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01/25/06
submitted by Jonathan in Jonesboro, Georgia....ATL!!!!
WOW! I tell you, where would I be without Avalon? There isin't a specific story that I have to share with anyone about Avalon, it is more like a book. With every album, a new chapter in my life seems to begin. Every song, every lyric just sets my world into motion. The passion, the understanding, the love for Jesus shows through every note sung. I am truly an Avalon FANATIC! Whenever in town...Avalon (if reading this), you have no idea the impact that you have in my life. A day never goes by without me listening to your music. All the way back to the good ole days when Picture Perfect World was the hit. I mean, I've been with you every step of the way and will stay with you.....once more...AVALON ROCKS!..See you guys on the 24 at Arbor Place
01/24/06
submitted by andrea in nashville, tn
hmm..don't think words can describe. their music has always been key in most areas of my life and naturally that extends out to those around me. thank you to avalon for all you do...never stop making a difference.
12/05/05
submitted by Kayla M. in McDonough, Georgia
I've loved Avalon ever since I was 11 years old. Now, I'm 15 and I'm still a major fan. I have every album, I bought the biography, and I drive people crazy talking about Janna (I love everyone, but she's my favorite. Probably because I'm a pastor's daughter too)! I remember when I was sharing a computer with my mom when I was 12 and my login was so full of picture, lyrics, interviews and whatever else I could get my hands on of Avalon, that my parents were forced to get me a computer of my own because I was taking up so much memory on the hard drive! I also remember that I begged to go to one of the concerts so my parents told me to call around to find tickets. Well, I called a bookstore that was selling tickets, but they were sold out. I cried so hard I had a headache. I was able to go, though, and it was the best concert ever! Our house burned down the week before, but I had grabbed the tickets and tucked them in my pocket before I ran out of the house. My favorite part was when Jody did "Make It Last Forever". I actually had a crush on Jody for a while! I'm so glad "Stand" is coming out. Finally, the wait is over! Love you guys!
12/05/05
submitted by Aleah Higginbotham in CO
I absolutely love Avalon! I am only 14 now but someday when I get older I am going to move to Nashville so I can support Avalon in a more efective way! My favorite concert moment has to be when Jody was telling us about his wife nagging him about how much he spends at Starbucks and also making a hillarious confession about his voice being somewhat higher than a girl sometimes and if you have ever heard his solo album you would know that for the most part this is very true! I have three of my bedroom walls devoted to Avalon! They are all three covered with pics and stuff from the group including 2 autographed posters and my autographed Avalon shirt! I have already pre ordered my autographed copy of STAND and absolutely can't wait until it comes in the mail! I just love everything about Avalon! They have never came out with one bad song and everytime I hear them on the radio i turn my raiod up as loud as it will go!
12/06/05
submitted by Steve in Lacombe, AB, Canada
I've always had a place in my heart for music and for God. But when my life was at it's lowest, I looked up Avalon's site shortly after "The Creed" was released. I actually hadn't heard much from Avalon because my faith was on the backburner. When I opened up the page, the song "You Were There" began playing through and all I could do was cry. I realized how far I'd fallen but most importantly, I realized that God had picked me up every single time. It was incredible and I don't think I'd felt so loved but helpless at the same time. God loves me so much and I really can't attempt to get through life on my own -- He's what I need everyday to keep me alive. Avalon, you truly are an inspiration. Your music touches so many and I know I've been blessed by this incredible ministry. God bless and stay close to Jesus.
Your brother in Christ, Steve Garrioch
12/06/05
submitted by Bobby in Colorado Springs, CO
From the moment I heard these guys, I knew it was a gift from God. As a freshman in high school, I was abused by my step-father and mother. I would find myself hiding in my room trying to avoid the confrontations. I would lock myself in my room and listen to my CD player to try to ignore what was happening in my life. I remember hearing "Can't Live a Day" and cried so hard. To know that even though it seemed like my life was hard, I always had a God by my side and that I needed Him every day. I asked for their album "In a Different Light" for Christmas and got it from my step-sister. I wore that CD out. The encouragement I received was amazing. God has used this group in a mighty way. It was their message of hope and love that kept me from making a mistake and ending it all. I pray that God will continue to use Avalon and their ministry every day. I am soon to be 20 and will love these guys forever.
