Matthew West

{{Short description|American contemporary Christian musician}}
{{About||the American politician|Matthew West (politician)|the choreographer|Matt West}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Matthew West
| image           = Matthew West Live at the Grand Ole Opry December 13, 2012.jpg
| landscape       = yes
| caption         = Matthew West live at the [[Grand Ole Opry]] in 2012
| background      = solo_singer <!-- don't change to anything else, it messes up the template -->
| birth_name      = Matthew Joseph West
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1977|4|25|mf=y}}
| birth_place     = [[Downers Grove, Illinois]], U.S.
| instrument      = Vocals, guitar, piano
| genre           = [[Contemporary Christian music]], [[pop rock|pop&nbsp;rock]]
| occupation      = Singer, songwriter
| years_active    = 1997–present
| label           = [[Universal South Records|Universal South]], [[Sparrow Records|Sparrow]], [[Provident Label Group]]
| associated_acts =
| website         = {{URL|matthewwest.com/}}
}}

'''Matthew Joseph West'''<ref name="mtv">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/williams_joy/hide/13194541/lyrics.jhtml |title=Hide Lyrics {{!}} Joy Williams |publisher=[[MTV]].com |access-date=July 5, 2008}}</ref> (born April 25, 1977) is an American [[contemporary Christian music]]ian and singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums and is known for his songs "[[More (Matthew West song)|More]]", "[[You Are Everything (Matthew West song)|You Are Everything]]", and "[[The Motions (song)|The Motions]]". He was nominated for five [[GMA Dove Award|Dove Awards]] in 2005, two of which were for his major-label debut album, ''[[Happy (Matthew West album)|Happy]]''. West won the 2013 American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/complete-winners-list-highlights-2013-american-music-awards/story?id=20996929 |title=Complete Winners' List and Highlights of the 2013 American Music Awards - ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=November 24, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref>

Starting as an [[independent music]]ian 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 (Matthew West 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 (Matthew West 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 (Matthew West album)|Into the Light]]'', was released and reached No.&nbsp;1 for a career-best 17 consecutive weeks on the ''Billboard'' Christian Songs chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/310078/matthew-west/chart?f=355 |title=Matthew West - Chart history |publisher=Billboard |access-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://matthewwest.com/post_updates/17-weeks-at-1-for-hello-my-name-is-a-new-record/ |title=17 Weeks at No. 1 for "HELLO MY NAME IS" – A NEW RECORD! |publisher=Matthew West |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110081339/http://matthewwest.com/post_updates/17-weeks-at-1-for-hello-my-name-is-a-new-record/ |archive-date=November 10, 2013  }}</ref>

== Early life ==

Matthew West was born on April 25, 1977, in [[Downers Grove, Illinois]].<ref name="JFH-disc">{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/MatthewWest.asp |title=Matthew West Discography |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=June 27, 2008}}</ref><ref name="breathecast-StS">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_1935.htm |title=Matthew West Gives Critics and Fans Something to Say |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=January 25, 2008 |access-date=July 1, 2008}}</ref> As a child he was a fan of his hometown [[baseball]] team, the [[Chicago Cubs]], and wanted to eventually have a career in baseball.<ref name="2004 interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2004/matthewwest-0304.html |title=Staying in the Game |work=[[Christianity Today|Christian Music Today]] |date=March 15, 2004 |access-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref name="2004 interview" />

== 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.<ref name="2004 interview" /> 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 and
songwriting.
He was a songwriter and [[independent music]]ian from 1997 to 2002, releasing three albums: ''September Sun'' (1997), ''Every Step of the Way'' (1998), and ''Sellout'' (2002).<ref name="emicmg">{{cite web|url=http://pressroom.emicmg.com/artists/MatthewWest/files/uploads/filedownloads/Matthew%20CutxCutfinal.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918154447/http://pressroom.emicmg.com/artists/MatthewWest/files/uploads/filedownloads/Matthew%20CutxCutfinal.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 18, 2006 |title=Matthew West History. Cut By Cut (PDF) |publisher=[[EMI]] [[Capitol Music Group|CMG]].com |access-date=June 30, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="JFH-Sellout">{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Sellout.asp |title=Matthew West, "Sellout" Review |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref> In October 1997, he went on a three-city tour to support the release of ''September Sun''.<ref name="emicmg" />

