Episode 194 | Matthew West | Don't Stop Praying

On today’s show, we chat with 4 time guest, Matthew West! Matthew West is a five-time GRAMMY nominee, NSAI’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Year, ASCAP’s 2023 Golden Note Award recipient and a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner. He has received an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, K-LOVE Fan Awards, GMA Dove Awards and has been named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. A recipient of the Rich Mullins Impact Award, West also received a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track for the feature film “The Heart of Christmas.” Dubbed “one of Christian music’s most prolific singer-songwriters” (Billboard), West has been awarded RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and notched 35 number one songs combined as an artist and songwriter.   In addition to his own recording career, he has co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards seven times and has more than 250 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Anne Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, Casting Crowns and others. The release of Don’t Stop Praying marks his 13th studio album. Composed of 12 inspiring tracks, West encourages listeners to commit to the power of prayer in 2024. West's most recent single "Don't Stop Praying" released earlier this year marks his biggest streaming single debut in his 20-year career.  Adding author to his list of accolades, West has written eight books to date: “Come Home For Christmas,” “Give This Christmas Away,” “The Story Of Your Life,” “Forgiveness,” “Today Is Day One”,  “Hello, My Name Is, “The God Who Stays” and his latest, My Story Your Glory 30-Day Devotional with one more slated for 2024. He is also passionate about providing hope and healing through the power of prayer and story. Along with his father, Pastor Joe West, they founded popwe, a non-profit ministry helping others to craft, share, and live a more meaningful life. Don’t Stop Praying IS OUT NOW!  Matthew says, “EACH SONG IN ITS OWN WAY IS INSPIRED BY THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYERS WE FIND OURSELVES PRAYING THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES. WE PRAY PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH WHEN WE ARE WEAK, PRAYERS FOR A MIRACLE WHEN WE NEED A BREAKTHROUGH, PRAYERS FOR PURPOSE WHEN WE FEEL LOST. MOST OF ALL, I WANTED TO MAKE A RECORD THAT ECHOED THE CALL I HAVE FELT IN MY OWN HEART TO HIT MY KNEES LIKE NEVER BEFORE AND NEVER FORGET THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT CONVERSATION I COULD HAVE TODAY AND EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE IS WITH THE ONE WHO MADE ME, KNOWS ME, AND HAS THE BEST PLAN FOR MY LIFE. I HOPE THESE SONGS INSPIRE YOU TO DISCOVER FOR THE FIRST TIME OR MAYBE REDISCOVER THE POWER OF A PRAYER.” matthewwest.com @matthewjwest christianmusicguys.com @christianmusicguys