Danny Agajanian & Denis Grady

 
“God works in strange ways” is a familiar saying among Christians. In the case of Christian musicians Danny Agajanian and Denis Grady the saying fits. They first met in July 1980 through the staff of Billy Graham. Dr. Graham was scheduled to present a crusade in Calgary, Alberta Canada, in the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Grady’s hometown. At the time Grady was working for the City of Calgary as a Public Relations officer while Agajanian was on staff as a gospel bluegrass musician for the Graham organization. The Graham staff was looking for music venues in Calgary to promote the upcoming crusade and Grady obliged.
Arrangements were made to have the Agajanian band perform for an entire week at the world famous Calgary Stampede as well as a civic function for the mayor of Calgary. Grady, an aspiring singer/songwriter, recalls his first impressions of the Agajanian Band. “For some reason I expected a soft, reserved gospel sound that would fit best in a quiet setting. When I received the band’s recording and then heard them live for the first time they blew me away with their high energy, zeal and sense of humour.”
Agajanian has an extensive musical resume, having performed at the Grand Ole Opry, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, several USO Tours and throughout the world with Dr. Billy Graham.
Grady jumped on board as a big fan for the rest of the Canadian tour and sat in to sing a few of his own compositions. The band invited him to come to California to record later that fall. A special friendship and musical partnership began that has lasted over 20 years. The interesting fact is that Grady is a devout Roman Catholic and Agajanian was raised Baptist and now attends an Evangelical Church. They have toured across Canada and the United States playing practically every Christian denomination and an amazing diversity of secular venues. The mix of styles includes bluegrass, country, folk and comedy. Agajanian is an accomplished banjo/mandolin picker and is adept on guitar, accordion, fiddle and piano. His songwriting features some the most original, off the wall poetry you’ll ever hear. Grady is a strong ballad writer with contemporary influences. His voice is often compared to Jackson Browne, one of his major influences.
Both Agajanian and Grady have a passion for the Gospel and clearly understand their role as musical evangelists. “This is not about getting rich and acquiring fame” shares Agajanian, “It’s about living for Christ as a witness to the love God has for humankind. If our personal lives are not in submission to the will of God then we are in trouble.”
The duo travel on faith accepting the providence of God to direct and sustain their vocation. Numerous congregations have been blessed with a message of encouragement and spiritually refreshed as the joy of God’s love is proclaimed and celebrated in the concert ministry of these talented troubadours.    www.denisgrady.com