Just before West graduated from Millikin University in 1999, someone from the college recommended that he attend the [[Gospel Music Association|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.<ref name="2004 interview" /> 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.<ref name="2004 interview" /><ref name="emicmg" /> 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.<ref name="2004 interview" /><ref name="emicmg" />
{{Quote box
 | quote  = "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."
 | source = Matthew West in an interview with ''[[Christianity Today]]'' about his arm injury.<ref name="2004 interview" />
 | width  = 25%
 | align  = right
}}

On July 26, 2002,<ref name="emicmg" /> 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."<ref name="2004 interview" /> 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.<ref name="2004 interview" /> He recovered after the accident, however, and was able to continue playing guitar and record for his first studio album.<ref name="1cubed">{{cite web |url=http://1cubed.com/display.php?ID=171&sectionID=26 |title=Matthew West – Biography, Interviews and Music Interviews |publisher=1cubed.com |access-date=July 7, 2008}}</ref>

=== ''Happy'' (2003–2004) ===

[[File:Matthew West-WWS 2005.jpg|thumb|Matthew West at a concert on [[tobyMac]]'s Winter Wonder Slam tour in December 2005]]
After signing with [[Universal South Records]] on August 23, 2002,<ref name="emicmg" /> West released his first non-independent studio album, ''[[Happy (Matthew West album)|Happy]]'', on December 26, 2003.<ref name="JFH-happy">{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Happy.asp |title=Matthew West, "Happy" Review |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |author=DiBiase, John |date=December 26, 2003 |access-date=June 27, 2008}}</ref> The album's producers Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser co-wrote the song "[[More (Matthew West song)|More]]" with West.<ref name="cmt-happy">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/happy.html |title=Happy – Matthew West |work=[[Christianity Today|Christian Music Today]] |access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name="top40-makeshistory">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=15734 |title=Matthew West Makes 'History' June 21, 2005 |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=June 15, 2005 |access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> The track was his first and most successful radio single to date, staying at No. 1 on [[Radio & Records|R&R]]'s Christian Adult Contemporary chart for a record-breaking nine weeks.<ref name="2005 interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/matthewwest-0705.html |title=History in the Making |date=July 18, 2005 |access-date=July 1, 2008 |work=[[Christianity Today|Christian Music Today]]}}</ref> It was the most played Christian AC song of 2004<ref name="cmt-mattwest-bio" /> and went on to be labelled the Christian Song of the Year by [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP]].<ref name="YMZ-bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/west_matthew/ |title=Matthew West biography |publisher=Your Music Zone |access-date=June 27, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060531193045/http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/west_matthew/ |archive-date = May 31, 2006}}</ref> Two additional songs, "The End" and "You Know Where to Find Me", were also released as singles off the album.<ref name="Happy singles">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=12296 |title=Matthew West Tops '04 Reader Poll, Joins Winter Jam '05 |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=January 6, 2005 |access-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref> Beginning in late September 2004, West joined [[Avalon (American group)|Avalon]] and [[Mark Schultz (musician)|Mark Schultz]] on a 40-city fall tour, which concluded at the end of November.<ref name="happydays">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=9942 |title=Happy days are here again! Matthew West in concert |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=September 28, 2004 |access-date=July 14, 2008}}</ref> In 2005, he was nominated for five [[GMA Dove Award|Dove Award]]s, including "New Artist of the Year" and "Song of the Year".<ref name="about.com">{{cite web |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/aa36dovenoms.htm |title=36th Annual GMA Music (Dove) Awards |date=February 10, 2005 |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=June 27, 2008}}</ref> He won the "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" Dove Award for his debut album ''Happy''.<ref name="history-emicmg">{{cite web|url=http://pressroom.emicmg.com/artists/MatthewWest/files/uploads/filedownloads/Matthew%20fact%20sheetfinal.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060916144927/http://pressroom.emicmg.com/artists/MatthewWest/files/uploads/filedownloads/Matthew%20fact%20sheetfinal.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 16, 2006 |title=Matthew West History |publisher=[[EMI]] [[Capitol Music Group|CMG.com]] |access-date=July 14, 2008 |year=2005 }}</ref>

