Making its radio debut in October of 2007, “You Are Everything” maintained chart status for more than 11 months. The song’s longevity also helped West to achieve positioning as the No. 2 AC artist of 2008.

“I am thankful to be singing again after recovering from what I thought could be career-ending vocal surgery last year,” says West. “‘You Are Everything’ was the first song I recorded in the studio after my recovery. So, to see the way it has connected with listeners through the radio just confirms to me there is a reason for everything that happens in this life. I sing with purpose now, and a renewed passion for connecting to the hearts of people through my music.”

“It’s amazing to see how ‘You Are Everything’ has connected with radio listeners nationwide,” says Grant Hubbard, vice president of national promotions for EMI CMG. “As radio becomes more and more competitive, the fact that it stayed on the chart for over 11 months speaks to how powerful this song is. Matthew is an incredibly talented artist, and it’s an honor to help introduce his songs to radio stations and listeners.”

West catapulted onto the Christian music scene in 2003 with his debut single, “More,” which was the most played Christian AC song of 2003. The multi-Dove Award nominee and sought-after songwriter released two critically-acclaimed recordings, Happy (2003) and History (2005); has been a mainstay at Christian radio with memorable hits like “Only Grace,” “History” and “Next Thing You Know”; and has toured with such artists as tobyMac and Jeremy Camp on the wildly popular 2008 “Boomin Beyond Measure” tour. In addition, West has penned songs for Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Natalie Grant and Mandisa, among others. West’s third studio recording, Something To Say, released January 15, 2008 and debuted on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian Retail Chart at #10, while West was the best-selling Christian artist on iTunes the week of its release. The album’s debut single “You Are Everything” additionally peaked at No. 1 on Christian AC radio and its single “Something to Say” climbed to No. 7 at AC radio. Most recently, West wrapped the 27-city “Something to Say” fall tour featuring label mate Josh Wilson. He will join Sanctus Real on a 15-city tour sponsored by WAY-FM and World Vision later this month. Additional tour details are forthcoming. For more information on Matthew West, visit. http://www.matthewwest.com/ or www.myspace.com/matthewwest.

About EMI CMG Label Group:
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.