There are 14+ artists using this name (more info on each below):
1. A contemporary Christian group from the USA
2. An electronic band from Japan
3. A post-rock band from Israel
4. A musical group from Sweden
5. A heavy metal band from The Netherlands
6. A nationalist rock band from the UK
7. A side project of Richie Zito
8. A trance musician from Belgium
9. A folk group from Germany
10. A metal band from the USA
11. A folk-rock band from '80s/90s Scotland
12. A psytrance artist from the UK
13. A rock band from Sweden
14. A (now split up) thrash metal band from Brazil
15. An Argentinean alternative/indie rock band from Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina, formed in 2008 (proper name would be Ávalon)
16. The band that predated Prefab Sprout
1. Avalon is an American Contemporary Christian music vocal quartet. To date, the group has achieved multiple RIAA-certified Gold record albums, have sold 4 million copies and scored 22 #1 Christian hits.
Avalon was formed in 1995 by Grant Cunningham, A&R Director at Sparrow Records. Cunningham was in search of a vocalist group that could sing tight harmonies and carry God's message to the world. Cunningham publicized his intentions and demo tapes flooded him, but nothing fit his desires.
After letting the idea of Avalon to rest a while, Cunningham visited a coffee shop to listen to a potential singer. However, another artist, Michael Passons, actually caught his attention. Cunningham contacted Passons about his plan for Avalon. Passons prayed about God's will and then decided this was where God was leading him.
Soon after, TRUTH vocalist and South Carolina native Janna Potter Long heard of the intentions for Avalon. Cunningham happened to hear her sing at a Truth concert and liked her because she was "such a good singer."
Rikk Kittleman and Tabitha Fair became part of the group, but each left after a short time. Tabitha was offered a solo record deal, and Rikk left for other opportunities. With Avalon having two member openings, Long remembered previous fellow TRUTH member, Jody McBrayer. Long contacted McBrayer about his interest in the group and McBrayer auditioned. A few days later, Cunningham contacted McBrayer stating that he was now a member of Avalon.
Finally, Nikki Hassman Anders was hired to become the fourth 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 was selected to replace Hassman after one of Avalon's co-managers listened to a country music demo tape recorded by Adams. Even though country is not a style of Avalon records, executives chose Adams knowing she would be a perfect fit. Adams recorded three albums as a member: In A Different Light (March 23, 1999), Joy: A Christmas Collection (September 26, 2000) and Oxygen (May 22, 2001) as well as releasing a remix album, O2: Avalon Remixed (March 2002). Cherie departed the group to pursue a solo ministry that is geared towards single women, and, in September 2002, she was replaced by Melissa Greene, Janna's fellow former band member of the now disbanded group TRUTH.
In between projects, Jody McBrayer released a solo album, This Is Who I Am in September 2002, off which the Top 10 hit "Never Alone (Nunca Solo)," a duet with Jadyn Strand Maria, was culled, as well as a #1 single, "To Ever Live Without Me". Janna also released a solo album in October, self-titled Janna, off which the #2 smash 'Greater Is He' was lifted.
On March 25, 2003, Avalon released a greatest hits record, Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon, which featured the #1 hits "Everything to Me" and "New Day." It was the last album to include founding member Michael Passons: the Avalon member known as 'Father Avalon' left only months after the album's release (in summer 2003) to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Janna's husband, Greg Long.
On February 24, 2004, Avalon released the studio album The Creed. Three singles were released: the carrier "All," which made it to #2 on the Adult Contemporary Christian Songs chart; the Jody McBrayer showcase "You Were There," a #2 Inspirational Charts hit, and Greg's song "I Wanna Be With You."
Avalon's sixth studio album, Stand, was released on January 24, 2006. Carrier 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.
Avalon also released a fan-requested hymns record, titled Faith: A Hymns Collection, on October 17, 2006. It includes the Inspo single "In Christ Alone".
During the summer of 2007, Jody McBrayer decided to depart the group due to a heart condition in an effort to avoid getting a Heart attack. But, before h
