2006

The Making of an Album, Part 2, The Imperials

Welcome to the second segment of “The Making of an Album with The Imperials” and thanks to all who have responded letting us know that you are looking forward to this album as much as we are!

After making final song selections and deciding on basic arrangements in November 2005, we went into the studio in December to actually record the tracks to the songs.  Of course we had already met with our producer several times and we knew who the engineer and all of the band members were before we went into the studio (Sunset Boulevard Studios in Brentwood, TN) but we had really never seen them “in action” before.  After watching and listening to them do the first song, all we could say was, “Wow! These guys are truly amazing!”  In this segment, we thought it would be good to introduce you to the producer, engineer and band and let you know some of the things they’ve done and/or artists they’ve worked with.

Jeffrey Teague, Producer - Jeff is an amazing producer, but even more importantly, he has been an amazing friend to The Imperials over the past year-and-a-half.  He came to hear us in concert in June 2004 and the Lord just knit our hearts with his as we shared our vision with him and he shared his desire to help us move our ministry forward.  He has helped us with vision, artist development, image and overall direction.  He has really acted as an A&R director as well as our producer.  Here are some of his credits: Producer/Creative Director, Seventeen Grand Studios, Nashville, TN; Owner/President, Earworks Music Production; former GM/Vice-President of A&R for Word Nashville Record Label.  He has produced and worked with the following artists: Gary Chapman, Sonny Burgess, Brent Lamb, Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood, Collin Raye, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Van Shelton, Patty Loveless, Shenandoah, Ricky Skaggs.

Steve Dady, Engineer - Steve’s list of credits include recording, producing, or mixing with the following: Bryan White, Keith Urban, Mercy Me, New Song, Wayne Watson, Phillips, Craig and Dean, Scott Wesley Brown, The Imperials (the old guys and now, the new guys!), Selah, Anointed, Carmen, David Robertson (former Imperials tenor), Jaci Valesquez, Steve Green, Buddy Greene, George Strait, Lee Greenwood, The Judds, Ronnie Milsap, Glen Campbell.

Dave Cleveland, Guitars - Amazing on any kind of guitar he picks up!  His list of credits include: Vestal Goodman, The Perrys, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Carman, Kathy Troccoli, Joyce Martin, Greater Vision, Jonathan Pierce (former Imperials Lead singer), The Martins, NewSong, Russ Lee, The Hoppers, Sandi Patty, Larnelle Harris.

Steve Brewster, Drums/Percussion - Steve is a former Imperials band member from the 1980s and is talented in many genres and is one of the most sought after drummers in Christian music.  His list of credits include: Greater Vision, Selah, Billy Dean, The Oak Ridge Boys, Disney, BeBe Winans, Mark Lowry, Point of Grace, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Avalon, Michael English, The Martins, The Crabb Family, SHeDAISY, The Katinas, Jewel, Faith Hill.

Jason Webb, Piano/Keyboards - Jason blew us away in the arranging session and then again in the tracking sessions.   What an amazing talent!  Here are some of Jason’s credits: Lynda Randle, BeBe Winans, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hope's Call, Russ Lee, NewSong, Gaither Vocal Band, Ivan Parker, The Hoppers, The Hoskins Family, The Crabb Family, The Kingsmen, LordSong, Janet Paschal, P. Diddy, The Perrys.

Mark Hill, Bass - Mark is also a former Imperials band member from the 1980s.  It seems he may have been born with a bass in his hands!  He has worked with the following: Carrie Underwood, David Phelps, Joyce Martin, Passion Worship Band, Art Garfunkel, John Tesh, Gaither Vocal Band, Joy Williams, The Oak Ridge Boys, Point of Grace, Ginny Owens, Karen Peck, Watermark, 4Him, WhiteHeart, Chris Rice, Charlie Peacock, Bob Carlisle, Michael O'Brien, Avalon.

Joey Canaday, Bass - Joey only played on one song but he did some amazing things on it.  We love it more every time we hear it!  His credits include: The Katinas, Bart Millard, Promise Keepers Band, Natalie Grant, FFH, Kathie Lee Gifford, RJ Helton, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Plus One, Steven Curtis Chapman.

When we’re around guys like this, we wonder why we even call ourselves musicians (it makes you know there really is a difference between singers and musicians!).

Anyway, we were sitting on our bus driving to Miami, FL to do some Christmas Concerts when we first heard these tracks and we were just blown away…we really can’t describe how excited we are about this new album!  We haven’t even started the vocals and we would all buy it already just based on the tracks!

Plans are to start recording vocals this month (February.)  In the next segment we hope to share some information about the specific songs that are on the album as well as let you know how the vocals are coming.  Until then…God bless!

The Imperials
Ian, Jason, Jeremie & Shannon
http://www.theimperials.com

View the 1st Video in the series here.