Janna Potter-Long of Avalon and Greg Long


How long have they been married?

Greg and Janna have been married since May 2000. They don't have any children, but they do have a Bichon Frise puppy named Gracie. Gracie is a combination pet name derived from Greg's name and the names of his brothers, Grady and Grayson.


How did they meet?

They met in April 1997 at the Stoffer Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Janna thought Greg was "very cute and funny," but their paths didn't cross again for seven months. They met again while performing together in the "Young Messiah" tour. "I didn't want to ask her out during the tour because either way, yes or no, it would be uncomfortable," recalls Greg. So, the night the tour ended he asked Janna if he could give her a call. When the bus stopped at a truck stop two hours later he called her and asked her out, by leaving a message on her answering machine. "Someone recommended that I make a list of all the things I would like in a husband," says Janna, playfully. "I think the only thing that is different between Greg and the list is that it would be great if he had curly hair." They dated for 2-1/2 years before getting married.


How did Greg propose to Janna?

Discussing the possibility of marriage ahead of time, and planning to be engaged, just isn't Greg's style. He wanted to do something different and spontaneous! He wanted Janna to be totally surprised. One day, Janna had been working out in the yard when Greg brought her into the house to show her the flowers he had brought her. He then led her upstairs to show her the beautiful rose petals he had spread out on a duvet cover on her bed, which spelled out "marry me." "I said, 'Oh this is nice,'" recalls Janna, thoughtfully. "Then, my eyes started to focus and I realized what it said. I don't know for how many minutes, I just screamed!" Greg was there on his knee with the ring.


How does working and touring separately affect their marriage?

Greg: Some people would see it as the glass half empty, both of us being on the road. But this year, we have proven that this works well for us. We are often gone at the same time because most concerts are on weekends. It would be worse if one person were working a regular job because they would be home alone. Over the summer, I was on the "Summer Jam" tour and Avalon was on a break, so Janna came and traveled with me. We try not to go more than a week without seeing each other. Usually, it's less than that.

Janna: My parents wanted us to have a very realistic perspective of what we were getting into because it wouldn't be like two spouses working 9-to-5. So, by the time we got married, we knew what our life was going to be like. I have always heard how the first year of marriage is such an adjustment. We have had our disagreements, and things we have had to work through, but God has really blessed us this first year.


How do they keep their romance alive?

[Janna and Greg both giggle].

Greg: In my book, she does really well as far as romance. We are pretty good about leaving notes on one another's luggage. When one leaves, there is a note on the luggage, and when one of us comes home and the other is gone, we leave a note saying, "I can't wait until you're here." She spends money to fly to see me, and I spend money to go see her. We spend that money instead of buying something for the house or for the car. And we can't pay attention to cell phone bills. That's money we need to spend for our relationship.

Janna: People laugh and make jokes when we're on the road because there are times when we talk eight or 10 times a day. Not for 30 minutes each time, but just a call to say, "I miss you" or "I love you."


Will Greg ever write a song for Janna?

Greg: As I tell Janna, you don't want to force it. I could go in today and write a love ballad, but not a song like "Mercy Said No." You can't go in a room and say, "OK, let's write a song." A special song has to be inspired. Certain songs you don't want to ….

Janna: Force? Maybe by our 50th wedding anniversary?