Matthew may refer to:

• Matthew (name), the given name
• Matthew (surname)
• Matthew (ship), the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497 from Bristol to North America
• Matthew (album), an album by rapper Kool Keith

In Christianity:

• Saint Matthew the Evangelist, one of the apostles of Jesus
• Gospel of Matthew, a book of the Bible

See also[link]

• Matt (given name), the diminutive form of Matthew
• Matthews (surname)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Matthew West
Matthew West playing a concert on the History 101 tour in September 2005
Background information
Birth name	Matthew Joseph West
Born	(1977-04-25) April 25, 1977 (age 35)
Origin	Downers Grove, IL, U.S.[1]
Genres	CCM, pop/rock, Adult contemporary, Indie pop[2]
Occupations	Singer/songwriter
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Universal South, Sparrow
Website	matthewwest.com

Matthew Joseph West^[3] (born April 25, 1977) is a Contemporary Christian musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released four studio albums and is known for his No. 1 hits "More", "You Are Everything", and "The Motions". He was nominated for five Dove Awards in 2005, two of which were for his major label debut album Happy.

First starting out as an independent musician in the late 1990s, he released three independent albums before signing with Universal South Records. With the release of his Dove Award-winning debut album Happy (2003) came the success of his first radio single "More", which stayed at No. 1 on Christian AC charts for nine weeks and received two Dove Award nominations. His second record History (2005) was followed by a 2006 re-release of the originally independent album Sellout. In 2007 he faced vocal issues which threatened his career with two months of prescribed vocal rest. His third studio album Something to Say (2008) also enjoyed chart success with No. 1 hits "You Are Everything" and "The Motions".

In addition to his main solo career, West has worked as a songwriter for many Christian musicians and groups such as Point of Grace, Mandisa, and Natalie Grant, as well as mainstream country acts Rascal Flatts and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Early life[link]

Matthew West was born on April 25, 1977 in Downers Grove, IL.^[4] As a child he was a fan of his hometown baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, and wanted to eventually have a career in baseball.^[5] He played baseball throughout high school, becoming team captain as a senior. He was hoping for a college baseball scholarship but instead ended up receiving a four-year music scholarship at Millikin University in Illinois. He graduated from Millikin in 1999.^[5]

Musical career[link]

West wrote most of his first songs in the sanctuary of his father's church while he was at home during college breaks.^[5] He was a songwriter and independent musician from 1997–2002, releasing three albums: September Sun (1997), Every Step of the Way (1998), and Sellout (2002).^[6][7] In October 1997, he went on a three-city tour to support of the release of September Sun.^[6]

Just before graduating from Millikin University in 1999, someone from the college recommended that West attend the GMA Music in the Rockies event for aspiring musicians. Although West was not interested at first, he attended after learning that other people signed him up and paid his entrance fee.^[5] He met a representative from Word Publishing at the event who took interest in him and kept in contact until he graduated. West landed in the finals of a songwriting competition and was offered a songwriting deal in July 1999, five weeks after graduating.^[5][6] After penning songs for well-known musicians like Billy Ray Cyrus and Rachael Lampa, he began touring the United States as an independent artist in 2000 and 2001.^[5][6]

On July 26, 2002,^[6] only a week or two before signing a record contract with Universal South Records, West had an injury to his left arm which threatened his musical career and guitar playing. He says, "I locked myself out of my house. But I'd done that before, and I had a way of breaking in through a window. But this time, I had a really hard time getting the window open. I started pushing up on the window really hard and my hand broke through the glass. Blood starting spewing out of my left arm everywhere and I ran down my street screaming for help. After seeing so much blood, I went into shock and just blacked out in the middle of the street. The next thing I can remember is some construction workers praying over me in Spanish and then being taken to the hospital."^[5] West was told that the chances were low of regaining the full use of his left arm, having come very close to severing a major artery.^[5] He recovered after the accident, however, and was able to continue playing guitar and record for his first studio album.^[8]

[edit] Happy (2003)

After signing with Universal South Records on August 23, 2002,^[6] West released his first non-independent studio album, Happy on December 26, 2003.^[9] The album's producers Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser co-wrote the song "More" with West.^[10][11] The track was his first and most successful radio single to date, staying at No. 1 on R&R's Christian Adult Contemporary chart for a record-breaking nine weeks.^[12] It was the most played Christian AC song of 2004^[13] and went on to be labelled as the Christian Song of the Year by ASCAP.^[14] Two additional songs, "The End" and "You Know Where to Find Me", were also released as singles off the album.^[15] Beginning in late September 2004, West joined Avalon and Mark Schultz on a 40-city fall tour, which concluded at the end of November.^[16] In 2005, he was nominated for five Dove Awards, including "New Artist of the Year" and "Song of the Year".^[17] He won the "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" Dove Award for his debut album Happy.^[18]

