David Bruce Murray
Mar 01, 2008
In The News|Observations
Imperials Lawsuit Links and Commentary
The Imperials have posted a detailed response to the recent Christianity Today article, “The Imperials Embroiled In Lawsuit Over Name.”
If you take the time to read the response rather than simply knee-jerking, you will come to understand that Christianity Today’s article is nothing more than shoddy one-sided journalism. Even if you agree with the sentiment portrayed in the article, it is clear that the concerns of the current Imperials were not fairly represented.
I’ve used the following example before and I’ll use it again. It would be wrong (in the moral, ethical and legal sense of the word) for Brian Free, Ivan Parker, and Mike LeFevre to hit the road singing and billing themselves as Gold City. Very few would argue with this point. The situation with the Imperials really is no different. It doesn’t matter that some of the former members were more popular. The current group is the only group that should carry on the legacy as the Imperials. That doesn’t mean another group can’t be made up of former Imperials members and mention that they happen to be former Imperials. They shouldn’t be billed or introduced AS IF they were the current group.
The outcry against the current group is only taking a toehold because the Imperials had virtually disappeared from the public eye when the group changes occurred. This group has been trying to bring the name back, and they’ve been somewhat successful at it. (For the first time in many years, the group has had a single on the Singing News chart, for example, rising into the Top 20.) It also bears mentioning that Jeremie Hudson and Jason Morales have been singing with the Imperials for NINE years, including several years with Armond Morales before he retired. Shannon Smith has been with the group for FIVE, including a couple of years with Armond Morales before he retired. And Armond Morales approved of Ian Owens as his replacement.
Sarah Pulliam’s and Christianity Today’s lack of journalistic integrity has forced this private matter into public view to the detriment of these chosen heirs of the Imperials legacy. That’s shameful. Time will tell whether or not they will prevail despite the deck of public opinion and perception being stacked against them.
