Maryann B. Hunsberger : Copyright Christianity Today International
Matthew West hasn't stopped singing since he learned to harmonize in the front pew of his dad's church. Still, he never dreamed he'd hear himself on the radio some day. Then, his father gave him a guitar for high school graduation, and the rest was history. Making history is getting to be a habit for the Illinois-bred singer-songwriter. His song "More," from his first album, Happy, held the #1 spot on the Christian AC chart for nine weeks, breaking the previously held eight-week record. Now, he's made History again—or at least an album by that name. West recently talked with us about life as a preacher's kid, his music and his faith. You grew up in a pastor's family. What was that like?Matthew West It was a blast and it was really difficult. My mom and dad are such shining examples of what it means to have a real and living faith. But, as a younger child, I felt the pressure of always having to be on my best behavior. Throughout our lives, we are given different titles as we go along. "Preacher's kid" was the first title I remember having. You can imagine how that title might not set you at an advantage with your friends, thinking they had to be different around you.But now you've decided to take another title with high expectations—Christian artist. Why?West All through high school, I took on other titles, like captain of my football team and homecoming king. I thought these other titles would help me define who I was and put some separation from the title of preacher's kid. But, all these new titles left me empty and wanting more. Going away to college allowed me to step away from that preacher's kid title and figure things out for myself. At the end of my freshman year, I knelt down in my dorm room and recommitted my life to God. That all happened before I put the title "Christian artist" in front of my name. That's when God began to define his calling in my life.Tell me how you came up with the title and concept for your new album, History.West I read an article about my song, "More" [which spent nine weeks at No. 1]. The headline read, "Matthew West makes history." Even though it was an article about my success, it humbled me. God reminded me that he didn't call me to be a history maker in the eyes of the world, but in the light of eternal value. God's plan is to make history of our lives and to forgive us of our past and the history we are ashamed of. He plans to make history in our present moment, to give us the faith to stand up for what we believe. And he plans to make history of our future when we go to heaven someday. I wanted every one of those themes carried through the record.As a co-producer, how involved were you in making the CD?West I was heavily involved in every aspect of it, from the vision, the name, choosing the songs, writing the songs, deciding how to lay them out musically, picking the order of the songs. With the theme of the album being "history is in the making," I wanted to create an album that carried that statement through from start to finish. The songs on the album flow from past to present to future.The song "Next Thing You Know" is your testimony. Tell us more about becoming a believer while watching a Billy Graham crusade.West My dad always said that the day I accepted Christ is a memory I should hold in my heart like a picture in my wallet. I realized I hadn't written about that, so I sat down and remembered the story and wrote it. That song is the picture in my wallet.I was 13, watching TV and stumbled across a Billy Graham crusade. I felt this tugging at my heart. My mom saw me watching the show and asked if I'd like to pray to accept the Lord. It's awkward for a teen to pray with his mom, but I knew God was pulling me in. It's exactly how it happened—I try to make my songs as 100 percent true to my life as possible.I did a radio interview and the DJ said listeners have called in after hearing the song to tell their story. That's the point of that song more than telling my testimony. It says, "What's your story?" to encourage people that God wants to meet every one of us on a personal level, change our lives and make history. The song was also a thank-you to Billy Graham for his ministry.How do you feel about Billy Graham having his last crusade recently?West I think it's pretty amazing that this song came out on the radio right when Billy Graham was having his last crusade. So many people in the world have been impacted like I was from his ministry. Nobody has been more faithful than Billy Graham. I pray I will be able to grow to be as effective a communicator through my words.
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