Avalon has achieved something that very few artists have garnered in their musical careers. For the 22nd time in the group's 15-year history, Avalon has reached the #1 spot with their single, "Arise." The hit song, which is top of the Billboard Soft AC-Inspo chart, is from the group's current release, REBORN, which hit shelves September 15th (E1 Entertainment).
"We are thrilled our latest single 'Arise' is blessing so many people," exclaims member Janna Long. "What a great reminder of the abundant life God calls us to."
"Arise" has also been added to over 30 more stations across the nation, including American Family Radio and the FamilyLife Network. It's been in the top 5 on the Billboard Soft AC-Inspo chart for 12 weeks, and has also charted on the INSPO, Indicator AC and Monitored AC stations.
"All of us at E1 Entertainment join in congratulating Avalon on the #1 single, 'Arise,' from their groundbreaking album REBORN," states Jim Sturgeon, E1 Entertainment. "I want to thank Christian radio for their continued support of Avalon over the past 15 years. Get ready for the new single 'Alive,' coming in January."
Since its release, REBORN has achieved much acclaim, with stellar reviews from outlets such as ChristianMusicToday.com, GospelMusicChannel.com, Soul-Audio.com, and AlphaOmegaNews.org. All Music Guide claimed, "Hands down, Reborn is the best album Avalon has released this decade," while JesusFreakHideout.com stated, "Avalon is still one of the best in their game."
Just days after wrapping up their "An Evening with Selah & Avalon," the group will perform two more concerts - December 12th in Tallahassee, FL and Dec. 13th in Hollywood, FL - before the year's end. For more tour information, please visit www.Avalonlive.com.
They're on a successful tour, their new project's debut radio single, "Arise" is already at #3, they are obtaining steady record sales, and are garnering amazing project reviews. Yes, it's Avalon, one of Christian music's premier and award-winning vocal groups, who continue to feel Reborn with their latest project, just released September 15th on E1 Entertainment.
Avalon, along with tour mates Selah, are halfway through their extremely successful tour, "An Evening with Selah & Avalon," with most nights being performed in front of a sell-out crowd! Then, turn on the radio and you're bound to hear "Arise," the quartet's first single off of Reborn. "Arise" is already at #3 on Billboard's Soft AC/INSP Chart and continues to climb the charts every week.
Since its mid-September release to much acclaim, stellar reviews continue to roll in about Reborn:
"With pulsing keyboards, wall-to-wall guitars, palpitating bass lines, and authoritative vocal arrangements, each track cleanly advances from one to the next, casting the aggressive vision from the title track's first downbeat to the final mega-worship strains of 'Holy.'...You'd be hard pressed to find four finer vocals channeled in such a cutting edge musical atmosphere in Christian music today...Avalon's first thirteen years in the biz will forever be in the CCM history books. Reborn is a good beginning to the next thirteen-plus years of Avalon history making."
- ChristianMusicToday.com
"The new album is a refreshing new rendition of a time-honored vocal group. It's like the group has recharged their musical batteries. Reborn is more progressive than their usual style with a much bigger sound, but still with their familiar uplifting lyrics and spectacular harmonies. I imagine that when Avalon takes this on the road it's going to be impressive...The group has certainly stepped outside of their comfort zone.."
- AlphaOmegaNews.org
"Avalon has delivered a new project that gives its audience much more by way of the lush harmonies that we were first introduced to coupled with a lot of musical chances for an Avalon album...True to form, the Avalon harmonies are ever present, but a nice surprise is the use of overlapping the harmonies in the songs "Free", "California" and "Alive". Just take a listen to the song "Angels" and try to remember that you are listening to Avalon...Reborn re-introduces its audience to the re-invigorated, re-imagining of this quartet, and it is simply REFRESHING!"
