Matthew West
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]
For the American politician, see Matthew West (politician). For the choreographer, see Matt West.
Matthew West
Matthew Joseph West
April 25, 1977
Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.
Singer, songwriter
Vocals, guitar, piano
1997–present
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[edit]
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.[7]
Other songwriting[edit]
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.[53][13][54][55] West co-wrote "Voice of a Savior" by Mandisa and "Thank You" by 33Miles, both of which were released as singles in early 2008.[56]
Acting[edit]
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[57] after a direct-to-TV release.[57]