TODD AGNEW ASKS DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? WITH HIS UPCOMING CHRISTMAS PROJECT
09/05/2006
TODD AGNEW ASKS DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? WITH HIS UPCOMING CHRISTMAS PROJECT RELEASING OCTOBER 3, 2006
NASHVILLE, TN…August 22, 2006…After two highly acclaimed, chart-topping studio projects (Grace Like Rain, Reflection of Something), Ardent/INO Records’ artist Todd Agnew has crafted an epic retelling of the Christmas story on his upcoming holiday release Do You See What I See?, which will be releasing on October 3, 2006.Following in line with Agnew’s reputation as a powerful lyricist and storyteller, Do You See What I See? tells the Christmas story from the personal perspectives of the eyewitnesses to Christ’s birth from the innkeeper to the Magi to the angels.
“Last Christmas, God led me to really study the Christmas story, explains Agnew. “For six months, everyday piece-by-piece I studied the birth of Christ. I prayed through it, asking God to reveal it to me. He made the Bible come to life—it became not only true, but also realistic. Realizing that we look at Christmas from more than 2000 years later and that those individuals involved were not able to fully understand the big picture of what was happening like we can is remarkable.
Painting an audio picture for the listener, he created a musical, not just a collection of seasonal songs for his project. In addition to Todd’s solo performances and duo with Ardent Records newcomer Joy Whitlock as the innkeepers, Vince Lichlyter (Jonah33) is featured as Joseph, Christie Nockels (Watermark) as Mary, Shelley Jennings (Passion) as Elizabeth, Mike Weaver (Big Daddy Weave) as Simeon, Anthony Evans as the angel and Michael O’Brien (recently of NewSong) as the shepherd. There is also a multi-artist finale of the much beloved classic, “In the First Light. Agnew and friends want to stress that this project is about the whole perspective surrounding the birth of Christ and not a typical holiday CD, but an eyewitness depiction. A complete listing of the musical cast and characters is below.
“It seems like this Christmas record will be set apart from so many others that are about candles and wreaths, shares guest soloist Shelley Jennings. “I don’t know how much the individuals who were involved in the first Christmas really knew about what God was doing with them, but I think they knew it was something really big. The song I sang, ‘Sleep Well,’ is from the perspective of Elizabeth, who herself was carrying a significant life and who knew that Mary was carrying the Lord. The beautiful melody and poignant lyrics of this sweet lullaby are like a calm before the storm.
To celebrate the Christmas season, Todd and a select group of friends will be performing this Christmas project on “The Christmas Hope tour, co-headlining with NewSong and featuring Rachael Lampa and NY Times best-selling author, Donna VanLiere. The 15-city tour is being booked through The Greg Oliver agency and will run Thanksgiving weekend through the week prior to Christmas. More information on the cities and details will be sent from NewSong in the coming weeks.
Do You Hear What I Hear? – Prelude – Todd Agnew
No Room – The Innkeeper – Joy Whitlock and Todd Agnew
This Is All I Have To Give – Joseph – Vince Lichlyter
Magnificat – Mary – Christy Nockels
Did You Know? – Song To Jesus – Todd Agnew
Sleep Well – Elizabeth’s Lullaby – Shelley Jennings
He Is Called Jesus – Simeon –Mike Weaver
God With Us – The Magi – Todd Agnew
Glory To God – The Angels – Anthony Evans
Bethlehem Dawn – The Shepherds – Michael O’Brien
In The First Light – Postlude- Todd Agnew, Shelley Jennings, Christy Nockels, Michael O’Brien, Mike Weaver