Priority (1980)

Priority is the 26th studio album by the Christian music vocal group The Imperials, released in late 1980 on DaySpring/Word Records.

It is the second album that the group has collaborated with musician/producer Michael Omartian, their first being their previous album One More Song for You. Priority gave The Imperials their second number-one album on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart. Priority would also be the final album featuring lead singer Russ Taff, as he left to pursue a solo career and started work on his debut solo album Walls of Glass (1983) before being replaced by Paul Smith. The song "Trumpet of Jesus" is one of the group's biggest hits and a signature song for Taff as he has performed it in one of his solo concerts. It topped the Christian radio charts for 4 weeks.

In 1982, The Imperials won their fourth and final Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Priority at the 24th Grammy Awards and at the 13th GMA Dove Awards, they won Group of the Year and the album was named Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Russ Taff won his second Male Vocalist of the Year title winning back-to-back.

Track listing

All songs were written by Michael and Stormie Omartian, except where noted.

1. The Trumpet of Jesus -3:47

2. Finish What You Started (Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Michael Omartian) -4:06

3. I'd Rather Believe in You -3:38

4. Any Good Time At All -4:06

5. Be Still My Soul (Russ Taff, Tori Taff) -3:52

6. There's No Time Till You Take It -4:12

7. Pieces -4:08

8. Into My Life (Beeb Birtles) -4:45

9. Seek Ye First -5:01

Personnel

The Imperials:

Armond Morales -bass, vocals

Jim Murrary -tenor, vocals

Russ Taff -lead vocals

David Will -baritone, vocals

Accolades

Grammy Award -Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational (Priority)

Dove Award -Group of the Year

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Priority)

Male Vocalist of the Year (Russ Taff)

Radio singles

1981 "I'd Rather Believe in You" -#5 Christian CHR, #3 Christian AC

1981 "Finish What You Started" -#2 Christian CHR, #2 Christian AC

1981 "The Trumpet of Jesus" -#1 Christian CHR for 4 weeks, #1 Christian AC for 4

weeks

1981 "Be Still My Soul" -#19 Christian CHR, #7 Christian AC

Previous release: Christmas with The Imperials (1980)

Next release: The Very Best of The Imperials (1981) (compilation)