Matthew West

Having played baseball through his teens, West was hoping to earn a baseball scholarship to college, however was later awarded a four-year music scholarship from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Whilst still studying at university, West independently released the albums “September Sun” in 1997, and “Every Step of the Way” in 1998. After attending GMA Music in the Rockies, the singer-songwriter was offered a songwriting deal a mere five weeks after graduating.

West became to be a sought-after songwriter and penned songs for well-known musicians including Billy Ray Cyrus and Rachael Lampa. After suffering a hand injury that threatened his musical career, West made a full recovery and signed with Universal South Records in 2002. The singer went on to release his major-label debut “Happy” in 2003 produced by Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser. The album, aided by the singles “More”, “The End” and “You Know Where to Find Me”, earned West five Dove award nominations.

The singer-songwriter’s subsequent album “History”, once again had Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser at the production reigns, and was released in June 2005. After the rerelease of his independent LP “Sellout” in 2006, West issued the album “Something to Say” in January 2008, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Led by the singles “You Are Everything” and “Something to Say”, the album was supported by a 26-city tour entitled “Boomin’ Beyond Measure”. Ahead of his fourth major-label album “Story of Your Life” West released the single “My Own Little World”. The 2010 album was a response to a collection of stories his fans sent to him, and was followed-up by the album “Into the Light” in 2012.