Artist description Avery is an urban praise and worship leader who is a dynamic vocalist. He and his family live in Sunnyvale, CA.

Music Style Christian Pop/ Christian R&B/ Urban Praise and Worship

Musical Influences Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Bryan Duncan, Carman, Take 6

Similar Artists Avery is one of a kind!

Artist History Avery Stafford is well on his way to being an influential leader and respected artist in contemporary Christian music. For more than two decades, he has captivated audiences through his anointed gift of worship leading at such prestigious events as Pepperdine Lectureships, Celebration (formerly known as the Great Northwest Evangelism Workshop), the Abilene Christian University Lectureships, and Faith Quest (youth rally in Oregon). His powerful vocal talent has opened concerts for such artists as Bryan Duncan, Anointed, Acappella, AVB, and Out of the Grey. He has a deep passion for exciting music – and why not … after all, it is his destiny! Avery was born and raised in California, where his musical background was shaped even before birth. While pregnant, his mother Adella prayed to the Lord just as Hannah prayed concerning her unborn child. And she asked God for a healthy child that had a gift to sing, and she vowed to dedicate his gifts and talents to Almighty God. On October 30, 1965, her first born child Avery was born. And with her assistance, he led his first song in worship at age 2. He began organ lessons at age 4 and started playing the clarinet in the fifth grade, which he pursued throughout his first year of college at California State University at Fresno. In the Spring of 1987, he recorded his first studio album with a group called The Enlighteners. His calling only intensified after meeting Keith Lancaster, founder of the Acappella Company, in September 1987. Keith solicited Avery to join the up and coming backup group Acappella Vocal Band, or AVB, but the timing was not right. With a limited number of full time worship ministries on the West Coast, Avery pursued youth ministry as a way to utilize his musical talent. In 1992, he graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministry. In 1995, an independent record label in The Dalles, Oregon called Worship Him Music approached Avery to record two solo projects, Lift Up Your Voice and Come Bless Da Lord. After graduating from Multnomah Biblical Seminary in 1998 with a Master of Arts degree in Family Ministry, he was approached for the first time by a great church in his home state to lead their praise and worship full time. El Camino Christian Church in Sunnyvale, California is where he now serves, along with his wife of eleven years Nina and their three children Marlea, Stephan, and Kerrington.So why did he entitle his brand new album Bridges? “It’s all about people coming together. The easy thing to do is to divide; it is more difficult to unite and become one in heart, mind, and spirit. Someone has got to place their life on the line for Jesus’ prayer to become reality, ‘…that they all be one…’ I figure, if not me, then who? So I am out there building bridges.” All thirteen songs are original and powerfully performed. They span the musical genres of contemporary pop, R&B, ballads, and even a little Hip Hop. “To build bridges with music means to be diverse. I want my music to touch as many as possible. I will strive to always be diverse in my style of vocals and writing. It’s all about winning as many as possible.”

Instruments besides his voice, every instrument on the Bridges Album!

Albums Lift Up Your Voice; Come Bless Da Lord; Bridges

Press Reviews Bridges review at http://members.aol.com/pkgentry/Stafford.html

Location San Jose, CA - USA

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