Greg Long (left), Janna Long, Jeremi Richardson, and Melissa Greene—moving Avalon forward by reflecting on past CCM hits.

Janna, it's been over a decade since Avalon got started in Christian music. What's your most treasured memory from the group to this point?

Janna Long: I have so many wonderful memories from this journey, but one of my favorites was winning the American Music Award [for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist in 2003]. It is a fan-based award and we received it at a time when we were least expecting it. It was truly a dream come true.

A heart condition and recent vocal ailment sidelined your friend Jody McBrayer from the group—this is his last album. As a fellow founding member, was it difficult to see him go?

Long: To say it was hard to see Jody go is such an understatement.I miss him terribly, and yet I know it was the right decision.I love him dearly and miss singing with him all the time.

You're the only original member remaining in the group. Do you see Avalon becoming a launching pad for other singers' ministries, similar to Truth?

Long: I am grateful for my time with Truth and other ministries I was involved with before Avalon.However, as Jody's position has been the only change in the last five years [Melissa Greene replaced Cherie Adams in 2003], I think I can safely say that this group is here to stay—at least until God shows us otherwise.We are so grateful to have Jeremi Richardson as our newest member, and we will continue to move forward in our ministry as long as God opens doors for us to do so.

Jeremi, as the newcomer to the group, I'm sure in the beginning you felt like you had some big shoes to fill. Was it initially hard to adjust?

Jeremi Richardson: A huge adjustment. For the last several years, I have worked at Walt Disney World, so transferring from a theme park environment to a traveling group like Avalon is about as night and day as possible. The rest of the group made the transition very smooth, and within a few weeks I felt at ease. I have been a fan of Avalon since they started, and I'm a major fan of Jody's work—with Truth, with Avalon, and as a solo artist. It is an honor to continue the work that he was doing and to make a place for myself at the same time.

How have audiences responded to your new role in the group?

Richardson:Audiences have responded with open arms to my being in Avalon. I have been overwhelmed with the feeling on being welcomed and supported.

The new Avalon album is a collection of CCM classics. Why did you choose to go this route?

Long: We've wanted to do a CCM tribute record for a while, as we all owe so much to those who have gone before us in music ministry.Avalon has toured with several of the artists represented on this record, and they were instrumental in the music we've made.

Richardson:Life is defined by memories. Everyone has a time and place that they can hear the songs on this album and reflect on life and their Christian walk. I call these happy places. It's great to pay tribute to some of the pioneers of Christian music and to their music.

What's your favorite song on the album and why?

Long: It's difficult to chose just one favorite from our new record but I can say for sure that one of them is the title track, "Another Time Another Place," [originally performed by Sandi Patty]. It's such a lovely song that describes our continued struggles here on earth, keeping the faith to endure this life and most importantly, looking forward to the hope of glory. I have always enjoyed [singing] with Jody and I'm really pleased how the duet turned out.

Richardson:My favorite song on the album is [Michael W. Smith's] "Place in This World." When I was a teenager, there was a very memorable evening for me—a defining moment, actually—that I associate with this song. It led me to question why I am who I am, and why I believe what I believe. That night and this song changed my life.

Where do you see Avalon in the next 10 years?

Richardson: I haven't been in Avalon long enough to know what all my dreams and aspirations for the group are. However, I do know that God has gifted and called us for such a time as this. If he chooses to continue that calling for another 10 years, then we will be right there singing and worshipping God through the gift of music.

Long: I want Avalon to continue for however many years God has left for us to do so.This has been an amazing journey I've been on since 1995, and it has gone beyond my greatest dreams. I could not be more sincere when I say that I am honored to still be doing this after so many years and changes. I'm grateful people continue to show up week after week. We are all so blessed to be a part of this ministry.

For more about Avalon, visit our site's artist page. The group's new album Another Time, Another Place releases February 26. Visit Christianbook.com to order your copy.

© Andree Farias, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Click here for more interviews.

Click here to view our music review archives.

Visit the artist pages for related interviews and reviews.

				Try an Issue of Today's Christian Woman Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian Woman coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Today's Christian Woman as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up now for the Christian Music Today weekly newsletter:    RSS Feed   RSS Help