Riverview has a Touched by an Angel connection. Here's how it goes: Jody McBrayer, who grew up in Riverview, went on to be in the Christian pop band Avalon, which recorded the song Testify to Love, which went on to be No. 1 on the Christian pop charts. Country singer Wynonna covered the song for the Touched by an Angel soundtrack, and the song was the basis for an episode of the family show on CBS.

Saturday, McBrayer, who now lives in Nashville, returns to the Tampa Bay area with Avalon to sing Testify to Love and other hits after the Mutiny game at Raymond James Stadium.

The members of Avalon are McBrayer, Janna Potter from Baltimore, Michael Passons from Yazoo City, Miss., and Cherie Paliotta from Johnston, R.I. Since its first album in 1996, Avalon has had 11 Christian No. 1 songs.

In 1998, Avalon snagged the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, an award previously given to Jars of Clay, Take 6 and CeCe Winans.

Fame followed as the group appeared on CNN, the 700 Club and morning programs in Atlanta, Fort Worth, Texas, and Wichita, Kan.

Yet, Avalon is the kind of band that also takes requests to play in churches.

"More than anything, people these days are starving for honesty," McBrayer says on the group's Web site, http://www.Avalonlive.com. "I think that's been a large part in what we try to do."

McBrayer sang in his Riverview youth choir. He also worked at Walt Disney Productions, first in the talent, booking and production department, then following his dream as a featured soloist. He toured with Disney in the United States and Canada.

Another stepping stone to Avalon was his experience with the band Truth, which has been around for more than 25 years. There, McBrayer met Janna Potter, who joined him when Avalon was formed.

At a glance:

WHAT: Avalon

WHEN: Saturday after the Tampa Bay Mutiny vs. Chicago Fire game, which begins at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Raymond James Stadium

COST: Game and show are $12-$21

CALL: (813) 289-6811

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