Avalon (1996)

Avalon is the self-titled debut studio album by the Christian vocal group Avalon. It was released on December 26, 1996 by Sparrow Records and was produced by musician Charlie Peacock. Their self-titled debut album catapulted the quartet into the Christian music scene showcasing their vocals and four-part harmonies. It contains their first 4 number one songs: "Give It Up," "Picture Perfect World" and "This Love" on the Christian AC chart and "The Greatest Story" on the Christian Inspirational chart (or Inspo for short). Other highlights include their version of the gospel hymn "My Jesus I Love Thee" and their cover of Andraé Crouch's "Jesus Is Lord." Avalon climbed to number 10 on the Top Christian Albums and debuted and peaked at number 30 on the Heatseekers Albums charts in Billboard magazine by early January 1997. In 1998, Avalon won their first Dove Award for New Artist of the Year at the 29th GMA Dove Awards.

Track listing

1. Give It Up (Avalon, Rikk Kittlemann, Mark Heimermann) -4:14

2. This Love (Charlie Peacock, Chris Rodriguez) -3:36

3. The Greatest Story (Charlie Peacock, Douglas Kane McKevley) -4:56

4. Picture Perfect World (Charlie Peacock, Grant Cunningham) -4:39

5. Don't Be Afraid (Tabitha Fair, Madeline Stone, Dennis Matkosky) -4:36

6. Here to Deliver (Charlie Peacock, Chris Rodriguez) -3:26

7. Let It Be Forever (Charlie Peacock, Douglas Kane McKevley) -4:45

8. My Jesus I Love Thee (William Ralph Featherston, Adoniram Judson Gordon)

-3:26

9. Saviour Love (Michael Passons, Tabitha Fair, Rikk Kittlemann) -4:23

10. Jesus Is Lord (Andraé Crouch) -4:51

Personnel

Avalon:

Janna Potter -lead vocals on track 7, vocals

Jody McBrayer -lead vocals on tracks 3, 5 and 6, vocals

Michael Passons -lead vocals on tracks 8 and 9, vocals

Nikki Hassman -lead vocals on tracks 3, 5 and 8, vocals

Accolades

Dove Award -New Artist of the Year

Radio singles

1996 "Give It Up" -#13 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC

1997 "The Greatest Story" -#4 Christian AC, -#1 Christian Inspirational

1997 "Picture Perfect World -#1 Christian AC

1997 "This Love" -#14 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC

Next release: A Maze of Grace (1997)