“The Motions” follows West’s debut hit from Something to Say, “You Are Everything,” which was the most played song of 2008. In addition to holding at No. 1 on Radio & Records’ Christian AC Monitored and the Billboard Christian chart for 13 weeks, the single is the most downloaded Christian digital track 11 weeks running, according to SoundScan. Most recently, “The Motions” was featured in a NASCAR special on race car driver Mark Martin, and West has scheduled performances of the song on WGN’s morning show, Moody Radio, and the “700 Club” later this month. For more information on “The Motions,” visit www.matthewwest.com/motions.

“Songs with this kind of impact, and this kind of chart life are rare,” says Vice President of National Promotions for EMI CMG, Grant Hubbard. “It’s great to be a part of this kind of success for Matthew and Something to Say.”

Adding to his current spotlight is West’s “Nothing to Say” documentary, which will premiere on the Gospel Music Channel Friday. Two years ago West underwent major surgery to have a polyp removed from his vocal cord. It was uncertain whether he would ever be able to sing again, and he was restricted from talking for two months following the procedure. The “Nothing to Say” documentary captures West’s journey through surgery and recovery, sharing his range of fears and emotions in this real life story of redemption.

“'Nothing to Say’ is my true story of brokenness and redemption,” says West. “Having vocal cord surgery is a singer's greatest fear. The film follows my journey through one of the weakest and most uncertain seasons of my life, with the hope of encouraging anyone facing a trial of their own.”

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 was the most played Christian song of 2008, while “Something to Say” climbed to No. 7 at AC radio. Last fall, West headlined a 27-city “Something to Say” tour featuring label mate Josh Wilson followed by a WAY-FM/Word Vision tour with Sanctus Real in February. West will embark on “The Motions” tour in September; additional details are forthcoming. For more information on Matthew West, visit 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 http://www.emicmg.com/.

For more info on Matthew West, visit the JFH Artists Database.