Such coveted positioning is an appropriate end to a banner year for West, whose song “The Motions” was No. 1 on Radio & Records’ Christian AC Monitored chart and the Billboard Christian chart for 14 weeks as well as the most downloaded Christian digital track 15 weeks running, according to SoundScan. Additionally “The Motions” earned West his first GRAMMY Award nomination in the category of Best Gospel Song. West has now claimed the Most Played Christian Song of the Year title three times, following “You Are Everything” in 2008 and “More” in 2003.

Along with the success of “The Motions,” 2009 marked West’s busiest year to date, headlining two national tours, traveling overseas as spokesperson for Operation Christmas Child, writing his first book: 101 Ways to Give This Christmas Away, and penning the theme song “Give This Christmas Away” for VeggieTales’ new Christmas movie, Saint Nicholas – A Story Of Joyful Giving.

The latter opportunity recently afforded West guest appearances on the Fox News Channel’s “Huckabee” ( http://e2ma.net/go/2696605110/2447582/89842529/28893/goto:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1waErTMbChU ) and the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club” ( http://e2ma.net/go/2696605110/2447582/89842530/28893/goto:http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/MIA49v3_WS ). West will give an encore performance of “Give This Christmas Away” Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 on the network’s “Fox and Friends” Christmas special additionally featuring Andrea Bocelli and Kristin Chenoweth. Check your local listings for air times.

“I am looking back on an unforgettable 2009,” says West. “Both personally and professionally, I have so much to be thankful for. To know that people are connecting with the songs I write only makes me want to pick up a pen and write another song. There will be no shortage of inspiration stepping into 2010.”

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 produced the No. 1 AC radio hit “You Are Everything,” which was also the most played Christian song of 2008, as well as “Something To Say,” which climbed to No. 7 at AC radio. His most recent single, Grammy Award nominated “The Motions,” was No. 1 on Radio & Records’ Christian AC Monitored chart and the Billboard Christian chart for 14 weeks as well as the most downloaded Christian digital track 15 weeks running, according to SoundScan. 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.

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