When Sparrow Records was looking for a new christian group, no one knew what would come out of it. They had already picked out a name and they knew what they wanted for the group. Michael Passons entered as the first member. Then Janna Long became the first female. Rikk Kittleman and Tabitha Fair also joined. They toured together during the "Young Messiah" tour in 1995. Shortly after, Rikk and Tabitha both left the group and Janna recommened her friend Jody McBrayer from Truth. Nkki Hassman completed the group. So there they were... Michael a talented handsome pianist with a great voice, Janna a beautiful strong voiced singer who won many talent shows as a teenager, Jody, outgoing and unique voiced and Nikki Hassman a sweet voiced soprano. Avalon was complete!
They burst into christian music with their self titled debut which features "Give it Up", "Picture Perfect World", "This Love" and "The Greatest Story". But they were being compared to groups like Point of Grace. That wasn't at all what they wanted because they wanted their own unique sound. When they came out with "A Maze of Grace" fans were thrilled by the #1 hits "Testify to Love", "Adonai", "Reason Enough" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". "Testify to Love stayed at the top for 6 weeks and was also the basis for an episode of "Touched by an Angel". Michael says in an interview " None of us thought it was going to be that popular but now it's the song that we'll be singing forever."
But after the release of "A Maze of Grace" Nikki left to persue a solo career and fans were devastated. Was this the end of Avalon? But when they found out that Michael, Janna and Jody were replacing Nikki with someone else, they were relieved. But they were worried if Avalon's sound would ever be the same.
Fans relaxed with the appearance of Cherie Adams, an energetic singer from Rhode Island whose beautiful voice and great personality fit right into Avalon. And with the relaese of "In a Different Light" Avalon's third album, fans were more enthusiastic then before. The # 1 singles on "In a Different Light" are "Take You at your Word", "Can't Live a Day" and "In Not Of" which was also their first music video. In 1999, Avalon released "Can't Live a Day" to secular radio, changing a few words to meet the needs of mainstream. Fans complained that the group shouldn't have compromised their message. Avalon wasn't crossing over, this was done in hopes of getting a new audience and introducing more people to Jesus. Jody also married Staphanie Harrison in 1999.
In September 2000, Avalon made a Christmas album with some of everybody's favorite Christmas songs old and new made their own. This was titlted "Joy". Janna married Greg Long, another popular singer in May and the other members of Avalon sang at the wedding. Jody also lost his father, Sonny McBrayer, who Jody says was Avalon's # 1 fan. Jody took some time off from touring and then rejoined later.
In late summer, 2000, Avalon began recording their new album. "Oxygen" was one of the most anticipated albums in Christian music and is some of Avalon's best work. "Oxygen," was released on May 22, 2001. The first singles being "The Glory", "Make it Last Forever" and "Wonder Why". Who knows what else will come from Avalon but they will be a group that no one will forget!

info came from www.christianlighthouse.cjb.net thanks april!!!