What happened to Australian Christian rock band Avion, and how did frontman Randall Waller eventually find himself playing guitar with Shania Twain at the Super Bowl?

In Episode 6 of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian sits down with Randall Waller to revisit the tragic story of Avion, one of Australia's most promising 1980s bands.

Avion emerged from the Christian music scene but never fitted comfortably into one world. Randall remembers signing with RCA, appearing on Countdown, hearing Avion on Australian radio and navigating the tension between the church and the mainstream music industry.

Then, in 1987, tragedy changed everything.

Randall reflects on the accident that killed Avion keyboard player Evan Murray, the impact it had on the band and the difficult process of rebuilding his life and career after Avion came to an end.

That next chapter took him around the world. He worked as a guitar tech for Bonnie Tyler, returned to performing and worked with artists including John English, Rose Tattoo and The Party Boys.

Then came the call that changed everything again.

Randall tells the extraordinary story of recording an audition tape for Shania Twain, receiving a phone call from legendary producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, flying to America and discovering during rehearsals that he had landed the job.

He would go on to tour the world with Shania, with that journey eventually taking him all the way to the Super Bowl.

The conversation also explores Randall's solo album More, which he describes as a "life statement", reflecting the beliefs, relationships, experiences and detours that shaped both his music and his life.

From Avion and Australian Christian rock to Shania Twain, Mutt Lange and the Super Bowl, this is a story about music, loss, persistence and an extraordinary second act.

00:00 - Avion, Christian music and discovering a bigger rock sound

02:28 - Avion caught between the church and mainstream rock

06:28 - More: Randall Waller's musical life statement

07:31 - Avion signs with RCA, backlash and Countdown

15:08 - Touring with Dragon and the tragedy that ended Avion

18:54 - Starting again, Bangkok, England and Bonnie Tyler

25:13 - The road from Oz Rock to Shania Twain

30:17 - Recording the Shania audition tape

35:32 - The phone call from Mutt Lange and landing the job

46:04 - From Avion to Shania Twain and the Super Bowl

Website:

https://randallwaller.net/

Listen to or buy More:

https://randallwaller.bandcamp.com/album/more

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic

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https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus

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