Avalon has been continually amazed at the
places where they have found themselves. They have already performed
before more than 700,000 people with some of the top names in
Christian music like
Steven Curtis Chapman,
Carman,
CeCe Winans,
Michael W. Smith and
Sandi Patty, to
name a few, on with "The Young Messiah Tour," the Twila
Paris "Where I Stand" Tour, the "Emmanuel" Tour,
and the "My Utmost For His Highest" Tour.
Radio stations across the country have embraced
their music. They already have seven consecutive number one singles
including "Testify To Love," which made history as
the longest running Christian Adult Contemporary song of the 1990's.
In addition, Avalon has received extensive press
coverage in their short career, from two features on CNN, to their
numerous appearances on national and local television programs, and
dozens of magazine and newspaper features.
To top it off, Avalon was honored by the
Gospel Music Association with the 1998 Dove Award for New Artist of
the Year, an honor previously bestowed upon artists such as
BeBe
Winans & CeCe Winans,
Take 6, 4Him,
Point of Grace and
Jars of Clay.
But above all the accolades, Avalon is amazed
at how God uses them and their music to impact people's lives – to entertain, encourage and inspire, a three-part punch that's
somehow still fairly unique.
The four individuals that make up the voice of Avalon
each come from varied backgrounds, but they share a similar calling. A
calling to serve God with their music and their voices.
Formed in 1995 by Norman Miller (producer of
"The Young Messiah" and "Emmanuel" Tours) and
Sparrow Records, but starting as a vision in the hearts of each
member, the group points to the fact that God's hand has been on every
step of the process for Avalon coming to fruition.
They were committed
to making music on their next album, "A Maze Of
Grace," that
was distinctively Avalon. The first step in that direction was to make a
decision to never spiritually compromise the lyrics.
Avalon has noticed during their time on the
road that people kept commenting on how much energy they had on stage.
(Check out: "A Maze of Grace," "Knockin' On Heaven's
Door," "Speed of Light," just for starters...)
Avalon's
music is infectious...and refreshing. The pop hooks capture the side
of us all that loves to roll down the window and turn up the stereo on
a warm, summer day.
The next element that Avalon wanted to have
as a part of their ministry and music was a commitment to honesty.
According to Janna, people are always looking to see if you are
sincere about what you're doing. "There are so many things out
there that are superficial. Sometimes when you see performers, you
think that they've got it all together, or that they don't feel what
you feel...or go through difficult things. I think when you're a
Christian, you go through even more difficult things, because the enemy
really works against you...that's his purpose. People love to know
that to the best of your ability you are living out what you sing
about. Even though I don't have all the answers, I'm going to let God
have control of it and see what he does."
Avalon hopes that people would see four very
real people. Amidst all the fun music, they want the audience to know
that their message is coming from their hearts...that it's not just
catchy lyrics.
For Avalon, it's all about admitting their
humanity...their struggles...and the overwhelming experience of God's
grace in the midst of it all. With the goal being that of helping
people see through them and their humanity, and directing people
toward God and His divinity.
Avalon testifies to the peace that comes from
knowing that God is affecting lives in ways that go beyond concert
tours, album sales and number one radio hits. It comes during those
times when people share with them how a certain song affected their
life...or how they are being encouraged to capture a clearer vision
for how God looks at them. It comes during those times when you find
yourself lost in a place that only God could've placed you in...and
only God can get you out.
