Michael Passons

Michael Passons is an American singer-songwriter and the founding member of the Christian band Avalon.

Michael Passons
Michael Passons, GRAMMY Awards red carpet
Background information
Birth nameRobert Michael Passons
Born (1965-10-29) October 29, 1965
Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S.
OriginUnited States
GenresCCM/Worship/Pop
Occupation(s)Musician
Songwriter
Composer
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1995 – present
LabelsCapitol Music Group
Associated actsAvalon
Point of Grace

Biography

As a young musician, Passons 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, Passons 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 Passons becoming the founding member of the Christian pop group, Avalon in 1995.[1] 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 Passons'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 was dismissed from the group in 2003.[1] During an interview in 2020, Passons said that he was forced out of the group due to his sexual orientation as a gay man and his refusal to continue attending reparative therapy.[2] "Avalon showed up at my house and told me I was no longer in the group ... And it was all because of who I am. ... I'm a gay man and I'm glad to be."[3][4] Since leaving Avalon, he has been an opening act on tour with fellow Christian group Point of Grace.

References
  1. Christian Music Lighthouse Michael Passons Bio Archived 2011-04-25 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Lynch, Joe (2020-09-11). "Michael Passons Says His Sexuality Was the Real Reason for Leaving Avalon". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  3. Chung, Gabrielle (2020-09-11). "Former Avalon Singer Michael Passons Says He Was Kicked Out of Christian Band for Being Gay". People. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  4. Josh Skinner (2020-09-09). "Michael Passons". Jonah and the Whale (Podcast). Lasting Media. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
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