Jeremi, what is it like to be a new member of a group? Not to mention a group that you were a fan of.
Jeremi: Being the newest member of Avalon is a very surreal experience. There's not a concert that goes by where I'll stand on the stage, thinking this is me singing with Avalon. I love looking out at the concerts and catch somebody singing away, enjoying and digesting every moment that's going on. I realize a half a year ago, that was me sitting there. Avalon has been very gracious, it's always crucial when you meet someone for the very first time that you idolize. For them to be generous to you and welcoming, it says a lot about them. They were that way before I was part of the group, so it's a terrific experience.
The election is several months away, will Avalon be endorsing a presidential nominee?
Melissa: Last time around when we decided who we were going to vote for and everything we sometimes wear shirts and one time on stage ....
Greg: Got in trouble
Melissa: Yeah, we got in trouble
Greg: Not with fans, because they did like whom we were voting for
Melissa: I don't know, we haven't discussed it.
Greg: I do believe in core issues and one of the things for me as a believer is the right to life. So I almost always will take my vote to someone who believes in that a baby is a baby right away.
All of you are married with children and you have to travel for different events and tours. As a result, you're away from your family and loved ones. Is it still hard to leave them or does it become easier to deal with over the years?
Jeremi: In touring and just life on the road in general for Avalon, it's probably different from a lot of groups. Avalon use to fly basically everywhere they went, except for major tours and then they would use the bus because it was too expensive to fly. When the members started having children that changed. We became a bus group, so we actually have a nursery on the bus and nannies that come and help take care of the kids.
Will there be a reality TV show in the making?
Greg: Where did you hear that?
Melissa: We talked about, we need the funds.
Janna: It would be a funny show.
Greg: That's a reality I not quite sure I'm ready to share. Actually, there has been talk about that in the past.
Jeremi: It would definitely be a interesting show. You have four people, with four personalities thrown into a mix. It's bound to be comedy.
When touring, where do you find time to go to church?
Jeremi: Going to church on tour is almost an impossibility. You know, a lot of churches have their own online services. And of course Northland where we are here tonight, they have the same thing and I've done that a couple of times. For me, I got the experience Bible on CD. It's a kind of a dramatic portrayal of the scriptures, lot of sound effects and different things go on. That's a great way for me to get out of the road and into the word and kind of escape.
Where do you see Avalon in the next ten years?
Greg: Nursing home, we only been out for twelve years, I have no idea
Jana: It's funny, we get asked that a lot and as long as GOD continues to open up the door we're willing to get on the bus and go. You can worry about what your career can look like three months from now or ten months from now but GOD has lead us every step of the way. You know honestly, I did not know I would be sitting here twelve years later talking to you. He's been faithful and gives us so many opportunities and we'll continue to go as long as he does that.
As a new day, new opportunities, and some disappointment arrive in all our lives at some point in time. Avalon's music reminds us all that God is and will always be in control.