In early 2005, he was on the WinterJam 2005 tour, hosted by [[NewSong]], with [[tobyMac]], [[Building 429]], [[Tait (band)|Tait]], and [[Rachael Lampa]].<ref name="2nd Album">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_382.htm |title=Many Anticipate on Matthew West's 2nd Album |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=February 17, 2005 |access-date=July 4, 2008}}</ref>

=== ''History'' and vocal problems (2005–2007) ===

[[File:Matt West concert.jpg|thumb|Matthew West playing a concert on the History 101 tour in September 2005]]
With Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser once again as producers,<ref name="top40 bright">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=15778 |title=Bright Future For Matthew West's History, In Stores 6/21 |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=June 16, 2005 |access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> Matthew West began recording for his second studio album in early 2005.<ref name="Happy singles" /> ''[[History (Matthew West album)|History]]'', co-produced by West, was released on June 21, 2005, on [[Universal South Records]].<ref name="billboard-history">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=matthew west|chart=all}} |title=Matthew West – History |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] |access-date=July 4, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The first single off the album, "Next Thing You Know", was released June 20, a day before the album's release.<ref name="album-to-remember">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_747.htm |title=Matthew West's History: "An Album To Remember" |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=June 24, 2005 |author=Cindy Lee |access-date=July 4, 2008}}</ref> The theme of the title track "History" was inspired by a [[Radio & Records|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.<ref name="caa">{{cite web |url=http://www.caatouring.com/Public/ClientDetails.aspx?ClientID=64323&RosterCategory=Christian |title=Matthew West |publisher=[[Creative Artists Agency|CAAtouring.com]] |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> 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 (singer)|Paul Wright]].<ref name="history 101">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_1935.htm |title=Matthew West Headlines History 101 |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=September 16, 2005 |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> He then joined [[tobyMac]]'s Winter Wonder Slam tour, beginning on December 1, 2005, along with [[John Reuben]], [[BarlowGirl]], [[GRITS]], and [[DJ Maj]].<ref name="BG-WWS">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-tobyMac/Article-324_1075.htm |title=BarlowGirl Update |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=October 10, 2005 |access-date=July 4, 2008 |author=Connie Lee}}</ref> Two additional songs were released off ''History'' as singles: "Only Grace" and the title track "History".<ref name="cmt-history">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2005/history.html |title=Matthew West – History |work=[[Christianity Today|Christian Music Today]] |author=Breimeier, Russ |access-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref><ref name="cmp-bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianmusicplanet.com/music/artist/matthew_west/browseM/ |title=Matthew West – Biography |publisher=Christian Music Planet |access-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref>

His independent album ''Sellout'' was re-released in 2006 on Universal South Records.<ref name="Billboard.com Sellout">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=matthew west|chart=all}} |title=Matthew West – Sellout |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] |access-date=July 7, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

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."<ref name="cmt interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2008/matthewwest-0208.html |title=A Moment of Silence |author=Andree Farias |date=February 25, 2008 |work=[[Christianity Today|Christian Music Today]] |access-date=June 27, 2008}}</ref> At a vocal check-up in response to the issue, West's doctors at the [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] Vanderbilt Voice Center discovered "hemorrhaging caused by some [[Polyp (medicine)|polyp]]s".<ref name="cmt interview" /> He was told by his doctors that vocal surgery was the only option, since a few weeks had passed.<ref name="cmt interview" /> The surgery took place on May 17, 2007, a process that he said was "career threatening."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c377c388df7477a84ec4%3Cbr%3E |title=Matthew West's Exclusive Video Debut - The Motions |access-date=May 8, 2009 |author=matthewwest |date=March 19, 2009 |publisher=[[Tangle.com]]}}</ref> Afterward, he was prescribed a two-month period of silence for [[vocal rest]].<ref name="cmt interview" />

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.<ref name="NothingtoSay" /> 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 (Matthew West album)|Something to Say]]''.<ref name="NothingtoSay">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianmusicplanet.com/news/headlines/11568085/matthew%20west/ |title=Matthew West Has Nothing To Say in New Documentary |publisher=Christian Music Planet |date=February 2008 |access-date=June 28, 2008}}</ref>

