Avalon (band)

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Avalon
Origin Nashville, TN, U.S.
Genre(s) CCM
Years active 1996 - present
Label(s) Sparrow Records
Website http://www.avalonlive.com
Members
Greg Long, Janna Long,
Amy Richardson, Jeremi Richardson
Former members
Melissa Greene,Michael Passons, Jody McBrayer
Cherie Adams, Nikki Hassman

Avalon is a Contemporary Christian group. To date, the group has achieved multiple RIAA-certified Gold record albums, and scored 21 #1 Christian hits.

Contents

[edit] Group history

Avalon was formed in 1995 by Grant Cunningham, A&R Director at Sparrow Records. Cunningham was in search of a vocalist group that could sing tight harmonies and carry God's message to the world. Cunningham publicized his intentions and demo tapes flooded him, but nothing fit for what he wanted.

After letting the desire for Avalon to rest a while, Cunningham visited a coffee shop to listen to a potential singer one day. However, another artist, Michael Passons, actually caught his attention. Cunningham contacted Passons about his plan for Avalon. Passons prayed about God's will and then decided this was where God was leading him.

Soon after, Truth vocalist Janna Long (at the time, Janna Potter) heard of the intentions for Avalon. Cunningham happened to hear her sing at a Truth concert and liked her because she was "such a good singer"

Rikk Kittleman and Tabitha Fair became part of the group, but each left after a short time. Tabitha was offered a solo record deal, and Rikk left for other opportunities. With Avalon having two member openings, Long remembered previous fellow Truth artist, Jody McBrayer. Long contacted McBrayer about his interest in the group and McBrayer auditioned. A few days later, Cunningham contacted McBrayer stating that he was now a member of Avalon.

Finally, Nikki Hassman (now Nikki Anders) was hired to become the fourth 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.

Cherie Paliotta (now Cherie Adams) was selected to replace Hassman after one of Avalon's co-managers listened to a country music demo tape recorded by Adams. Even though country is not a style Avalon records, executives chose Adams knowing she would be a perfect fit. Adams recorded three albums as a member: In A Different Light (March 23, 1999), Joy: A Christmas Collection (September 26, 2000) and Oxygen (May 22, 2001) as well as releasing a remix album, "O2: Avalon Remixed" (March 2002). Adams left to pursue a solo ministry that is geared towards single women; and in September 2002, she was replaced by Melissa Greene, another former member of the now disbanded group Truth

On March 25, 2003, Avalon released a greatest hits record, 'Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon,' which featured the #1 hits 'Everything to Me' and 'New Day.' It was the last album on which Michael Passons sang; the Avalon member known as 'Father Avalon' left only months after the album's release (in summer 2003) to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Janna Long's husband, Greg Long.

In between projects, Jody McBrayer released a solo album, 'This is Who I Am,' in September 2002, off which the Top 10 hit 'Never Alone (Nunca Solo),' a duet with Jadyn Strand (now known as Jadyn Maria), was culled, as well as a #1 single, "To Ever Live Without Me". Janna Long also released a solo album in October, 'Janna,' off which the #2 smash 'Greater Is He' was lifted.

On February 24, 2004, Avalon released the studio album 'The Creed.' Three singles were released off 'The Creed': the carrier 'All,' which made it to #2 on the Adult Contemporary Christian Songs chart; the Jody McBrayer showcase 'You Were There,' a #2 Inspirational Charts hit, and the Greg Long-led 'I Wanna Be With You.'

Avalon's sixth studio album, 'Stand,' was released on January 24, 2006. Carrier 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 sent 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.

Avalon also released a Hymns record, titled "Faith", on October 17, 2006, along with 1 single off of it, "In Christ Alone".

During the summer of 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,[1] Avalon released their 9th album: Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics. They toured with Michael English, the Daniel Doss Band and new Fervent Records girl group Cadia to promote this album.

The first single released from Another Time, Another Place was their cover of the Twila Paris classic "God is in Control". The second single, released on November 5, 2007, [2] , 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 a digital EP featuring 3 songs from the album: singles "God is in Control," "Another Time, Another Place" and a cover of the Amy Grant classic "Thy Word". [3]

Avalon's newest member Jeremi Richardson joined the group after Jody McBrayer had to leave due to a health issue concerning his heart. On November 11th 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 updated radio successes from three of Avalon's projects that have been released since the last hits record, namely "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 new hits album features a brand new song from Avalon entitled "Still My God", which was serviced to radio on January 9, 2009. On March 31, 2009, "Still My God" became Avalon's first #1 single since "New Day" released in 2003 (ironically from Avalon's previous greatest hits title).

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.[[4]] On May 21, 2009, Avalon announced that Amy Richardson (Jeremi's wife) would fill Melissa's spot as the newest member of Avalon.

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) due out in September. Avalon began recording vocals for the new album with Amy Richardson as its new member on May 19, 2009.

Avalon also announced in mid-2009 that they would be going on tour with fellow Christian recording group Selah in the fall of 2009 to promote the new record.

Up to 2009, Janna Long, who sings alto for Avalon, besides being one of the original members is also the longest member that has remained within the group since the beginning.

