Matthew West Explained

Matthew West
Landscape:yes
Background:person
Birth Name:Matthew Joseph West
Birth Date:April 25, 1977
Birth Place:Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.
Instrument:Vocals, guitar, piano
Genre:Contemporary Christian music, pop rock, country music
Occupation:Singer, songwriter
Years Active:1997–present
Label:Universal South, Sparrow, Provident Label Group

Matthew Joseph West[1] (born April 25, 1977) is an American contemporary Christian musician and singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums and is known for his songs "More", "You Are Everything", and "The Motions". He was nominated for five Dove Awards in 2005, two of which were for his major-label debut album, Happy. West won the 2013 American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist.[2]

Starting as an independent musician in the late 1990s, he released three independent albums before signing with Universal South Records. With the release of his Dove Award-winning debut album, Happy, released in 2003, his first radio single, "More", stayed at No. 1 on Christian Adult Contemporary charts for nine weeks and received two Dove Award nominations. His second album, History, was followed by a 2006 re-release of the originally independent album Sellout. In 2007, his career was threatened by vocal issues that required vocal-cord surgery followed by two months of prescribed vocal rest. His third studio album, Something to Say, also enjoyed chart success with No. 1 hits "You Are Everything" and "The Motions".

In addition to his main solo career, West has worked as a songwriter for many Christian musicians and groups, such as Point of Grace, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, and Casting Crowns, as well as mainstream country acts Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Vince Gill. In 2013, his second single, "Hello, My Name Is", from the album Into the Light, was released and reached No. 1 for a career-best 17 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.[3] [4]

Early life

Matthew West was born on April 25, 1977, in Downers Grove, Illinois.[5] [6] As a child he was a fan of his hometown baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, and wanted to eventually have a career in baseball.[7] He played baseball throughout high school at Downers Grove North High School, becoming team captain as a senior; he also performed in the school's Chamber Choir. He was hoping for a college baseball scholarship but instead ended up receiving a four-year music scholarship at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois where he was a part of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapter. He graduated from Millikin in 1999.

Musical career

West wrote most of his first songs in the sanctuary of his father's church while he was at home during college breaks. According to a statement by West at the 2013 Winter Jam (March 23, 2013), at a 1997 Steven Curtis Chapman at the Assembly Hall in Champaign-Urbana, West was crying profusely, prompting his friends to ask him what was wrong. He said that he was being led by Jesus to pursue a career in singing andsongwriting.He was a songwriter and independent musician from 1997 to 2002, releasing three albums: September Sun (1997), Every Step of the Way (1998), and Sellout (2002).[8] [9] In October 1997, he went on a three-city tour to support the release of September Sun.

Just before West graduated from Millikin University in 1999, someone from the college recommended that he attend the GMA Music in the Rockies event for aspiring musicians. Although West was not interested at first, he attended after learning that other people signed him up and paid his entrance fee. He met a representative from Word Publishing at the event who took interest in him and kept in contact until he graduated. West landed in the finals of a songwriting competition and was offered a songwriting deal in July 1999, five weeks after graduating. After penning songs for well-known musicians like Billy Ray Cyrus and Rachael Lampa, he began touring the United States as an independent artist in 2000 and 2001.

On July 26, 2002, only a week or two before signing a record contract with Universal South Records, West had an injury to his left arm which jeopardized his musical career and guitar playing. He says, "I locked myself out of my house. But I'd done that before, and I had a way of breaking in through a window. But this time, I had a really hard time getting the window open. I started pushing up on the window really hard and my hand broke through the glass. Blood starting spewing out of my left arm everywhere and I ran down my street screaming for help. After seeing so much blood, I went into shock and just blacked out in the middle of the street. The next thing I can remember is some construction workers praying over me in Spanish and then being taken to the hospital." West was told that the chances were low of regaining the full use of his left arm, a major artery having come very close to being severed. He recovered after the accident, however, and was able to continue playing guitar and record for his first studio album.[10]

Happy (2003–2004)