- TitleTrakk.com
Nashville, TN - September 17, 2009 - Avalon, one of Christian music's premier and award-winning vocal groups, released their 14th project, Reborn, on Sept. 15th (E1 Music). With numerous accolades achieved over the years, Avalon is now feeling truly reborn thanks to their new songs and the support of their brand new production team comprised of Ian Eskelin and Barry Weeks. Offering aggressive melodies and harmonies tied to unique guitar-driven moments, Reborn is already making new fans while it's also giving long-time Avalon fans a new twist on the group's well-known formula.
There is no question that these ambitious songs prove that any similarity between previous Avalon records and Reborn can certainly end now. With stellar feedback reviews pouring in, one stating that this is the group's "most ambitious to date," other key reviews are touting Avalon and Reborn as:
"...At their finest. It's clear that Avalon is still one of the best in their game."
- JesusFreakHideout.com
"Avalon's latest endeavor is arguably their most ambitious to date...the sound is catchy pop that is very accessible."
- ChristianMusicReview.org
"Avalon will always be known for its polished pop sound and dynamic vocalists (some of the best in the industry) - but they should be commended for stretching here. A great, fresh effort from one of Christian music's mainstays."
-GospelMusicChannel.com
"While this is a new Avalon in many ways, the core sound and components are still very much in place. Big vocals? Check. Stellar harmonies? You bet. Radio-friendly hits? Without a doubt. It's all here and more...a refreshing take on the group's signature sound."
- Soul-Audio.com
"Hands down, Reborn is the best album Avalon has released this decade."
-All Music Guide
So then, what are the fans actually saying? Read on:
"Avalon is back! I am happy to report that I have already worn out every track on this CD! I must say this is one of the most strongest...efforts by a long-running Christian artist I have ever heard. An excellent album - easily the best they've ever produced!"
"I would have to say it's the best Avalon CD to date!"
"This has got to be one of the best releases I've heard in a long time. Great lyrics and sound, but most of all it's a new sound. This group has a great testimony and great hearts for their ministry. If you want an album that will uplift your spirit, this is the one to buy."
"This new sound is incredible! I love how they have been 'Reborn' and they all sound fantastic together!"
To promote their new release, Avalon appeared this week on CBN News Channel's "New Release Tuesday" and are confirmed for upcoming interviews with HearItFirst.com, Don Moen & Friends Radio Show, Gospel Music Channel, Breathecast.com, United News & Information, Soul-Audio.com, and much more.
Reborn is currently Top 3 on the iTunes' Christian chart, and the project's first single, "Arise," is climbing the radio charts, most currently charting at #10 in just five weeks on Billboard's Soft AC-Inspo Chart, jumping up ten spots from last week. The single is also the #1 most-added song at Soft AC-Inspo again this week. More charting will be announced shortly.
While Avalon is certainly proud of their past (21 chart-topping singles, 6 Dove Awards, 3 Grammy nominations and an American Music Award), it sure would be easy for the quartet to rest on their laurels and continue to offer their known slick brand of vocal pop. But they are now Reborn, their aptly titled brand new project, slated for release on September 15th (E1 Music).
It is important to note that the similarity between any previous Avalon albums and Reborn ends now, thanks to this cutting edge and unequivocally original record. "Reborn is a fitting title because it signifies the birth of something new and exciting, which is certainly true of the current season of Avalon," explains Janna Long, the group's founding member. Comprising the rest of the quartet is Greg Long (Janna's husband and group member since '03), Jeremi Richardson, as well as its newest member, Amy Richardson, making her Avalon debut on Reborn, and who also happens to be Jeremi's wife.
"I've literally listened to Avalon for as long as I can remember, so I can tell you both as a member and a fan that people's jaws are going to hit the ground when they hear Reborn," asserts Jeremi, who joined the group in 2007. "Everyone I've played it for so far says they'd never expect it, but at the same time, they can totally tell it's Avalon, which to us is the ultimate compliment."
One of the most instantly apparent changes comes in the credits, which for the very first time in the group's illustrious history unites the group with producer Ian Eskelin (All Star United, Krystal Meyers, Stellar Kart, Francesca Battistelli). It's a curious choice indeed considering his respected rankings in the modern rock spectrum, but one that helps cement Avalon's latest endeavor as arguably their most ambitious to date.
