Avalon (American group)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
Avalon | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Genres | CCM |
| Instruments | Voice |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Sparrow, E1, Red Street |
| Website | avalonlive |
| Members |
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| Past members |
|
Avalon is an American contemporary Christian vocal quartet from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 1995. The group has earned multiple RIAA-certified gold records. The group currently consists of Janna Long, Greg Long, Jody McBrayer, and Dani Rocca.
Group history[]
1995–97: Formation; A Maze of Grace[]
Avalon was formed in 1995 in Nashville after Norman Miller of Proper Management took the idea of a vocal group to Grant Cunningham, A&R Director at Sparrow Records.[1][2] Miller's vision was to have two male and two female vocalists who could sing tight harmonies and carry the Gospel to the world.[citation needed] Cunningham publicized his intentions and received many demo tapes, but nothing fit his desires.[citation needed] After letting the idea of Avalon rest a while, Cunningham attended an artist showcase in Nashville to listen to a singer. However, another artist, Michael Passons, caught his attention, and Passons was the first of the group's founding members.[citation needed] Soon after, former Truth vocalist and South Carolina native Janna Potter (Long) heard about Avalon's formation. Rikk Kittleman and Tabitha Fair became part of the group, but each left after a short time.[citation needed] Fair was offered a solo record deal, and Kittleman left for other opportunities.[citation needed] With two member openings, Long contacted former Truth vocalist Jody McBrayer, who became a member of Avalon a few days later.[3] Nikki Hassman Anders was the fourth founding vocalist of Avalon. Hassman recorded two albums with Avalon, Avalon (December 26, 1996) and A Maze of Grace (December 1997), but left in May 1998 to pursue a solo career with Sony Records.
1998–02: In a Different Light, Joy, Oxygen and solo projects[]
Cherie Paliotta Adams replaced Hassman after one of Avalon's co-managers listened to a country music demo tape recorded by Adams. Though country is not a genre Avalon performs in, executives chose Adams as they believed she would be a perfect fit.[4] Adams recorded four albums with Avalon, In a Different Light (March 23, 1999), Joy: A Christmas Collection (September 26, 2000), and Oxygen (May 22, 2001) including a remix album, O2: Avalon Remixed (March 2002). In 1999, it won the Concert Artists Guild Competition.[5] Up until the spring of 2002 Grant Cunningham, A&R Director at Sparrow Records, had been the executive producer for all of Avalon's records since he organized the group in 1995. Grant suffered a fatal head injury during a soccer game in early July 2002. Cherie departed the group to pursue a solo ministry geared toward single women, and in September 2002, she was replaced by Melissa Greene, Janna's other fellow former bandmate of the now disbanded group Truth. In between projects Jody McBrayer released a solo album This Is Who I Am in September 2002. The album included the Top Ten hit "Never Alone (Nunca Solo)" a duet with Jadyn Strand Maria, as well as a number-one single, "To Ever Live Without Me".[6] Janna also released a self-titled solo album in October which contained the number-two song "Greater Is He".[7]
2003–06: Testify to Love - The Very Best of Avalon, The Creed, Stand and Faith[]
On March 25, 2003, Avalon released a greatest hits record, Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon, which featured two new singles that became No. 1 hits; "Everything to Me" and "New Day". It was the last album to include founding member Michael Passons; only months after the album's release the member known as 'Father Avalon' was dismissed by the group in summer 2003. After eight years with Avalon, Passons revealed in an interview in 2020 that he was forced out of the group due to his sexual orientation as a gay man and his refusal to continue attending reparative therapy.[8] "Avalon showed up at my house and told me I was no longer in the group ... And it was all because of who I am. ... I'm a gay man and I'm glad to be."[9][10] Passons was replaced by Janna's husband, Greg Long.[11] On February 24, 2004, Avalon released the studio album The Creed. Three singles were released: lead single "All", which made it to No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary Christian Songs chart; "You Were There"," a No. 2 Inspirational Charts hit, and "I Wanna Be With You", featuring Greg Long as the lead singer.[11] Avalon's sixth studio album, Stand, was released on January 24, 2006. Lead single "Love Won't Leave You" peaked in the Top 20 of both Billboard Hot Christian Songs and Hot Christian Adult Contemporary charts. The next single, "Orphans of God", was serviced to radio on April 7, 2006, and peaked in the Top 5 of Radio & Records' Inspo chart the week of August 11, 2006. Additionally, "Somehow You Are" was released to radio in August 2006. On October 17, 2006, Avalon released a fan-requested hymns album, titled Faith: A Hymns Collection.
