Will Jennings on the song "If I Want To", while her long-time producer Greg Nelson produced the rest of the album. Patty also duetted with R&B singer Peabo Bryson on the gospel track "Make It 'til Tomorrow". Bob Farrell co-wrote the majority of the songs with producer Nelson. Cindy Morgan contributed the song "When I Heal". In 1995, Patty was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 26th GMA Dove Awards, losing to CeCe Winans, but the album did win Inspirational Album of the Year. In 1996, Find It on the Wings was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 38th Grammy Awards. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Walls of Glass is the debut solo album by former Imperials lead singer Russ Taff, released in 1983 on Myrrh Records. After he left the Imperials in 1981, Taff started work on his first solo album featuring songs that he co-wrote with his wife Tori and his guitarist and songwriter James Hollihan, Jr. "We Will Stand" was released as the first single and became his first Christian radio hit topping the Christian AC chart for 15 weeks. The song is ranked at number 29 by CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. Taff won his first solo Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 26th Grammy Awards. At the 15th GMA Dove Awards, Taff won his third Male Vocalist of the Year title, his first as a solo artist. "We Will Stand" was nominated for Song of the Year twice at the Dove Awards in 1984 and 1985. Walls of Glass reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Medals is the second studio album by Christian singer-songerwriter Russ Taff, released in 1985 on Myrrh Records. Medals would prove to be his breakthrough album. Taff once again co-wrote with his wife Tori, along with his guitarist and songwriter James Hollihan, Jr. and contributions from other CCM artists and songwriters like Pam Mark Hall, Roby Duke and Chris Eaton.
Russ Taff is the third album by Christian singer/songwriter Russ Taff, released in late 1987 on Myrrh/Word Records. Taff covers two songs: "Down in the Lowlands" by Charlie Peacock and "I Still Believe" by the Call, plus a 40-second snippet of the American negro spiritual "Steal Away". Taff also records "Breathe Life into Me", which would later be a UK Top 30 hit and US R&B hitin 1988–1989 by British singer Mica Paris. Russ Taff reached number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The album won a GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 20th GMA Dove Awards and earned Taff a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.
The Way Home is the fourth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Russ Taff, released in 1989 on Myrrh Records. Music videos were made for "Winds of Change" and "I Cry" to promote the album. The Way Home was ranked at number 11 on CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. The album includes a one-minute version of the traditional gospel song "Ain't No Grave" – Taff later recorded a longer version on his 1991 album Under Their Influence. In 1990, The Way Home won Rock Album of the Year and the song "The River Unbroken" won Rock Recorded Song of the Year at the 21st GMA Dove Awards. Taff was also nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Male for the song "Farther On" at the 32nd Grammy Awards. The album topped the Billboard Inspirational Albums chart.
Our Hymns is a compilation album released in 1989 on Word Records. It features well-known church hymns each done by CCM artists' interpretation and styles of music from pop to rock to country. It is also a trilogy of albums from Word Records using the word "Our" in the series starting with this album, along with Our Christmas (1990) and Our Family (1992). The R&B vocal group Take 6 won the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group for their interpretation of "The Savior Is Waiting" at the 32nd Grammy Awards. In 1990, the album won Praise and Worship Album of the Year and Amy Grant won Country Recorded Song of the Year for "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" at the 21st GMA Dove Awards. Our Hymns debuted and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Heed the Call is the 25th studio album by Christian music group The Imperials, released in 1979 on DaySpring Records. The group won their third Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for their album Heed the Call at the 22nd Grammy Awards and were named Male Group of the Year at the 11th GMA Dove Awards. The track "Praise the Lord" won Song of the Year the following year given to its writers Brown Bannister and Mike Hudson at the 12th GMA Dove Awards. The Imperials were the first group to have a number-one song on all three of the following charts: Contemporary, Inspirational, and Southern gospel. Heed the Call debuted and peaked at number 3 on Billboard magazine's inaugural Top Inspirational Albums chart on March 29, 1980.
Priority is the 27th studio album by the Christian music group The Imperials, released in late 1980 on DaySpring Records. It is the second album that the group has collaborated with well-known musician/producer Michael Omartian, their first being their previous album One More Song for You (1979). In 1982, the Imperials won their fourth and, to date, final Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational at the 24th Grammy Awards and at the 13th GMA Dove Awards, they were named Group of the Year and Priority was named Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Lead singer Russ Taff won his second Dove Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, winning back-to-back. Prior to the award ceremonies, Taff had left the group in 1981 to begin his solo career and started work on his debut album Walls of Glass (1983) before being replaced by Paul Smith as the new lead singer. Priority gave the Imperials their second number-one album on Billboard magazine's Top Inspirational Albums chart.
The Very Best of the Imperials is a compilation album by American Christian music group the Imperials, released in late 1981 on DaySpring Records. It is a collection of the Imperials' best songs from the Russ Taff years 1976–1980, covering their four albums Sail On, Heed the Call, One More Song for You and Priority. The album also contains a never-before-released track "Same Old Fashioned Way" written and performed by baritone singer David Will recorded in 1976. It would later be featured on The Lost Album in 2006. The track is produced by recording artist-producer Gary S. Paxton. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Sail On is the 24th studio album by the Christian music vocal group The Imperials. Released in 1977, it is their first album on Word Records' DaySpring label. It is also the first appearance of two new members, Russ Taff on lead vocals and David Will on baritone vocals, in addition to founding member, bass vocalist Armond Morales and tenor Jim Murray. Taff and Will replaced Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood, who went on to form the Christian music duo Andrus, Blackwood and Company in 1977 after the release of the 1976 Imperials' album Just Because.
Stand by the Power is the 28th studio album by Christian music vocal group The Imperials, released in 1982 on DaySpring Records. This is the first album to feature new lead singer Paul Smith, who replaced Russ Taff after being with the group since 1976. While promoting an Imperials concert at Baylor University where he was a student, Smith gave Armond Morales a tape of his music. When Morales learned that Taff was leaving, he called Smith. Smith co-wrote five songs on this album and the Imperials also covered the Kerry Livgren track "How Can You Live" from his album Seeds of Change (1980). In 1983, the Imperials won the Dove Award for Group of the Year at the 14th GMA Dove Awards.The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Same Girl is the fifth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1987 by Star Song Records. Paris was nominated in two categories at the 19th GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Same Girl. Christian recording artist and guitar player Phil Keaggy provides an acoustic guitar solo on the track "I Feel It." The album peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
