From left: Greg Long, Jody McBrayer, Janna Long, Melissa Greene

At a day and age when many vocal pop groups fizzle out as quickly as the trends they follow (Spice Girls, anyone?), Avalon still manages to remain in the game despite its apparent state of flux over the years. Ever since the untimely death of longtime collaborator—and Sparrow vice president—Grant Cunningham in the summer of '02, they've faced everything from #1 hits and accolades to disenchantments and member departures. In this candid interview with Christian Music Today, the foursome—Greg and Janna Long, Melissa Greene, and Jody McBrayer—shares how they dealt with these changes, as well as the shift in outlook that resulted from them.

Greg, how did you hook up with Avalon?

Greg Long: Right after Michael Passons left [in 2003], the group asked me how many shows I could do to fill in. I did this for about 80% of their summer dates, while the group was still holding auditions to fill the spot. I had just finished inking my solo album deal, so I thought it was temporary. About two or three months after doing shows with them, they just asked, "Hey, is there any way that you could do both, support your record as well as Avalon?" So I went to the head of my label, expecting him to say that it wouldn't be possible to do both. But after about a month, Sparrow and Christian Records came to an agreement that would allow me to do both.

Janna Long: When Greg first started filling in, no one ever thought, "Wow, Greg could be it," because he had his own solo career and he had just signed a new record deal. There were more odds against this working out than there were in favor of it. The other two members came to me; I definitely didn't want this to look like something I was initiating. Obviously I would love to have my husband on the road, but I wanted them to come if it was something that they felt strongly about. After he did a couple of shows, Jody and Melissa both came to me, we began to pray about it, to talk about it, and one thing after another started to fall into place.

What's it like for a husband and wife team to be in the group?

Janna: It's been great. When Greg and I got married, I think we both had aspirations of working together one day. Now with Avalon, I know it was probably a bigger adjustment for him because he's been a solo artist for so many years. Coming into a group setting obviously is a bit different. But Greg and I dated for two and a half years before we got married and I think we had a real good understanding of what each other was like and what the business was like. We were also a little bit older when we got married, and I think all of those factors made for a good combination and, honestly, it's been a blessing.

Do you think your wife's powerhouse vocals eclipse you in a way, though?

Greg: I would suggest that in the Avalon show she eclipses me almost all of the time. I don't have any big need to shine or to have my voice be heard. I'm happy with what it is. But with this group, Janna and Jody are original members and their vision for this group is solid. I just want to support that.

Yeah, but doesn't it hurt your ego? You know, your "macho" side?

Greg: You know, I'm doing interviews for Avalon records, interviews for my record. It's like, I don't want to act like I'm full of self-humility, 'cause that may come out wrong. God has blessed me in so many ways to be able to do this. It definitely makes it a lot easier, I guess, not to have to be fulfilled in just one way. I'm not trying to come off as super-spiritual, but I'm a guy, a football-playing guy, a football-watching guy. I like competition like the best of them. But my wife is a much better singer than I am, and I have no trouble saying that. As a matter of fact, I always say that. I'm a singer/songwriter. I'm not God's gift to singers, nor do I claim to be.

How have audiences received the involvement of the new members?

Melissa Greene: When I first joined the group [in '02], lots of people would ask, "What happened to Cherie [Paliotta, who had recently departed]? Where is she?" But with time, everyone has been very welcoming and supportive. I feel part of the group more so than ever.

So now you're the official "Adonai" singer?

Melissa: (Laughs) Yeah!

Greg: I can't complain about my transition to the group, either. The audience has been very gracious. Avalon has a great fan base, and I think it helps probably the fact that I'm a solo artist. But no group wants to lose members, so I guess what you hope for is that it's meant to be, that God put this together and that it'll work out that way.

Death in the families of both Michael and Jody fueled the creative process of In a Different Light and Oxygen. Is there a particular event that served as the catalyst for The Creed?

Jody McBrayer: I don't think it's one individual event, but the group itself learning from some difficult experiences. Obviously losing Grant was the beginning point, then Cherie leaving after than, and then Michael leaving after that. Janna and I were faced with some tough decisions, and last summer right after Michael left, we were like, "Should we even continue with this?" It's easy to get disappointed when you start seeing everything sort of fall apart around you. Although Cherie and Michael left, God brought wonderful gifts in Melissa and Greg. I can't even explain how overjoyed we all are.

Melissa, although you've sung duets in the group before, "I Bring It To You" is the first time you sing lead. How did that song come about?

Melissa: That is actually a country song! We didn't realize it when we heard the demo, but after we recorded it, we found out Jessica Andrews had recorded it, and it was a country song in the beginning. We wanted to make it more personal and more vertical so people would have no problem knowing who we're talking about—directly about God. So we changed some of the lyrics and it became a very personal song about bringing everything in our lives to God, and he takes that and makes us into gold, like the Bible says, and refines us.

Tell me about how your priorities have changed over the years.

Jody: I think all of us had visions of grandeur when we first started in this industry. We've won Dove Awards, we've got the gold records hanging on the wall, an American music award…But honestly, for the four of us, we're not about that anymore. Were we about that before? Yes. Does it feel good winning those things? Sure. I'm not going to lie to you and say, "Oh, we are so super spiritual that we don't care about that," because it's not true.

Winning an award isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Jody: It's been great, but that's not our driving force anymore. If Sparrow came to us tomorrow and said, "You guys don't have a record deal anymore," we would still continue as Avalon, do concerts, and make records on our own, because this is where we've been called to be. And I don't know that I could've said that two or three years ago. I don't know that any of us could've. Right now we're in the same place with our calling and what we believe as a group. And it's taken a lot to get there. I'm getting a little choked up as I say this. We want to focus our work on anybody that has ears to hear.

Why the change in direction?

Jody: [When you start out] you try to charge into hell with a water pistol. When you first get saved you want to tell the whole world what God has done in your life. Somewhere along the way of nine years—traveling, different records, different people—everybody has the tendency to grow not necessarily cold or cynical, but your faith definitely grows in different directions. And with all of us going through difficulties and soul-searching, it's easy to get bitter. But we're not going to change our message. We're not going to change who we are. We've been asked to sing at [secular] functions where we've been told to not sing our Christian songs—and we've turned it down. We're a Christian group. We've been called to represent the gospel.

Many of you are former Truth members, and now ex-Avalonians are building solo careers. Do you see Avalon becoming the next Truth?

Jody: (Laughs.) I know how it may seem that way, but no way! I'm going to say no, we're not the next Truth. We're here for the long haul.

For more about this popular vocal group, visit our artist page. You'll find previous interviews and reviews of Avalon, including our take on their latest album, The Creed. There are also individual artist pages for Jody McBrayer, Janna Long, and Greg Long, since they have all released solo projects. To listen to sound clips and buy Avalon's music, visit Christianbook.com.

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