=== ''Something to Say'' (2008–2010) ===

His next single "[[You Are Everything (Matthew West song)|You Are Everything]]" was released in late 2007. The song was available as a free download from West's website.<ref name="christianpost">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071219/matthew-west-has-something-to-say.htm |title=Matthew West Has 'Something to Say' |work=[[The Christian Post]] |date=December 19, 2007 |author=Kevin Donovan |access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref> 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]]''.<ref name="christianpost" />

Matthew West's album ''[[Something to Say (Matthew West album)|Something to Say]]'' was released on January 15, 2008.<ref name="JFH-StS">{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SomethingToSay.asp |title=Matthew West, "Something To Say" Review |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |author=Gregorius, Jessica |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=June 27, 2008}}</ref> It reached No. 8 on [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']]'s Top Christian albums chart, and peaked at No. 159 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart,<ref name="billboard charts">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=matthew west|chart=all}} |title=Artist Chart History – Matthew West |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] |access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> making it his first Billboard 200 album .<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1271418/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} |title= Matthew West> Charts & Awards |work=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> It was produced by [[Brown Bannister]], [[Ed Cash]], and Christopher Stevens.<ref name="billboard sts review">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i5d4ee6c1f963632736a9cf2d93901218 |title=Something to Say |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] |access-date=July 11, 2008 |author=Deborah Evans Price |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080430093135/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i5d4ee6c1f963632736a9cf2d93901218 |archive-date = April 30, 2008}}</ref> 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."<ref name="cmt interview" /><ref name="bc interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Interview-237_2200.htm |title=Interview with Matthew West |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=May 15, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref> The first [[single (music)|radio single]] released from the album was "[[You Are Everything (Matthew West song)|You Are Everything]]". In March 2008, the song reached No. 1 on [[Radio & Records|R&R]]'s Christian [[Adult Contemporary|AC]] chart.<ref name="cmp">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianmusicplanet.com/news/headlines/11570403/matthew%20west/ |title=Matthew West's You Are Everything Hits Number One |publisher=Christian Music Planet |access-date=June 28, 2008 |date=March 2008}}</ref> "Something to Say", the album's title track, was also released to radio, receiving airplay in June 2008.<ref name="jfh news">{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/06/21.MATTHEW%20WEST%20TO%20APPEAR%20ON%20FOX%20AND%20FRIENDS%20SUNDAY%20JUNE%2022.asp |title=Matthew West To Appear on Fox And Friends Sunday, June 22 |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |date=June 21, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref>

Matthew West guested on [[tobyMac]]'s 26-city "Boomin' Beyond Measure" tour along with [[Jeremy Camp]].<ref name="top40-true voice">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=37663 |title=Matthew West Finds True Voice on SOMETHING TO SAY |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=January 9, 2008 |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> The tour ran from February 6 through March 21, 2008.<ref name="about.com boomin">{{cite web |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/tournews/a/jcampspng06tour.htm |title=Boomin' Beyond Measure - tobyMac, Jeremy Camp and Matthew West on Tour |publisher=[[About.com]] |date=January 7, 2008 |access-date=July 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427151424/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/tournews/a/jcampspng06tour.htm |archive-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</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 |date=March 2008 |access-date=June 29, 2008}}</ref> The appearance included a world premiere of his music video for "Nothing Else", a song from ''[[History (Matthew West album)|History]]''.<ref name="cmp-bg" /> On June 29, West hosted [[Gospel Music Association|GMA]]'s 2008 ''Gospel Dream'', a televised Christian music talent competition.<ref name="gospeldream">{{cite press release |url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/940167054.html |title=Melinda Watts Crowned Gospel Dream 2008 Winner |publisher=Christian Newswire |date=June 30, 2008 |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> "[[The Motions (song)|The Motions]]" was released as his next single, placing at No. 1 on ''R&R'''s Christian [[adult contemporary|AC]] chart in April 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=April 17, 2009 |access-date=April 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426042352/http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite20/Members/Charts.aspx?ChartId=21 |archive-date=April 26, 2009 }}</ref>

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 (song)|The Motions]]" was Grammy-nominated for Best Gospel Song, 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|access-date=December 8, 2009|date=December 4, 2009|publisher=OurSports Central}}</ref>

