Michael Passons
Encyclopedia
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. After completing his degree in classical piano at Mississippi College, Michael moved to Nashville and began working with fellow musicians. It was there that Grant Cunningham, a Sparrow Records
(EMI) A&R director, caught his performance at a Nashville showcase. This pivotal meeting led to Michael becoming the founding member of the Christian pop group, Avalon
in 1995. The band made its debut in November 1995, in San Jose, California, at the start of the multi-city arena tour, "The Young Messiah," alongside such artists as Steven Curtis Chapman
, CeCe Winans
and Michael W. Smith
.
This proved to be an excellent launching pad for the foursome who, during Michael's tenure, later garnered two gold records, twenty #1 radio singles, six GMA awards, two GRAMMY nominations, a 2003 American Music Award
for, "Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspiration," and their hit song, "Testify to Love
," would eventually be named one of the top gospel songs of all time.
After eight years with Avalon, Passons departed the group in 2003 to seek out new opportunities in his music career which has included an opening spot on tour with Christian group Point of Grace
.
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
, is the founding member of the Christian band Avalon
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 :...
. 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. After completing his degree in classical piano at Mississippi College, Michael moved to Nashville and began working with fellow musicians. It was there that Grant Cunningham, a 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"...
(EMI) A&R director, caught his performance at a Nashville showcase. This pivotal meeting led to Michael becoming the founding member of the Christian pop group, Avalon
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 :...
in 1995. The band made its debut in November 1995, in San Jose, California, at the start of the multi-city arena tour, "The Young Messiah," alongside such artists as Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.After starting his career in the late 1980s as a singer/songwriter of contemporary Christian music, Chapman has since been recognized as one of the most prolific singers in the genre,...
, CeCe Winans
CeCe Winans
Priscilla "CeCe" Marie Winans Love is an American Gospel singer, who has won numerous Grammy and Stellar Awards.-Early life:CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, to David and Delores Winans, on October 8, 1964...
and Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
.
This proved to be an excellent launching pad for the foursome who, during Michael's tenure, later garnered two gold records, twenty #1 radio singles, six GMA awards, two GRAMMY nominations, a 2003 American Music Award
American Music Awards of 2003
The 30th Annual American Music Awards were held on January 13, 2003.-Pop/Rock Category:-Hip/Hop/R&B Category:-Country Category:-Adult Contemporary Category:-Alternative Category:-Latin Category:-Soundtrack Category:-Inspirational Category:...
for, "Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspiration," and their hit song, "Testify to Love
Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon
Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon is Avalon's seventh release—the group's first greatest hits collection—and is titled appropriately after the quartet's hit, "Testify to Love". It is the first album showcasing Melissa Greene, who replaced Cherie Adams, and the last album featuring founding...
," would eventually be named one of the top gospel songs of all time.
After eight years with Avalon, Passons departed the group in 2003 to seek out new opportunities in his music career which has included an opening spot on tour with Christian group Point of Grace
Point of Grace
Point of Grace is an all-female Contemporary Christian music group. The trio consists of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino. The group started out as a quartet in 1991, with original members Breen and Jones, as well as Terry Jones and Heather Payne...
.