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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.<ref name="cmp-bg">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianmusicplanet.com/news/headlines/11569749/matthew%20west/ |title= Matthew West To Be Featured On Billy Graham Television Special |publisher=ChristianMusicPlanet.com |month=March | year=2008 |accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> The appearance included a world premiere of his music video for "Nothing Else", a song from his ''[[History (Matthew West album)|History]]'' album in 2005.<ref name="cmp-bg" /> On June 29, West hosted [[Gospel Music Association|GMA]]'s 2008 ''Gospel Dream'' show, a televised Christian music talent competition.<ref name="gospeldream">{{cite web |url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/940167054.html |title=Melinda Watts Crowned Gospel Dream 2008 Winner |publisher=Christian Newswire |date=2008-06-30 |accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> In the beginning of 2009, "[[The Motions]]" was released as his next single, placing at number 1 on ''R&R'''s Christian [[adult contemporary|AC]] chart in the week of April 17, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebsite20/members/Charts.aspx?ChartId=21 |title=Christian AC National Airplay |work=[[R&R (magazine)|R&R]] |date=2009-04-17 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref>
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.<ref name="cmp-bg">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianmusicplanet.com/news/headlines/11569749/matthew%20west/ |title= Matthew West To Be Featured On Billy Graham Television Special |publisher=ChristianMusicPlanet.com |month=March | year=2008 |accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> The appearance included a world premiere of his music video for "Nothing Else", a song from his ''[[History (Matthew West album)|History]]'' album in 2005.<ref name="cmp-bg" /> On June 29, West hosted [[Gospel Music Association|GMA]]'s 2008 ''Gospel Dream'' show, a televised Christian music talent competition.<ref name="gospeldream">{{cite web |url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/940167054.html |title=Melinda Watts Crowned Gospel Dream 2008 Winner |publisher=Christian Newswire |date=2008-06-30 |accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> In the beginning of 2009, "[[The Motions]]" was released as his next single, placing at number 1 on ''R&R'''s Christian [[adult contemporary|AC]] chart in the week of April 17, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebsite20/members/Charts.aspx?ChartId=21 |title=Christian AC National Airplay |work=[[R&R (magazine)|R&R]] |date=2009-04-17 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref>


West has a song on the upcoming album of country artist [[Jo Dee Messina]], and another under consideration by “[[American Idol]]” finalist [[Danny Gokey]]. In December 2009, the song "[[The Motions]]" was [[Grammy Award]] nominated for Best Gospel Song, which was West's first Grammy nomination.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3937079|title=Grammy-Nominated Matthew West Plays Following Wave Game|accessdate=December 8, 2009|date=December 4, 2009|publisher=OurSports Central}}</ref> He has been working on a new album titled, "The Story of Your Life," which is set to be released in October of 2010. The first single from the album "[[My Own Little World]]" was released on August 23, 2010.
West has a song on the upcoming album of country artist [[Jo Dee Messina]], and another under consideration by “[[American Idol]]” finalist [[Danny Gokey]]. In December 2009, the song "[[The Motions]]" was [[Grammy Award]] nominated for Best Gospel Song, which was West's first Grammy nomination.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3937079|title=Grammy-Nominated Matthew West Plays Following Wave Game|accessdate=December 8, 2009|date=December 4, 2009|publisher=OurSports Central}}</ref> He has been working on a new album titled, "The Story of Your Life," which is set to be released in October of 2010. The first single from the album "[[My Own Little World]]" was released on August 23, 2010. To check out a review of the most recent release "The Story of Your Life" check out ChristianParadise.net {{Citation/make link|http://www.christianparadise.net/thestoryofyourlife.html|Matthew West "The Story of Your Life" CD Review.}}


==Other songwriting==
==Other songwriting==

Revision as of 18:27, 3 October 2010

For the choreographer, see Matt West.
Matthew West

Matthew Joseph West[3] (born April 25, 1977) is a Contemporary Christian musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released four studio albums and is known for his number-one hits "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.

