Gospel Music - Gaithers - Russ Taff - Born Again

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.
John 3:7 (NKJV)

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Gospel Music - Russ Taff - Ain't No Grave

28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:28-29 (NKJV)

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Russ Taff - Freed from a Life of Pain

Russ Taff's success in the Christian music world came on the heels of years of abuse. He relied on God's intervention to break free.

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Hymns of the Church - Russ Taff - Farther Along

Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

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Christian Music - Russ Taff - He Came Through

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1 (NKJV)

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Hymns of the Church - Russ Taff - Booth Brothers - Amazing Grace

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we first begun.

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Hymns of The Church - Russ Taff - O Say But I'm Glad

Russ Taff was born the fourth of five sons to a fire-breathing Pentecostal preacher father and a gospel music loving mother. He learned early on that when he sang, people sat up and responded with feeling. Some of his earliest memories are of being balanced on the church altar by his mother’s strong arms while he belted out a gospel chorus to the rollicking encouragement of the tiny congregation.

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Christian Music - Russ Taff - When He Set Me Free

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36 (NKJV)

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Christian Music - Russ Taff - Help Me Live

RussTaff was born the fourth of five sons to a fire-breathing Pentecostal preacher father and a gospel music-loving mother. He learned early on that when he sang, people sat up and responded with feeling. Some of his earliest memories are of being balanced on the church altar by his mother’s strong arms while he belted out a gospel chorus to the rollicking encouragement of the tiny congregation. His trademark rich, emotion-drenched vocals were formed in that fertile environment.

His mother’s extensive collection of gospel records was the only form of entertainment their strict upbringing allowed, so after school Russ would rush home to listen to his favorites. Lying on the floor between two old stereo speakers, the plaintive, powerful sounds of artists like Mahalia Jackson and the Five Blind Boys From Alabama literally filled his head with music. “It really spoke to me,” Taff says. “I would close my eyes and just float away with those voices. “A natural harmony singer, Russ often teamed with his brothers to perform songs by the great quartets of the day–The Blackwood Brothers, The Gospel Echoes, and The Statesmen (featuring his favorite singer, Jake Hess.) “Those guys were like the Beatles or Elvis to me,” Russ laughs. “I used to practice their moves in front of my bedroom mirror, and try my best to sound just like Jake!”

When Taff moved to Arkansas in his teens, he began listening to popular music for the first time in his life, and found inspiration there, too. Contemporary Christian music was gaining prominence and the traditional lines between ‘secular’ and ‘sacred’ were starting to blur. Russ formed a local band called Sounds of Joy, and began writing songs that combined the spiritual truths of his childhood with the music of his generation.

Two years after his band served as an opening act for the legendary Imperials, Taff was invited to join them as lead vocalist. With the Imperials he toured extensively and gained recognition as ‘The Voice’ behind award-winning songs and albums that successfully completed the group’s transition from traditional to contemporary Christian.

Eager to experience and explore all aspects of music, Taff left the Imperials after four and a half years to pursue a solo career. He captured the imagination of the industry by successfully releasing a series of innovative works that delved into his musical heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Christian music. Taff’s lyrics, often co-written with his wife Tori, chronicled his personal spiritual path. Soaring, aching, raucous or tender, the songs Russ chose to wrap his one-of-a-kind voice around were unflinchingly honest. Artistically, Taff was always authentic but never predictable. His eclectic taste was reflected in his recordings and live concerts, as he drew from all genres– rock, pop, blues, Southern gospel, Black gospel, country, even big band. “I guess I’m just not a right-down-the-middle kind of guy,” he cheerfully admits. “I’ve been influenced musically by so many styles that I try to never place restrictions on myself. If it moves me, I figure it will probably move other people too. “Apparently he’s right. However you choose to label it, Russ Taff’s music has won him not only a wide audience and critical acclaim, but a total of five Grammy awards and nine Gospel Music Association Dove awards. He has been hailed by Billboard Magazine as “the single most electrifying voice in Christian music.” But he never forgot where he came from, or the sounds that first stirred his soul.

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Gaither Music - Russ Taff - William Lee Golden - Circuit Rider

Circuit rider is a popular term referring to clergy in the earliest years of the United States who were assigned to travel around specific geographic territories to minister to settlers and organize congregations.

Russ Taff was born the fourth of five sons to a fire-breathing Pentecostal preacher father and a gospel music-loving mother. He learned early on that when he sang, people sat up and responded with feeling.

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Christian Music - Gaithers - Russ Taff - We Will Stand

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand
Why we pull away from each other so easily
Even though were all walkin the same road
Yet we build dividing walls between our
Brothers and ourselves, but I, I don't care
What label you may wear, if you believe in Jesus
You belong with me, the bond we share
And all I care to see it will change the world forever
If you will join with me, join and sing, sing...

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Gaither Gospel Music - Russ Taff - More Than Ever

Music video by Russ Taff, The Isaacs performing More Than Ever.

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Gospel Music - Russ Taff - When He Set Me Free

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV)

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Gospel Music - Gaithers - Russ Taff - Born Again

Russell Taff (born November 11, 1953) 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 (1977–81). One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise The Lord".

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Christmas - Russ Taff - What a Wonderful World

Russ Taff - What a Wonderful World

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GMA Dove Awards - Russ Taff

Jason Crabb, Donnie McClurkin, Wess Morgan pay tribute to Russ Taff. From the 2012 GMA Dove Awards.

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Gospel Music - Russ Taff - Praise The Lord

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
2 Samuel 22:4 (NKJV)

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Gospel Music - Gaithers - Russ Taff - Praise The Lord

Russ Taff is one of the most remarkable people in modern Christian music – he’s done everything from rock to southern Gospel, and his list of Grammy and Dove Award nominations and awards is a ridiculously long one, including six Grammy awards.

Tori Taff, meanwhile, has been Russ’s songwriting collaborator and is also a freelance writer.

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Christian Music - Gaithers - Russ Taff - The Lord Came Through

Picture Moses by the red sea shore
Pharoah knows they can't run no more
Water way too deep and wide
They can't swim, and they can't hide
Though he was just a man, Moses raised his hand

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Christian Music - Russ Taff - Here Comes Jesus

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:7 (NKJV)

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