Brio Magazine
Avalon Says
By Susie Shellenberger (Brio Magazine-April '98)
They're one of Christian music's hottest sounds. To find out what they think, read on!
They're best friends. They love what they do. And they're doing it for Jesus. How they actually became friends is kinda cool. Each of the four had dreamed of singing for Jesus for years. After going to different colleges in different states, they ended up in Nashville, trying to get a recording contract. But it wasn't until a producer with a dream of his own decided to combine these four that the dream became reality.
Avalon is two guys, Jody and Michael, and two gals, Nikki and Janna. And they have alot to say about faith, the opposite sex, self-esteem, and more.
They have two albums out-Avalon and A Maze Of Grace. We think you'll love their sound. But we also want to let you know what they're thinking. Here they are...with something to say about important stuff.
For those who want to get into contemporary Christian music as a full-time ministry and career:
"One of the first things I was told when I was starting to get into music was simply be open to what God is saying and has planned for you.
"It's easy to get caught up in the industry and forget that God might have a better plan for us. There are so many ways you can be a musician without having to be in the music industry. I don't think that's for everybody. Be very open to how God wants to use you." -Nikki
Trying to be like Christlike to someone who's tough to get along with:
"My parents always told me that not everyone will like me, that I simply wouldn't click with everybody in the world. Once we realize that and learn that there are going to be some people you gel with better than others, we can accept the fact that it's okay not to be liked by everyone.
"Let's face it--some people are like sandpaper. They're just tough to get along with. You know what they key is? Praying for them. It's never our place to seek revenge on someone, but we are human, and we will rub each other the wrong way occasionally. And sometimes those around you just need a little space. If you sense that, give it to them." -Janna
Staying focused on Christ:
"It's hard sometimes isn't it? This past year we traveled almost 250 days--which is most of the year. It's tough to be on stage every night and constantly giving and not receiving. After a while, it's kind of like a car: You can only go so far before you run out of gas. You get fatigued and are tempted to simply go through the motions.
I'm finding that the best way for me to maintain my focus is to be disciplined enough to take time away from the other three in the group, from the record company, from the schedules, and to crawl in my bunk on the bus for half an hour to read the Bible. I've found I can't live without that." -Jody
Taking a stand:
"I remember my high school years. I was a kid who didn't drink, didn't go to the wrong movies and didn't do drugs. But you know what's sad? I never told anyone why I didn't do those things. They'd always ask, and I'd never tell them. I think I was ashamed to talk about God.
"Today, I still run into people I went to high school with, and they ask what I'm doing. I'm quick to say, 'I'm in this Christian singing group.' Since I never took a stand in high school, I want to take advantage of every opportunity now to tell others why I'm different.
"When someone asks, I want to be able to say, 'You know what? It's because God has changed my life. I don't need temporary stuff like drugs or drinking, because I have the Lord. He fills all the empty spots that you're trying to fill with other things.'
"Teens are smart. I believe they'll respect you for your honesty, and they'll take the time to listen if you're truly sincere." -Jody
Discerning God's will for your life:
"There was a time whe I had done some things that I really shouldn't have done. I felt as though I had fallen out of favor with God. I felt like He was never going to use me again in Christian music. I even tried to audition for some things, and it never came to fruition. So I thought, Well, that's it. God's done with me. He doesn't care.
"I was about ready to give up when someone said, 'You know what? God has a perfect plan for your life.' That's when I memorized Jeremiah 29:11: '[My] plans are to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
"So I literally locked myself in a hotel room in Southern California for two days. I'm not a dramatic person, but I desperately needed some answers. I can say that God truly visited me in that hotel room. I had to get to the point where I said, 'Okay, Lord, Your plan for my life may not be glamorous. I may not be on stage in front of thousands of people. If you want me to take the trash out at the local church, fine. That's what I'll do. But I know I won't be happy unless I'm doing it for You.'
"I had to get to the point in my life where I could totally give up my dreams--everything--and totally accept his design. I learned that His plans are always right, even if they don't seem to make sense at the moment." -Jody
Maintaining sexual purity:
"When I was in high school, I dated a guys who wasn't a Christian. That was a mistake. He was really cute and I thought, 'Well, we'll see what happens.
"We came to a point where he actually said, 'If you don't sleep with me, I'm going to have to break up with you. That's just the way it goes.'
"I remember thinking, What an idiot to think he can base whatever I'm worth simply on whether or not I'll have sex with him.
"Instead of feeling pressured by that, it really opened my eyes. I began to realize that if those were the rules he was going to base a relationship on, he wasn't worth my time.
"I want to encourage my Brio Sisses that if you're being pressured to have sex, please remember that (1) it's never right outside of marriage, (2) you are worth much more than that and (3) if a guy is putting that kind of pressure on you, he's only thinking of himself.
"The whole sexual relationship isn't just a physical thing--it's very much a spiritual thing as well." -Janna
What guys say:
"I've heard guys say to girls, 'If you love me, you will.' I think the great response to that is, 'If you love me, you won't ask. You'll respect my standards and not force that kind of pressure on me.'
"If someone is really, truly in love with you, he's not going to put that temptation in front of you." -Jody
Moving past sin and guilt:
"God's primary message is grace. And His grace is sufficient. The devil uses not only sin, but also our guilt about it, to really damage our relationship with God, family and friends. If you have blown it, realize you've sinned, seek His forgiveness, create some accountability in your life so you won't blow it again, and realize God has forgiven you and forgotten about it." -Michael
Self-esteem:
I was really awkward in seventh grade. I was heavier for my height than I should have been. And I wore corduroys to school when corduroys weren't cool. I felt like such an idiot, and I knew everyone was laughing at me. I had zits and was pretty insecure.
"As I progressed through junior high, I took up tennis. I also started trying out for the musical dramas at school. Though I grew up in a Christian home, I still battled a low self-esteem. I didn't really take Christianity seriously until I was 16.
"Establishing a strong relationship with Christ can really enhance how you feel about yourself, because it's awesome to realize that the Creator of the universe is in love with you! Finding activities (like tennis or musical dramas for me) that you enjoy and can become good at also helps you feel better about yourself." -Jody
Feeling alone:
"I grew up in a small town in Mississippi (Yaboo City), and I wasn't really exposed to a lot of things that other kids might have experienced growing up.
"I considered myself not one of the 'in' crowd in junior high. I was real skinny and had a bad complexion. I didn't know where everyone bought all their cool clothes. I had no idea where to get Nike shoes. I was a country boy and didn't know where the cool stores were to buy the cool stuff at.
"Everything that was cool wasn't me. It was cool to eat in the cafeteria--I brought my lunch and sat outside. I remember one day, my mom ran out of brown lunch bags. All she had was this big Lays potato chip bag. So she emptied it out, and I took my lunch in the Lays potato chip bag.
"During study hall, I could hear all the kids laughing at me clear across the room. I remember going outside at lunch and finding a corner and just sitting there praying that my dad would drive by and I could crawl into the truck and go home. I was so humiliated!
"But you know what? Probably everyone has a 'potato chip bag.' It may not be a literal bag, but all of us have something about ourselves that we struggle with. That's where Christ can make a difference--if we'll let Him. None of us are perfect. Only in a strong relationship with Him can we find confidence and security." -Michael ††
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