"A Different Light", the third recording from Avalon, does bring a fresh perspective to the Dove Award-winning vocal group. The most obvious change is newest Avalon-ian Cherie Paliotta joining Michael Passons, Jody McBrayer and Janna Potter by filling the space left by Nikki Hassman, who has left to pursue a solo career. Sound and Spirit's Robert Mineo talked to Cherie recently about the new album.
S&S: So, what does it feel like to enter the group stepping into someone else's shoes?
CP: Well, it has had its challenging moments. At the beginning I think it was kind of overwhelming, but God has really been faithful through it all. He has really just shown up where I needed Him to—helping me with the lyrics and all the new music I had to learn. I think we all feel at peace about it now.
S&S: What do you think you add to Avalon besides dark hair?
CP: (Laughs) I have a really strong heart for ministry, I come from a worship background so that's mainly my influence on Avalon. I think the ministry aspect of Avalon has increased and I'm real happy about that. That is the most important part of what we do.
S&S: What were you doing before you joined Avalon?
CP: I've been singing professionally since I was 16 years old, so I have always had a career in singing. I used to be "the wedding singer" for a long time (laughs). Just before Avalon I was singing with a worship group here in Nashville and I did that for three-and-a-half years.
S&S: Which songs on "In A Different Light" most prominently feature your voice?
CP: I'm Speechless is my solo on there. I pretty much sing the lead on In A Different Light, the title cut which we all had a chance to write. On In Not Of, I sang the lead on the chorus, and Janna and I do kind of a duet thing on Let Your Love.
S&S: There seems to be more of an R&B/dance pop feel to the music on In A Different Light, how did that develop?
CP: Some of our roots are definitely coming out on the album stylistically. You can really hear it vocally if you compare this album to the last album. I know Janna grew up listening to Aretha Franklin and I grew up with the Whitney (Houston) R&B/pop kind of stuff. With the change of me coming in I knew it was going to take just a slightly new shape. I think there are great elements of Avalon that carried over from the last album into this one with some new shape to it.
S&S: What type of music influenced you?
CP: I've stuck really close to R&B, jazz and black gospel music. I saturated myself with that kind of music and really didn't listen to much else.
S&S: Was the recording process for "In A Different Light" intimidating?
CP: I have been on recordings before with a group called the Sojourners and another group. But I think the most intimidating thing about it to me was thinking "here I am with [producer] Brown Bannister, the guy that made Amy Grant famous." That was kind of nerve-wracking.
S&S: In choosing songs, particularly for "In A Different Light, " what attracts you the most?
CP: Our main objective is to make sure that the lyrics measure up to what we're going through in our lives and what is appealing to us. This year has been quite a transition for the other three and for myself. We have all had a difficult year and God has brought us through that. We are finally resting in His grace and peace and knowing that God is in control. (He is) doing wonderful things for Avalon, really opening some wonderful doors for us. I think you can tell when you hear it.
S&S: What lies ahead for Avalon in the next year?
CP: We will be touring in the fall with Anointed. And, I would love to see our music "spill over" into the mainstream audience...but not "cross over." We don't want to end what we're doing here, we want to spill over and draw people to Avalon so that they can be ministered to. I really hope and pray that the lyrics and the music really touch people.
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-Robert Mineo [07.06.99]