In early 2005, he was on the WinterJam 2005 tour, hosted by NewSong, with tobyMac, Building 429, Tait, and Rachael Lampa.^[19]

[edit] History (2005)

Matthew West at a concert on tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour in December 2005

With Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser once again as producers,^[20] Matthew West began recording for his second studio album in early 2005.^[15] History, co-produced by West, was released on June 21, 2005 on Universal South Records.^[21] The first single off the album, "Next Thing You Know", was released June 20, a day before the album's release.^[22] The theme of the title track "History" was inspired by a R&R music news headline "Matthew West Makes History", in reference to his first album, Happy. "It's not every day you read a headline like that with your name in it that calls you a history maker," he said.^[23] Beginning on September 14, 2005, he kicked off the 30-city History 101 tour, his first headlining tour, which included guest musicians Shawn McDonald and Paul Wright.^[24] He then joined tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour, beginning on December 1, 2005, along with John Reuben, BarlowGirl, GRITS, and DJ Maj.^[25] Two additional songs were released off History as singles: "Only Grace" and the title track "History".^[26][27]

His independent album Sellout was re-released in 2006 on Universal South Records.^[28]

Vocal problems[link]

West said that he began to experience "some vocal fatigue" in April 2007. He said "I had lost some of my vocal range, staying on higher notes and lower notes. I even began having a hard time speaking."^[29] At a vocal check-up in response to the issue, West's doctors at the Nashville Vanderbilt Voice Center discovered "hemorrhaging caused by some polyps".^[29] He was told by his doctors that vocal surgery was the only option, since a few weeks had passed.^[29] The surgery took place on May 17, 2007, a process that he said was "career threatening."^[30] Afterward, he was prescribed a two-month period of silence for vocal rest.^[29]

A video documentary titled Nothing to Say, directed and produced by Benjamin Eisner, was released in early 2008, highlighting Matthew West's time of silence and vocal recovery in 2007.^[31] In February 2008, the documentary was available exclusively in Family Christian Stores as a CD/DVD combo pack with West's album Something to Say.^[31]

[edit] Something to Say (2008–2010)

His next single "You Are Everything" was released in late 2007. The song was available as a free download from West's website.^[32] He also recorded a duet("Christmas Makes Me Cry") with American Idol finalist Mandisa which was released as a Christmas radio single in November 2007, from Mandisa's Christmas Joy EP.^[32]

Matthew West's album, Something to Say, was released on January 15, 2008.^[33] It reached No. 8 on Billboard's Top Christian albums chart, and peaked at No. 159 on the Billboard 200 chart,^[34] making it his first Billboard 200 album .^[35] It was produced by Brown Bannister, Ed Cash, and Christopher Stevens.^[36] West said in an interview that all of the album's songs had already been written and the title "Something to Say" had already been decided "months before I found out that I was going to have nothing to say."^[29][37] The first radio single released from the album was "You Are Everything". In March 2008, the song reached No. 1 on R&R's Christian AC chart.^[38] "Something to Say", the album's title track, was also released to radio, receiving airplay in June 2008.^[39]

Matthew West guested on tobyMac's 26-city "Boomin' Beyond Measure" tour along with Jeremy Camp.^[40] The tour ran from February 6 through March 21, 2008.^[41]

He was featured on the Billy Graham television special America's Dream: Chasing Happiness, which aired in the U.S. on March 1–9, 2008.^[42] The appearance included a world premiere of his music video for "Nothing Else", a song from History.^[42] On June 29, West hosted GMA's 2008 Gospel Dream, a televised Christian music talent competition.^[43] "The Motions" was released as his next single, placing at No. 1 on R&R's Christian AC chart in April 2009.^[44]

He has a song on the upcoming album of country artist Jo Dee Messina, and another under consideration by “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey. In December 2009, "The Motions" was Grammy-nominated for Best Gospel Song, his first Grammy nomination.^[45]

[edit] Story of Your Life (2010-present)

The first single from Matthew West's new album, "My Own Little World" was released on August 23, 2010. The album, The Story of Your Life, was released October 5, 2010, and according to West, is a response to thousands of life stories his fans shared with him. "The first day, I got 1,000 stories. All of a sudden, I was like, 'holy cow, something special is about to take place'. I rented a cabin in Tennessee, about 25 minutes from my house that felt like it was out in the middle of nowhere. And I spent two months in that cabin reading 10,000 stories," the singer/songwriter reported in an interview with CBN.com.^[46] Matthew is also starring in The Heart of Christmas.^[47]