[edit] Lineup of Members

[edit] Current members

[edit] Previous Members

[edit] Discography

[edit] Videography

  • "In Not Of" Music Video (2000)
  • Testify to Love: Live in Concert (2003)
  • In Christ Alone; featured in Tribute to Ruth Graham (2006)
  • Avalon Live: A Hits Collection (2008)

[edit] Major Tours

  • 2008- Casting Crowns: Christmas Celebration Tour feat. Natalie Grant, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, Avalon, Michael English, and pureNRG
  • 2008- The We Will Stand Tour - Avalon with Michael English, Daniel Doss Band and Cadia
  • 2006- Women Of Faith Conferences
  • 2005- Women Of Faith Conferences
  • 2004- American Gospel Music Festival – Edinburgh, Scotland
  • 2004- The Creed Tour (Fall - with Mark Schultz and Matthew West)
  • 2004- The Creed Tour (Spring - with Mark Schultz and Across The Sky)
  • 2003- Avalon With ZOEgirl And Special Guest Joy Williams Tour
  • 2002- The Joy Tour
  • 2001/02- The Oxygen Tour
  • 2000/01- Child Of The Promise Tour
  • 1999/00- The A Tour with Anointed and Nichole Nordeman
  • 1998- Gold Tour with Crystal Lewis
  • 1998- Christmas Celebration Tour
  • 1997- The Young Messiah Farewell Tour
  • 1997- My Utmost for His Highest Tour
  • 1996/97- Where I Stand Tour with Twila Paris
  • 1996- Emmanuel Tour
  • 1995/96- The Young Messiah Tour

[edit] Honors, Awards, and Nominations

[edit] Grammy Nominations

  • 2004 – 47th Annual Grammy Nomination - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, The Creed
  • 2001 – 44th Annual Grammy Nomination - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, Oxygen
  • 2000 - 43rd Annual Grammy Nomination- Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, Joy

[edit] GMA Dove Awards

  • 2004 GMA’s Dove Award for Inspirational Song of the Year “Everything To Me”
  • 1999 GMA’s Dove Award for Inspirational Song of the Year “Adonai”
  • 1999 GMA’s Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year “Testify to Love”
  • 1999 GMA’s Dove Award for Long Form Music Video “My Utmost For His Highest”
  • 1998 GMA’s Dove Award—New Artist of the Year
  • 1998 GMA’s Dove Award—Special Event Album of the Year (for their contribution to God With Us)

[edit] GMA Dove Award Nominations

  • 2008- Special Event Album for Music Inspired by the Motion Picture: Amazing Grace (featuring 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
  • 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
  • 2002- Group of the Year
  • 2002- Song of the year “The Glory”; Oxygen
  • 2002- Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year “The Glory”; Oxygen
  • 2002- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Oxygen
  • 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 (featuring Avalon)
  • 2000- Artist of the Year
  • 2000- Group of the Year
  • 2000- Song of the Year “Can’t Live a Day”
  • 2000- Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year “Can’t Live a Day”
  • 2000- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year In A Different Light
  • 1999- Artist of the Year
  • 1999- Group of the Year
  • 1999- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year A Maze Of Grace
  • 1999- Inspirational Song of the Year “Adonai”
  • 1999- Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year “Testify to Love”
  • 1999- Long Form Music Video “My Utmost For His Highest”
  • 1998- New Artist of the Year
  • 1998- Special Event Album of the Year (for their contribution to God With Us)

[edit] Miscellaneous Awards

  • 2004- CCM Reader’s Choice Award: Group Of The Year
  • 2003- CCM Reader’s Choice Award: Group of the Year
  • 2002- CCM Reader’s Choice Award: Group Of The Year
  • 2002- American Music Award - Favorite Artist- Contemporary Inspirational Music
  • 2000- CBA’s top-selling Christmas recording for Joy
  • 1999- CRR (Christian Research Report) - #1 AC song of the Year “Reason Enough”
  • 1998- CRR (Christian Research Report) - Group of the Year
  • 1998- CRR (Christian Research Report) - #1 AC song of the Year “Testify To Love”
  • 1998- American Songwriter Professional Songwriter Award - Artist of the Year
  • 1998- American Songwriter Professional Songwriter Award - Song of the Year “Testify To Love”

[edit] Radio Singles

  • 1996: Avalon (Nikki Hassman, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
    • "Give It Up" +
    • "The Greatest Story" +
    • "Picture Perfect World" +
    • "Savior Love"
    • "This Love" +
  • 1997: A Maze of Grace (Nikki Hassman, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
    • "Adonai" +
    • "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" +
    • "Reason Enough" +
    • "Testify To Love" +
  • 1999: In a Different Light (Cherie Adams, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
    • "Always Have Always Will" +
    • "Can't Live A Day" +
    • "In Not Of" +
    • "Take You At Your Word" +
  • 2000: Joy: A Christmas Collection (Cherie Adams, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
    • "Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day"
    • "Light A Candle"
    • "We are the Reason"
    • "Jesus, Born On This Day"
  • 2001: Oxygen (Cherie Adams, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
    • "Come And Fill My Heart" +
    • "The Glory" +
    • "I Don't Want To Go" +
    • "Make It Last Forever" +
    • "Undeniably You" +
    • "Wonder Why" +
  • 2002: O2: Avalon Remixed
    • "Undeniably You (Jeff Savage Mix)"
  • 2003: Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon (Melissa Greene, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons)
    • "Everything To Me" +
    • "New Day" +
  • 2004: The Creed (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
    • "All"
    • "I Wanna Be With You"
    • "You Were There"
  • 2006 Stand (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
    • "Love Won't Leave You"
    • "Orphans of God"
    • "Somehow You Are"
  • 2006 Faith: A Hymns Collection (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
    • "In Christ Alone"
  • 2008 Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jody McBrayer)
    • "God is in Control"
    • "Another Time, Another Place"
  • 2009 Avalon: The Greatest Hits (Melissa Greene, Greg Long, Janna Long, Jeremi Richardson)
    • "Still My God" +
  • Other radio success:
    • "Fly To You" (From the Jesus Epic Mini-series soundtrack and Avalon: The Limited Edition Single)
    • "For Freedom" (Online EP)

+ Denotes #1 Radio Hit

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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