Matthew West Honored This Week By NSAI & ASCAP; Announces New Album

Cogito September 23, 2022 0

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Matthew West celebrated a milestone couple of days with back-to-back honors from NSAI and ASCAP. Tuesday night (9/20), West was honored with the coveted Songwriter-Artist of the Year Award, following previous winners including Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, and Taylor Swift. Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the NSAI, presented him with the award on the historic Ryman Auditorium stage applauding his accomplishments.

West is notably the first predominantly Christian artist to win the award in over 20 years. Showcasing his latest number one hit, the honoree opened the ceremony to perform a duet version of “Me On Your Mind” with Anne Wilson.

The excitement didn’t stop there – the following night (9/21), the genre hitmaker received seven ASCAP Christian Music Awards, including Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year for his work on Wilson’s breakout smash “My Jesus,” and recognized for his five most performed cuts: “Look What You’ve Done,” by Tasha Layton, “My Jesus” by Anne Wilson, “Scars in Heaven” by Casting Crowns, “Weary Traveler” by Jordan St Cyr and his own track “What If.” The ceremony, which was held virtually, celebrated the writers and publishers of the most performed Christian songs of the past year. See his acceptance speech HERE and performance HERE.

Today, West announces his upcoming double album MY STORY YOUR GLORY is set for release February 17, 2023. Physical copies are available for pre-order tomorrow HERE. Earlier this month, he released the title track and accompanying music video – watch HERE. The new anthem and project as a whole embodies the countless stories fans have shared with the songwriter over the years and the importance of keeping God at the forefront.

“What an honor to receive this award from NSAI! I was humbled to be standing on stage at the Ryman Auditorium being recognized in front of a room full of the best songwriters in the world. I was told this was only the 2nd time in 50 years that my award went to a Christian artist. I am so proud to represent the genre Christian music at this year’s awards.”

“Thank you ASCAP for being such a great partner throughout my career and thank you for these awards! Although I wear many hats, I have always considered myself a songwriter first and foremost. So to receive this recognition among my peers means so much to me. I’ve had the privilege of making my own records as well as writing with some incredible artists over the years. I’m thankful to all of these artists for allowing me to be creative with them! Special thanks to Anne Wilson and Jeff Pardo, my co-writers on the song of the year, ‘My Jesus’. What a ride this has been! Thanks to God for these amazing blessings!”

– Matthew West

The five-time Grammy nominated artist has had a monumental year: his current single “Me On Your Mind” is his most recent number one song, spending 6 weeks atop the Mediabase Christian Airplay chart and gracing the top the Billboard Christian Airplay Chart for 5 weeks. It marks West’s 25th number one song combined as an artist and songwriter. The track is also his fifth consecutive chartopper. Earlier this month, he released his sixth book “The God Who Stays.” The new book is an engaging and thoughtful exploration, balanced with West’s trademark wit and humor, that helps us reconnect to the Biblical truth that God is with us. In his most personal book to date, West was inspired by the dramatic events of 2020 to go on a spiritual journey of rediscovery and revival inspired by the words of his hit song “The God Who Stays.”

West is also among the top nominee earners for the GMA Dove Awards with a total of seven – including Songwriter of the Year. The awards will take place in Nashville, TN on October 18. Additionally, fans can hear him on “The Matthew West Podcast” which has surpassed an impressive 2.5 million downloads and drops new episodes weekly under the “That Sounds Fun” network. The proven storyteller is set to hit the road for the AN EVENING AT THE STORY HOUSE WITH MATTHEW WEST tour which kicks off on November 3. Following the tour, West will return to Franklin, TN for his Come Home for Christmas weekend December 2-4. For dates and ticket information visit matthewwest.com/tour.