After signing with Universal South Records on August 23, 2002, West released his first non-independent studio album, Happy, on December 26, 2003.[11] The album's producers Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser co-wrote the song "More" with West.[12] [13] The track was his first and most successful radio single to date, staying at No. 1 on R&R's Christian Adult Contemporary chart for a record-breaking nine weeks.[14] It was the most played Christian AC song of 2004 and went on to be labelled the Christian Song of the Year by ASCAP.[15] Two additional songs, "The End" and "You Know Where to Find Me", were also released as singles off the album.[16] Beginning in late September 2004, West joined Avalon and Mark Schultz on a 40-city fall tour, which concluded at the end of November.[17] In 2005, he was nominated for five Dove Awards, including "New Artist of the Year" and "Song of the Year".[18] He won the "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" Dove Award for his debut album Happy.[19]

In early 2005, he was on the WinterJam 2005 tour, hosted by NewSong, with tobyMac, Building 429, Tait, and Rachael Lampa.[20]

History and vocal problems (2005–2007)

With Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser once again as producers,[21] Matthew West began recording for his second studio album in early 2005. History, co-produced by West, was released on June 21, 2005, on Universal South Records.[22] The first single off the album, "Next Thing You Know", was released June 20, a day before the album's release.[23] The theme of the title track "History" was inspired by a R&R music news headline "Matthew West Makes History", in reference to his first album, Happy. "It's not every day you read a headline like that with your name in it that calls you a history maker," he said.[24] Beginning on September 14, 2005, he kicked off the 30-city History 101 tour, his first headlining tour, which included guest musicians Shawn McDonald and Paul Wright.[25] He then joined tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour, beginning on December 1, 2005, along with John Reuben, BarlowGirl, GRITS, and DJ Maj.[26] Two additional songs were released off History as singles: "Only Grace" and the title track "History".[27] [28]

His independent album Sellout was re-released in 2006 on Universal South Records.[29]

West said that he began to experience "some vocal fatigue" in April 2007. He said, "I had lost some of my vocal range, staying on higher notes and lower notes. I even began having a hard time speaking."[30] At a vocal check-up in response to the issue, West's doctors at the Nashville Vanderbilt Voice Center discovered "hemorrhaging caused by some polyps". He was told by his doctors that vocal surgery was the only option, since a few weeks had passed. The surgery took place on May 17, 2007, a process that he said was "career threatening."[31] Afterward, he was prescribed a two-month period of silence for vocal rest.

A video documentary titled Nothing to Say, directed and produced by Benjamin Eisner, was released in early 2008, highlighting Matthew West's time of silence and vocal recovery in 2007. In February 2008, the documentary was available exclusively in Family Christian Stores as a CD/DVD combo pack with West's album Something to Say.[32]

Something to Say (2008–2010)

His next single "You Are Everything" was released in late 2007. The song was available as a free download from West's website.[33] He also recorded a duet ("Christmas Makes Me Cry") with American Idol finalist Mandisa, which was released as a Christmas radio single in November 2007, from Mandisa's Christmas Joy EP.

Matthew West's album Something to Say was released on January 15, 2008.[34] It reached No. 8 on Billboard's Top Christian albums chart, and peaked at No. 159 on the Billboard 200 chart,[35] making it his first Billboard 200 album .[36] It was produced by Brown Bannister, Ed Cash, and Christopher Stevens.[37] West said in an interview that all of the album's songs had already been written and the title "Something to Say" had already been decided "months before I found out that I was going to have nothing to say."[38] The first radio single released from the album was "You Are Everything". In March 2008, the song reached No. 1 on R&R's Christian AC chart.[39] "Something to Say", the album's title track, was also released to radio, receiving airplay in June 2008.[40]

Matthew West guested on tobyMac's 26-city "Boomin' Beyond Measure" tour along with Jeremy Camp.[41] The tour ran from February 6 through March 21, 2008.[42]

He was featured on the Billy Graham television special America's Dream: Chasing Happiness, which aired in the U.S. on March 1–9, 2008.[43] The appearance included a world premiere of his music video for "Nothing Else", a song from History. On June 29, West hosted GMA's 2008 Gospel Dream, a televised Christian music talent competition.[44] "The Motions" was released as his next single, placing at No. 1 on R&Rs Christian AC chart in April 2009.[45]

In 2009 he had a song on an album by country artist Jo Dee Messina, with another under consideration by American Idol finalist Danny Gokey. In December 2009, "The Motions" was Grammy-nominated for Best Gospel Song, West's first Grammy nomination.[46]

Recent years (2010–present)

"My Own Little World", the first single from Matthew West's new album, was released on August 23, 2010. The album, The Story of Your Life, was released October 5, 2010. According to West it is a response to thousands of life stories his fans shared with him. "The first day, I got 1,000 stories. All of a sudden, I was like, 'Holy cow, something special is about to take place.' I rented a cabin in Tennessee, about 25 minutes from my house, that felt like it was out in the middle of nowhere. And I spent two months in that cabin reading 10,000 stories," the singer/songwriter reported in an interview with CBN.com.[47]

West also starred in The Heart of Christmas.[48] In 2011, he released a Christmas song featuring Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill entitled "Leaving Heaven".

