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Avalon Worship, originally known as 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 consists of Janna Long, Greg Long, Jody McBrayer, and Dani Rocca.
Avalon Worship | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Genres | CCM |
| Instrument | Voice |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Sparrow, E1, Red Street |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | avalonthegroup |
Group history
edit1995–97
editAvalon 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] Cunningham attended an artist showcase in Nashville where he heard singer Michael Passons and made Passons the first Avalon member. Former Truth vocalist and South Carolina native Janna Potter (later Janna Long) became the group's second member.
Rikk Kittlemann and Tabitha Fair became part of the group, but each left after a short time.[citation needed] Long contacted McBrayer, her former Truth bandmate, who became a member of the group.[3] Nikki Hassman-Anders was the fourth founding vocalist of Avalon. Hassman recorded two albums with Avalon, Avalon (1996) and A Maze of Grace (1997), before leaving in May 1998 to pursue a solo career with Sony Records.
1998–02
editCherie Paliotta (later Cherie Adams) replaced Hassman in the group. Adams recorded four albums with Avalon: In a Different Light (1999), Joy: A Christmas Collection (2000), Oxygen (2001), and a remix album, O2: Avalon Remixed (March 2002).
Adams departed the group and was replaced by former Truth member Melissa Greene in September 2002.
In September 2002, McBrayer released a solo album, This Is Who I Am, that included the Top 10 duet with Jadyn Maria "Never Alone (Nunca Solo)" and a No. 1 single "To Ever Live Without Me." Long released a self-titled solo album in October 2002 which contained the No. 2 song "Greater Is He".[4]
2003–06
editOn 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 Passons.
Passons revealed in an interview in 2020 that he was forced out of Avalon due to his sexual orientation as a gay man and refusal to continue attending reparative therapy.[5] Although a member of the group when it fired Passons, Greene has supported Passons.[6][7] Passons was replaced by Long's husband, Greg.[8]
On February 24, 2004, Avalon released the studio album The Creed, from which three singles were released, "All", which reached No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary Christian Songs chart; "You Were There," a No. 2 Inspirational Charts hit; and "I Wanna Be With You".[8]
Avalon's sixth studio album, Stand, was released on January 24, 2006. The single "Love Won't Leave You" peaked in the Top 20 of Billboard Hot Christian Songs and Hot Christian Adult Contemporary charts. The single, "Orphans of God" peaked in the Top 5 of Radio & Records' Inspo chart the week of August 11, 2006. "Somehow You Are" was released to radio in August 2006.
On October 17, 2006, Avalon released a hymns album Faith: A Hymns Collection.
2007–09
editIn 2007, McBrayer left Avalon the group after being diagnosed with a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyoparthy.[9][10]
On February 26, 2008, Avalon released its ninth album, Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics. A headlining "The We Will Stand Tour" followed the album's release, with Michael English, the Daniel Doss Band, and Cadia.
The first single released from Another Time, Another Place was Avalon's 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." On November 13, 2007, Avalon released Another Time, Another Place EP, a digital EP featuring three singles from the album, "God is in Control" and "Another Time, Another Place," and a cover of the Amy Grant song "Thy Word."
Jeremi Richardson joined the group in 2007 to replace McBrayer. Richardson had sung with the group Voices of Liberty at Walt Disney World.[11] On November 11, 2007, Greene announced at a show in Spring Arbor, Michigan, that it was the first concert with Richardson officially being a member of the group.
In 2008, EMI CMG released Avalon: The Greatest Hits. The album featured a new song from Avalon, "Still My God." On March 31, 2009, "Still My God" became Avalon's first No. 1 single since "New Day" was released in 2003, from Avalon's previous greatest hits album.
