Russ Taft To Join Gaither Vocal Band

Nashville, TN (Press Release 8/21/01) - Five-time Grammy Award winner, Russ Taff, is joining one of gospel music's premier groups, the Gaither Vocal Band, according to Bill Gaither, founder and leader of the group.

Taff has enjoyed a successful career as a solo recording artist, songwriter, and lead vocalist for the Imperials, an award-winning group of the late '70s and early '80s. Among his signature songs during the Imperials' years were "We Will Stand," "Trumpet of Jesus" and "Praise the Lord." Leaving the Imperials to pursue a solo career, Taff recorded eight solo gospel albums, yielding such a number of Grammy-nominated singles. He headlined worldwide tours and garnered three solo Grammy awards and nine Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Signing with Warner Bros. Records' country division in the mid '90s, he enjoyed widespread critical acclaim as well as a Top 20 single. So distinctive is the Missouri native's voice that Billboard Magazine has called it "the single most electrifying voice in Christian music."

For the past several years, he has been a featured soloist on Gaither's Homecoming series of videos as well as his Homecoming concerts across the country. "I feel like I've come full circle," said Taff. "I grew up singing southern gospel with my four brothers; in fact, we weren't allowed to listen to anything else. I was born for this job."

Of his choice of the multi-talented Taff , Gaither said, "Russ has always been a great talent. He's a great spirit, a great cheerleader, and he understands what we're doing. He started in quartets, so he understands quartet work and this kind of music, and he's just the best friend that anybody could have, including David, Guy and me."

The Gaither Vocal Band was formed in 1974 by Bill Gaither as an off-shoot from the Bill Gaither Trio, and has been a launching pad for the careers of Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Jonathan Pierce and Mark Lowry. Gaither and his wife Gloria have won numerous Grammy Awards for their songwriting, which includes such standards as "He Touched Me," "Because He Lives," and "The King Is Coming," and for their dozens of recordings and home videos. Current members of the Gaither Vocal Band in addition to Gaither and Taff include seven-year veteran Guy Penrod and three-year veteran David Phelps.

Taff will join the Vocal Band for the taping of a Homecoming special in Red Rocks, Colorado next week, and will be traveling and recording with the group soon afterwards. Current Vocal Band member Mark Lowry is expected to depart the group by the end of the year.

Greater Vision To Record Live Album
(Press Release) - On September 20, 2001, Greater Vision will be recording a LIVE album and video at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. The recording will include a live orchestra and full band. Admission will be free to the public. The group will perform old and new songs that will be included on the new project, which is set to release early next year. Greater Vision, who recently celebrated their 10th anniversary, is also expected to release a new songbook in September. Tenth Anniversary Celebration will include some of Greater Vision's most acclaimed songs including "My Name Is Lazarus," "Just One More Soul," "I Believe," "He's Still Waiting By The Well" and "God Wants To Hear You Sing."

For more information on Greater Vision, visit www.daywind.com or www.greatervisionmusic.com.

GOSPEL MUSIC WEEK IN GREENVILLE, SC
GREENVILLE, SC(Press Release) - In a ceremony last week Mayor Knox White proclaimed August 5-11 as Southern Gospel Music Week in the city of Greenville, SC.

The proclamation stated that Gospel Music holds an important history in Greenville, as well as Greenville being the home of one of gospel music's premiere attractions, the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. This year marks the fourteenth event since it's inception produced by Charlie Waller in 1988.

Waller stated to the press "Southern Gospel Music is an art form as well as entertaining but most of all inspiring. True four-part harmony is as rare today as people praying and money rattling. The Grand Ole Gospel Reunion was established in order to provide for fans who have witnessed this type of gospel music, a second chance, and for those who have not, a once in a lifetime experience of the thrill, excitement, and inspiration with the legends of this great industry, gospel music, the way it was."

Mayor White welcomed Waller, the singers, and fans to Greenville and stated, "The Grand Ole Gospel Reunion is a pleasure and privilege for the city."

New Projects 
David Patillo and The Singing Ambassadors have been in the studio this week finishing the final mix of their brand new projects.  Both are due to be released September 1, 2001.

SGMA BUS EXTRAVAGANZA ANNOUNCED
(Press Release from SGMA) The Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) will be hosting the first annual Bus Extravaganza on Friday, September 14 during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY.

This event will allow fans to tour the buses of their favorite groups and see how it is to travel as a Southern Gospel performer. For a donation of $10 per person, fans will have the opportunity to tour the buses of The Bishops, The Booth Brothers, Anthony Burger, The Cathedrals, The Crabb Family, The Florida Boys, The Freemans, Gold City, The Greenes, Greater Vision, Jake Hess, The Hoppers, The Inspirations, Danny Jones of the Singing News, Squire Parsons, The Pfeifers, and The Wilburns. 

"This event will be a wonderful experience for everyone involved," stated Earl Eleton, chairperson of the event. "It is a unique opportunity to allow the fans an insider look at how these groups travel and a chance for them to support the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum with their donation."

The SGMA Bus Extravaganza will take place September 14 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, KY from 10:00am until 2:00pm. In addition to the excitement of touring each of these buses, there will be thousands of dollars in prizes given away which include several trips to Southern Gospel Concerts across the country and CDs from some of today's best in Southern Gospel Music. All proceeds from this event will go towards the retirement on the debt of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum located in Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN.

For ticket information, or information about the SGMA, call 800-684-SGMA. For Dollywood ticket information, call 800-DOLLYWOOD.

Dixie Echoes Hire Billy Hodges
The Dixie Echoes are excited to announce the addition of tenor vocalist Billy Hodges. Billy is a thirty year old native of Martin, Tennessee. Many may remember Hodges from his tenure with the Florida Boys Quartet. Billy wishes to convey his excitement about becoming a member of one of America's most popular quartets who are celebrating their 41st year in Southern Gospel Music. Billy's first performance with the Dixie Echoes will be August 1, 2001 at the Brumley Gospel Sing in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Joshua Singletary Joins the Wilburns
NASHVILLE, TN(Press Release) - Nineteen year old Joshua Lee Singletary has moved from his home in Raiford, FL to reside in Hendersonville, TN and join The Wilburns as their new pianist. Jackie Wilburn comments, "Josh loves people more than anyone I've come across in a long time. Besides being an accomplished musician with 12 years of formal training and 2 years at the Steve Hurst School of Music, Josh is a comedian. He has more expressions than a neon sign. Everyone on our bus is enjoying his talent and Christian witness."