Four-time GRAMMY® nominee, singer, songwriter and storyteller Matthew West debuts his deluxe edition CD and DVD, Into The Light: Life Stories & Live Songs, on August 13 (Sparrow Records). This deluxe version shares the songs found on the acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated album Into The Light, along with a DVD featuring live concert footage interspersed with the people whose stories have inspired the songs.
A few of the songs featured on Into The Light: Life Stories & Live Songs are the No. 1 hits “Forgiveness,” “Hello, My Name Is” and “Strong Enough.” Each share about real-life topics and struggles, such as addiction, forgiveness, living out your faith, restoration, being made in God’s image, and more. Fans will be able to hear these songs and much more when West kicks off his 30+ city “Into The Light Tour,” which is slated to begin in September. Tour dates are listed below.
“Since I began the journey of telling the stories of people’s lives through my music a few years ago, it has transformed not only the songs I have written but also the way we bring those songs and stories to the audiences at our live shows,” Matthew West shares. “Many have asked me where they can find these unique videos that we use during the show telling the stories behind the songs. Until now, I haven’t had anywhere to send them. This new DVD allows people to take this emotionally charged and uplifting experience home with them; to share with friends or family who they know might relate and be encouraged by a certain story or song. There is power in a story. I’m so proud of this project and believe it will encourage people to realize the power that lies within their story as well!”
West is slated to appear on the “Katie” show with host Katie Couric this Thursday, July 18th, performing his No. 1 single “Forgiveness.” To watch the show in your area, please visit the show’s website.
His current single “Hello, My Name Is” recently notched its 8th week at No. 1 on the National Christian Audience chart, with an audience of 9.8 million. Additionally, the song’s video just released and can be viewed here, highlighting a live performance from this year’s successful WinterJam Tour.
West’s brand new book, Forgiveness (Thomas Nelson), will be available July 23 and is currently Women Of Faith’s Book of the Month. For more information about Forgiveness, please click here.
About Matthew West
An ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner and 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), Something to Say (2008), The Story of Your Life (2010) and Into The Light (2012). 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 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. 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 last fall and was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album for the 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The new album features his most recent hit singles “Forgiveness” and “Hello My Name Is,” along with 10 other tracks inspired by 10,000 new letters submitted after West invited people to, once again, send him their stories. West spent much of late 2012 and early 2013 on a pre-headlining stint of the No. 1 Tour in the World (first quarter), the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular.
Matthew West Into The Light tour dates*
September
26 – Carlsbad, NM – Walter Gerrels
27 – Phoenix, AZ – Grand Canyon University
28 – St. George, UT – Cox Auditorium
29 – Sparks, NV – Sparks Christian
30 – Brentwood, CA – Golden Hills Community Church
October
02 – Coos Bay, OR – Marshfield Auditorium
03 – Portland, OR – New Hope Community Church
06 – Issaquah, WA – Eastridge Church
08 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic
09 – Bismarck, ND – Shiloh Christian Center
10 – Dickinson, ND – Trinity Auditorium
11 – Gillette, WY – New Life Wesleyan Church
12 – Rapid City, SD – Performing Arts Center of Rapid City
18 – Bel Air, MD – APG Federal Credit
19 – Simpsonville, SC – Southside Christian School
24 – Wausau, WI – Grand Theater
25 – Appleton, WI – Appleton Alliance Church
26 – Bourbonnais, IL – Olivet Nazarene University
27 – Indianapolis, IN – The Caring Place
November
01 – Ft. Wayne, IN – First Assembly of God
02 – Eden Prairie, MN – Grace Church
03 – Zeeland, MI – Community Reformed Church
07 – McAlester, OK – Southeast Expo Center
08 – Lincoln, NE – Lincoln Berean Center
09 – Tulsa, OK – Mabee Center
10 – Mt. Vernon, IL – Central Christian Church
14 – Lubbock, TX – City Auditorium
15 – Andrews, TX – Andrews Expo Center
16 – Decatur, TX – First Baptist Church
17 – Tyler, TX – Lane’s Chapel UMC
*All dates subject to change. Please visit MatthewWest.com for the most updated schedule.
