Long-time Members Shannon Smith & Jeremie Hudson Resign to Pursue Church Ministry Opportunities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame inductees The Imperials are proud to announce the addition of vocalists Scott Allen and Perry Jones to the group.
Scott and Perry are replacing longstanding members Shannon Smith and Jeremie Hudson as lead and tenor vocalists. Both Shannon and Jeremie resigned from the group to pursue jobs in church ministry.
Shannon Smith said, “While the guys in The Imperials didn't want me to leave, they have been supportive of me following the Lord in this direction, and I'm really grateful to them for that. It's been somewhat of a tough transition emotionally because the four of us have been like brothers over the past several years, and we've really come to love each other. I know that we'll remain friends but we're so used to being together all the time that this will take some getting used to for all of us! They have a great vision for the future and some great things are happening. I'm excited to see where the Lord leads them!”
Shannon has taken a church in Miami, Florida. He and his family have already moved there and are excited about their future there.
Jeremie Hudson has taken a position in a church in Alabama.
“I have loved my time in The Imperials for these nine years! I thank GOD, Armond Morales, all our fans, pastors and all the friends I made. I also want to say a huge thank you, and I'll miss you, to Jason, Ian and Shannon. We went through a lot together. I pray that we will remain close as we go in separate directions,” said Jeremie. “It was always my desire to see people's lives changed. I can only hope and pray that I have lived up to the calling that GOD placed on my life while in The Imperials. God bless you all!”
Scott Allen, the group’s new lead vocalist, has been filling in for Shannon since he announced his resignation last April. Allen spent time on the road with Mercy’s Mark before joining The Imperials.
Perry Jones replaces Jeremie Hudson on the tenor spot. Perry Jones most recently sang with up and coming trio Brothers Forever.
Jason Morales of The Imperials said, “While it is always a sad thing to see members of a group who are like family leave, Ian and I can’t help but have high expectations for the future of The Imperials. We are so excited to see where God is going to take this group as we enter a new chapter in The Imperials’ history.”
More information on the group’s new members will be updated on the The Imperials’ website shortly.
The Imperials’ latest single, “We’ve Got a Great Big Wonderful God”, recently became the group’s latest Top 20 hit. The song is the first Top 20 hit for the group from their latest critically-acclaimed and award-winning release, Back to the Roots. “We’ve Got a Great Big Wonderful God” came in at #16 for the upcoming August 2008 issue of the Singing News Top 80 chart.
Back to the Roots was awarded Album of the Year at the 2008 SGN Music Awards Celebration earlier this year.
For more information on The Imperials, the new recording, and their recent television and media appearances, please visit http://theimperials.com.
Fans are encouraged to visit The Imperials on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/imperialsmusic/. You can also visit The Imperials on Shoutlife at http://www.shoutlife.com/theimperials/ or at myCCM at http://www.myccm.org/theimperials.
About The Imperials
The Imperials have a vast and rich history that expands beyond genre borders. The Imperials have released over 40 albums and have had 14 songs go number one. They have won 12 Grammy Awards and 13 Dove Awards, and they also were the first Christian artist to perform on the Grammy Award telecast. The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 08/21/2008
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Category: News & Scoops
Comments: 6
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WOW! I can't wait to hear the newest version of the Imperials. I'll miss Jeremie and sure do wish him the best.
Diana Brantley
http://sgconcerts.com (latest posts: More YouTube Stats - 5/21/12; Enlisted and Joymasters - 4/4/12; Rebels and Bridgemans - 3/29/12)
http://www.youtube.com/dinanaSN
Jeremie and Shannon are first class in every way and will be greatly missed. But, there is every reason to believe that Jason, Ian, Scott and Perry will contine on the excellent tradition of this wonderful group.
We wish them the best and wil be praying for all during this time of transition.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I am a very devout Christian and I have a fierce love for Southern Gospel Music.
I saw the Imperials at the River of Life Church in Smyrna back on the week of July 26 and they were wonderful, just like they were before, when the other two guys were with them. I certainly did miss the guy who stood next to Ian, but after speaking with Ian after the singing I understood why he wasn't with them any longer.
You go, Mr. P-Jones!! Keep on keepin' on!! Love Ya', jim.
Well as usual with me I can't wait until the Next album comes out and I can hear the new guys and the new sound with the same vocal excellence that is always a given with the Imperials. This is the hardest transition for me as a Imperials fan because since I have been a Fan of theirs starting about 1984 I have been very accustomed to changes and transitions and this last group of guys stuck together for several years and stood together through many tests and trials and also became real friends in my heart. Shannon really reached out to me when I would ask questions and Inquire about the issues of the Imperials...and I remember them sending out prayer requests and then I began to send prayer request back to them...and I bond was developed. So I will miss Shannon and Jeremie quite a bit and some of the conversations we have had. I have heard both of the new guys sing and think this could be however the very best sounding Imperials group in Imperials history so I am excited about that! Imperials remain the best always
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