"This has been one of the most unique and fun recording projects I have ever been involved in," Ian Eskelin exclaims. "These guys are fearless and their vocals are killer. They are some of the hardest working, ready for anything, talented musicians I have worked with."
A tour is slated for the Fall to promote the new project. This is sure to be an exciting time on the road for Avalon as the group is more than ready to share their new songs with fans across the country.
For the creation of Reborn, Avalon partnered with the label E1 Music. Along with the new venture came a completely open creative canvas where the group was encouraged to stretch itself further than ever before. Previously known as Koch Records, E1 Music has hosted the diverse likes of The Beatles' Ringo Starr, Ashley Cleveland, Twila Paris, and Bishop E. Long.
"They took all the reigns off and basically said, 'you've been doing this for awhile, so just do what you do,'" recalls Greg of the E1 experience. "No one was ever looking over our shoulders talking to us about core demographics, which gave us the chance to just focus on the artistic side. We love our history and are grateful for everything God's given us, but that type of freedom also allowed us the opportunity to experiment and have a lot of fun in the process."
Reborn offers aggressive melodies tied with atypical harmonies and guitar-driven moments. The new sound is sure to give dedicated Avalon fans a new twist on the group's well-known formula, while expanding its appeal to a wider audience than ever before.
"Over the last three years, we released a hymns record, a covers record and a retrospective record, plus had some members change," Janna reflects. "Between that and the fact that life was just happening right alongside it all, there's a pivotal change and evolution. Sure, the vocal standpoint is consistent with the Avalon sound, but the rest is much more varied. This is definitely not your Mom's Avalon record!"
Reborn song listing*:
1. Alive
2. Reborn
3. Destined
4. Feel
5. Fragile
6. Stay
7. Holy
8. Arise
9. California
10. Angels
*not final sequence
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Jan. 22, 2009–With a career spanning more than a decade, Sparrow recording artist Avalon has established itself as one of Christian music’s premier vocal groups. To showcase those songs that have made the group famous, Avalon will release Avalon: The Greatest Hits on Feb. 10, 2009.
Avalon: The Greatest Hits includes 16 songs that have received massive radio airplay and impacted the world for Christ. Also included is new song “Still My God,” currently vying for adds at Christian AC/Inspo radio. (Complete track listing follows below.)
“While some of the faces and sounds of AVALON have changed, one thing has never changed......our desire to sing about Jesus Christ and the difference He has made in our lives,” says Janna Long of Avalon. “We created a mission statement 13 years ago: To make quality music and to openly share the Gospel with our songs. And oh what songs God has given us. That is truly the essence of this group. Songs that have inspired, encouraged and strengthened others in the family of God, have always been what we wanted to be about. Our listeners and fans have also carried us through these years, and we are forever indebted to them all.”
“Avalon has achieved legendary music status with its radio and sales success,” says Leisa Byars, EMI CMG VP, Marketing & Artist Development. “This piece is a tribute to the group’s extraordinary career thus far, and an item that every Avalon fan will want to have for their collection.”
Avalon recently completed dates with Casting Crowns on their “Christmas Celebration” tour. The group’s touring will continue throughout the U.S. and Canada this winter.
To date, the quartet has sold more than three million albums, charted 20 No. 1 singles, and won an American Music Award plus numerous Dove Awards. Avalon has released 12 projects, including one live concert DVD, receiving multiple RIAA-certified Gold records.