First starting out as an independent musician in the late 1990s, he released three independent albums before signing onto Universal South Records. With the release of his Dove Award-winning debut album Happy (2003) came the success of his first radio single "More" which stayed at number one on Christian AC charts for nine weeks and received two Dove Award nominations. His second record History (2005) was followed by a 2006 re-release of the originally independent album Sellout. In 2007 he faced vocal issues which threatened his career and two months of prescribed vocal rest. West's third studio album Something to Say (2008) was released in January of the following year and also enjoyed chart success with number one 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 and Natalie Grant as well as mainstream country acts Rascal Flatts and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Early life

Matthew West was born on April 25, 1977 in Downers Grove, IL.[4] As a child he was a fan of his hometown's baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, and wanted to eventually play on their team and have a career in baseball.[5] He played baseball through high school, becoming his high school's baseball team captain as a senior. West was hoping for a college baseball scholarship but instead ended up receiving a four-year music scholarship at Millikin University in Illinois. He graduated from Millikin in 1999.[5]

Musical career

West wrote most of his first songs in the sanctuary of his father's church while he was at home on college breaks.[5] He was a songwriter and independent musician from 1997–2002. During that time, he released three albums: September Sun (1997), Every Step of the Way (1998), and Sellout (2002).[6][7] In October 1997, he went on a three-city tour to support of the release of September Sun.[6]

Just before graduating from Millikin University in 1999, someone from the college recommended that West 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.[5] West 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 there, and was then offered a songwriting deal in July 1999, five weeks after graduating from college.[5][6] 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.[5][6]

"I'm not going to candy coat it and say, 'Life is hard but God is good.' No, I was at the depths and my weakest moment."

Matthew West in an interview with Christianity Today about his arm injury.[5]

On July 26, 2002,[6] only a week or two before signing a record contract with Universal South Records, West had an injury to his left arm which threatened 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."[5]

Upon reaching the hospital, West was told that the chances were low of regaining the full use of his left arm, having come very close to severing a major artery.[5] He recovered after the accident, however, and was able to continue playing guitar and record for his first studio album.[8]

Happy (2003)

After signing onto Universal South Records on August 23, 2002,[6] West released his first non-independent studio album, Happy on December 26, 2003.[9] The album's producers Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser co-wrote the song "More" with West, which was released as a single.[10][11] The track was his first and most successful radio single to date, staying at number one on R&R's Christian Adult Contemporary song chart for nine weeks in a row, breaking the previous record of eight weeks.[12] It was the most played Christian AC song of 2004[13] and went on to be labeled as the Christian Song of the Year by ASCAP.[14] Two additional songs, "The End" and "You Know Where to Find Me", were also released as singles off the album.[15] Beginning in late September 2004, West joined Avalon and Mark Schultz on a 40-city fall tour, which concluded at the end of November 2004.[16] In 2005, Matthew West was nominated for five Dove Awards, including "New Artist of the Year" and "Song of the Year".[17] He won the "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" Dove Award for his debut album Happy.[18]

In early 2005, he was on the WinterJam 2005 tour, hosted by NewSong, with tobyMac, Building 429, Tait and Rachael Lampa.[19]

History (2005)

Matthew West at a concert on tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour in December 2005

With Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser once again as producers,[20] Matthew West began recording for his second studio album in early 2005.[15] History, co-produced by West, was released on June 21, 2005 under Universal South Records.[21] The first single off the album, "Next Thing You Know", was released on June 20, a day before the album was released.[22] The theme of the album's 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 says.[23] Beginning on September 14, 2005, West kicked off the 30-city History 101 tour for the fall. History 101 was his first headlining tour, which included guest musicians Shawn McDonald and Paul Wright.[24] He then joined onto tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour, beginning on December 1, 2005, along with John Reuben, BarlowGirl, GRITS, and DJ Maj.[25] Two additional songs were released off History as singles: "Only Grace" and the title track "History".[26][27]

His independent album Sellout was re-released in 2006 on Universal South Records with the same track listing as the original independent release.[28]

Vocal problems

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."[29] 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" after looking at his vocal cords.[29] He was told by his doctors that vocal surgery was the only option, since a few weeks had passed as the problem was beginning to develop.[29] The surgery took place on May 17, 2007, a process that he said was "career threatening".[30] Afterwards, he was prescribed a two-month period of silence for vocal rest.[29]

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.[31] 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.[31]

Something to Say (2008–present)

Matthew West's next single "You Are Everything" was released in late 2007 from his next and most recent album Something to Say. The song was available as a free download from West's website when it was released.[32] He also recorded a duet song ("Christmas Makes Me Cry") with Christian American Idol finalist Mandisa. The song was released as a Christmas radio single in November 2007, from Mandisa's Christmas Joy EP.[32]

