Michael Passons

Michael Passons
Michael Passons, GRAMMY Awards red carpet
Background information
Birth name	Robert Michael Passons
Born	Yazoo City, Mississippi, Mississippi
Origin	United States
Genres	CCM/Worship/Pop
Occupation(s)	Musician Songwriter Composer
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1995 – present
Labels	Capitol Music Group
Associated acts	Avalon Point of Grace

Michael Passons is an American singer/songwriter and the founding member of the Christian band Avalon. As a young musician, Michael was influenced by artists like Elton John and Lionel Richie. In college, he performed in a band and in a New Jersey-based group that toured nationally. After completing his degree in classical piano at Mississippi College, Michael moved to Nashville and began working with fellow musicians. It was there that Grant Cunningham, a Sparrow Records (EMI) A&R director, caught his performance at a Nashville showcase. This pivotal meeting led to Michael becoming the founding member of the Christian pop group, Avalon in 1995. The band made its debut in November 1995, in San Jose, California, at the start of the multi-city arena tour, "The Young Messiah," alongside such artists as Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith.

This proved to be an excellent launching pad for the foursome who, during Michael's tenure, later garnered two gold records, twenty #1 radio singles, six GMA awards, two GRAMMY nominations, a 2003 American Music Award for, "Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspiration," and their hit song, "Testify to Love," would eventually be named one of the top gospel songs of all time.

After eight years with Avalon, Passons departed the group in 2003 to seek out new opportunities in his music career which has included an opening spot on tour with Christian group Point of Grace.