The track listing for Avalon: The Greatest Hits includes:
1. Testify to Love
2. Give it Up
3. Knocking on Heaven’s Door
4. Still My God
5. Take You at Your Word
6. Can’t Live a Day
7. The Glory
8. Wonder Why
9. Adonai
10. New Day
11. Everything to Me
12. I Don’t Want to Go
13. All
14. You Were There
15. Orphans of God
16. In Christ Alone
For more information on Avalon, visit: http://avalon.sparrowrecords.com/
(NASHVILLE, TN) OCTOBER 30, 2008 --Best known as a member of the
award-winning group Avalon, Melissa Greene recently announced that she will
release a new solo album, aptly titled Next Step, through KOCH Records
on March 10, 2009. Greene assures her
fans that this does not mark a departure from Avalon but rather an opportunity
to share a musical side of her that they have not yet seen. “I’m so excited for people to really get to
hear the real me,” enthuses Greene.
Produced by Bernie Herms (Natalie Grant,
Avalon), one of the clear messages Greene presents with this sincere new
collection of songs is that God will help us take the next step -- whatever
that step may be -- even when we feel too paralyzed with pain to move. Greene
speaks to this miraculously encouraging characteristic of God through the songs
on her new album, which were greatly influenced by the struggle and heartbreak
she faced when she and her family found out her brother-in-law, who was only
32, was diagnosed with stage-four cancer.
“I think every one of the songs I ended up choosing, and then later
ended up writing, were all out of going through this struggle,” shares Greene. Sadly, Greene’s brother-in-law succumbed to
cancer in September, 2007.
Despite the heavy inspiration behind the album, Greene creatively
combines a deep spiritual truth with a fun musical backing. Next Step is
filled with spiritual determination and also an entirely different musical
color for the singer/songwriter, primarily because it’s driven by gritty,
electric guitar grooves and danceable licks.
Greene’s first single “Wonder” has already caught the attention of
Christian radio. Stations such as WCVO,
WCSG, WBDX, WGRC, WCRH, WLJN, KCFB and KCBI have already added the song to
their rotations. "The song has tested extremely well for us with Women 35-54 scoring
a 4.03 with only 8% burn and 78% familiarity!" shared Mike Russell, MD of
WCVO/Columbus, OH.
Avalon visits with students from Ruben Dario school in Nandaime, Nicaragua on Feb. 22. Having helped secure sponsorships for more than 20,000 children as a World Vision partner since 1998, Avalon witnessed first-hand how money raised on behalf of the child sponsorship organization has improved education in that part of the country.
Nashville, TN (February 1, 2006) - - Gathering an enthusiastic audience has long been a strong suit for Avalon, and leaving their fans encouraged and entertained is always the outcome. The Avalon promo tour, touting the recent release of STAND, was no exception. Crowds, radio and retail were ready to hear songs live from the group’s seventh studio recording and happy to celebrate their 10th anniversary as a group! The new music represents Avalon’s evolution to a new level of understanding of God’s unrelenting faithfulness. A recent CCM Magazine review adds, “Avalon’s ballads soar again through orchestrated arrangements” and, “Vocally, each member gives convincing performances throughout, once again taking four strong vocalists to create one powerful sound.”
Avalon just returned from the tireless two weeks of travel to radio stations, malls and popular retail spots, performing for thousands at each stop. The three-time Grammy nominated vocalists drew record crowds including 3,000 at the Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, NC, one of the seven markets in which they performed. Avalon experienced a crowd so large at the FYE store in Jacksonville, Florida, that security ushered people into the store in groups of 10, so that they did not exceed store capacity. The mall manager of an Atlanta area promo tour stop noted that Avalon was the 2nd largest event the mall had ever hosted. Equally strong, enthusiastic crowds came to welcome Avalon in Orlando, Spartanburg, SC, Charlotte, NC, and Johnson City, TN. Jody McBrayer, Melissa Greene, Janna and Greg Long were thrilled to see the crowds and stayed until the last autograph was signed and the last photo was taken at each stop.
This momentum will continue to build this year, as Avalon is welcomed into the Women Of Faith Family, adding 24 of the life-changing conference dates to their existing touring schedule. The next Women Of Faith Conference date for Avalon will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida during the weekend of February 23. A complete listing of these events and other upcoming Avalon appearances, information and images can be found at www.avalonlive.com.