Into the Light was released in September 2012.[49] West's Into the Light Tour was in September, October, and November 2013.[50] He released his sixth studio album, Live Forever, on April 28, 2015.[51] His seventh studio album, All In, was set to release on September 22, 2017, to be immediately followed by his All In tour. His single "The Motions" was certified Platinum by RIAA.

In February 2020, West released Brand New on his own imprint, Story House Music, under a new deal with Sony's Provident Music Group. A deluxe edition followed in April 2021.

On February 17, 2023, West released a 22-song album titled My Story Your Glory.

Other songwriting

In addition to his solo career, Matthew West has also written songs for other Christian bands and musicians, including Mark Schultz, Mandisa, Jump5, Sara Groves, Joy Williams, Casting Crowns, Salvador, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, PureNRG, and Point of Grace, as well as mainstream country act Billy Ray Cyrus. Rascal Flatts recorded West's song "The Day Before You" on their album Feels Like Today.[52] [53] [54] West co-wrote "Voice of a Savior" by Mandisa and "Thank You" by 33Miles, both of which were released as singles in early 2008.[55]

Acting

West also pursues acting, with occasional appearances in Christian television shows, starting in 2009. In 2011, he made his film debut in Gary Wheeler's Christian film The Heart of Christmas co-starring Candace Cameron Bure. At the end of 2011 it reached a rating of 7.1 on IMDb after a direct-to-TV release.

Personal life

Matthew West currently lives in Nashville with his wife Emily.[56] [57] They were married on May 10, 2003, after proposing to her in September 2002. They have two daughters.[58] The Wests have two dogs named Nick and Rocky.

Awards

American Music Awards

!Ref.|-| 2022| Matthew West| Favorite Inspirational Artist| | |-|}

GMA Dove Awards

YearAwardResult
2005New Artist of the Year[59]
Song of the Year ("More")[60]
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("More")
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Happy)
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (Happy)
2006Song of the Year ("Only Grace")[61]
2011Short Form Music Video of the Year ("My Own Little World")[62]
2012Special Event Album of the Year (Music Inspired by The Story)
2013Song of the Year ("Forgiveness")[63]
2016Songwriter of the Year[64]
2018Songwriter of the Year
Song of the Year ("Broken Things")
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (All In)
2020Song of the Year ("The God Who Stays")
Songwriter of the Year (Artist)

Discography

See main article: Matthew West discography.

Albums
YearTitle
2003Happy
2005History
2008Something to Say
2010The Story of Your Life
2011The Heart of Christmas
2012Into the Light
2015Live Forever
2017All In[65]
2020Brand New
2021We Need Christmas
2023My Story Your Glory