=== Recent years (2010–present) ===

[[File:Matthew West on stage with Forgiveness inspiration Renee Napier.jpg|thumb|West on stage with Renee Napier, whose story inspired his song "[[Forgiveness (Matthew West song)|Forgiveness]]"]]
"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.<ref>[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."], ''CBN.com''.</ref>

West also starred in ''The Heart of Christmas''.<ref>[http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=1902 Original Christmas Film THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS debuts on GMC TV], ''ChristianCinema.com''</ref> In 2011, he released a Christmas song featuring [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] member [[Vince Gill]] entitled "Leaving Heaven".{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}}

''Into the Light'' was released in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002415548|pure_url=yes}} |title=Into the Light> Overview |author=Leggett, Steve |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> West's Into the Light Tour was in September, October, and November 2013.<ref name="Facebook">{{cite web|author=Matthew WestEvenementenTijdlijnInfo |url=https://www.facebook.com/matthewwest/events |title=Matthew West - Evenementen |publisher=Facebook |access-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> He released his sixth studio album, ''[[Live Forever (Matthew West album)|Live Forever]]'', on April 28, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-forever-deluxe-edition/id978471796|title=iTunes - Music - Live Forever (Deluxe Edition) by Matthew West|publisher=Itunes.apple.com |date=April 28, 2015|access-date=April 25, 2015}}</ref> 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 [[RIAA certification|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.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} A deluxe edition followed in April 2021.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

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 (musician)|Mark Schultz]], [[Mandisa]], [[Jump5]], [[Sara Groves]], [[Joy Williams (musician)|Joy Williams]], [[Casting Crowns]], [[Salvador (band)|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]]''.<ref name="allmusic StS">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1271418|pure_url=yes}} |title=Something to Say> Overview |author=Farias, Andree |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref><ref name="top40-makeshistory" /><ref name="BC-emerges">{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Matthew.West/Article-237_1902.htm |title=Matthew West Emerges From Season of Silence With Something To Say |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref><ref name="polarexpress">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=11307 |title=Matthew West aboard The Polar Express? |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=November 20, 2004 |access-date=July 7, 2008}}</ref> West co-wrote "Voice of a Savior" by Mandisa and "Thank You" by [[33Miles]], both of which were released as singles in early 2008.<ref name="ccm-#1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11570403/ |title=Matthew West's You Are Everything Hits Number One |publisher=[[CCM Magazine|CCMmagazine.com]] |access-date=July 5, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Acting ==

West also pursues acting, with occasional appearances in Christian television shows, starting in 2009.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} In 2011, he made his film debut in [[Gary Wheeler (filmmaker)|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]]<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last1=Wheeler|first1=Gary|title=The Heart of Christmas|date=December 4, 2011|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094146/?ref_=nv_sr_1|last2=Neilson|last3=Shone|last4=Shone|first2=Jeanne|first3=Christopher|first4=Nicholas|access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> after a direct-to-TV release.<ref name=":0" />

== Personal life ==

[[File:Matthew West Family and Mother.jpg|thumb|right|West with his family (L-R) Lulu, Delaney, Emily, and his mother in 2013]]
Matthew West currently lives in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] with his wife Emily.<ref name="cmt-mattwest-bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/matthewwest.html |title=Matthew West |work=[[Christianity Today|Christian Music Today]] |access-date=July 4, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080611190106/http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/matthewwest.html |archive-date = June 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name="crossrhythms">{{cite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Something_To_Say/30257/p1/ |title=Something to Say: Nashville singer/songwriter Matthew West keeps best songs for own album |publisher=[[Cross Rhythms|crossrhythms.co.uk]] |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref> They were married on May 10, 2003, after proposing to her in September 2002.<ref name="emicmg" /> They have two daughters.<ref name="baby-girl">{{cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=20515&string=Matt |title=It's A Baby Girl For Matthew West! |publisher=Top40-Charts.com |date=February 4, 2006 |access-date=July 4, 2008}}</ref> The Wests have two dogs named Nick and Rocky.<ref name="caa" />

== Awards ==
=== American Music Awards ===
{{awards table}}
!Ref.
|-
| [[American Music Awards of 2022|2022]]
| Matthew West
| [[American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist|Favorite Inspirational Artist]]
| {{Pending}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/american-music-awards-nominations-2022-amas-list-1235155377/ |title= 2022 American Music Awards Nominations: Full List – Billboard |last= Grein |first= Paul |date= October 13, 2022 |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date= October 13, 2022}}</ref>}}
|-
|}

