Building on the momentum generated by Oxygen, the
fifth album from Grammy-nominated vocal group Avalon, Sparrow Records will
release O2 Avalon Remixed, a limited edition companion project to the
best-selling record (released May 22, 2001).
O2 Avalon Remixed – the first complete remix album in the Christian music
industry- will include upbeat remixes of 10 of Avalon’s No. 1 songs and will
feature cameo appearances from ZOEgirl, Stacie Orrico, Out of Eden and DJ
Andy Hunter. The new collection, releasing March 26 through Chordant
Distribution and EMD, is an extension of Oxygen and a detour for the group.
Remixed by DJ Tiesto (Sarah McLachlin, Dido, BT, Delerium), Ken Michaels
(Nsync, ZOEgirl) and Ted Tjornhom (ZOEgirl, Stacie Orrico), O2 Avalon
Remixed was created to appeal to younger Avalon fans as well as introduce
new consumers to Oxygen and the group. The album will be a limited-edition
release.
“Avalon has always been a premier pop vocal group, and now O2 allows their
fans and new listeners to hear these hit songs in a whole new way,” says
Grant Cunningham, Vice President of A&R, Sparrow Label Group. “The group was
excited to explore some new musical territory and create an album that
sounds like some more of the music they listen to in their spare time. We
hired some world class remixers from the US and Europe to transform these
songs into a collection that will make them new all over again. It’s all
over the map stylistically. But, it’s a legitimate remix project featuring
the music of Avalon.”
The songs on O2 Avalon Remixed were selected based on their previous success
and remix potential. The new album includes cuts from Oxygen, In a Different
Light and Maze of Grace. Remixes include “Oxygen,” “Make It Last Forever,”
(Oxygen); “Wonder Why”(Oxygen); “Undeniably You”(Oxygen); “In Not Of”(In a
Different Light); “Take You at Your Word” (In a Different Light); “Testify
to Love” (Maze of Grace); “Maze of Grace” and a medley of “Give It Up,”
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Picture Perfect World.”
Targeting teenage and young adult consumers, Sparrow will roll out a
comprehensive marketing plan to retail, radio and new media. O2 online
access cards resembling a credit card will be distributed during various
spring 2002 tours, including “The Oxygen Tour,” as well as in select
Christian retail stores. Each card has its own access number, driving
consumers to a Web site featuring exclusive versions of remixes not on O2;
video content; and comments from Avalon members. In addition, Sparrow will
support retail with pricepoint incentives partnering O2 and Oxygen, and
endcap placements.
At radio, O2 will open up new formats for Avalon. In spring 2002, Sparrow
plans to service “Undeniably You,” the sixth single from Oxygen, to
Christian radio AC radio formats. At the same time, Christian Pop radio will
receive the remix version of the song on O2. Sparrow will work with radio
stations to offer promotions around the single and the album.
Giving further exposure to O2, Avalon plans to premiere a selected remix
from O2 Avalon Remixed on the group’s 38-city spring leg of “The Oxygen
Tour,” beginning February 14 in Ft. Myers, Florida (see itinerary below).
The spring leg will feature opening acts Reunion Records artist Joy Williams
and Word Records artist Mark Schultz.
“We’re really looking forward to getting back on the road with ‘The Oxygen
Tour,’ and we’re excited about incorporating a remix from O2 into our spring
concerts,” says Avalon member Michael Passons. “We had so much fun on the
fall tour, as we saw how the people who have followed our music so far have
embraced the new music on Oxygen.”
Last fall, Avalon embarked on a 45-city tour supporting Oxygen, with opening
acts Joy Williams and ZOEgirl. “The Oxygen Tour,” marks Avalon’s first time
to headline their own tour. Like the fall leg, the 2002 shows will be highly
active, incorporating video and special effects as well as last fall’s new
stage and lighting set. “The Oxygen Tour” 2001-02 is sponsored by World
Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization.
Oxygen debuted in May 2001 at No.1 on SoundScan’s Christian Retail and
Mainstream charts, holding the No. 1 position on the Christian Retail chart
for four consecutive weeks. The album has generated four No. 1 radio hits,
including “The Glory,” “Make It Last Forever,” “Wonder Why” and “Come and
Fill My Heart.” The album’s first single, “The Glory,” made Christian radio
history as the first single to be added by all 41 Adult Contemporary
stations nationwide on the same day.
Avalon’s five albums have yielded 16 No. 1 singles, two gold records, two
Grammy Award nominations, five Dove Award wins and 16 Dove Award
nominations. Additional information can be obtained at avalonlive orsparrowrecords.
2002 The Oxygen Tour Dates:
Thu., Feb. 14 7:00 PM McGregor Baptist Church Ft. Myers FL
Fri., Feb. 15 7:30 PM Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale FL
Sat., Feb. 16 7:30 PM Carpenter’s Home Church Lakeland FL
Mon., Feb. 18 7:00 PM Mandarin Christian Church Jacksonville FL
Tue., Feb. 19 7:00 PM Calvary Baptist Temple Savannah GA
Fri., Feb. 22 7:00 PM Perimeter Church Duluth GA
Sat., Feb. 23 7:00 PM Freedom Hall Johnson City TN
Mon., Feb. 25 7:00 PM Star Plaza Theatre Merrillville IN
Tue., Feb. 26 7:00 PM Grand Wayne Center Ft. Wayne IN
Fri., Mar. 1 7:30 PM Grove City Church of Nazarene Grove City
OH
Sat., Mar. 2 7:30 PM Akron Baptist Temple Akron OH
Sun., Mar. 3 7:30 PM Westgate Chapel Toledo OH
Thu., Mar 7 7:00 PM Sunshine Community Church Grand Rapids MI
Fri., Mar. 8 7:00 PM Northridge Church Plymouth MI
Sat., Mar. 9 7:30 PM Erie First Assembly of God Erie PA
Fri., Mar. 22 7:30 PM America’s Keswick Activities Center Whiting
NJ
Sun., Mar. 24 7:00 PM The American Music Theater Lancaster PA
Mon., Mar. 25 7:00 PM Cumberland Co. Civic Auditorium Fayetteville NC
Tue., Mar 26 7:30 PM Atlantic Shores Baptist Church Virginia Beach
VA
Wed., Mar. 27 7:30 PM Mechanicsville Christian Center Mechanicsville VA
Thu., Mar. 28 7:00 PM Salem Civic Center Salem VA
Fri., Mar.. 29 7:30 PM Hylton Memorial Chapel Woodbridge VA
Sat., Mar. 30 7:30 PM Township Auditorium Columbia SC
Tue., Apr 2 7:30 PM Mabee Center-Oral Roberts University. Tulsa
OK
Fri., Apr. 5 7:30 PM Park Hill Baptist Church Little Rock AR
Sat., Apr. 6 7:00 PM Harvest Church Watauga TX
*All dates subject to change
