Grammy winner Russ Taff among artists performing at Rector concert

Grammy award winning singer Russ Taff [Click to enlarge]

Russ Taff's music has won him not only a wide audience and critical acclaim, but a total of seven Grammy awards and an amazing 11 Gospel Music Association Dove awards. Billboard Magazine has called him "the single most electrifying voice in Christian music."

Soon he will be in Rector.

Taff is among an amazing lineup of Gaither artists coming to Rector for a once-in-a-lifetime concert Friday, July 25, to raise money for the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation.

It is through his association with Bill Gaither and producer Bill Carter, a Rector native, that Taff first learned about the Helping Hands Foundation.

"Bill Carter called me about the concert and I jumped at the chance to give something back to Arkansas, where people had given me so much," Taff said. "He (Carter) is a very, very incredible man. I think this organization that he's helped put together is a wonderful thing. I'm happy that they've allowed me to have the opportunity to be a part of it."

Taff began singing as a youth, taking part in hymns at the church in Farmersville, Calif., where his father was a preacher. While growing up, Taff developed a love for the sounds of many of the popular gospel performers of the time, including Mahalia Jackson and the Five Blind Boys From Alabama.

According to his website, when he was a little older, Taff, the fourth of five boys, would often join his brothers in performing the songs of such gospel quartets as The Blackwood Brothers, The Gospel Echoes and The Statesmen. The Statesmen featured vocals by his favorite singer, Jake Hess.

As a teenager, Taff moved to Arkansas. Living near Hot Springs, Taff met a couple who would go on to have a major impact in his life. At 18, Taff was dealing with what he called "home problems" with his family, and was uncertain of his future. Then, he met Bud and June Smedley.

"They took me in and really believed in me," Taff said. "I was a confused teenager in Arkansas without much of a future, really. It was because of their support and care for me that I was able to pursue my love for music. It was because of their love for me that I was able to follow my dream."

While in Arkansas, Taff began listening to popular music for the first time. He began to draw inspiration from the popular sounds, ultimately combining them with his love for the classic gospel sounds on which he was raised. He wrote songs which combined these two music styles and formed a band featuring other local musicians called Sounds of Joy. The band often performed at the Brook Hill camp, where Taff worked as a worship leader and counselor in 1973 and 1974.

His big break in the industry came two years after the Sounds of Joy opened for the Imperials. When the Imperials, seeking a new singer, recalled Taff's prior performance, the young man was invited to join the group as lead vocalist in 1976 at age 22. Taff was a part of six Imperials albums in as many years.

Taff left the Imperials in 1981 and began a very successful solo career which has taken him all over the world. He has performed in Australia and "every country in Europe," as well as for such dignitaries as the British Royal Family and President George W. Bush. He has even appeared at the world-famous Carnegie Hall.

"I was 22 when I moved to Nashville and began my solo career," Taff recalled. "Things just exploded. I've been busy ever since. I've been on the road touring for the past 31 years."

Taff took part in some of the first Gaither Homecoming events before joining the Gaither Vocal Band in 2001.

During his career, Taff has received numerous awards and honors. Three of the Grammys he earned were for solo work and four were as a part of the Imperials and Gaither Homecoming Friends. As a member of the Imperials, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998. He was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

The Rector Helping Hands Foundation concert also will feature Richie McDonald, the former lead singer of Lonestar, who wrote many of the country music group's #1 songs, along with Gaither recording artists Gordon Mote, Kevin Williams and Reggie and Ladye Love Smith.

The Helping Hands Foundation provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students in the Rector schools. Since its creation in 2006, the Foundation has provided more than $17,000 in financial aid, including two major scholarships to Arkansas State University, $5,000 in musical equipment for the high school band and on-going support for field trips, health care, winter clothing and athletic equipment.

Fans can purchase general admission tickets at $20 each or, for a closer view of the show, may choose "Gold Level" tickets at $50 each. Gold Level tickets include reserved seating near the stage, a catered meal prior to the show and a special opportunity for fans to get autographs and have their photos made with the performers.

General admission tickets may be purchased at Now & Then in Rector, the Treasure Chest in Piggott, Myra's Framing and 23rd Psalm in Kennett, The Storehouse in Jonesboro, The Lantern Bookstore in Paragould and Christian World in Blytheville

Gold Level tickets may be purchased by phone only at 870-595-3290.

Ticket location addresses and telephone numbers are listed on the Helping Hands Foundation website. Those who want more information may visit www.rhshelpinghands.org.