2007–09: Another Time, Another Place, The Greatest Hits[]
In mid-2007, Jody McBrayer decided to depart the group due to a heart condition. But, before he left, he found time to record one last album with Avalon. On February 26, 2008, Avalon released their ninth album, Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics. A headlining tour, titled "The We Will Stand Tour", with Michael English, the Daniel Doss Band and new Fervent Records girl group Cadia followed in spring 2008 to promote the classics album. The first single released from Another Time, Another Place was their cover of the Twila Paris song "God Is in Control". The second single, released on November 5, 2007, was a remake of the Sandi Patty/Wayne Watson song "Another Time, Another Place", featuring a Jody/Janna duet. On November 13, 2007, Avalon released Another Time, Another Place EP a digital EP titled featuring three songs from the album: singles "God is in Control," "Another Time, Another Place" and a cover of the Amy Grant song "Thy Word". Jeremi Richardson joined the group in late 2007 to replace Jody McBrayer. Jeremi, Melissa, and Janna had attended the same college, Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He sang with the group, Voices of Liberty, in Orlando, FL. Melissa and Janna found out about Jeremi through mutual acquaintances. He sent his music to them and immediately had a heart for the ministry of Avalon. Jeremi was a great fit for the group and had the previous experience.[12] On November 11, 2007, Melissa Greene announced at a show in Spring Arbor, Michigan, that it was the first concert with Richardson officially being a member of the group. It was confirmed in late 2008 that EMICMG would release Avalon: The Greatest Hits, a compilation of successful hits from previous Avalon recordings. It is notable that the track list, as published by the record label, bears many of the same hits featured on the 2003 release Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon (11 of the 16 songs featured on the older hits record also made the cut for the new one). The album does, however, contain four radio successes from three of Avalon's projects that have been released since the last hits record: "All" and "You Were There" from The Creed (2004), "Orphans of God" from Stand (2006), and "In Christ Alone" from Faith: A Hymns Collection (2006). In addition, the album features a new song from Avalon titled "Still My God." On March 31, 2009, "Still My God" became Avalon's first No. one single since "New Day" released in 2003, from Avalon's previous greatest hits album.
