Avalon (American group)

Avalon Worship
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee
Genres	CCM
Instrument	Voice
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Sparrow, E1, Red Street
Members	Janna Long Greg Long Jody McBrayer Dani Rocca
Past members	Jeremi Richardson Amy McBride Richardson Melissa Greene Michael Passons Cherie Adams Nikki Hassman-Anders Rikk Kittlemann Tabitha Fair
Website	avalonthegroup.com

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.

Group history

1995–97

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] 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

Cherie 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

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 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

In 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

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.^[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

Current members

• Janna (Potter) Long (1995–present)
• Greg Long (2003–present)
• Jody McBrayer (1995–2007, 2018–present)
• Dani Rocca (2018–present)

Former members

• 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

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions			Certifications[23]
		US [24]	US Christ. [24]	US Heat. [24]
Avalon	Released: December 26, 1996 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, CS	—	10	30
A Maze of Grace	Released: December 9, 1997 Label: Sparrow Format: CD	153	6	8	RIAA: Gold
In a Different Light	Released: March 23, 1999 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, CS	81	2	—	RIAA: Gold
Oxygen	Released: May 22, 2001 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, CS	37	1	—
The Creed	Released: February 24, 2004 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	104	4	—
Stand	Released: January 24, 2006 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	160	7	—
Faith: A Hymns Collection	Released: October 17, 2006 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	—	25	—
Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics	Released: February 26, 2008 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	—	21	—
Reborn	Released: September 15, 2009 Label: E1 Format: CD, DL	—	28	—
Called[25]	Released: February 14, 2020 Label: Red Street/The Fuel Format: CD, DL	—	—	—
Avalon Worship (Deluxe)	Released September 30, 2022 Label: Red Stret/The Fuel Format: DL	-	-	-

Christmas albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US [24]	US Christ. [24]	US Holiday [24]	US Catalog [24]
Joy: A Christmas Collection	Released: September 26, 2000 Label: Sparrow Format: CD	115	3	13	9

Compilation albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US [24]	US Christ. [24]	US Dance [24]
O2: Avalon Remixed	Released: March 26, 2002 Label: Sparrow Format: CD	—	19	2
Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon	Released: March 25, 2003 Label: Sparrow Format: CD	112	9	—
Avalon: The Greatest Hits	Released: February 10, 2009 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	—	—	—
Number Ones	Released: August 28, 2012 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	—	—	—
20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Avalon	Released: May 4, 2014 Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DL	—	—	—

Singles

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

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US [24]	US Christ. [28]	US Heat. [29]
Testify to Love: Live in Concert	Released: November 18, 2003 (DVD); 2008 (CD) Label: Sparrow Format: CD, DVD	—	—	—
Avalon Live! A Hits Collection	Released: February 26, 2008 Label: Sparrow Format: DVD	—	—	—

Music videos

• 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

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

1. Mark Allan Powell, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Volume 1, Hendrickson Publishers, USA, 2002, p. 60
2. Barry Alfonso, The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music, Billboard Books, USA, 2002, p. 117
3. "CCM Lifelines: Avalon". Archived from the original on May 13, 2010.
4. "Janna Long - Janna - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
5. Lynch, Joe (September 11, 2020). "Michael Passons Says His Sexuality Was the Real Reason for Leaving Avalon". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
6. 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.
7. Josh Skinner (September 9, 2020). "Michael Passons". Jonah and the Whale (Podcast). Lasting Media. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
8. "www.eSpinnaker.com". Archived from the original on July 18, 2009.
9. Jackson, Kevin (April 4, 2024). "Avalon Founder to Leave Group". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
10. "Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
11. Salon, Heather (2009). "Avalon's Strength Found in Original Mission". Cbn.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
12. "Melissa Greene Music >> Blog". Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
13. "Christian Music Lighthouse". Archived from the original on May 13, 2010.
14. "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.
15. "Avalon Reveals the Next Chapter". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
16. "GREATEST HITS LIVE TOUR ARTISTS". Greatesthitslivetour.com.
17. Clarks, Jessie (July 2019). "Avalon Inspires LifeWay's WorshipLife Conference". TheChristianBeat.org.
18. "90s Kids Rejoice: Avalon Is Back With a New Album All About Living Out Our Faith". faithwire.com. February 14, 2020.
19. "Christian vocal quartet Avalon is back with new album 'Called'". aleteia.org. February 17, 2020.
20. "Iconic Vocal Group Avalon Rebrands for New Season". May 23, 2022.
21. "Avalon Worship".
22. "JFH News: Avalon Reveals Next Chapter". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
23. "American Album certifications – Avalon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
24. "Chart History – Avalon". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
25. "Avalon Announces New Album, First Headlining Tour in Ten Years". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
26. "CCM Magazine".
27. "Avalon Discography". www.elchalanradiospot.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
28. "Avalon – Chart History: Top Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
29. "Avalon – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.

External links

• Official website