This article needs additional citations for verification .(February 2013) |
Avalon Worship | |
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Origin | Nashville, Tennessee |
Genres | CCM |
Instrument | Voice |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Sparrow, E1, Red Street |
Members |
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Past members |
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Website | avalonthegroup |
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 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.
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]
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 .
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]
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]
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) |
| - | - | - |
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 |
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 |
| — | — | — |
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" | — | — | — |
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 |
| — | — | — |
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 |
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Greg Long is an American contemporary Christian music solo artist and also a member of the contemporary Christian pop group Avalon.
Avalon is Avalon's first studio album, released in December 1996 on Sparrow Records. It includes a cover of the hymn "My Jesus, I Love Thee" and the Andrae Crouch song "Jesus Is Lord". Produced by Charlie Peacock, Avalon catapulted the smooth quartet into the Christian music scene, with four No. 1 radio hits and a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association in 1998 for "New Artist of the Year".
Philip David Wickham is an American contemporary Christian singer, musician and songwriter from San Diego, California. He has released ten worship albums: Give You My World in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, Cannons in 2007, Singalong in 2008, Heaven & Earth in 2009, Response in 2011, Singalong 2 in 2012, The Ascension in 2013, Singalong 3 in 2015, Children of God in 2016, Living Hope in 2018, Hymn of Heaven in 2021, and I Believe in 2023. He has also led worship at Soul Survivor. His single "This is Amazing Grace" has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and it topped the 2014 year-end Christian Airplay chart.
Oxygen is Avalon's fifth studio album, released on May 22, 2001, and produced by Brown Bannister. The album included six singles that reached #1 on Christian adult contemporary or Christian contemporary hit radio, the most of any Avalon album to date.
In a Different Light is Avalon's third studio album, released on March 23, 1999. It is the first album with group member Cherie Adams, who replaced Nikki Hassman-Anders. This is Avalon's second album to be certified Gold by the RIAA. The project was an instant hit at Christian radio, containing four No. 1 singles: "Can't Live A Day", "Take You At Your Word", "In Not Of", and "Always Have, Always Will". It debuted and peaked on the Billboard 200 chart at #81 for the week of April 10, 1999, spending a total of 13 weeks on that specific chart.
A Maze of Grace is Avalon's second album, released in December 1997. It contains the hit single "Testify to Love", which has become the group's trademark song, the longest-running Adult Contemporary song in the history of the CCM Update AC chart. The album was Avalon's first to be certified Gold by the RIAA. Shortly after the release of the album, Nikki Hassman left the quartet to pursue a solo career with Sony Records.
Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon is Avalon's seventh release—the group's first greatest hits collection—and is titled appropriately after the quartet's hit, "Testify to Love". It is the first album showcasing Melissa Greene, who replaced Cherie Adams, and the last album featuring founding member Michael Passons. Although mostly consisting of previous radio hits, three new songs were added—"New Day", "Everything to Me", and "Pray", with a bonus Christmas song. "Wonder Why" has an alternate opening from the original album version.
The Creed is the eighth album released by Christian vocal group Avalon, their fifth studio project. It is the first Avalon album to include Greg Long, who replaced Michael Passons after his unexpected departure in mid-2003. The Creed debuted and peaked at #104 on the Billboard 200 chart for the week of March 13, 2004, and to date has spent a total of eight weeks there. It also made an appearance on Billboard's Christian Albums chart, its highest ranking #4, also for the week of March 13, 2004. On the Christian Albums chart, it spent a total of nineteen weeks. The project was unable to produce a No. 1 radio single, a rare occurrence in the group's successful career. However, lead single "All" did manage to peak at #2 on Radio & Records' Christian AC chart and spent a total of eight weeks in the chart's top five. It also made chart positions in all three major Christian formats—AC, CHR, and Inspirational. The Creed contains the track "Overjoyed", lifted from Janna Long's self-titled solo album.
Jody McBrayer is an American singer/songwriter and a member of Christian pop groups Cana's Voice and Avalon.
Michael Passons is an American singer-songwriter and the founding member of the Christian band Avalon.
Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics is Avalon's eleventh release and their eighth studio album. it contains remakes of classic songs that have defined and shaped the sound of Contemporary Christian Music. It was released on February 26, 2008 and was thought to be the final album featuring Jody McBrayer as a member of Avalon until he rejoined the group in 2018.
Avalon: The Greatest Hits (2009) is a greatest hits album by Contemporary Christian music vocal group Avalon. Titles appearing on the album include fan-favorites "Give It Up", "Adonai", "Can't Live A Day", "All", and "You Were There", as well as "Testify To Love", the latter of which became the longest-running No. 1 Adult Contemporary song in the history of the CCM Update AC chart. Also included is then-new recording and radio single, "Still My God". The song garnered immediate attention and success, eventually becoming Avalon's 21st career #1 radio hit. In addition, the song peaked at #2 on Radio & Records' Soft AC/Inspo chart.
Reborn is Avalon's thirteenth release and their ninth studio album. It is the first album featuring Amy Richardson as a member of Avalon and the first full album to feature Jeremi Richardson. It also marks the first album with E1 Music as Avalon's new record label. Released on September 15, 2009, Reborn contains the radio singles "Arise" and "Alive"; "Arise" peaked at the No. 1 position on Billboard's Soft AC/Inspirational National Airplay radio chart in late 2009, garnering Avalon their 22nd career No. 1 hit.
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Jamie Grace is an American contemporary Christian musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2010, TobyMac found her songs on YouTube and signed her to his label Gotee Records for two albums. She released the song "Hold Me" in 2011 which landed her a nomination at the 2012 Grammys and won the 2012 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.
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