=== GMA Dove Awards ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:60px;"| Year
! Award
! Result
|-
!rowspan="5"| [[36th GMA Dove Awards|2005]]
| New Artist of the Year<ref name="dovenoms">{{cite web |url=http://www.cmcentral.com/news/3674.html |title=Matthew West prepares History for June 21 release |publisher=cmcentral.com |date=June 15, 2005 |access-date=July 14, 2008}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
| Song of the Year ("[[More (Matthew West song)|More]]")<ref name="2005DoveNoms">{{cite web |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/gma-releases-36th-dove-award-nominees-list-5425/ |title=GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List |publisher=christianpost.com |date=February 9, 2005 |access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("More")<ref name="2005DoveNoms" />

| {{nom}}
|-
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (''[[Happy (Matthew West album)|Happy]]'')<ref name="2005DoveNoms" />
| {{nom}}
|-
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (''Happy'')<ref name="2005DoveNoms" />
| {{won}}
|-
! [[37th GMA Dove Awards|2006]]
| Song of the Year ("Only Grace")<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/06gmanoms.htm|title=37th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners|date=February 9, 2011|publisher=About.com|access-date=April 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707074958/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/06gmanoms.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
! [[42nd GMA Dove Awards|2011]]
| Short Form Music Video of the Year ("My Own Little World")<ref>[http://www.watchgmctv.com/news/doves-wrap That's a Wrap! Live Results: 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424112208/http://www.watchgmctv.com/news/doves-wrap |date=April 24, 2011 }} on [[Gospel Music Channel|gmc]]; Evans Price, Deborah (April 21, 2011)</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
! [[43rd GMA Dove Awards|2012]]
| Special Event Album of the Year (''[[Music Inspired by The Story]]'') {{small|(with various artists)}}
| {{won}}
|-
! [[44th GMA Dove Awards|2013]]
| Song of the Year ("Forgiveness")<ref name=Billboard>{{cite web|last=Evans-Price|first=Deborah|title=Matt Redman, TobyMac & Jason Crabb Win Big at Dove Awards|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5755744/matt-redman-tobymac-jason-crabb-win-big-at-dove-awards|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard magazine]]|access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
! [[47th GMA Dove Awards|2016]]
| Songwriter of the Year<ref name="GospelMusic.org">{{cite web|title=News: Lauren Daigle Leads With Three Wins at 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards|date=October 13, 2016|url=http://www.gospelmusic.org/news-lauren-daigle-leads-with-three-wins-at-47th-annual-gma-dove-awards/|publisher=Gospel Music.org|access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="3"| [[49th GMA Dove Awards|2018]]
| Songwriter of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Song of the Year ("Broken Things")
| {{nom}}
|-
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (''All In'')
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="2"| 2020
| Song of the Year ("The God Who Stays")
| {{nom}}
|-
| Songwriter of the Year (Artist)
| {{nom}}
|}

== Discography ==
{{Main|Matthew West discography}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2|Albums
|-
!Year
!Title
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Happy (Matthew West album)|Happy]]''
|-
| 2005
| ''[[History (Matthew West album)|History]]''
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Something to Say (Matthew West album)|Something to Say]]''
|-
| 2010
| ''[[The Story of Your Life]]''
|-
| 2011
| ''[[The Heart of Christmas (album)|The Heart of Christmas]]''
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Into the Light (Matthew West album)|Into the Light]]''
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Live Forever (Matthew West album)|Live Forever]]''
|-
| 2017
| ''All In''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-in/id1264904429|title=All in by Matthew West on Apple Music|work=[[iTunes Store]] (US)|access-date=September 22, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 2020
| ''Brand New''
|-
| 2021
| ''We Need Christmas''
|-
|2023
|''My Story Your Glory''
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Matthew West}}

* {{Official website|http://matthewwest.com/}}

{{Matthew West}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:West, Matthew}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American performers of Christian music]]
[[Category:American acoustic guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:Christian music songwriters]]
[[Category:Performers of contemporary Christian music]]
[[Category:Singers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Sparrow Records artists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Chicago]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Illinois]]