NASHVILLE--Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Russ Taff will leave the Gaither Vocal Band at the end of January to rejoin the Homecoming Tour as a solo artist. Russ has been a much-loved favorite on the tour for more than six years, and the Vocal Band’s baritone for three years. Taff’s vocal niche, which first brought him to the attention of Homecoming fans and won him five Grammies and nine Dove Awards, will now take him back to his 'first love' as a solo performer.
"I grew up singing in quartets, and being a part of the Gaither Vocal Band with Bill, David and Guy has been the fulfillment of a dream," Taff said. "It's kind of bittersweet—I've really missed performing as a solo Homecoming artist, and now I'll really miss singing with the guys, too. But I am so blessed! How many singers have had the opportunity to do both?"
"We recently lost two irreplaceable performers this year, Vestal Goodman and Jake Hess, who were cornerstones of the tour," says group founder and patriarch, Bill Gaither. "So now we are regrouping by looking at new ways to best present our Homecoming artists. I look at this as a chance to re-invent the Vocal Band once again, which is a challenge that I always get excited about, and the added bonus is being able to see Russ do what he does best. This is certainly a win-win situation for all Homecoming fans."
The group has already begun auditioning hopeful baritones to fill this void within the next couple of weeks. Further information will be announced after the decision is finalized.

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