Sail On is the 24th studio album by the Christian music vocal group the Imperials. Released in 1977, it is their first album on Word Records' DaySpring label. It is also the first appearance of two new members, Russ Taff on lead vocals and David Will on baritone vocals, in addition to founding member, bass vocalist Armond Morales and tenor Jim Murray. Taff and Will replaced Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood, who went on to form the Christian music duo Andrus, Blackwood and Company in 1977 after the release of the 1976 Imperials' album Just Because.
In 1978, the group won their second Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Sail On at the 20th Grammy Awards and at 10th GMA Dove Awards they were named Male Group of the Year. The Imperials' first chart appearances was on CCM Magazines contemporary hit radio chart in August 1978 with the title song climbing to number three a couple of months later. Sail On has never been released on CD.
Track listing
Personnel The Imperials Russ Taff – lead vocals Jim Murray – tenor, vocals David Will – baritone, vocals Armond Morales – bass, vocalsMusicians Chris Christian – keyboards, guitars, banjo, arrangements Shane Keister – keyboards Bobby Ogdin – keyboards Bobby Wood – keyboards Pete Bordonali – guitars Steve Gibson – guitars Reggie Young – guitars Joe Osborn – bass Steve Schaffer – bass Jack Williams – bass Jerry Carrigan – drums Kenny Malone – drums Farrell Morris – percussion Brown Bannister – bells Denis Solee – saxophones Billy Puett – horns Buddy Skipper – horns Don Sheffield – horns The Shelly Kurland Strings – strings Archie Jordan – arrangements Bergen White – arrangements
Production Chris Christian – producer Lanny Avery – engineer Brown Bannister – engineer Shannon Smith – engineer Travis Turk – engineer Glenn Meadows – mastering at Masterfonics (Nashville, Tennessee) Dennis Ivy – cover photography Phil Van Duivendyk – center photography Mark Pleasant – back photography Buddy Huey – liner notes
Charts Radio singles YearSinglesPeak positions CCM AC 1978 "Sail On"3 1979 "Water Grave"14
AccoladesGrammy AwardsYearWinnerCategory1978Sail OnBest Gospel Performance, Contemporary or InspirationalGMA Dove Awards' 1978 Male Group of the Year
References