2009: Reborn[]
In 2009, more than three million albums have been sold since its founding [13] On May 15, 2009, Melissa Greene announced her resignation from Avalon on her personal website upon accepting a position as Pastor of Music and Arts at GracePointe Church in Nashville. Melissa planned to continue her solo career as well.[14] On May 21, 2009, Avalon announced that Richardson's wife Amy would fill Greene's spot as the newest member of Avalon.[15] Janna went on maternity leave from Avalon February 9, 2010, after giving birth to her daughter Eleanor Hovland. Shortly after the release of the recent hits record, Avalon announced they would be returning to the studio to record a brand-new, all original album (their first since Stand in 2006) on E1 Music (formerly Koch Records), thus ending Avalon's long-time stint on the Sparrow Records (EMI Christian Music Group) label. Avalon began recording vocals for the new album with Amy McBride Richardson as its new member on May 19, 2009. It was announced in June 2009 that the album would be titled Reborn. The first single "Arise" was released to Christian radio in August 2009; on December 9, it officially became Avalon's 22nd career No. 1 radio hit, topping Billboard's Soft AC/Inspirational chart.[16] This came just weeks after the group wrapped up their co-headlining tour with fellow Christian group Selah in late 2009.[citation needed]
2018–present: Called[]
On August 7, 2018, after a decade as members of Avalon, Jeremi and Amy Richardson stopped touring.[citation needed] Avalon announced in their Facebook page the return of Jody McBrayer and the addition of new member, Dani Rocca.[17] On October 24, 2018, Avalon announced that they had signed as the flagship artist with Red Street Records, a new label launched by Rascal Flatts bass player, Jay DeMarcus.[18] On November 1, 2018, they sang their debut concert as Avalon in Jacksonville, Florida on the opening night of the Greatest Hits Tour, organized by Newsong.[citation needed]
Avalon released "Keeper of my Heart" on December 7, 2019, 10 years after Avalon's previous radio single.[19] It was followed by a new album, Called, on February 14, 2020[20] and tour.[21]
Members[]
Current
- Janna Long (1995–present)
- Greg Long (2003–present)
- Jody McBrayer (1995–2007, 2018–present)
- Dani Rocca (2018–present)
Former
- Nikki Hassman-Anders (1996–1998)
- Cherie Paliotta-Adams (1998–2002)
- Michael Passons (1995–2003)
- Melissa Greene (2002–2009)
- Jeremi Richardson (2007–2018)
- Amy McBride-Richardson (2009–2018)[22]
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [23] |
US Christ. [24] |
US Heat. [25] | |||
| Avalon | — | 10 | 30 | ||
| A Maze of Grace |
|
153 | 6 | 8 | |
| In a Different Light |
|
81 | 2 | — |
|
| Oxygen |
|
37 | 1 | — | |
| The Creed |
|
104 | 4 | — | |
| Stand |
|
160 | 7 | — | |
| Faith: A Hymns Collection |
|
— | 25 | — | |
| Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics |
|
— | 21 | — | |
| Reborn |
|
— | 28 | — | |
| Called[27] |
|
— | — | — | |
Christmas albums[]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [23] |
US Christ. [24] |
US Holiday [28] | |||
| Joy: A Christmas Collection |
|
115 | 3 | 13 | |
Other albums[]
- 2002: O2: Avalon Remixed
- 2003: Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon
- 2009: Avalon: The Greatest Hits
Radio singles[]
| Year | Title | Peak positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ. [29] |
AC Charts [30] |
INSPO Charts [30] | |||
| 1996 | "Give It Up" | — | 1 | — | Avalon |
| 1997 | "The Greatest Story" | — | 4 | — | |
| "Picture Perfect World" | — | 1 | 1 | ||
| "This Love" | — | 1 | — | ||
| "Angels We Have Heard On High" | — | 34 | — | ||
| 1998 | "Testify To Love" | — | 1 | — | A Maze of Grace |
| "Adoni" | — | 1 | 1 | ||
| "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" | — | 1 | — | ||
| "Reason Enough" | — | 1 | — | ||
| 1999 | "My Upmost For His Highest" | — | — | — | |
| "In Not Of" | — | 1 | — | In a Different Light | |
| "Take You at Your Word" | — | 1 | — | ||
| "Can't Live A Day" | — | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2000 | "Always Have, Always Will" | — | 1 | — | |
| "Fly To You" | — | 1 | — | Jesus: The Epic Mini Series | |
| 2001 | "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" | — | 2 | — | Joy: A Christmas Collection |
| "Light A Candel" | — | — | — | ||
| "We Are The Reason" | — | — | — | ||
| "Jesus, Born On This Day" | — | — | — | ||
| "The Glory" | — | 1 | — | Oxygen | |
