Sound and Spirit Magazine

Avalon-a maze of grace
By Amy Parker

Sometimes it's amazing--when you find yourself in places you never dreamed you would be. For Avalon, the pop vocal group consisting of Nikki Hassman, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons, and Janna Potter, the places they have found themselves in are truly extraordinary.

Avalon made it's debut in 1995 on the "Young Messiah Tour," singing in front of a quarter of a million people in 18 days as they joined some of the top names in Christian music. Then came the "Emmanuel Tour," the Twila Paris "Where I Stand Tour" and the "My Utmost For His Highest Tour," where the group performed for more than 650,000 people. The group's self-titled debut produced four number one radio singles and garnered national media attention.

"It's been so obvious to see how it's really been God who has brought together four people around the country--each with a different calling on their lives, to be in this group. There are too many extenuating circumstances that would prove otherwise," states Nikki.

Having "Avalon" as their moniker gives insight into the group's identity. "Avalon is a medievil term that means 'heaven'--it was seen as a place where kings and children of royalty would spend eternity," explains Jody.

While Avalon's first album had them being compared to many other groups, they were committed to making music that was distinctively Avalon. Michael says that the first step in that direction was to make a decision to never spiritually compromise the lyrics. "They will always be bold and to the point." Musically, Michael described their sound as a combination of all their musical influences brought together, "with kind of a Euro-pop band, and a '70s element here and there, as well." Janna added, "Don't forget the heavy gospel and R&B edge, with some very inspiring moments, too. But basically, it's energetic and fun."

With the music produced by Charlie Peacock and the vocals produced by Chris Harris, "A Maze Of Grace" mixes the group's tight vocals with top 40 dance pop a la Point Of Grace, PFR, and The Spice Girls.

The upbeat pop Testify To Love, Nikki declares, is "...our anthem: in all we do, testify that all we are, all we have and all that is, is because of God." The sweet, soulful ballad Adonai testifies to a God who is interested in the everyday details of our life: "Adonai I lift up my heart and I cry my Adonai/You are maker of each moment, Father of my hope and freedom/Oh, my Adonai."

One thing Avalon noticed during its time on the road was that people kept commenting on how much energy they had on stage. Nikki continued, "And yet, we only had two or three up-tempo songs that we could do. We realized that we neede more of those type of songs." A Maze Of Grace, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, and Speed Of Light all have elements of pop, dance, R&B and soul. "In reflecting my own journey," Michael says, "I've realized that I have come this far only because God's grace has rescued me from the many dangers, toils and snares."

The title track, A Maze Of Grace, speaks of 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. Knockin' On Heaven's Door speaks of the value of prayer. "The longer I live, the more I understand the importance of constant prayer," explains Michael. "And in this understanding, I've realized how much God yearns for our honesty--He craves candidness and not just flowery words. It is in doing this that my relationship with Him has deepened." Speed Of Light has a super-charged energy which celebrates the change when God breaks in our darkest night. "When we ask God to change our lives," Jody shares, "He doesn't wait until we are ready. He comes in fast. Then He begins to change us from the inside out."

"Everybody gets bogged down with the junk of everyday life." Jody describes his goal for this new project, "I'd like to think this album is a change for someone to let loose and just hang out with God and have a good time. And maybe forget for a while the frustrations and focus on the fact that God's grace and love is real, to feel good about what God has done in your life."

Avalon's music is full of fun, and yet has a substance, and a sound that further defines it as one of the premiere vocal groups in Christian music. ††

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