Matthew West's latest album, Something to Say, was released on January 15, 2008.[33] It reached number eight on Billboard's Top Christian albums chart, and peaked at #159 on the Billboard 200 chart,[34] making it the first of West's albums to chart on the Billboard 200.[35] The album was produced by Brown Bannister, Ed Cash, and Christopher Stevens.[36] 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."[29][37] The first radio single released from the album was "You Are Everything". In March 2008, the song reached number one on R&R's Christian AC chart.[38] "Something to Say", the album's title track, was also released to radios in early 2008, receiving airplay in June 2008.[39]

West guested on tobyMac's 26-city "Boomin' Beyond Measure" U.S. tour with Jeremy Camp in early 2008.[40] The tour ran from February 6 through March 21, 2008.[41]

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.[42] The appearance included a world premiere of his music video for "Nothing Else", a song from his History album in 2005.[42] On June 29, West hosted GMA's 2008 Gospel Dream show, a televised Christian music talent competition.[43] In the beginning of 2009, "The Motions" was released as his next single, placing at number 1 on R&R's Christian AC chart in the week of April 17, 2009.[44]

West has a song on the upcoming album of country artist Jo Dee Messina, and another under consideration by “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey. In December 2009, the song "The Motions" was Grammy Award nominated for Best Gospel Song, which was West's first Grammy nomination.[45] He has been working on a new album titled, "The Story of Your Life," which is set to be released in October of 2010. The first single from the album "My Own Little World" was released on August 23, 2010. To check out a review of the most recent release "The Story of Your Life" check out ChristianParadise.net Matthew West "The Story of Your Life" CD Review.

Other songwriting

In addition to his main solo career, Matthew West has also written songs for other bands and musicians, including Mark Schultz, Mandisa, Jump5, Sara Groves, Joy Williams, Salvador, Natalie Grant, PureNRG, and Point of Grace, as well as mainstream country act Billy Ray Cyrus. Rascal Flatts recorded Matthew's song "The Day Before You" on their album Feels Like Today.[2][11][46][47] He co-wrote "Voice of a Savior" by Mandisa and "Thank You" by 33Miles, both of which were released as singles in early 2008.[48]

Matthew also wrote and recorded (along with Amy Grant) an end credits song entitled "Give This Christmas Away" for the 2009 VeggieTales Christmas movie called Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving. Matt and Amy performed the song live for an episode of the TV show "Fox and Friends" which is set to air Saturday December 5 on the Fox News Network. West first performed this song live at a concert in Bangor, Maine.

Personal life

Matthew West currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Emily.[13][49] He married Emily on May 10, 2003 after proposing to her in September 2002.[6] They have a daughter named Luella Jane ("Lulu") and another daughter named Delaney Ruth.[50] The Wests own a pug named Earl "The Girl".[23]

Awards

Dove Award nominations
  • 2005: New Artist of the Year[51]
  • 2005: Song of the Year ("More")
  • 2005: Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("More")
  • 2005: Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Happy)
  • 2005: Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (Happy) – won

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • "More" – peaked at number 1 on Christian AC charts for nine weeks
  • "The End"
  • "You Know Where to Find Me"
  • "Next Thing You Know"
  • "Only Grace"
  • "History"
  • "You Are Everything" – peaked at number 1 on Christian AC charts in March 2008
  • "Something to Say"
  • "The Motions" – reached number 1 on Christian AC charts in April 2009
  • "When I Say I Do" - released March 31, 2009
  • "Save A Place For Me"
  • "The Center"
  • "My Own Little World"

