Gospel music favorites The Imperials were awarded Album of the Year at this week’s 2008 SGN Music Awards Celebration. The group won the award for their critically acclaimed release Back to the Roots.

“To say that we were shocked is a mild understatement,” mentioned Jeremie Hudson of The Imperials. “We are so honored to have been given this award. We have to thank our fans for doing their part. This means so much to us.”

The nominees for the SGN Music Awards were chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com, and winners were chosen by fans of Southern Gospel music and readers of SoGospelNews.com.

The Imperials’ Back to the Roots tied for Album of the Year with The Isaacs’ Big Sky.

“To be given this award along side The Isaacs is absolutely amazing,” mentioned Jason Morales. “We are all huge fans of them and that record.”

In addition, The Imperials performed “Watergrave” (from Back to the Roots) before the standing room only crowd. Also, Imperials’ bass singer, Ian Owens, co-hosted the event with Sondra Burnett and the King’s Heralds’ Jeff Pearles.

The SGN Music Awards were handed out on Tuesday evening, April 29, 2008 at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. In addition to The Imperials, artists such as The Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, Mike & Kelly Bowling, Gold City, The Freemans, and more performed before the capacity crowd.

“Anyone who has worked in Gospel music over the last few years can’t deny just how much buzz this group has accumulated,” mentioned Deon Unthank, administrator of SoGospelNews.com. “Their new album, Back to the Roots, was really one of the finest records released last year and proved to everyone that this group wears the title of ‘The Imperials’ exceptionally well.”

The group also received four additional nominations in the SGN Music Awards – including Best Live Performer, Traditional Southern Song of the Year (for “All That Matters to the Lord”) and Progressive Southern Album of the Year (for Back to the Roots). In addition, Imperials lead singer Shannon Smith received a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year.

Fans are encouraged to be listening for the group’s newest single – “We’ve Got a Great Big Wonderful God.” It is the debut single from their award-winninng Back to the Roots recording

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.