The Creed (2004)

The Creed is the sixth studio album by the Christian vocal group Avalon, released on February 24, 2004 by Sparrow Records. Brown Bannister produced the album with co-production by Charlie Peacock and Tedd T. on some tracks.

A number of firsts for Avalon for this release: this is the first album to include CCM vocalist Greg Long (group member Janna Long's husband), who replaced Michael Passons after his unexpected departure in mid-2003 and this is the first full-length album with Melissa Greene, who joined in 2003 and sang the new tracks on their first compilation album Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon.

Also a first, the lead single "All" did not top the Christian music charts, unlike their previous singles have done. On Radio & Records Christian AC chart, it peaked at number 2. The song has also charted in Christian Inspo (# 2) and Christian CHR (# 22). It made the Top 10 on the Billboard Christian music charts.

The second single "You Were There," sung by group member Jody McBrayer, is a power ballad that reflects on God's constant presence throughout history and in personal struggles. It is another one of Avalon's most popular songs and has been performed numerous times on their concert tours. The song climbed up to number 2 on the R&R Christian Inspo chart. Long sings lead on only two songs: the title song, which he sings with McBrayer, and the solo track "I Wanna Be With You." The track "Overjoyed" is a re-recording and is lifted from Janna Long's 2002 solo album Janna. Passons co-wrote the title track with Cindy Morgan. The Creed debuted and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums and at number 104 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts.

NOTE: a month later after the release of The Creed, Long released his fifth studio album Born Again. After that release and to this day, Long has been with Avalon full-time and has not released a solo album since.

Track listing

1. All (Brian White, Ian Eskelin, Tedd Tjornhom) -3:46

2. The Creed (Michael Passon, Cindy Morgan, Matt Huesmann, Chris Davis) -4:57

3. Abundantly (Janna Long, Brian White, Joe Beck, Sam Mizell) -3:57

4. I Wanna Be With You (Keith Thomas, Dillon O'Brian, Will Owsley) -4:06

5. You Were There (Ben Glover) -6:54

6. Far Away From Here (Dan Muckala, Howie Dorough, Jason Barton) -4:39

7. Overjoyed (Stephanie Lewis, Kevan Cyka) -4:04

8. I Bring It to You (Kevin Paige, Phil Barnhart, Bob Regtan) -3:50

9. The Good Way (Janna Long, Melissa Greene, Cindy Morgan, Damon Riley)

-3:24

10. Renew Me (Stephanie Lewis, Bernie Herms) -4:42

Personnel

Avalon:

Janna Potter -lead vocals on tracks 1, 3, 7, 9 and 10, vocals

Jody McBrayer -lead vocals on track 2, 5, 6 and 10, vocals

Greg Long -lead vocals on track 2 and 4, vocals

Melissa Greene -lead vocals on tracks 1, 6, 8 -10, vocals

Production credits

Brown Bannister -producer (all tracks)

Tedd T. -co-producer (tracks 1, 7 and 9)

Charlie Peacock -co-producer (tracks 6 and 10)

Radio singles

2004 "All" -#8 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#8 Billboard Christian Airplay, -#8

Billboard Christian AC Airplay, -#22 R&R Christian CHR, -#2 R&R Christian AC,

-#10 R&R Christian Inspo

2004 "You Were There" -#25 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#25 Billboard

Christian Airplay, -#22 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, -#15 R&R Christian AC,

-#2 R&R Christian Inspo

2005 "I Wanna Be With You" -#29 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#29 Billboard

Christian Airplay, -#28 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, -#17 R&R Christian AC

Previous release: Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon (2003) (compilation

album)

Next release: Stand (2006)