'Salvation road,' friendship brings singer to Clovis

Sep. 3—Andy Avery will be in Clovis starting Wednesday, playing some "old time rock 'n' roll" like he used to and testifying for the Lord.

Who is this friend of local pastor Jon Forrest from the Tennessee River town of Lexington, Tn.?

What is the beginning of the 59-year-old guitar player's story?

"I raised myself, music was a gift," Avery said. "I was an athlete at Florida State University in Tallahassee and I left that behind when I met Gene Simmons."

Yes, THAT Gene Simmons, the guy from the rock 'n' roll band KISS.

Simmons was managing a band named Smokehouse and Avery joined it.

Avery spoke of meeting many famous musicians of the mid-to-late 70's and early 80's such as John Cougar Mellencamp when he was known as John Cougar, the late Steve Gaines of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mikki Free from Shalimar.

"We opened for Bon Jovi, KISS, Joan Jett, Ted Nugent," Avery said. "Be the opening act enough you get stuck on the opening act tour, opening is all you do."

Avery said he and his bandmates "messed up our opportunity to be huge." By his own admission he said he was "so messed up on drugs."

"Drugs and alcohol took ahold of me," Avery said.

Avery talked about a turning point in a downhill direction happened when he auditioned for a "really famous band" which he declined to identify.

Avery described how in the music business bands would send a person "front money" to travel and audition with the band.

"I overdosed on their front money in a cocaine and heroin overdose." Avery said. "I came out of a coma 6 months later."

Not long after going home with his wife and son, Avery broke into a church and stole $600 from a safe.

He was caught and sent to prison, a sentence of five to seven years, but he was out in 18 months.

When Avery left prison, the pastor of the church he burglarized let him live in the basement of the sanctuary.

Members of that church got together and paid Avery's tuition to attend a bible college.

"They called the money I stole an investment in my future," Avery said.

After bible college Avery became an intern minister.

Avery's life changed direction when he got a call from members of an Arkansas church to come rebuild it; building and congregation.

"I now have a business that rebuilds churches," Avery said.

Avery also conducts seminars, speaks in prisons, speaks in schools goes on cruise ships.

Avery said his message is a Christian message.

"With all the garbage I went through, if I could make it, you can make it," Avery said.

He believes looking inward was part of his journey.

"I think God had some introspection for me," Avery said.

Pastor Jon Forrest calls Avery's appearances "joy filled spiritual experiences."

What will people hear?

Avery said there'll be Classic rock music just to warm folks up, then some of his own music, praise, worship and then speaking.

What makes Avery's message worth listening to?

"I use scripture and testimonial message about what God's done in my life," Avery said.

Avery said his favorite scripture is "All things been placed under his feet."

Avery said when he became a Christian he put on a suit and tie and cut his hair.

"I looked in the mirror and said, 'Who's that?'" Avery said.

He grew his hair back and kept his fun spirit.

Avery said his t-shirts say, 'If it ain't fun I ain't goin'". He said "God gave me this personality and that's who I am."

"I've been given two gifts," Avery said. "The gift of salvation and the gift of building His kingdom."

Forrest said he had crossed paths with Avery a number of times in the late 1980's.

He said Avery was at a church in Tyler, Tx. as was Forrest for an event.

"On the last night after everyone had left except for the leaders Andy set up his sound system and did about an hour and a half of the most amazing music I had ever heard," Forrest said.

Forrest said this is the seventh time Avery has been to First Christian Church.

"It never gets old," Forrest said.

Avery will be at First Christian Church at Main and Purdue Streets in Clovis.

"His theme for the meetings should bring some interest, 'Fear is a liar,'" Forrest said.

Forrest said the program begins Wednesday through Friday at 7 p.m. each night with a pre-service concert at 6:30 p.m. There is also a Saturday concert at 7 p.m. and another Sunday at 10:30 a.m.