BIGSONG:
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, debut, and 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. 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 (later Janna Long) heard about Avalon’s formation.
Rikk Kittlemann 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 Kittlemann left for other opportunities.[citation needed] With two member openings, Long contacted her former Truth bandmate Jody McBrayer, who became a member of Avalon a few days later. 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: In a Different Light, Joy, Oxygen, and solo projects
Cherie Paliotta (later Cherie 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. 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). In 1999, it won the Concert Artists Guild Competition.
Adams departed the group to pursue a solo ministry geared toward single women, and in September 2002, she was replaced by Melissa Greene, another of Long’s former bandmates in 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 Maria, as well as a number-one single, “To Ever Live Without Me. Janna also released a self-titled solo album in October which contained the number-two song “Greater Is He”.
2003–06: Testify to Love, 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. 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. Passons was replaced by Janna Long’s husband, Greg.
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. 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, and Reborn
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,” followed in spring 2008 to promote the album; the band was accompanied by Michael English, the Daniel Doss.
