%20YouTube%20Cover.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1209,h:680)
I Am | New Single
The new single I Am (Radio Edit) is arguably Avery's catalog's best praise and worship composition. We invite radio stations to add this song to their rotation. Music directors, DJs, program managers, etc. can receive a free hi-res .mp3 or .wav file of Avery Stafford's I Am!!!
Music Bio
Avery Stafford is an American gospel and R&B singer from the Portland, OR metroplex. He is a prolific vocalist and songwriter with a discography of six independent albums. His fifth album, "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. Additionally, his rendition of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" was well-received. One of the tracks on the album, "Eyes of a Child," earned Stafford the March 2007 Winner Award for Best Song in the Song of the Year International Songwriting Competition. Stafford's sixth album, "End of Five" (2012), received critical acclaim from Soul Tracks and other music critics.
His last two singles, "Manna (Come On Down)" and "My Friend," were released on 12.12.24 and 1.31.25 respectively. His new single, “I Am (Radio Edit)" will be released on February 14, 2025.
More About Avery:
- Lead Pastor of Common Ground Church in Beaverton, OR
- Artist Representation: BMI
- Best Songwriting Influences: Lionel Richie, James Taylor
- Best Vocal Influences: Sam Cooke, Jon Gibson, John Legend
- Previous Endorsements: Audix Microphones, Spectraflex Cables
The Story Behind the Song
Never Before Released Single
Avery wrote "I Am" in 1995 and added it to his album Lift Up Your Voice, an acappella praise and worship album. He later recorded it for his 2005 album entitled Undignified. True fans of Stafford's music know this song has an interesting history. He wrote "I Am" after serving as a youth minister in Port Orchard, WA and moving to Portland, OR. During this transitional period, Avery was contacted by a new independent record label in the area who quickly signed him as their inaugural artist. "I Am" was written along with a collection of original songs slated for his first solo project. Avery convinced the label to record those songs with a vocal worship team that he put together called One A'Chord. "I Am" became the third track on the album.
"I Am" was never released as a radio single until now. It will be released and promoted as a Christian/Gospel track. Tunecore will distribute a radio-edited version on 2.14.25.