For the past several months, Armond Morales, co-founder of the Grammy- and Dove-award winning Southern Gospel group The Imperials, has been embroiled in a very public dispute with the current members of the group, which includes his son Jason, over who has rights to use the name The Imperials.
According to published reports, in 2005 Armond Morales signed an agreement that turned over the rights to the group’s name and logo to the group’s current members. In September 2007, those current members filed a lawsuit against the elder Morales when he began performing again under the name The Classic Imperials.
In February of 2008, the group posted a lengthy and detailed letter on their website laying out the details of the dispute, and in March the elder Morales responded, through his publicist, with an emotional “letter to my son” which laid out his side of the story and expressed his pleas to reconcile the family.
Well, it looks like the dispute is over.

A recent press release reports that Armond Morales has affirmed that he did indeed “transfer his rights in and to The Imperials over to MOSH Group, Inc.” (the corporate name for The Imperials, which is an acronym derived from their last names of members Jason Morales, Ian Owens, Shannon Smith, and Jeremie Hudson) in March 2005 and MOSH Group has agreed to drop the remainder of its lawsuit.
From the press release:

Shannon Smith, of MOSH Group said, “As is often the case in these situations, there had been much miscommunication over the life of this dispute. Recently Mr. Morales and MOSH made a renewed attempt to cut through the misunderstandings and find a resolution to our disagreement. We definitely have always wanted to find common ground and we were able to do that by humbling ourselves and making another attempt to understand each other. We publicly apologize for the hurt and pain we have caused the Morales’ and we apologize to anyone that we’ve offended or if we’ve in any way brought reproach to the cause of Christ. We humbly ask for the forgiveness of any and all whom we’ve offended. We believe that our message to the world is not necessarily that Christians never disagree, never make mistakes or even sin; rather our message is of a God who heals, restores and loves unconditionally. Our prayer is that all of us can concentrate more fully on spreading that message. We love and appreciate Armond and Bonnie Morales and we wish them the best as they follow God’s leading on their life. We ask for the prayers of the body of Christ.”

Armond Morales said, “I’m extremely thankful that an agreement has been reached to end this lawsuit. It’s been a difficult and trying time for Bonnie and myself. I’ve never wanted the MOSH Group not to succeed so we wish them well as they move forward towards their destiny and what God has for them.”

In responding to his father’s previously released open letter, Jason Morales said, “I love my parents deeply and I know that the public will understand the desire to resolve our family issues privately. I know that both my parents and I will appreciate your prayers and love.”