On May 15, 2009, Melissa Greene announced her resignation from Avalon upon accepting a position as Pastor of Music and Arts at GracePointe Church in Nashville.[12]
Richardson's wife, Amy, replaced Greene on May 21, 2009.[13]
On May 19, 2009, Avalon recorded Reborn, its first studio album since Stand in 2006, on E1 Music, ending the group's affiliation with Sparrow Records. The first single, "Arise," was released to Christian radio in August 2009 and became Avalon's 22nd career No. 1 radio hit, topping Billboard's Soft AC/Inspirational chart.[14]
2018–present: Called
editOn 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.[15] 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 bassist Jay DeMarcus.[16] 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.[17] It was followed by a new album, Called, on February 14, 2020[18] and tour.[19]
In 2022, the group rebranded under the name Avalon Worship and have released their self-titled album under this moniker. [20] [21]
Members
editCurrent members
edit- Janna (Potter) Long (1995–present)
- Greg Long (2003–present)
- Jody McBrayer (1995–2007, 2018–present)
- Dani Rocca (2018–present)
Former members
edit- Rikk Kittlemann (1995)
- Tabitha Fair (1995–1996)
- 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]
Timeline
edit
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications[23] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [24] |
US Christ. [24] |
US Heat. [24] | |||
| 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[25] |
|
— | — | — | |
| Avalon Worship (Deluxe) |
|
- | - | - | |
Christmas albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [24] |
US Christ. [24] |
US Holiday [24] |
US Catalog [24] | ||
| Joy: A Christmas Collection |
|
115 | 3 | 13 | 9 |
Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [24] |
US Christ. [24] |
US Dance [24] | ||
| O2: Avalon Remixed |
|
— | 19 | 2 |
| Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon |
|
112 | 9 | — |
| Avalon: The Greatest Hits |
|
— | — | — |
| Number Ones |
|
— | — | — |
| 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Avalon |
|
— | — | — |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ. [24] |
US Christ. AC [26][27] |
US Insp. [26] | |||
| 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 | — | God with Us | |
| 1998 | "Testify to Love" | — | 1 | — | A Maze of Grace |
| "Adonai" | — | 1 | 1 | ||
| "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" | — | 1 | — | ||
| "Reason Enough" | — | 1 | — | ||
| 1999 | "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 Candle" | — | — | — | ||
| "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 | "All" | 8 | 2 | — | The Creed |
| "You Were There" | 29 | — | 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 | |
| "Another Time, Another Place" | — | — | — | ||
| 2008 | "We Will Stand" | — | — | — | |
| 2009 | "Still My God" | — | 1 | — | Avalon: The Greatest Hits |
| "Arise" | — | 1 | — | Reborn | |
| "Alive" | — | — | — | ||
| 2019 | "Majesty" | — | — | — | non-album single |
| "Keeper of My Heart" | 29 | — | — | Called | |
| 2020 | "Closer" | — | 1 | — | |
| "If Not for Jesus" | — | — | — | ||
| "Called" | — | — | — | ||
| "Only One" | — | — | — | ||
Live albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [24] |
US Christ. [28] |
US Heat. [29] | ||
| Testify to Love: Live in Concert | — | — | — | |
| Avalon Live! A Hits Collection |
|
— | — | — |
Music videos
edit- 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
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Awards | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | American Songwriter Professional Songwriter Awards | Artist of the Year | Avalon | Won |
| Song of the Year | "Testify to Love" | Won | ||
| CRR (Christian Research Report) | No. 1 AC Song of the Year | Won | ||
| Group of the Year | Avalon | Won | ||
| GMA Dove Awards | Best New Artist | Won | ||
| Special Event Album of the Year | God with Us | Won | ||
| 1999 | CRR (Christian Research Report) | No. 1 AC Song of the Year | "Reason Enough" | Won |
| GMA Dove Awards | Artist of the Year | Avalon | Nominated | |
| Group of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Long Form Music Video | My Utmost for His Highest | Won | ||
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | A Maze of Grace | Nominated | ||
| Inspirational Song of the Year | "Adonai" | Won | ||
| Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year | "Testify to Love" | Won | ||
| 2000 | Christian Booksellers Association | Top-Selling Christmas Recording | Joy: A Christmas Collection | Won |
| GMA Dove Awards | Artist of the Year | Avalon | Nominated | |
| Group of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | "Can't Live a Day" | Nominated | ||
| Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | In a Different Light | Nominated | ||
| 2001 | GMA Dove Awards | Group of the Year | Avalon | Nominated |
| Special Event Album of the Year | Child of the Promise | Nominated | ||
| Music from and Inspired by Jesus: The Epic Mini-Series | Nominated | |||
| 43rd Annual Grammy Awards | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | Joy: A Christmas Collection | Nominated | |
| 2002 | CCM Reader's Choice Awards | Group of the Year | Avalon | Won |
| GMA Dove Awards | Nominated | |||
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | Oxygen | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "The Glory" | Nominated | ||
| Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 44th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | Oxygen | Nominated | |
| 2003 | American Music Awards (January) | Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist | Avalon | Won |
| CCM Reader's Choice Awards | Group of the Year | Won | ||
| 2004 | CCM Reader's Choice Awards | Group of the Year | Avalon | Won |
| GMA Dove Awards | Song of the Year | "Everything to Me" | Nominated | |
| Inspirational Song of the Year | Won | |||
| 2005 | 47th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | The Creed | Nominated |
| 2007 | GMA Dove Awards | Children's Album of the Year | Sing Over Me | Nominated |
| Inspirational Song of the Year | "Orphans of God" | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | GMA Dove Awards | Special Event Album | Amazing Grace: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Janna Long - Janna - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jackson, Kevin (April 4, 2024). "Avalon Founder to Leave Group". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Salon, Heather (2009). "Avalon's Strength Found in Original Mission". Cbn.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, December 2009: AVALON REACHES #1, FOR THE 22ND TIME!". jesusfreakhideout.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Iconic Vocal Group Avalon Rebrands for New Season". May 23, 2022.
- ^ "Avalon Worship".
- ^ "JFH News: Avalon Reveals Next Chapter". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ "American Album certifications – Avalon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Chart History – Avalon". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ "Avalon Announces New Album, First Headlining Tour in Ten Years". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ a b "CCM Magazine".
- ^ "Avalon Discography". www.elchalanradiospot.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Avalon – Chart History: Top Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Avalon – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
External links
edit