iTunes Countdown Readies Debut of Matthew Wests New Album The Story of Your Life
NASHVILLE, TN SEPT. 15, 2010 - In preparation of Matthew West's fourth album, The Story of Your Life, iTunes ® will be featuring a weekly countdown with a single premiere and podcasts for three weeks leading up to the Oct. 5 release of the album. The countdown is launching this week with the release of "Strong Enough," a song inspired by a letter from a single mother of three children after her daughter survived a life threatening car accident and struggled with the long road to recovery. Click here to download the song on iTunes ®.
Following the premiere of "Strong Enough," iTunes ® will debut "To Me" on Sept. 21 as well as "One Less" on Sept. 28. These releases will also be a part of the iTunes ® "Complete My Album" feature allowing consumers to purchase the full record for a special price. Along with the song, listeners will also be able to download a corresponding video podcast with the story behind each song.
West will embark on "The Story of Your Life Tour" this fall with special guests Jonny Diaz and Josh Wilson in partnership with Operation Christmas Child. The tour kicks off this Thurs., Sept. 16 in South Carolina and will run through early Nov. A complete list of tour dates is included below.
The first single, "My Own Little World" has already received a warm welcome at digital outlets and Christian radio ranking in at top 10 on AC Indicator, No. 14 on the National Christian Audience chart and No. 16 on AC Monitor with over 80 stations playing the song. The songs sets the tone for the entire album and reflects on how the stories changed West. " I look at the world in a different way," explains West. "The words of ‘My Little World' are how this process has changed me. It's not about me and the irony of this record is that I've never been so excited about a record - and it's not about me. I'm the singer and the messenger and I connect with these songs, and it fires me up." To hear the story behind "My Own Little World," visit http://vimeo.com/14209837.
Thousands of stories from every state in the U.S. and 20 countries were the source of motivation for Matthew West's fourth Sparrow Record's album, The Story of Your Life, set to release on Oct. 5. Also available on Oct. 5 is the digital and physical deluxe editions of the album which include four bonus acoustic songs, and videos of the story behind every song on the album.
The well-known singer/songwriter turned to his fans via web and radio for songwriting material for his new album asking them to submit their stories of restoration, celebration, pain, hope and more. One thousand responded in the first two days alone, leading to the thousands that answered from across the world. He then spent two months in a cabin outside of Nashville, Tenn. reading every story and then transforming them into songs for the record. The songs range from joyful stories about adoption and victories over cancer, to heart-breaking letters of abuse and broken homes. "As stories began to pour in by the thousands, I quickly sensed that not only was something special taking place, but that my life was about to change," explains West. "During those months, my eyes were opened to see the world outside my door like I had never witnessed before."
* all dates subject to change, please visit www.matthewwest.com or www.facebook.com/matthewwest for the most up to date tour information and tickets.
9/17- Simpsonville, SC
9/18- Asheville, NC
9/19- Charlotte, NC
9/23- Rocky Mount, NC
9/24- Cary, NC
9/25- Dothan, AL
9/30- Savannah, GA
10/1- Grovetown, GA
10/2- Myrtle Beach, SC
10/3-Murfreesboro, TN
10/5- Chicago, IL (SOLD OUT)
10/7- Goshen, IN
10/8- West Des Moines, IA
10/10- Columbus, IN
10/15- Adrian, MI
10/16- Louisville, KY
10/17 - Powder Springs, GA
10/21- Springfield, MO
10/22- Lincoln, NE-
10/23- Kansas City, MO
10/24- Fort Wayne, IN
10/28- Colleyville, TX
10/29- Humboldt, TN
10/30- McAlester, OK
11/2- Longwood, FL
11/4- Ocala, FL
11/5- Clearwater, FL
11/6 Avon Park, FL
11/7 Sarasota, FL
Originally published September 15, 2010.