12/06/05
submitted by Amelia Williams in Jacksonville, Florida
My story begins in 1997. I had heard the song "Testify To Love" on the local radio station and I absolutly fell in love not only with it's message but also with it's sound. I found out that Avalon was coming to Jacksonville to perform with Crystal Lewis and I tried to go but it did'nt work out. When I turned sixteen we had a nice dinner as a family. When I opened one of my last gifts I could'nt believe it!!! It was the in A Different Light" cd! That year I began working at Chick-fil-A and I used my first paycheck to purchase all of the previous cd's. In 2001 I was blessed with the opertunity of attending my first Avalon concert. It was Awesome. My dream is to sing and serve the Lord through music. At the meet and greet that night I explained to Janna that I wanted to sing like her and she was so encouraging, I will never forget that. Later that year I found out that Avalon would be coming back to Jacksonville around my 18th birthday. So I saved up my money and did extr things around the house so I could buy ticets for eight of my friends to attend the concert. I asked for that day off from work (Chick-fil-A) 4 months in advance so my friends and I could go to the radio station to catch a glimpse. Well it got closer and Chick-fil-A scheduled me to work that day. So I would be able to go to the concert, but I would'nt be able to meet them. While I was at ork my mom e-mailed the radio station and a friend went to the radio station and qwaited for Avalon to come out. When they did she personally invited them to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. I was on drive through and I said "Welcome to Chick-fil-A this is Amelia" and I heard a chorus of HELLO! of courser I was cluless and I asked what they would like to order. They began to give me their orders and their names and al teh sudden it started to regiser and I said "Who is this?" and thaey said "It's Avalon!" I got so excited I could'nt finish the prder. I was so shocked. So they pulled around and they informed me that friwend had explained to them that my birthday was coming up and they wanted to help me celebrate so they gave me backstge passes! I floating on a cloud all day. I still get excited when I tell people about it. I took each member an EAT MOR CHIKIN cow from Chick-fil-A, a box of chochlate's and a rose. There was an extra rose and I kept it and dried it out. I still have it today. Tahy night was so special to me. What I was so encouraged by was thta each member gave all the glory to God and they were so genuine. I prayed that of God provided and I wass able to sing in front of people one day that I would also display the same passion and attitude that they shared with me. In 2003 I went off to Bible College in North Carolina and Avalon was going to be there that fall so Iw as able to attend, I was also able to take a friend to a South Carolina show in 2004 in South Carolina. The last time i saw Avalon was earlier this year they wereat Ridgcrest in North Carolina and I was given tickets by a friend to take my brother his room mate and a little girl that I babysat for. We got there and sat oin the balcony and were all so excited. When the concert began everyone was surprised when the sound system began to act up. Finally Avalon said that they were not going to let the Devil ruin what God had brought together. They put their mikes down and they turned the music off. Then all four of them sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" I can not tell you how awesome it was. Everyone was singing, it was a good example of what it will be like in heaven. Later the mikes were fixed but the music was not able to come out right, so Janna picked out the song Testify To Love on the piano in like five minutes and they sang it with such a passion. Each person in the group has ministered to me and my family so much. I am so blessed to have had the honor of worshipping with this group. Avalon you all are amazing and have so many wonderful gifts. Thank you for using them to glorify the Lord. I am praying for you and I can't wait to get your new cd! Thanks for letting me tell my story.
12/06/05
submitted by Marcel in São Paulo, Brazil
Well, I became an Avalon fan before their first record came out. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was living in Orlando at the time, and it was November 1996, I believe when the "Emmanuel" tour made its way to the Orlando Arena, as it was known back then. It was opening night, and I was excited to see some of my favorite artists. As I looked through the tour book, I saw a picture of this mixed quartet I had not heard of before. I assumed they would be filling in for Point Of Grace, since they were on the album, but not on the tour. When the first half of the show started and they came out singing "Angels We Have Heard On High", I was hooked! I loved their harmonies, their energy and their stage presence. On December 26, the day their first record released, I was there...and the rest is history!
12/05/05
submitted by Monica in Franklin, TN
"They are probably the only band I found by listening to their CD first before hearing a radio single. I've been a fan since 1997, when I was 19 and put their demo in a bookstore CD player and went back so often to listen to the music, I finally broke down and bought it. My favorite concert moments include: Jody telling about being tied up by Crystal Lewis' kids while babysitting them, walking away and crying near a tree when he saw the poverty of others on a missions trip (Avalon supports World Vision) and his confession that his vocal range can beat that of many girls, this was not a brag, it was a comeback to him teasing someone that probably stopped him in his tracks, but if you've heard him he's amazing it and you know it can't be refuted! Michael telling how lucky we, in Seattle, were to have Cinnabon and then mentioning the subsequent fear that he was going to be bombarded with people buying him tons of the tasty treat after a concert in the mall, Janna's love of shopping…it comes up quite a bit so my guess is she's die-hard. My favorite moment with Greg involved a move to Nashville and spotting he, his wife and Jody around town all in the same week!! I called home and you'd have thought the three of them had given me a private concert yes....I know I know...I'm a fan and not ashamed to admit it. I blast their songs when they come the radio, my email address was inspired by their song "Fly To You" and I can't wait for something new produced by them…I love you, Avalon!!!!"
05/15/07
submitted by Tolu Ajayi in New York City
Avalon first caught my ear back in 2000. My friends and I performed body worship to "Testify To Love" on A Maze of Grace.
I went on to buy the above CD and then the next and the next... I can honestly say that I've experienced nothing but blessings and honest spiritual assessments while listening to every single song (You Were There, Wonder Why, Reason Enough, Maze of Grace, The Creed, Walk On, Best Thing, e.t.c).
Some songs have made me laugh, others have made me cry, and I've even found myself dancing on a few of them.
I praise God for Avalon, and I thank God especially for Jody McBrayer. If there's someone who sings from the very core of his being, it's Jody. The album, "This Is Who I Am", showcases not only his talent but his love for God.
I live in NYC and could not believe my ears when the DJ on the local Christian radio station (Johnny Stone, Star 99.1) announced that he would be leaving the group. I rushed here to the website to take a look, just to confirm what I had just heard.
I felt like crying while listening to the voicemail. Can't believe I'll no longer hear Jody's voice, in essence, God's heart and God's love, on upcoming recordings.
It must be a trying time for Avalon. Rest assured, I'll continue to pray for this group that has made such an impact on my life. I will also continue to support them in their future endeavours.
To Janna, Jody, Greg, Melissa and future members of Avalon: your ministry reaches farther than you realize. Keep loving God and never stop singing!
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