Russ Taff
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer and songwriter. 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. 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".
Discography
Solo albumsYear | Album | US Christian | Record label | Record producer |
1983 | Walls of Glass | 5 | Myrrh | Bill Schnee |
1985 | Medals | 2 | Myrrh | Jack Joseph Puig |
1987 | Russ Taff | 2 | Myrrh | Jack Joseph Puig |
1989 | The Way Home | 1 | Myrrh | Darrell Brown, James Hollihan, Jr., Taff |
1991 | Under Their Influence | 5 | Myrrh | James Hollihan, Jr., Taff |
1992 | A Christmas Song | 6 | Sparrow | James Hollihan, Jr. |
1995 | Winds of Change | Reprise | Hollihan, Randy Scruggs, Taff | |
1999 | Right Here, Right Now | Benson | James Hollihan, Jr., Taff | |
2007 | Now More Than Ever | 41 | Spring Hill | Hollihan, Barry Jennings, Michael Sykes, Taff |
2010 | Another Sentimental Christmas | Spring Hill | James Hollihan, Jr. | |
2011 | Faroe Islands | Spring Hill | Jákup Zachariassen, Óli Poulsen, Kristoffur Mørkøre | |
2018 | Believe | Sweetwater Studios | Phil Naish, Mark Hornsby |
Compilations
- 1994: We Will Stand
- 2003: The Best of Russ Taff
- 1974: YHWH
- 1975: Sharin
- 1977: Sail On
- 1978: Imperials Live
- 1979: Heed The Call
- 1979: One More Song For You
- 1980: Priority
- 1980: Christmas with the Imperials
- 1981: The Very Best of the Imperials compilation
- 1986: Old Fashioned Faith compilation
- 1996: Legacy 1977–1988 compilation
- 2006: The Lost Album
- 2006: The Imperials – Classic Hits compilation
- 2007: The Definitive Collection compilation
- 2002: Everything Good
- 2003: A Cappella
- 1981: For Every Man Steve Camp "Thank You"
- 1981: Love Overflowing Sandi Patty "The Home of the Lord"
- 1983: More than a Feelin
Solo singles
Video
Long-form- 1982: More Than Music No. 1 "I Go to the Rock", "Here We Are"
- 1992: Russ Taff: A Christmas Song
- 2002: I Do Believe Gaither Vocal Band "One Way"
- 2006: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"
- 2007: The Best of Russ Taff From the Gaither Homecoming Series
- 2007: Timeless: Concert of Faith & Inspiration
- 2009: Gaither Vocal Band Reunion: Vol. 1 "Born Again", "Heartbreak Ridge And New Hope Road", "Knowing You'll Be There"
- 2009: Gaither Vocal Band Reunion: Vol. 2 "The Really Big News", "When The Rains Come"
Year | Video | Director |
1985 | "I'm Not Alone" | |
1985 | "Not Gonna Bow" | |
1989 | "Winds Of Change" | |
1989 | "I Cry" | |
1991 | "Life's Railway to Heaven" | |
1995 | "Love Is Not a Thing" | Deaton-Flanigen Productions |
1995 | "One And Only Love" |
Gaither Homecoming video performances
- 1998: Down by the Tabernacle "The Tabernacle", "I Saw the Light"
- 1998: Rivers of Joy "We Will Stand"
- 1999: I'll Meet You on the Mountain "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"
- 2000: Good News "When He Set Me Free"
- 2000: Irish Homecoming "Ain't No Grave"
- 2000: Whispering Hope "O Say, But I'm Glad"
- 2001: A Billy Graham Music Homecoming, Vol.2 "My Tribute"
- 2001: London Homecoming "We Will Stand"
- 2002: Let Freedom Ring "When He Calls I'll Fly Away"
- 2002: New Orleans Homecoming "Praise The Lord"
- 2003: Australian Homecoming
- 2003: Red Rocks Homecoming "They Call It Gospel Music"
- 2003: Rocky Mountain Homecoming "The Workshop Of The Lord"
- 2004: Journey to the Sky "Trumpet Of Jesus"
- 2004: Passin' the Faith Along "Born Again"
- 2004: We Will Stand "We Will Stand"
- 2005: Jerusalem Homecoming "Bethlehem, Galilee, Gethsemane"
- 2006: Canadian Homecoming "More Than Ever"
- 2006: Live from Toronto "Trumpet Of Jesus"
- 2006: Christmas in South Africa "Higher Than Mt. Kilimanjaro"
- 2007: Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace"
- 2008: Homecoming Picnic "The Sweetest Song I Know"
- 2009: Joy in My Heart "Jesus Is The Best Thing"
- 2011: Alaskan Homecoming "Somebody’s Coming", "We Will Stand"
- 2011: Majesty "I Shall Wear A Crown"
Awards and honors
Grammys
With the Imperials- 1977 Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Sail On
- 1979 Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Heed the Call
- 1981 Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Priority
- 1983 Best Gospel Performance, Male for Walls of Glass
- 1991 Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album for Under Their Influence
GMA Doves
- 1977: Male Group of the Year
- 1979: Male Group of the Year
- 1980: Male Group of the Year
- 1981: Male Group of the Year
- 1981: Song of the Year – "Praise The Lord"
- 1981: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1982: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1998: Inducted into the GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame
- 1984: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1986: Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Medals
- 1989: Rock Album of the Year for Russ Taff
- 1989: Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for Russ Taff
- 2016: Inducted into the GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame
- 2003: Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
- 2003: Country Album of the Year