Avalon (American group)
| Avalon | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Genres | CCM |
| Instruments | Voice |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Sparrow, E1 |
| Website | avalonlive |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Avalon is an American contemporary Christian vocal quartet. The group has earned multiple RIAA-certified gold records, sold four million albums, and released 22 number-one Christian hits.
Avalon was formed in 1995 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. Cunningham publicized his intentions and received many demo tapes, but nothing fit his desires. 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. Soon after, former Truth vocalist and South Carolina native Janna Potter (Long) heard about Avalon's formation. Rikk Kittleman and Tabitha Fair became part of the group, but each left after a short time. Fair was offered a solo record deal, and Kittleman left for other opportunities. With two member openings, Long contacted former Truth vocalist 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 (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 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 (March 23, 1999), Joy: A Christmas Collection (September 26, 2000), and Oxygen (May 22, 2001) including a remix album, O2: Avalon Remixed (March 2002). Up until the spring of 2002 Grant Cunningham, A&R Director at Sparrow Records, had been the executive producer for all of Avalon's records since he organized the group in 1995. Grant suffered a fatal head injury during a soccer game in early July 2002. Cherie departed the group to pursue a solo ministry geared toward single women, and in September 2002, she was replaced by Melissa Greene, Janna's other fellow former band-mate of the now disbanded group 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 Strand 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".
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