Other songwriting[link]

In addition to his main solo career, Matthew West has also written songs for other bands and musicians, including Mark Schultz, Mandisa, Jump5, Sara Groves, Joy Williams, Salvador, Natalie Grant, PureNRG, and Point of Grace, as well as mainstream country act Billy Ray Cyrus. Rascal Flatts recorded Matthew's song "The Day Before You" on their album Feels Like Today.^{[2][11][48][49]} He co-wrote "Voice of a Savior" by Mandisa and "Thank You" by 33Miles, both of which were released as singles in early 2008.^[50]

Personal life[link]

Matthew West currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Emily.^[13][51] He married Emily on May 10, 2003 after proposing to her in September 2002.^[6] They have a daughter Luella Jane ("Lulu") and a daughter Delaney Ruth.^[52] The Wests own a pug named Earl "The Girl".^[23]

Awards[link]

GMA Dove Awards[link]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

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• 1997 - September Sun
• 1998 - Every Step of the Way
• 2002 - Sellout
• 2003 - Happy
• 2005 - History
• 2008 - Something to Say
• 2010 - The Story of Your Life
• 2011 - The Heart of Christmas

Singles[link]

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Compilation contributions[link]

• 2003: Festival Con Dios Vol. 3 – "More", from Happy (Inpop)^[4]
• 2004: WOW Hits 2005 – "More", from Happy (Sparrow)
• 2005: WOW Christmas: Green – "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" (Word)
• 2005: Night of Joy 2005 – "Get Away", from History (Disney)
• 2006: WOW Hits 2007 – "Only Grace", from History (EMI)^[54]
• 2007: Christmas Joy EP – "Christmas Makes Me Cry", a duet with Mandisa (Sparrow)^[55]
• 2007: WOW Hits 2008 – "History", from History (EMI)^[56]
• 2008: WOW Hits 1 - "You Are Everything," from Something to Say
• 2008: WOW Hits 2009 - "You Are Everything," from Something to Say
• 2009: WOW Hits 2010 - "The Motions," from Something to Say
• 2010: WOW Hits 2011 - "My Own Little World," from The Story of Your Life
• 2011: Music Inspired by the Story - "Good (Adam & Eve)," a duet with Leigh Nash (EMI Christian Music) ^[57]
• 2011: WOW Hits 2012 - "Strong Enough," from The Story of Your Life

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

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Former Winkler residence in Selmer, Tennessee

Matthew Brian Winkler (November 21, 1974 – March 22, 2006) was the victim in a high-profile murder case in 2006.

In the 1990s, Winkler attended college at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. Winkler was the pulpit minister at the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer, Tennessee, at the time of his death. Members of his congregation found him dead inside his home after he failed to appear at the church for a Wednesday-night service he was to lead on March 22, 2006. He had been shot in the back.

His wife, Mary Winkler, and the couple's three small daughters were reported missing along with the family's minivan. The state of Tennessee issued an Amber Alert, and Mary and the children were located the next day in Orange Beach, Alabama. Mary would confess to killing her husband and be charged with first-degree murder after extradition to Tennessee. She was released on bond, and her trial began on April 9, 2007. On April 19, 2007, she was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and was subsequently sentenced to 210 days in prison.

External links[link]

• Image of Winkler and family

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Fedde le Grand
Fedde Le Grand
Background information
Birth name	Fedde le Grand
Born	(1977-09-07) 7 September 1977 (age 34) Utrecht, Netherlands
Genres	Eurodance, House, Electro house, Tech House, Techno
Occupations	DJ, producer Fiancè- Tana StCyr 2002-Current
Years active	2003-present
Labels	Flamingo Recordings, Ministry of Sound Australia, Toolroom Records
Website	Official Web Site

Fedde le Grand (born 7 September 1977) is a Dutch house DJ and producer whose single "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" (UK/US) / "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit"^[1] (Europe, excluding UK) reached number one on the UK's singles and the top 5 in the Dutch singles chart, and spent five weeks in the Spanish dance chart. On 28 October 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Fedde le Grand placed at #29.,^[2] climbing to #21 in 2010 and #14 in 2011.

