Matthew West brings ‘Into the Light’ tour to Eastridge Church

Published 6:26 pm Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Matthew West’s first love was baseball, but he couldn’t throw a curve ball. But baseball’s loss has been a gain for fans of contemporary Christian music.

West will bring his “Into the Light” tour to Eastridge Church in Issaquah on Oct. 6. Joining him will be Jason Castro, known by many for his season-seven appearance on American Idol. Also joining the tour is the band, Sidewalk Prophets.

Originally from Chicago, West has been in Nashville since 1999 when he launched his career as a musician writing songs for other artists such as Rascal Flats, Diamond Rio and Mandisa, an American Idol alumna who is a gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist.

In 2002 he got his first record deal, and has since released six albums. He’s been nominated four times for a Grammy Award in the contemporary Christian category.

“I’m thankful to have the best of both worlds on a creative level,” West said.

The inspiration for the songs on West’s latest album, “Into the Light,” are stories from real people experiencing real challenges. West made a simple request on Facebook and Twitter and received more than 25,000 stories from people he has never met, including a soldier in Afghanistan.

“It’s like holding a mic to the audience,” he said. “Each one of these thousands of people are stepping into the light and telling their stories.”

He received stories from people battling cancer and other health issues. The title track was inspired by a woman named Alice who escaped an abusive marriage. The song is a vibrant pop anthem that exudes hope and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and God’s mercy. Another song, “The Power of Prayer,” was inspired by a 13-year-old boy who was weary of his parent’s constant fighting and his bad relationship with his dad.

“These are anthems for people who are going through difficult times of life and need a ray of light,” West said. “My faith is the driving force of my life.”

It’s common for country artists to tell stories through their songs. West said some of his music can be compared to country, but he said his voice doesn’t lend itself to country.

“Some singers have a pop flair, some have a country flair — my voice defies categories,” he said.

West is a Christian, who feels there is a great deal of junk on pop radio. He said he wants to put something positive on the radio.

Opening the show is a name familiar to American Idol fans: Jason Castro, the blue-eyed, dreadlocked singer/songwriter who placed fourth in season seven. Now 26, he’s married to wife Mandy and they have a 2-year-old daughter, Madeline. He’s been touring for five years, including one tour with pop singer Ryan Cabrera.

“Idol was pretty crazy,” he said.

Though he grew up around music and played drums all his life, he’d only been singing for a year-and-a-half when he auditioned for the show.

“My faith has been a really big part of my life, but I never dreamed I’d be a singer,” he said.

Castro is touring on the strength of his contemporary Christian album “Only a Mountain.” Sales have been good, he said, and he’s having a really good year, adding that Christ has guided him through his every decision.

And the dreads? He’s had them for nine years.

“I have no idea if I’ll ever change it,” he said laughing. “Hair products have changed since high school.”

Also on the bill is the band, “Sidewalk Prophets.” Together for 10 years, they have ministered to audiences that total in the hundreds of thousands, from church camps to 20,000-seat arenas.

All three acts often perform together in a jam, West noted, hinting that his wife and two daughters might join him on stage.

“This tour is unique,” West said. “It’s a more intimate project.”

Tickets for Matthew West’s “Into the Light” tour are $15 general admission. The show is at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Call 800-838-3006 or visit http://eastridgechurch.brownpaperticket.com for tickets.

Jason Castro will perform Sunday at Eastridge Church in Issaquah. He finished fourth in season seven of “American Idol.”

The band “Sidewalk Prophets” will perform as part of Matthew West’s “Into the Light” tour Sunday at Eastridge Church.