'This message is needed': Matthew West to perform at Frazer, talks faith, music and more

Montgomery is in for a challenge when Christian artist Matthew West rolls into town Friday. Since his tour began, he's been searching for the loudest city to cheer him on. 

"We're just having a great time seeing people make noise," West said. "Families bring their kids. People are making road trips. You start to feel a sense of normalcy again after a couple of hard years where nothing has felt normal."

West is performing at Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Highway at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $100, and are available by calling 855-481-1991 or at matthewwest.com. 

At heart, West is a storyteller. 

"Sometimes I'm singing. Sometimes I'm speaking," West said. "I'm always amazed at the different places I get to travel to, to sing and speak for people."

He's also an author. West's new book "The God Who Stays: Live Looks Different with Him By Your Side" is set for release on Sept. 6.

Me On Your Mind

West's latest single dives into the words of Jesus, who would leave 99 just to save one who is lost. West feels like that one.

"'Me On Your Mind' is a special song to me," West said. "I started crying a little bit when I wrote it, to be honest. It just felt like it hit home for me. It felt like a very personal conversation between me and God. I think a lot of times people in this world, we've been made to feel like we don't matter. The world just kind of beats you down a little bit. I wanted to write a song that highlighted the fact that the world might make you feel like you're a nobody, but you're somebody to your creator. He made you. He knows you. And he wants to have a personal friendship with you. That's really the heartbeat of that song."

Expressing faith

People often have a difficult time talking about faith. Was that ever the case for West? 

"My faith really is the driving force of my life," West said. "You know, I think if you have a faith, it really should inform just how the rest of your life goes if you're serious about it."

West said he was 13 when he decided to put his faith in God. Today, at 44, He can't think of a message that's more important to sing about.

"When I started writing songs, it just felt like it was embedded in what I do," West said. I really never had a desire to sing about anything but the most important part of my life. That's really where that comes from. I never really looked back."

It's about putting out music to help hopeless people find hope. 

"There's a lot of people who are desperate for hope these days," West said. "This message is needed."

Writing songs for others is a different process

Another aspect of West's life is his work as a songwriter. It's like a separate career from life as a Christian performer. 

"I actually started my career behind the scenes, writing songs for other recording artists," West said. "That's a big part of my career still. When I'm not making my own records, I'm helping other people make theirs."

The creative process to write for other artists and tell their stories is much different than when West is writing for himself. 

"Your job is to help facilitate the creative process of another artist," West said. "I get super excited about that. I love it."

He's also written music for movies. "They'll say, here's the script. We need a song inspired by this movie," West said. "I kind of call that assignment writing, and I really enjoy that process when somebody gives me an assignment."

The great joy of fatherhood

Along with music, West has another important calling a husband to wife Emily for 18 years, and father of two young girls, Delaney Ruth West and Luella "Lulu" Jane West. 

"There's nothing more important than the job that God has given me and blessed me with of shepherding the lives of two amazing daughters," West said. "I get choked up when I talk about it, because I love them so much. They're just incredible human beings."

West is the first to admit that it's not easy.

"I don't always have the right answers, and I don't always do things the right way," West said. "But God gives me grace, and he gives me wisdom, and helps me lead my family to the best of my abilities."

So, are the girls showing any sign of following dad into the world of music?

"Not so much, They kind of treat it like, well, that's dad's job. We'll let him do that," West said. "I don't push them toward it. I just say, whatever you're passionate about, I want you to pursue."

West's nonprofit group a ministry for healing

West and his dad have a nonprofit group popwe. Through it, they've helped people get into recovery centers, sent out weekly devotionals across the country, 

"It's mainly in place to serve as an extension to the music," West said. "A lot of people reach out to me to share how they might be going through a tough time. They might need support, or counseling or help in a different area of their lives. We set up this nonprofit organization just to be there for people. We talk a lot about the power of our story, and how all of our stories have some broken chapters, and areas that need healing."

Learn more about it at popwe.org.

Come Home for Christmas

West said he celebrates Christmas all year round. And though it's not quite summer yet, he's busy making plans for a "Come Home for Christmas" weekend concert event in West's hometown of Franklin, Tennessee on Dec. 2-4.

"I'm always looking for ways to connect with people," West said. "The fact that people have connected with my music means to much to me. I don't take that for granted."

After a special VIP concert Dec. 1 for 75 people in Columbia, Tennessee, West will come to Franklin for three days of Christmas events - a tree lighting, carols, storytelling, Christmas dinner, concerts and worship. 

Tickets are $525 and are available online at eventbrite.com. 

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.