Biography[link]

1998 - 2000[link]

Inspired by Masters At Work and Mousse T, Fedde le Grand kicks off his DJ career in the Danssalon in Eindhoven. For two years he is the resident DJ on the Sunday night. He also plays Dutch clubs like Panama, the Escape and the Love Boat in Amsterdam, and Jackies, Thalia, Discothèque and Now & Wow in Rotterdam, De Rechter in Eindhoven and he can also be seen at Extrema. Fedde le Grand is also popular abroad and performs in Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Russia, Greece and Israel.

2001 - 2006[link]

From 2001 Fedde le Grand works on his own productions. His first release, under the name F.L.G., is the Electronic EP on Flamingo Recordings, a co-production with Robin M and with contributions from Funkerman (Ardie van Beek). Le Grand's records are released on labels such as Little Mountain Recordings (Sander Kleinenberg's label), Influence, Work and the British labels CR2 Records and Toolroom. Le Grand makes remixes for artists like Anita Kelsey (Every Kiss, 2004), Erick E (Boogie Down, 2005 and The Beat Is Rockin', 2006), Funkerman (The One, 2005), Olav Basoski (Proper Tunes, 2006) and Camille Jones (The Creeps, 2006). The DJ is a regular guest in Dutch radio show Ministry of Beats on 3FM radio. Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit (2006), an electro track with vocals by Mc Gee, is officially awarded 'the summer anthem of Ibiza 2006'. The single climbs to the top slot of the UK charts and is also a big dance hit in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Australia. Hiphop crew D12 from Detroit (known for their work with Eminem) puts out a vocal version of the hit record. Le Grand provides a remix for Robbie Williams' single Bongo Bong/Je Ne T'Aime Plus.

2007[link]

In March the DJ commences an Australian tour and as of May he tours the US. Fedde le Grand wins three prizes at the International Dance Music Awards staged at the Winter Music Conference in Miami (March). Not only he is Best Breakthrough Solo Artist, but also his hit Put Your Hands Up For Detroit is awarded in the categories Best Breaks/Electro Track and Best Underground Dance Track. On March 31 he receives a Danish Dance Award. On July Fedde le Grand he appears at Amsterdam's Westerpark edition of the worldwide Live Earth festival, supervised by climate guru Al Gore, who raises awareness for the global warming problem. Especially for this event Fedde le Grand writes the Mirror070707 Anthem. The festival is broadcast live on public Nederland 3 (TV) en 3FM (radio). At the same day Le Grand is prominently on the bill of dance event Sensation White at the Amsterdam Arena. During the tenth edition of the DJ Awards on Ibiza, Fedde Le Grand wins in the category Breakthrough. Le Grand's remix of Let Me Think About It, sung by Danish singer Ida Corr, reaches the Top 3 of the British charts. This makes it the third British hit single for the producer within a year. In the annual Top 100 of the influential British DJ Mag Le Grand the 22nd place which makes him the Highest New Entry. Under the name The Flamingo Project the single Take No Shhhhhhhh is released.

2008[link]

Fedde le Grand's club hit Put Your Hands Up For Detroit is mixed with Madonna's Music during the opening of Madonna's live shows. The American singer asks Le Grand to do a remix of her single Give It 2 Me, which is to be released in July. After Junkie XL Fedde Le Grand is now the second Dutchman to do a remix for Madonna.

2009[link]

The title track of Le Grand's debut album Output (September) is used in the promo videos of the OUTPUT World Tour and the Flamingo Nights. It's also being played by the DJ during the Ultra Festival in March in Miami. The first single of the album is released in May: Scared of Me, with vocals by Mitch Crown and a remix by Dutch producer Hardwell (Robbert van de Corput). Mitch Crown can also be heard on the Let Me Be Real (August). One of the remixes of the fusion between pop and dance is done by Kraak & Smaak.

2010[link]

The single Back & Forth has vocals by MC Mr. V. from New York (real name: Victor Font), whom Fedde Le Grand has met at the Miami Winter Music Conference in 2008. Le Grand again travels around the world for performances. He plays in Las Vegas and Chicago (January), Lausanne, Lyon, Munich, Bangkok and Jakarta (February), São Paulo and Miami (March), Casablanca, Berlin, Budapest, Birmingham and Düsseldorf (April), Hong Kong, Singapore, Quebec, Toronto, Seattle and San Francisco (May), Ibiza, London, Los Angeles and Broek op Langendijk (June). The DJ has just finished his set at the Love Parade in Duisburg, Germany, on 24 July, when 20 people are crushed to death at the entrance to the festival grounds. He offers his condolences to the victims on Twitter. The world tour continues in July and Augustus with performances in England, France, Turkey, Lebanon, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania. A tour around the USA with stop in New York, Los Angeles, and The Necto (nightclub) in Ann Arbor.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Singles[link]