In follow-up to the GRAMMY ® nominee’s success with his hit single “Motions” being atop the radio charts for a whopping 15 weeks and being the most played artist at Christian radio last year, the well-known singer/songwriter turned to his fans via web and radio for songwriting material for his new album asking them to submit their stories of restoration, celebration, pain, hope and more. One thousand responded in the first two days alone, leading to the thousands that answered from across the world. He then spent two months in a cabin outside of Nashville, Tenn. reading every story and then transforming them into songs for the record. The songs range from joyful stories about adoption and victories over cancer, to heart-breaking letters of abuse and broken homes.

“As stories began to pour in by the thousands, I quickly sensed that not only was something special taking place, but that my life was about to change,” explains West. “During those months, my eyes were opened to see the world outside my door like I had never witnessed before.”

To see a video about West making the record, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsxrGdwuI5s&feature=player_embedded.

West serves as a trusted storyteller for the 11-track album which was produced by the renowned Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith) and Pete Kipley (MercyMe, David Crowder*Band). For example, the song “Family Tree” tackles the issue of generational baggage inspired by a girl’s story. From another letter about the joys of adoption, West wrote the song “One Less.” “Broken Girl” was taken from a submitted story of abuse.

The first single, “My Own Little World,” which is at radio now and will hit digital retailers on Aug. 17, is a powerful release as it sets the stage for the remaining tracks. Already, the single is the most added song at AC this week with 38 total stations playing the song, as well as debuting at No. 28 on AC indicator and New & Active on the AC Monitor chart. The single premiered exclusively on West’s facebook page late last week where around 25,000 people listened to the song in only 24 hours. In regards to “My Own Little World,” West says, “I first walked into the cabin with my own little world being ‘population me,’ but with each new story, God began to change all that. This is the song that talks about how these thousands of stories opened my eyes and my heart to see the world outside my door through the eyes of my savior, through the eyes of compassion.”

West will embark on “The Story of Your Life Tour” this fall with special guests Jonny Diaz and Josh Wilson in partnership with Operation Christmas Child.

GRAMMY ® Award nominated singer/songwriter Matthew West catapulted onto the Christian music scene in 2003 with his debut single, “More,” the most played Christian AC song of 2003. The multi-Dove Award nominee has since released three critically-acclaimed recordings, Happy (2003), History (2005) and Something to Say (2008), while dominating radio as the most played Christian artist of 2003, 2008 and 2009, according to Radio & Records. All of West’s singles have charted in the Top 10, including the memorable hits “Only Grace,” “History,” “Next Thing You Know,” “You Are Everything” and the GRAMMY ® nominated “The Motions.” ”The Motions” was 2009’s most played song at Christian AC radio, and 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.

Last year, West was asked to pen the theme song for VeggieTales’ latest Christmas DVD release, Saint Nicholas – A Story Of Joyful Giving. West recorded “Give This Christmas Away” with best-selling, award-winning artist Amy Grant, who performed the radio single alongside Matthew on Fox News programs “Huckabee” and “FOX & Friends.” Known as both a singer and songwriter, West has penned hits for artists such as Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio and more. His new album The Story of Your Life releases October 5, 2010.

“The Story of Your Life” tour dates
* all dates subject to change, please visit www.matthewwest.com for the most up to date tour information.

9/16- Summerville, SC
9/17- Simpsonville, SC
9/18- TO BE ANNOUNCED
9/19- Charlotte, NC
9/23- Rocky Mount, NC
9/24- Cary, NC
9/25- Dothan, AL
9/26- Montgomery, AL
9/30- Savannah, GA
10/1- Grovetown, GA
10/2- Myrtle Beach, SC
10/3- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/5- Chicago, IL
10/7- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/8- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/9- Jefferson, WI
10/10- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/14- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/15- Adrian, MI
10/16- Louisville, KY
10/21- Springfield, MO
10/22- Lincoln, NE
10/23- Kansas City, MO
10/24- Fort Wayne, IN
10/27- Oklahoma City, OK
10/28- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/29- TO BE ANNOUNCED
10/30- McAlester, OK
11/2- Longwood, FL
11/4- Ocala, FL
11/5- Clearwater, FL
11/6- Avon Park, FL
11/7- Sarasota, FL

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