| "Come And Fill My Heart" | — | — | 1 | ||
| "Wonder Why" | — | 1 | — | ||
| 2002 | "I Don't Want To Go" | — | 1 | — | |
| "Undeniably You" | — | 1 | — | ||
| "Undeniably You (Jeff Savage Mix)" | — | — | — | O2: Avalon Remixed | |
| 2003 | "Everything To Me" | 3 | 1 | — | Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon |
| "New Day" | 5 | 1 | — | ||
| 2004 | "My All" | 8 | 2 | — | The Creed |
| "There You Were" | 25 | — | 2 | ||
| 2005 | "I Wanna Be With You" | 26 | — | — | |
| 2006 | "Love Won't Leave You" | 22 | — | — | Stand |
| "Orphans of God" | — | — | 5 | ||
| "Somehow You Are" | — | — | — | ||
| 2007 | "In Christ Alone" | — | — | — | Faith: A Hymns Collection |
| "God Is in Control" | — | — | — | Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics | |
| "Another Time Another Place" | — | — | — | ||
| 2008 | "We Will Stand" | — | — | — | |
| 2009 | "Still My God" | — | 1 | — | Avalon: The Greatest Hits |
| "Arise" | — | 1 | — | Reborn | |
| "Alive" | — | — | — | ||
| 2019 | "Magesty" | — | — | — | non-album single |
| "Keeper of My Heart" | 29 | — | — | Called | |
| 2020 | "Closer" | — | 1 | — | |
| "If Not For Jesus" | — | — | — | ||
| "Called" | — | — | — | ||
| "Only One" | — | — | — | ||
- 1996: Avalon (Nikki Hassman, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
- 1997: A Maze of Grace (Nikki Hassman, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
- 1999: In a Different Light (Cherie Adams, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
- 2000: Joy: A Christmas Collection (Cherie Adams, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
- 2001: Oxygen (Cherie Adams, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
- 2002: O2: Avalon Remixed
- 2003: Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon (Melissa Greene, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
- 2004: The Creed (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
- 2006: Stand (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
- 2006: Faith: A Hymns Collection (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
- 2008: Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
- 2009: Avalon: The Greatest Hits (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jeremi Richardson)
- 2009: Reborn (Greg Long, Janna Long, Amy Richardson, Jeremi Richardson)
- 2020: Called (Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Dani Rocca)
- "For Freedom" (For Freedom EP)
+ Denotes No. 1 Radio Hit
Videography[]
Long form
- 2003: Testify to Love: Live in Concert
- 2008: Avalon Live: A Hits Collection
Short form
- 2000: "In Not Of" music video
- 2006: "In Christ Alone" music video; featured in Tribute to Ruth Graham
- 2019: "Keeper of My Heart" music video
Honors, awards, and nominations[]
Grammy nominations
- 2000: 43rd Annual Grammy nomination – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, Joy
- 2001: 44th Annual Grammy nomination – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, Oxygen
- 2004: 47th Annual Grammy nomination – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, The Creed
GMA Dove Awards
- 1998: New Artist of the Year
- 1998: Special Event Album of the Year (for their contribution to God With Us)
- 1999: Inspirational Song of the Year "Adonai"
- 1999: Long Form Music Video My Utmost For His Highest
- 1999: Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year "Testify to Love"
- 2004: Inspirational Song of the Year "Everything To Me"
GMA Dove Award nominations
- 1998: New Artist of the Year
- 1998: Special Event Album of the Year (for their contribution to God With Us)
- 1999: Artist of the Year
- 1999: Group of the Year
- 1999: Inspirational Song of the Year "Adonai"
- 1999: Long Form Music Video My Utmost For His Highest
- 1999: Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year A Maze of Grace
- 1999: Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year "Testify to Love"
- 2000: Artist of the Year
- 2000: Group of the Year
- 2000: Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year In A Different Light
- 2000: Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year "Can't Live a Day"
- 2000: Song of the Year "Can't Live a Day"
- 2001: Group of the Year
- 2001: Special Event Album for Child of the Promise (featuring Michael Passons and Jody McBrayer)
- 2001: Special Event Album for Music from and Inspired by Jesus: The Epic Mini-series ("Fly to You")
- 2002: Group of the Year
- 2002: Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year "The Glory"; Oxygen
