7th March, 2006

JOE MONTAGUE

Success seems to have been part of Greg Long's life for a long time now.

The silky smooth American crooner enjoyed six number one hit songs and two Dove nominations prior to joining the internationally renowned pop ensemble Avalon in 2003. Since then, the Nashville-based group has sold more than three million records, had twenty number one hits and had a three year run as group of the year (2002-04) as named by CCM Magazine.

One might be forgiven for thinking such success has resulted in Long becoming a little nonchalant about his career. Speak to the talented and affable singer for just a few moments, however, and you'll soon learn that such assumptions couldn't be further from the truth.

"I really credit my parents with telling me since I was a kid that the eternal things are important; your relationship with Christ, your family and your friends."

"I am thrilled that I get to make records and I am thrilled that people come to our concerts. I am a very grateful human being," says Long.

Discussing the type of music - both mainstream and Christian - that he grew up listening to in the north-western US state of South Dakota he adds: "I think it is so cool that what I was attracted to as a teen growing up, God has allowed me to be a part of."

When mention is made of his success prior to joining Avalon, Long questions the assumption.

"Am I successful? I make a living at it. How about we go with that?"

He retains an equal air of humility when referring to his own role with Avalon.

"I am sharing the stage with three amazing vocalists. Jody (McBrayer) is a freak of nature because he can sing so high. He's not human. Then you get my wife (Janna) whose vocal tone is world class. I would put her vocal tone up against anybody's. Her vocal tone is so unique, soulful and rich.

"The song Everything To Me shows off Melissa's (Greene) range. This girl sings those notes night after night. I remember when we were listening to the rough mix of one song in the car and I turned to Janna and said 'I can't believe Melissa sang that high'. (At first) Janna didn't think it was Melissa and thought it must be a keyboard part. God has given her (Melissa) the ability to have that range and she does it night after night. I am along for the ride. I have the least attractive voice of all of them. I am a 'Johnny come lately.' I just want to be there in a support role."

Long acknowledges his parents and his marriage for helping him to keep a healthy perspective of his career and ministry.

"I really credit my parents with telling me since I was a kid that the eternal things are important; your relationship with Christ, your family and your friends. People are important. My dad is semi-retired but still preaching. He will call me on a Monday after preaching somewhere on the Sunday. He will be jumping out of his skin because someone will have prayed and invited Christ into their life. He has been doing this for more than 40 years. When you have that kind of history it gives you a pretty good idea about what is important in life."

Inspiration was also taken from his grandparents' lives. He refers to them as heroes.

"I am glad to know that we have the hope of glory and be it today or in 50 years when I die I will be reunited with them. That will be a happy day not a sad day. I have the hope of glory. I have the hope of being reunited with those who have passed on," he says.

Long believes that his work with Avalon isn't just artistry but a "ministry".

"God therefore allows you to communicate truths that are based upon the Word. I have no problem doing that. I do that with passion."

His marriage to Janna and subsequent birth of their daughter Lillian brought about some positive, life-altering experiences for Long. The couple met while participating in a tour known as the Young Messiah Christmas tour in 1997. Janna, one of the original members of Avalon, was touring with the group while Long was appearing as a solo performer.

"I didn't ask her out while the tour was going on because if she said yes it would be awkward for the rest of the tour and if she said no it would be awkward," he says.

Long waited until the buses pulled over for a break.

"I went to a pay phone and dialled Janna's home number knowing she wasn't there to answer because she was on one of the other tour buses. I left a message asking her out for that week. She said yes and that was the beginning of the end," he says with a smile.

Long recalls his marriage day on May 13th 2000 as one of the happiest days of his life.

"It has been five of the greatest years of friendship and all the things that go with marriage: the good, the hard, the fun and the sad, all of the things that you share on the journey," he says.

One of the things that he has learned to truly admire about his wife is her loyalty to family and friends. He marvels at things such as the friendship Janna shares with someone she has known since she was six-years-old.

The birth of daughter Lillian in May, 2004, moved the Longs into a new adventure - parenthood. Long recalls one night when he got up to take care of Lillian because she wasn't feeling well. After rocking her for awhile he placed her back in her crib and lay down on the floor beside the crib.

"I stuck my hand through the crib to hold hers and she held mine with her little hand. I told a friend of mine that is just one of the greatest moments you ever have."

Janna echoes the sentiment. "Becoming a mother changed the way I looked at everything in life, especially my career.  Although I love what I do, there is nothing more important than my calling as Lillian's mom. My greatest accolades and awards pale in comparison to the joy and fulfilment I receive from her."

When I asked Long about the challenges of being a touring couple and having a daughter, he said he doesn't consider it to be nearly as difficult as the challenges facing single parents who may have more than one child and have to do it all alone.

Janna says the biggest challenge is finding quality time together as a couple.

"I think Greg and I have had to adjust more to working together all the time than we did to just being married. It is such a blessing to be together so much but sometimes, we have to work at giving each other enough space as well as finding quality time with one another that has nothing to do with our jobs."

Long says that you cannot underestimate the importance of belonging to and being plugged into a regular church fellowship.

"I have a men's group that I go to and it gives me accountability. I am also a big believer in going to church. That sounds weird but that is one of the things that are difficult about being a recording artist in Christian music. We are home very few Sundays. I am one of the people who are supposed to volunteer to serve communion in our church. Communion happens once per month on a Sunday morning. I can't tell you when the last time was that I served communion. Being a part of a church body and being fed is very important."

He adds that "finding time for God and ourselves is no more difficult or easy than it is for anybody else".

"That is a priority that you have to have as a person and a couple."