DESCRIPTION:
Avalon takes the stage for the very first time, appearing on the 1995 Farewell Young Messiah Tour. This footage is of opening introductions and of Avalon singing "Angels We Have Heard On High" at U.S. Bank Arena (at the time, Riverfront Arena) in Cincinnati, OH, December 16, 1995.

The Young Messiah was a very successful multi-artist Christmas production that toured seasonally for many years. 1995 was billed as the last time The Young Messiah would tour, and as in years past, arenas were sold out nationwide. The 18-city farewell tour began November 24, 1995 in San Jose, CA and ended December 16, 1995 in Cincinnati, OH.

IN THE BEGINNING...
Although Sparrow Records executive Grant Cunningham had received a verbal commitment from Michael Passons in March of 1995 to be the first singer on board to start a new band at the label, it wasn't until November of that year that Avalon would first take the stage on The Farewell Young Messiah Tour.

Between March and November of 1995, Grant and Michael interviewed quite a few Nashville singers in hopes of finding the perfect 4. Their search ultimately led them to Rikk Kittleman, a former member of the vocal group Truth, and by late summer Rikk had introduced them to another Truth singer, Janna Potter (Long). At the last minute, in early November, pop/jazz vocalist Tabitha Fair agreed to join and complete the group. This would be the first Avalon that an audience would see.

The virtually unknown foursome performed to over 100,000 people in the course of this Christmas tour, all before ever recording an album or signing label contracts.

Once recording finally began in early spring of 1996, Rikk and Tabitha decided not to sign on as part of Avalon. But interestingly enough, Tabitha's voice can still be heard on Avalon's first record, "Avalon". Her decision to depart came after she had recorded a considerable amount of background vocals, and a budgetary decision was made to not replace some of her BGVs.

In late April of 1996, Jody McBrayer signed on to take Rikk Kittleman's place. Later that summer, Nikki Hassman (Anders), fresh out of Belmont University in Nashville, would agree to replace Tabitha and complete the group we know as the original Avalon. Their first album 'Avalon' was released December 26, 1996.

Four years later, Avalon would include 'Angels We Have Heard On High' as part of the "Angel's Medley" on their Christmas album "Joy".


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