- 2002: Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Oxygen
- 2002: Song of the year "The Glory"; Oxygen
- 2004: Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year "Everything To Me"; Testify To Love: The Very Best of Avalon
- 2004: Song of the Year "Everything To Me"; Testify To Love: The Very Best of Avalon
- 2007: Children's Album of the Year for Sing Over Me (featuring Janna Long)
- 2007: Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year "Orphans of God"; Stand
- 2008: Special Event Album for Music Inspired by the Motion Picture Amazing Grace ("Great Is Thy Faithfulness")
Miscellaneous
- 1998: American Songwriter Professional Songwriter Award – Artist of the Year
- 1998: American Songwriter Professional Songwriter Award – Song of the Year "Testify To Love"
- 1998: CRR (Christian Research Report) – No. 1 AC song of the Year "Testify To Love"
- 1998: CRR (Christian Research Report) – Group of the Year
- 1999: CRR (Christian Research Report) – No. 1 AC song of the Year "Reason Enough"
- 2000: CBA's top-selling Christmas recording for Joy
- 2002: American Music Award – Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational Music
- 2002: CCM Reader's Choice Award – Group of the Year
- 2003: CCM Reader's Choice Award – Group of the Year
- 2004: CCM Reader's Choice Award – Group of the Year
References[]
- ^ Mark Allan Powell, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Volume 1, Hendrickson Publishers, USA, 2002, p. 60
- ^ Barry Alfonso, The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music, Billboard Books, USA, 2002, p. 117
- ^ "CCM Lifelines: Avalon". Archived from the original on May 13, 2010.
- ^ "Franklin Gospel Singer Credits God for Life Successes "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)" - ^ John von Rhein, AVALON QUARTET COMES WITH ALL STRINGS ATTACHED, Chicagotribune.com, USA, March 19, 1999
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Archived copy". Amazon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Lynch, Joe (September 11, 2020). "Michael Passons Says His Sexuality Was the Real Reason for Leaving Avalon". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ Chung, Gabrielle (September 11, 2020). "Former Avalon Singer Michael Passons Says He Was Kicked Out of Christian Band for Being Gay". People. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ Josh Skinner (September 9, 2020). "Michael Passons". Jonah and the Whale (Podcast). Lasting Media. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "www.eSpinnaker.com". Archived from the original on July 18, 2009.
- ^ Salon, Heather (2009). "Avalon's Strength Found in Original Mission". Cbn.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ Kevin P. Donovan, AVALON QUARTET COMES WITH ALL STRINGS ATTACHED, christianpost.com, USA, February 10, 2009
- ^ "Melissa Greene Music >> Blog". Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Christian Music Lighthouse". Archived from the original on May 13, 2010.
- ^ "Archived copy". jesusfreakhideout.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Avalon Reveals the Next Chapter". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ "GREATEST HITS LIVE TOUR ARTISTS". Greatesthitslivetour.com.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (July 2019). "Avalon Inspires LifeWay's WorshipLife Conference". TheChristianBeat.org.
- ^ "90s Kids Rejoice: Avalon Is Back With a New Album All About Living Out Our Faith". faithwire.com. February 14, 2020.
- ^ "Christian vocal quartet Avalon is back with new album 'Called'". aleteia.org. February 17, 2020.
- ^ "JFH News: Avalon Reveals Next Chapter". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ a b "Avalon – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ a b "Avalon – Chart History: Top Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Avalon – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ a b "American Album certifications – Avalon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Avalon Announces New Album, First Headlining Tour in Ten Years". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ "Avalon – Chart History: Top Holiday Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ a b "CCM Magazine".
- ^ "Avalon Discography". www.elchalanradiospot.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
External links[]
- 1996 establishments in Tennessee
- American Christian musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1996
- Musical groups from Nashville, Tennessee
- Sparrow Records artists