Avalon is Avalon's

Avalon (band)

Avalon is an American contemporary Christian vocal quartet who has earned multiple RIAA-certified gold records, sold four million albums, and released 22 number one Christian hits.- 1995–1997: Formation of Avalon and A Maze of Grace :...

 first studio album, released in December 1996 on Sparrow Records

Sparrow Records

-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...

. It includes a cover of the hymn "My Jesus, I Love Thee" and the Andrae Crouch

Andrae Crouch

Andraé Crouch is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist, record producer, and pastor.-Early years:Born Andraé Edward Crouch in San Francisco, California....

 song "Jesus Is Lord". Produced by Charlie Peacock

Charlie Peacock

Charlie Peacock is an American singer-songwriter, pianist, record producer, session musician and author. While growing up in California Peacock was inspired by John Coltrane and began playing the piano. After completing his education, Peacock formed a band and began a career as a professional...

, Avalon catapulted the smooth quartet into the Christian music

Christian music

Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....

 scene, with four No. 1 radio hits and a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association

Gospel Music Association

The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...

 in 1998 for "New Artist of the Year".

Track listing

1. "Give It Up" – 4:15 No lead
2. "This Love" – 3:36 No lead
3. "The Greatest Story" – 4:55 Sung by Nikki and Jody
4. "Picture Perfect World" – 4:38 No lead
5. "Don't Be Afraid" – 4:36 Sung by Michael and Nikki
6. "Here to Deliver" – 3:26 Sung by Jody
7. "Let it Be Forever" – 4:45 Sung by Janna
8. "My Jesus, I Love Thee" – 3:26 No lead, Michael and Nikki are predominant
9. "Saviour Love" – 4:22 Sung by Michael
10. "Jesus Is Lord" – 4:50 No lead

Personnel

• Janna Long
  Janna Long
  Janna Potter Long , born on February 5, 1971 in Florence, South Carolina, is a member of the contemporary Christian pop band Avalon. Janna is currently married to fellow Avalon band member Greg Long as of May 13, 2000 and have 3 daughters: Lillian, born 2004, Julia, born 2006, and Eleanor, born...
  
   – vocals
• Jody McBrayer
  Jody McBrayer
  Jody McBrayer is an American singer/songwriter. A former member of the Christian pop group Avalon, with whom he recorded and toured with for nearly twelve years, he departed the group in 2007 due to a rare but manageable form of heart disease, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.He has released one solo...
  
   – vocals
• Nikki Hassman-Anders – vocals
• Michael Passons
  Michael Passons
  Michael Passons , a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, is the founding member of the Christian band Avalon. As a young musician, Michael was influenced by artists like Elton John and Lionel Richie. In college, he performed in a band and in a New Jersey-based group that toured nationally...
  
  – vocals

Radio Singles

• Give It Up+
• The Greatest Story+
• Picture Perfect World+
• Saviour Love
• This Love+

+ Denotes #1 Radio Hit

External links

• ["Allmusic Review"]