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hide Lyrics Joy Williams . https://web.archive.org/web/20090609232109/http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/williams_joy/hide/13194541/lyrics.jhtml . dead . June 9, 2009 . MTV.com . July 5, 2008.
  2. Web site: Complete Winners' List and Highlights of the 2013 American Music Awards - ABC News . Abcnews.go.com . November 24, 2013 . December 2, 2013.
  3. Web site: Matthew West - Chart history . Billboard . December 2, 2013.
  4. Web site: 17 Weeks at No. 1 for "HELLO MY NAME IS" – A NEW RECORD! . Matthew West . December 2, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110081339/http://matthewwest.com/post_updates/17-weeks-at-1-for-hello-my-name-is-a-new-record/ . November 10, 2013 .
  5. Web site: Matthew West Discography . Jesus Freak Hideout . June 27, 2008.
  6. Web site: Matthew West Gives Critics and Fans Something to Say . BREATHEcast.com . January 25, 2008 . July 1, 2008 . June 4, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090604011402/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_1935.htm . dead .
  7. Web site: Staying in the Game . . March 15, 2004 . June 30, 2008.
  8. Web site: Matthew West History. Cut By Cut (PDF) . https://web.archive.org/web/20060918154447/http://pressroom.emicmg.com/artists/MatthewWest/files/uploads/filedownloads/Matthew%20CutxCutfinal.pdf . dead . September 18, 2006 . EMI CMG.com . June 30, 2008 .
  9. Web site: Matthew West, "Sellout" Review . Jesus Freak Hideout . June 30, 2008.
  10. Web site: Matthew West – Biography, Interviews and Music Interviews . 1cubed.com . July 7, 2008 . February 17, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070217113519/http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?ID=171&sectionID=26 . dead .
  11. Web site: Matthew West, "Happy" Review . Jesus Freak Hideout . DiBiase, John . December 26, 2003 . June 27, 2008.
  12. Web site: Happy – Matthew West . . July 11, 2008.
  13. Web site: Matthew West Makes 'History' June 21, 2005 . Top40-Charts.com . June 15, 2005 . July 11, 2008.
  14. Web site: History in the Making . July 18, 2005 . July 1, 2008 . Christian Music Today.
  15. Web site: Matthew West biography . Your Music Zone . June 27, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060531193045/http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/west_matthew/ . May 31, 2006.
  16. Web site: Matthew West Tops '04 Reader Poll, Joins Winter Jam '05 . Top40-Charts.com . January 6, 2005 . July 9, 2008.
  17. Web site: Happy days are here again! Matthew West in concert . Top40-Charts.com . September 28, 2004 . July 14, 2008.
  18. Web site: 36th Annual GMA Music (Dove) Awards . February 10, 2005 . . June 27, 2008 . December 20, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071220045050/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/aa36dovenoms.htm . dead .
  19. Web site: Matthew West History . https://web.archive.org/web/20060916144927/http://pressroom.emicmg.com/artists/MatthewWest/files/uploads/filedownloads/Matthew%20fact%20sheetfinal.pdf . dead . September 16, 2006 . . July 14, 2008 . 2005 .
  20. Web site: Many Anticipate on Matthew West's 2nd Album . BREATHEcast.com . February 17, 2005 . July 4, 2008 . September 7, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080907190122/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_382.htm . dead .
  21. Web site: Bright Future For Matthew West's History, In Stores 6/21 . Top40-Charts.com . June 16, 2005 . July 11, 2008.
  22. Matthew West – History . . July 4, 2008 . November 21, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211121093653/https://www.billboard.com/artist/matthew-west/chart-history/ . dead .
  23. Web site: Matthew West's History: "An Album To Remember" . BREATHEcast.com . June 24, 2005 . Cindy Lee . July 4, 2008 . December 4, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081204130018/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_747.htm . dead .
  24. Web site: Matthew West . . July 2, 2008.
  25. Web site: Matthew West Headlines History 101 . BREATHEcast.com . September 16, 2005 . July 2, 2008 . June 4, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090604011402/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_1935.htm . dead .
  26. Web site: BarlowGirl Update . BREATHEcast.com . October 10, 2005 . July 4, 2008 . Connie Lee . June 4, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090604013033/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-tobyMac/Article-324_1075.htm . dead .
  27. Web site: Matthew West – History . . Breimeier, Russ . June 30, 2008.
  28. Web site: Matthew West – Biography . Christian Music Planet . June 30, 2008.
  29. Matthew West – Sellout . . July 7, 2008 . November 21, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211121093653/https://www.billboard.com/artist/matthew-west/chart-history/ . dead .
  30. Web site: A Moment of Silence . Andree Farias . February 25, 2008 . . June 27, 2008.
  31. Web site: Matthew West's Exclusive Video Debut - The Motions . May 8, 2009 . matthewwest . March 19, 2009 . Tangle.com.
  32. Web site: Matthew West Has Nothing To Say in New Documentary . Christian Music Planet . February 2008 . June 28, 2008.
