With his commanding vocal style and anthemic melodies, Todd Agnew has become a major force in contemporary Christian music, and a favored composer of worship music. Born in Dallas, Texas, on March 15, 1971, he grew up in a Christian household where a passion for music took hold during his teenage years, particularly through devoted listening to the work of Michael W. Smith, DeGarmo & Key, and WhiteHeart. Songwriting followed, and at age 18 he made his initial public appearance by performing three of his own compositions during a Bible study meeting. Although dissatisfied with that debut, he continued refining his craft, and within a few years he was touring extensively enough through worship events to sustain himself financially. By 1999 he had settled in Memphis, Tennessee, becoming a regular participant in a Bible study group aimed at college students and young singles. There he refined his songwriting and began recording an independent album, with many sessions taking place at Ardent Studios; once finished, the label chose to issue the project on its own imprint.
Titled Grace Like Rain, the album appeared in 2003 and earned both critical acclaim and strong sales within the CCM community, while its title track—a fresh take on “Amazing Grace”—quickly became a staple in worship gatherings. Reflection of Something, his follow-up, arrived in 2005 and again found favor in the Christian market, its blend of sincerity and performing energy clearly on display. In 2006 he issued Do You See What I See?, a song cycle recounting the birth of the Christ child that earned a Dove Award nomination for Best Christmas Album. Better Questions followed in 2007 and included guest vocals by Rebecca St. James along with a track written for Ted Dekker’s novel Martyr’s Song. That same year Agnew married his girlfriend, and the couple relocated from Memphis to Austin, Texas, in 2008. His fifth album, Need, came out in 2009, with How to Be Loved appearing in 2012. While attending seminary in 2017, he released the career-spanning compilation From Grace to Glory: The Music of Todd Agnew.
