MATTHEW WEST RELEASES YOUTUBE™ LIVE RECORDING OF HIS ENCOURAGING AND TIMELY SONG “HOPE RETURNS”

NASHVILLE, TENN. (MARCH 20, 2020) – Multi-award winning singer/songwriter Matthew West releases the first of six songs recorded in front of a live audience at the YouTube™ Space in New York City to celebrate the release of his album Brand New last month. “Hope Returns” is the first song released today with a powerful message in this time of uncertainty across the globe.

“I was so excited to receive an invitation to travel to NYC and film a special concert at YouTube’s Space just before the Brand New album released,” shares Matthew West about this opportunity. “At the time, nobody knew that we would soon be entering into a season where live events would be cancelled all across the country due to this pandemic called COVID-19. I now hope that these performances captured can shed a little light during a dark time in our world. I am so excited for you to see and hear these songs in this unique setting and thankful to YouTube for allowing us to take the music to the people even when our tours get canceled. I believe the season is now for this song, ‘Hope Returns.’ I hope the message encourages you during this time in our world where hope seems to be in short supply. Better days are coming.”

The remaining songs recorded will release throughout the year on West’s YouTube channel. In addition he visited Vevo for an intimate performance of two additional songs and these will be released on his channel over the course of the year.

“Usually, when an artist releases an album there are only a few songs that really get to see the light of day,” explains West. “Those tend to be the songs selected to be radio singles. But when I make a record, I want the world to hear every song! I always believe that each song has its own season where it can impact culture.”

As large live events have been canceled this week, West has taken his unexpected time at home to share with his fans each day on Facebook and Instagram Live with a special devotional time. The “Quarantine Quiet Time with Matthew West and Family” takes place every weekday at 11:30 am CT throughout this month. He shares an encouraging word with special appearances from his family. Tune in and be encouraged.

ABOUT MATTHEW WEST: Matthew West is a five-time GRAMMY® nominee, a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner and a 2018 Dove Award Songwriter of the Year (Artist) recipient. He has received an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a K-LOVE Fan Award and named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. A recipient of the Rich Mullins Impact Award, West also received a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track for the feature film “The Heart of Christmas.” He has been awarded a RIAA Gold certification for his single  “Hello, My Name Is” and RIAA Platinum certification for the song “The Motions.” In addition to his own recording career, he has co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards five times and has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa, Danny Gokey and others, along with back-to-back No. 1 songs by Casting Crowns including their recent single, “Nobody,” which features West. He was also nominated for a GRAMMY Award in 2019 for Casting Crowns’ song, “Only Jesus,” as a songwriter. In February this year, West released his new studio album, Brand New, which has already produced the multiple-week No. 1 single, “The God Who Stays.” The official music video has also impacted his audience hitting more than 6.4 million views.