  33. Web site: Matthew West Has 'Something to Say' . . December 19, 2007 . Kevin Donovan . July 10, 2008.
  34. Web site: Matthew West, "Something To Say" Review . Jesus Freak Hideout . Gregorius, Jessica . January 11, 2008 . June 27, 2008.
  35. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=matthew west|chart=all}} Artist Chart History – Matthew West ]. . July 11, 2008.
  36. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1271418/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} Matthew West> Charts & Awards ]. . July 2, 2008.
  37. Something to Say . . July 11, 2008 . Deborah Evans Price . https://web.archive.org/web/20080430093135/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i5d4ee6c1f963632736a9cf2d93901218 . April 30, 2008.
  38. Web site: Interview with Matthew West . BREATHEcast.com . May 15, 2008 . July 9, 2008 . September 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080906174100/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Interview-237_2200.htm . dead .
  39. Web site: Matthew West's You Are Everything Hits Number One . Christian Music Planet . June 28, 2008 . March 2008.
  40. Web site: Matthew West To Appear on Fox And Friends Sunday, June 22 . Jesus Freak Hideout . June 21, 2008 . July 10, 2008.
  41. Web site: Matthew West Finds True Voice on SOMETHING TO SAY . Top40-Charts.com . January 9, 2008 . July 2, 2008.
  42. Web site: Boomin' Beyond Measure - tobyMac, Jeremy Camp and Matthew West on Tour . . January 7, 2008 . July 2, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080427151424/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/tournews/a/jcampspng06tour.htm . April 27, 2008 . dead .
  43. Web site: Matthew West To Be Featured on Billy Graham Television Special . ChristianMusicPlanet.com . March 2008 . June 29, 2008.
  44. Melinda Watts Crowned Gospel Dream 2008 Winner . Christian Newswire . June 30, 2008 . July 2, 2008.
  45. Web site: Christian AC National Airplay . . April 17, 2009 . April 17, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090426042352/http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite20/Members/Charts.aspx?ChartId=21 . April 26, 2009 .
  46. Grammy-Nominated Matthew West Plays Following Wave Game. December 8, 2009. December 4, 2009. OurSports Central.
  47. http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/matthew-west-the-story-of-your-life-goodwyn.aspx Matthew West on The Story of Your Life: An in-depth interview."
  48. http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=1902 Original Christmas Film THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS debuts on GMC TV
  49. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002415548|pure_url=yes}} Into the Light> Overview ]. Leggett, Steve . . October 18, 2014.
  50. Web site: Matthew WestEvenementenTijdlijnInfo . Matthew West - Evenementen . Facebook . December 2, 2013.
  51. Web site: iTunes - Music - Live Forever (Deluxe Edition) by Matthew West. Itunes.apple.com . April 28, 2015. April 25, 2015.
  52. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1271418|pure_url=yes}} Something to Say> Overview ]. Farias, Andree . . July 2, 2008.
  53. Web site: Matthew West Emerges From Season of Silence With Something To Say . BREATHEcast.com . January 11, 2008 . July 2, 2008 . May 17, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517051321/http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_1902.htm . dead .
  54. Web site: Matthew West aboard The Polar Express? . Top40-Charts.com . November 20, 2004 . July 7, 2008.
  55. Web site: Matthew West's You Are Everything Hits Number One . . July 5, 2008 .
  56. Web site: Matthew West . . July 4, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080611190106/http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/matthewwest.html . June 11, 2008.
  57. Web site: Something to Say: Nashville singer/songwriter Matthew West keeps best songs for own album . . January 11, 2008 . June 30, 2008.
  58. Web site: It's A Baby Girl For Matthew West! . Top40-Charts.com . February 4, 2006 . July 4, 2008.
  59. Web site: Matthew West prepares History for June 21 release . cmcentral.com . June 15, 2005 . July 14, 2008.
  60. Web site: GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List . christianpost.com . February 9, 2005 . March 11, 2019.
  61. News: 37th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners. February 9, 2011. About.com. April 10, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707074958/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/06gmanoms.htm. July 7, 2011. dead.
  62. http://www.watchgmctv.com/news/doves-wrap That's a Wrap! Live Results: 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards
  63. Web site: Evans-Price. Deborah. Matt Redman, TobyMac & Jason Crabb Win Big at Dove Awards. Billboard magazine. March 11, 2019.
  64. Web site: News: Lauren Daigle Leads With Three Wins at 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards. October 13, 2016. Gospel Music.org. March 11, 2019.
  65. Web site: All in by Matthew West on Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). September 22, 2017.