Nashville, TN (October 19, 2020)
Over a 23-year career of songwriting and performing, five-time GRAMMY nominee Matthew West continues to share music and encouragement with his fans while also being recognized by his peers for his astounding talents. ASCAP has named West as ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year. He was also awarded ASCAP’s Christian Song of the Year for “Nobody” from Casting Crowns featuring West. This is the third time in West’s career to be named ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year, his fifth for Song of the Year.

West recently posted, “I’m so blessed to be able to accept these ASCAP Awards with A.J. Pruis and the Combustion Music team. In a year where there’s been a lot of bad news, it’s fun to be able to celebrate something. Writing and collaborating with artists like Mark Hall (Casting Crowns) every day is something I’ll never get tired of doing. I love writing songs—and recognition like this is just a bonus. Thank you ASCAP!”

The winners of the ASCAP Christian Music Awards were announced virtually, and West’s acceptance speech can be viewed here. West was also recently nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song with Casting Crowns for their song “Nobody,” and for four GMA Dove Awards, which airs Friday, October 30th on TBN.

West has also recently released a new holiday single titled “The Hope of Christmas,” sharing, “I felt like we could use a little Christmas right now! I find myself looking back at the Christmases of my youth, life seemed so much simpler then. There’s a line in the song that says, ‘these days peace on earth is hard to find, and I need you to remind me one more time.’ I guess that pretty much sums up how I’ve been feeling this year, and I have a feeling I’m not the only one. I see a world reeling from the turmoil of a pandemic, political divides, and racial tension. I’ve always felt that my calling as a songwriter is to extract that hope even from situations where it seems all hope is lost. Writing this song helped me remember the reason why we can always have hope. Hope has a name. His name is Jesus, the Hope of Christmas.”

“The Hope of Christmas” audio video:

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