The most played song on Christian radio in 2008 was “You Are Everything” by award-winning Christian music star Matthew West, according to a year-end report by Radio & Records.

Making its radio debut in October of 2007, “You Are Everything” maintained chart status for more than 11 months, making West the No. 2 AC artist of 2008 as well, reported West’s record label, EMI CMG, this week.

“It’s amazing to see how ‘You Are Everything’ has connected with radio listeners nationwide,” said Grant Hubbard, vice president of national promotions for EMI CMG, in an announcement. “As radio becomes more and more competitive, the fact that it stayed on the chart for over 11 months speaks to how powerful this song is.”

The release of “You Are Everything” came not longer after West recovered from what many feared to be a career-ending surgery.

In April 2007, West had begun to experience “some vocal fatigue” which doctors later discovered to be the result of some internal hemorrhaging around his vocal chords. The last-option surgery performed not long after forced West into a two-month period of silence for vocal rest.

“I am thankful to be singing again after recovering from what I thought could be career-ending vocal surgery last year,” said West in an announcement.

“‘You Are Everything’ was the first song I recorded in the studio after my recovery,” the 31-year-old singer and songwriter recalled. “So, to see the way it has connected with listeners through the radio just confirms to me there is a reason for everything that happens in this life. I sing with purpose now, and a renewed passion for connecting to the hearts of people through my music.”

Later this month, West is expected to join Christian rock band Sanctus Real on a 15-city tour sponsored by WAY-FM and World Vision. Most recently, West wrapped up a 27-city “Something to Say” fall tour with label mate Josh Wilson.

On the Web:

R&R 2008 Year End Charts at www.radioandrecords.com.


Used with permission.
http://www.christianpost.com/section/entertainment