Avery Stafford
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Avery Stafford is an American gospel and R&B singer.


Personal life and career

Stafford was born in Los Angeles in 1965, and grew up in Madera, California. He began singing
gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...
in church during his youth. In 1987, Stafford recorded the album ''So Good Inside'' (with his singing group The Enlighteners) in Fresno, California. Two years later, Stafford moved to
Abilene, Texas Abilene ( ) is a city in Taylor and Jones Counties in Texas, United States. Its population was 125,182 at the 2020 census, making it the 27th-most populous city in the state of Texas. It is the principal city of the Abilene metropolitan statis ...
, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministry from
Abilene Christian University Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a Private university, private Churches of Christ, Christian university in Abilene, Texas. It was founded in 1906 as ''Childers Classical Institute''. ACU is one of the largest private universities in the Sout ...
. In 1992, Stafford moved to Port Orchard, Washington, where he served as Youth Minister for the Port Orchard Church of Christ. There he wrote several songs that would later be recorded on his second and third albums, ''Lift Up Your Voice'' (1995) and ''Come Bless Da Lord'' (1996). In 1995, Stafford moved to Portland, Oregon, where he enrolled in
Multnomah University Multnomah University (MU) is a private Christian university in Portland, Oregon. Composed of a college, seminary, graduate school, and online distance-learning program, the university offers bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees, as well a ...
. There he recorded his second and third albums before completing a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies in 1998. He created a vocal praise team called One A'Chord, featuring several voices of Portland area college students. That same year, he accepted the worship pastor position at El Camino Christian Church in
Sunnyvale, California Sunnyvale () is a city located in the Santa Clara Valley in northwest Santa Clara County in the U.S. state of California. Sunnyvale lies along the historic El Camino Real and Highway 101 and is bordered by portions of San Jose to the nort ...
. While there, he recorded his fourth album ''Bridges''. During his tenure at Valley Church in Cupertino, California, Stafford recorded the album that began to give him recognition. ''Undignified'' was recorded in 2004 and released in 2005. Produced in the studio owned by Michael Toy, Stafford was able to utilize Bay Area musicians who assisted in creating an award-winning Independent release. Artists included Mark Kenoly, Tim Abbott, Tony Bolivar, Patrick Collins (also co-producer), and several others. ''Undignified'' earned Stafford two nominations from the 16th Annual Los Angeles International Awards for Christian Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as praise for his rendition of " How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". "Eyes of a Child" earned Stafford the March 2007 Winner Award for Best Song in the Song of the Year International Songwriting Competition. In 2003 and 2006, Stafford was a featured performer at a Bay Area All Faiths Gospel Music Festival, and was a featured performer in a 2008 benefit concert for Castro Valley High School. In late 2008, he was also chosen by the Pure Gospo Awards Show as Best Solo Artist. Stafford released ''End of Five'' in 2008, an album produced by Eddie M and featuring Jon Gibson. His albums are now distributed by Bookworld Music. After serving as Pastor of Worship Ministries for Trinity Church of Sunnyvale in the San Francisco Bay Area (where he began in 2006), he has been the staff elder at Common Ground Church in
Beaverton, Oregon Beaverton is a city in Washington County, in the U.S. state of Oregon with a small portion bordering Portland in the Tualatin Valley. The city is among the main cities that make up the Portland metropolitan area. Its population was 97,494 at the ...
, since February 1, 2015.


Discography

* ''So Good Inside'' (with "The Enlighteners") (1987) * ''Lift Up Your Voice'' (1995) * ''Come Bless Da Lord'' (with One A'Chord) (1996) * ''Bridges'' (1999) * ''Undignified'' (2004) * ''End of Five'' (2008)


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stafford, Avery American gospel singers American rhythm and blues singers 1965 births Living people Singers from Los Angeles People from Madera, California Multnomah University alumni Abilene Christian University alumni People from Sunnyvale, California