Four-time GRAMMY® nominee and New York Times-acclaimed recording artist Matthew West‘s current radio hit, “Hello My Name Is,” is inspiring people across the country and world to step out of the darkness and into the light of recovery.
The second single from the GRAMMY®-nominated album Into The Light, “Hello My Name Is,” is quickly gaining ground at radio, with it claiming the No. 20 spot on the National Audience Chart, No. 24 at Christian AC Monitored, No. 20 at AC Indicator and No. 23 at Hot AC this week. In addition, the single garnered over 3.6 million audience impressions this week. “Hello My Name Is” is currently positioned at No. 5 on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Songs chart.
“Hello, My Name Is” is based on the testimony from a young man named Jordan, who related to West through a letter how he was raised in a Christian home and had a promising college athletic career until his life was sidetracked by drug abuse. Jordan explained that he had sunk so low that he had resigned himself to living the rest of his life as a drug addict, until his parents forced him into a Teen Challenge drug treatment and discipleship program, where his life was transformed. As one of the 10,000-plus letters submitted after West invited people to send him their stories, Jordan’s story, like those of the other men and women featured on the album, is one of redemption and a new beginning.
In addition to the success of “Hello My Name Is,” JCTV–Trinity Broadcasting Network’s exclusive channel for teens and young adults-has announced the premiere of Matthew West: Into The Light, an inspiring music special featuring one of contemporary Christian music’s most exciting and popular singers and songwriters. The hour-long special, which airs tomorrow, March 29 at 9/10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST), will feature music from Into The Light, along with powerful first-hand testimonies from some of the men and women whose stories of God’s mercy and redemption inspired the music.
After receiving over 10,000 personal stories from all over the globe for his heralded 2010 album, The Story of Your Life, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, who has been forever impacted by the outpouring of stories, felt as though there was even more for others to say during this season of his music. The current studio album, Into The Light, features 12 tracks inspired by 10,000 new letters submitted after West invited people to, once again, send him their stories.
Recently nominated for a GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Into The Light, West was also nominated in the category of Best Contemporary Christian Music Song for his songwriting contributions to the Casting Crowns hit, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.” A four-time GRAMMY® nominee, multiple ASCAP “Song of the Year” winner, Primetime Emmy® Award nominee and Billboard Music Award nominee, West has had four No. 1 radio hits including 2012’s GRAMMY®-nominated tune, “Strong Enough.” Into The Light was released in September to across-the-board praise and stellar reviews, heralding West’s artistic depth and abilities as a master songsmith.
West is currently nearing the conclusion of his pre-headlining stint on the renowned Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, joining fellow GRAMMY® nominee TobyMac, rock phenomenon Red, “Hold Me” songstress Jamie Grace and others. For more information on the Winter Jam Tour, which wraps on March 30 in San Antonio, Tex., visit: http://www.jamtour.com/.
About Matthew West
Lauded by The New York Times as “a vivid and compelling songwriter with impressive approaches to the familiar,” four-time GRAMMY® nominee Matthew West’s discography includes acclaimed releases: Happy (2003), History (2005) and Something to Say (2008). His 2010 studio album, The Story of Your Life, was inspired by 10,000 stories from every state in the U.S. and 20 countries. The album released on October 5, 2010, and garnered attention from CNN Online, Fox News, Billboard, Country Weekly, American Songwriter and more. The Story of Your Life gave West the largest street week debut of his career selling over 10,000 units the first week landing at No. 3 on Christian Soundscan, and No. 41 on the Billboard Top 200. In conjunction with Harvest House Publishers, West teamed up with bestselling author Angela Thomas for The Story of Your Life book. The Heart of Christmas marked West’s first full-length Christmas project which also boasts the Top 10 mainstream AC radio hit “The Heart of Christmas.” A multiple ASCAP “Song of the Year” winner, West has had four No. 1 radio hits including his latest GRAMMY®-nominated tune, “Strong Enough.” His songwriting credits include cuts by Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio and more. Recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy® Award for Original Music & Lyrics for “The Heart of Christmas” from the film of the same name, West’s fifth studio album, Into The Light, was released on September 25, 2012, and was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album for the 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards.
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