Matthew West's own history was forged while growing up in a pastors family in suburban Chicago. An all-around athlete, Matthew actively pursued baseball, dreaming of one day playing in the major leagues, perhaps even for his hometown Chicago Cubs. Those visions changed when his dad gave him a guitar after he graduated from high school, allowing him to begin to experience the power music had to move people. After college, he hit the road as an independent artist, performing at schools and coffeehouses across the country and earning recognition from the National Association of Campus Activities. His gifted songwriting and charismatic stage presence began to draw attention from the music industry, leading to a move to Nashville where he was offered a songwriting contract by Word Publishing.

Several years later, Matthew was the first Christian artist signed to the Universal South record label founded by country music industry veterans Tim DuBois and Tony Brown. Whether on stage, or at home outside Nashville with Emily and their pug Earl The Girl, Matthew fervently lives out his passion to make history by impacting the lives around him. And in spite of all the twists and turns along his journey, West rests in knowing God has a perfect plan for his life.

I'm realizing God is making history with my life, not just with the chances to write a hit song or play in front of thousands of people, but He is shaping my history throughout all the moments of my life, Matthew concludes. I hope that History can be a reminder to never underestimate Gods plan for our lives. Because every moment that we are alive, history is in the making.