Compilation contributions

References

  1. ^ "Matthew West Gives Critics and Fans Something to Say". BREATHEcast.com. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  2. ^ a b Farias, Andree. "Something to Say > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  3. ^ "Hide Lyrics". MTV.com. Retrieved 2008-07-05. {{cite web}}: Text "Joy Williams" ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b "Matthew West Discography". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Staying in the Game". Christian Music Today. 2004-03-15. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Matthew West History. Cut By Cut (PDF)" (PDF). EMICMG.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  7. ^ "Matthew West, "Sellout" Review". JesusFreakHideout.com. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  8. ^ "Matthew West – Biography, Interviews and Music Interviews". 1cubed.com. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  9. ^ DiBiase, John (2003-12-26). "Matthew West, "Happy" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  10. ^ "Happy – Matthew West". Christian Music Today. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  11. ^ a b "Matthew West Makes 'History' June 21, 2005". Top40-Charts.com. 2005-06-15. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  12. ^ "History in the Making". Christian Music Today. 2005-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  13. ^ a b "Matthew West". Christian Music Today. Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  14. ^ "Matthew West biography". Your Music Zone. Archived from the original on May 31, 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  15. ^ a b "Matthew West Tops '04 Reader Poll, Joins Winter Jam '05". Top40-Charts.com. 2005-01-06. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  16. ^ "Happy days are here again! Matthew West in concert". Top40-Charts.com. 2004-09-28. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  17. ^ "36th Annual GMA Music (Dove) Awards". About.com. 2005-02-10. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  18. ^ "Matthew West History" (PDF). EMICMG.com. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  19. ^ "Many Anticipate On Matthew West's 2nd Album". BREATHEcast.com. 2005-02-17. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  20. ^ "Bright Future For Matthew West's History, In Stores 6/21". Top40-Charts.com. 2005-06-16. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  21. ^ "Matthew West – History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-07-04. [dead link]
  22. ^ Cindy Lee (2005-06-24). "Matthew West's History: "An Album To Remember"". BREATHEcast.com. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  23. ^ a b "Matthew West". CAAtouring.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  24. ^ "Matthew West Headlines History 101". BREATHEcast.com. 2005-09-16. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  25. ^ Connie Lee (2005-10-10). "BarlowGirl Update". BREATHEcast.com. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  26. ^ Breimeier, Russ. "Matthew West – History". Christian Music Today. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  27. ^ "Matthew West – Biography". Christian Music Planet. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  28. ^ "Matthew West – Sellout". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-07-07. [dead link]
  29. ^ a b c d e Andree Farias (2008-02-25). "A Moment of Silence". Christian Music Today. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  30. ^ matthewwest (2009-03-19). "Matthew West's Exclusive Video Debut - The Motions". Tangle.com. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  31. ^ a b "Matthew West Has Nothing To Say In New Documentary". Christian Music Planet. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  32. ^ a b Kevin Donovan (2007-12-19). "Matthew West Has 'Something to Say'". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  33. ^ Gregorius, Jessica (2008-01-11). "Matthew West, "Something To Say" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  34. ^ "Artist Chart History – Matthew West". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  35. ^ "Matthew West > Charts & Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  36. ^ Deborah Evans Price. "Something to Say". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  37. ^ "Interview with Matthew West". BREATHEcast.com. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  38. ^ "Matthew West's You Are Everything Hits Number One". Christian Music Planet. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  39. ^ "Matthew West To Appear On Fox And Friends Sunday, June 22". Jesusfreakhideout.com. 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  40. ^ "Matthew West Finds True Voice on SOMETHING TO SAY". Top40-Charts.com. 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  41. ^ "Boomin' Beyond Measure - tobyMac, Jeremy Camp and Matthew West on Tour". About.com. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  42. ^ a b "Matthew West To Be Featured On Billy Graham Television Special". ChristianMusicPlanet.com. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  43. ^ "Melinda Watts Crowned Gospel Dream 2008 Winner". Christian Newswire. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  44. ^ "Christian AC National Airplay". R&R. 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  45. ^ "Grammy-Nominated Matthew West Plays Following Wave Game" (Press release). OurSports Central. December 4, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  46. ^ "Matthew West Emerges From Season of Silence With Something To Say". BREATHEcast.com. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  47. ^ "Matthew West aboard The Polar Express?". Top40-Charts.com. 2004-11-20. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  48. ^ "Matthew West's You Are Everything Hits Number One". CCMmagazine.com. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  49. ^ "Something to Say: Nashville singer/songwriter Matthew West keeps best songs for own album". crossrhythms.co.uk. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  50. ^ "It's A Baby Girl For Matthew West!". Top40-Charts.com. 2006-02-04. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  51. ^ "Matthew West prepares History for June 21 release". cmcentral.com. 2005-06-15. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  52. ^ Russ Breimeier (2006). "Various Artists – WoW Hits 2007". Christian Music Today. Retrieved 2008-07-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  53. ^ "Christmas Joy (Sparrow) – Mandisa". CCMMagazine.com. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  54. ^ Russ Breimeier (2007). "Various Artists – WoW Hits 2008". Christian Music Today. Retrieved 2008-07-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

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