Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, April 2009: MATTHEW WEST GARNERS AC HIT WITH “THE MOTIONS”

MATTHEW WEST GARNERS AC HIT WITH “THE MOTIONS”

Song Marks Project’s Second No. 1 Hit

NEWS SOURCE: Savvy Media
April 16, 2009

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) April 16, 2009 – Sparrow Records singer/songwriter Matthew West garners a No. 1 single this week with “The Motions,” according to the Radio & Records Christian AC Monitored chart. The event marks West’s second No. 1 song from his current release, Something to Say, following “You Are Everything,” which was the most played song of 2008.

In addition to topping the Christian AC Monitored chart, “The Motions” currently holds at No. 2 on the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart and No. 5 on its Christian AC Indicator chart.

“I want to thank Christian radio stations around the country for once again allowing me to connect with their listeners through my music,” says West. “The song was inspired by my desire to break free from simply going through the motions in my life and faith. It's so easy to live a luke warm kind of life. I'm so glad the song seems to have struck a chord, and I hope it can continue be a reminder that life is too short to simply go through the motions”

“The power of ‘The Motions’ has delivered a tremendously successful single for Matthew West,” says Grant Hubbard, vice president of national promotions for EMI CMG. “The testing scores have been very solid, No. 1 in all demographics at many of our top stations, and Matthew has again reached the top of the charts by speaking into the lives of Christian radio listeners with emotion and depth. We’re honored to partner with Matthew on his second No. 1 single from Something to Say.”

In response to the song’s popularity, West created a music video for “The Motions,” which can currently be viewed online at www.tangle.com/matthewwest. He has also developed a devoted web page, www.matthewwest.com/themotions, for fans to voice their commitment to “avoid the trap of simply going through the motions.”

West catapulted onto the Christian music scene in 2003 with his debut single, “More,” which was the most played Christian AC song of 2003. The multi-Dove Award nominee and sought-after songwriter released two critically-acclaimed recordings, Happy (2003) and History (2005); has been a mainstay at Christian radio with memorable hits like “Only Grace,” “History” and “Next Thing You Know”; and has toured with such artists as tobyMac and Jeremy Camp on the wildly popular 2008 “Boomin’ Beyond Measure” tour. In addition, West has penned songs for Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Natalie Grant and Mandisa, among others.

West’s third studio recording, Something to Say, released January 15, 2008 and debuted on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian Retail Chart at #10, while West was the best-selling Christian artist on iTunes the week of its release. The album’s debut single “You Are Everything” additionally peaked at No. 1 on Christian AC radio and was the most played Christian song of 2008, while “Something to Say” climbed to No. 7 at AC radio. Most recently, West wrapped the 27-city “Something to Say” fall tour featuring label mate Josh Wilson and a WAY-FM/Word Vision tour with Sanctus Real in February. For more information on Matthew West, visit www.matthewwest.com or www.myspace.com/matthewwest.

About EMI CMG Label Group:
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.

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And for more info on Matthew West, visit the JFH Artists Database.