i'll post something about myself that's a little boastful.  Now, most of you know that's not my nature, i'm very anti-myself a lot so i'm doing this because it's not just about me, it's about something i have a joy and passion about.  

Take a read!  [thanks to Mo_AZ for the article notice]

[original link]
http://www.kentucky.com/158/story/439949.html
Posted on Sat, Jun. 21, 2008
Violins expand sound of Christian rock

The numerous Guitar Hero controllers slung at the Ichthus Festival reinforce the electric six-string's dominance in rock and at Ichthus.

But there was a little four-string instrument that also had a subtle but noteworthy presence in Wilmore last weekend: the violin.

It started with John Porter of Battle of the Bands champion Mile7 pulling out his violin for a few numbers, and it ended with Casting Crowns' Melodee DeVevo showing her well-documented skills with the instrument during Casting Crowns' festival-closing performance.

In between, we were treated to moments including the opening of the set by Skillet, one of the hardest-rocking bands on the main-stage lineup. The band's intro, a countdown of sorts, was teasing the crowd with anticipation of one of Skillet's trademark explosive openings. Instead, we got some virtuoso violin from Jonathan Chu, who also has toured with Todd Agnew. Throughout Skillet's set, he continued to remind us how important violin is in the band's music, especially in powerhouses such as Savior.

The David Crowder Band's Mike Hogan also was responsible for key moments, including the searing bridge in You Are My Joy. And then there was DeVevo, coloring most of Casting Crown's hits with her box.

This is not foreign to rock. Boyd Tinsley has been an exciting rock violinist for The Dave Matthews Band for years, contributing an honest-to-goodness violin-hero moment to the band's tune Jimi Things and playing a key role in the hit Ants Marching. Lisa Germano has been an exciting violinist for numerous rockers, most notably John Mellencamp.

It's great to see this happen more and more in Christian rock. We can get really comfortable with guitar, bass, drums and keyboard and forget a broad palette of sounds available out there.

And it gives the audience a chance to hear a really fine instrument that has been around for centuries and takes genuine skill and expertise to play. That's not to take anything away from the guitar-slingers at Ichthus. There was certainly some guitar virtuosity out there. Mile7's main stage set concluded with a guitar-violin duo that showed both Porter and lead guitarist John Cloninger as masters of their instruments.

But I daresay there probably aren't many violinists out there playing professionally in classical music, rock or other genres who haven't put in years of study with teachers and in ensembles honing their craft so that even in a non-traditional setting they can blow you away. I always say people innately recognize something genuinely exceptional when they hear it, like the opera singer who astounds you with the national anthem before a baseball game. And we heard quite a bit of it from one little four-string box at Ichthus this year.

Reach Rich Copley at (859) 231-3217 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3217.

© 2008 Kentucky.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kentucky.com

For those of you that actually follow my blog and know my line of work.  You will take this news that I'm about to tell you in different ways.  Some of you have speculated and wondered, some of you just prayed and encouraged.  I have appreciated both, really!  Your words of encouragement and prayers are definitely received and have been a part of this decision making.  This is probably one of the hardest things I've had to write in a long time but there's no other way to tell news than just to say it.  As of Aug. 31, 2008 I will no longer be a part of the Todd Agnew Band.

Now, I have to ask you for your patience in reading this next part because I'm about to explain why.  As with all good things, there comes an end.  When Todd got married, his heart was to take care for his family the best he could possibly do.  His heart to keep his family safe, providing them opportunities and still continue to be in a music scene was sadly not here in Memphis.  Austin, TX would be his new home.  Bethany and I prayed about it, deliberated, sought out wisdom from our parents, friends and those who's opinion have in the past we've trusted and the decision that we have come to rest on is the need to be a part of Memphis.  There was definitely a side of us that was ready to pick up and leave what we have here and go begin a new journey together in Austin but certain God set things were too great to let fall away to the side.   With the band base moving to Austin, the cost of traveling nowadays and families going in different directions the decision to part our separate ways was decided.  This is also affecting Rob as well so I ask that you would keep him in your prayers as we begin to seek work in other areas, learning either to work with new bands or to return back to the regular workforce. 

I'll have to admit that it's going to be a strange thing to be not with the guys anymore.  It's been around 8 years that Rob and I have worshipped and worked with Todd.  Starting out at Metro Bible Study here in Memphis as the house band, progressing with the release of the Grace Like Rain into a traveling band, teaching students across the country about authentic worship at camp, and befriending prayer warriors and encouragers around the world.  I'm definitely going to make the most of the summer and the last few shows that we have and as of right now our last show as a group will be the Corinth, MS show.  I don't know what the venue is like but if you have the opportunity to make it out, we'd love to celebrate this turning of a page with you and pack out the show!  But if you can't make it out to that one, hopefully we'll be at a location near by before the summer's end. 

I will continue to update my MySpace, and of course my blog here at Xanga for as long as I'm physically capable.  These will still be the places that i find my release to what God is sharing with me and for what He's doing in my life.  I hope that through the times to come that I will still be able to keep up with you all and that God would allow me opportunities to connect with you all through music but for now, we'll continue as planned until that end!

Thank you all again for your continued support, prayer and encouragement.  Even though I won't be playing in the band anymore, i will definitely be a continuing Todd Agnew fan and I hope you will be too!

I knew that i would eventually!  When that would happen was more the real question.  It's not that i'm not a fan of Windows or anything like that...i just have issues with what's out right now.  So, when my road battered friend started to call it quits on me.  I said "au revior!"but then i said "bonjour" to a Macbook Pro!