Grace Like Rain
Todd Agnew

Todd Agnew's debut Grace Like Rain melds rock, blues, soul and gospel in an unabashed attempt to not only capture as many ears as possible, but also to keep Todd from being pigeonholed as an artist in his first time out the gate.

With a Native American background, Todd was adopted and embraced by Texas parents who were dedicated in their church attendance. Crediting his spiritual growth stemming from his family's commitment to God, he was enveloped by the music of the church from his earliest remembrance. But while his own musical skills and interests grew, including serving as worship leader at local churches, the traditional music began to lose its power, becoming ingrained as a habit instead of a worship experience and a relationship with God.

It's in that joining of the familiar and the progressive where Todd's music finds its power. That's why a song like "Grace Like Rain" makes such an impact, taking text from one of the world's best-known hymns in "Amazing Grace" and placing it within the context of a groove-laden, alt-rock track. Todd further adds his gritty vocals, singing with a concurrent joy, amazement and thankfulness about his, and subsequently our, sins being washed away.

Todd knows that it's because he chose to listen to God's still, small voice that he's been able to then sing loudly from stage. Spending more than a decade passionately serving in the worship field, he traveled to churches that needed music where God sharpened his performance and writing skills before even thinking about making a record.

And the music that has come forth out of Todd is as crafted and polished as any debut to come down the pike in years, with songs like "Reached Down" rocking with an unfettered intensity alongside quieter tracks like "Still Here Waiting," a tune excellent in its reverence and message. Then there's "Lay It Down," one of the first songs Todd wrote after relocating from Houston to Memphis, and the one that most vividly shows his love for blues, rock and gospel.

Todd also lets it fly on "This Fragile Breath," known by its nickname "The Thunder Song." The cut's big, anthemic sound came after a long-simmering revelation. "One day, it hit me all of a sudden. 'You know what? Worship music…it's power ballads, just done on acoustic guitars and djembes. If we're gonna play a power ballad, let's play a power ballad,'" Todd says. "That song is all about 'God, I'm here and I want to worship you,' but when it comes down to it, these songs are very small, piddling and insignificant compared to the fact that He is God, and He speaks with thunder and lightning, and what do I have that can compare to that? When it comes down to it, I don't have much, but whatever it is, here, this is what I can offer."

For Todd Agnew, being cognisant of his surroundings and situations is a strength when it comes to his relating to people and leading them in worship. In fact, it's all part of his primary goal. "My focus when I play as a worship leader is to worship honestly. If you can't sing something honestly, don't sing it; you're not fooling God," Todd says. "He's not getting any honor by you singing a line you don't mean. If that means you have to leave out a line, that's fine. We're not up here taking attendance, seeing who's singing which line. Worship from where you are."

Adrian Drayton

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