Album Notes

In over a decade of writing and performing, artist and teacher, Kyle Matthews has emerged as one of Christian music's most prolific songwriters. He has written or co-written such well-known favorites as "If You Want Me To," recorded by Ginny Owens; "If You Want to Lead Me to Jesus," recorded by Grover Levy; and "God Forbid," recorded by Point of Grace. "We Fall Down," was recorded by Bob Carlisle, Donnie McClurkin and Mark Lowry with McClurkin's recording earning Kyle a Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, Stellar Award for Song of the Year, and ASCAP's 2002 award for "Gospel Song of the Year".

In 2003, Kyle received a Dove Award nomination in the Country Recorded Song category for his song "Inconvenient Christmas" cut by the Oak Ridge Boys.

Most recently, in the Fall of 2003, Kyle's song "I Cannot Turn Away" recorded by Curb artist Jamie Slocum landed the #1 spot at every Christian Inspo chart published, and in the spring of 2004, ASCAP awarded "My Heart Goes Out" (Warren Barfield, Creative Trust Workshop artist) as one of the 25 most performed songs of the year.

Kyle also has received critical acclaim as a gifted recording artist through the release of solo projects including "See For Yourself" (Benson), which features the Top Twenty CCM song "Been Through the Water." His most recent releases are "Sing Down" (2002), "Timeless Christmas Child" (2003) and Volume I of the Kyle Matthews Songbook (2004). Kyle is also an alumnus of Leadership Music (2004).

The thought-provoking and emotionally relevant songs on his albums demonstrate Kyle's commitment to sound theology and in-depth biblical teaching. Kyle's style of songwriting enables him to masterfully display truths through visual images in song. "Good songs draw pictures. A picture tells you everything you need to know. That's why Jesus taught in pictures," explains Kyle.

"I think there is a stereotype for what a recording artist should be that doesn't necessarily fit every artist's true gifts. My approach is to teach using music as an illustrative tool," says Kyle. In the intimate settings of concerts and conferences Kyle is able to utilize his unique combination of spoken word and song to illustrate biblical truths that motivate audiences to take the next step in their Christian lives. He does his teaching seated at a piano. "By combining these elements, I can more effectively point others to something beyond myself."

Kyle's "Piano Lessons" weekend conferences take a unique approach to presenting biblical content in a memorable way. One popular example is "Flying Lessons," a workshop that wrestles with what it means to actually "take up with wings as eagles" (Is.40) These lessons, each illustrated musically, present stages of spiritual development toward the freedom we are promised in Christ. Kyle's conferences engage the mind and move the heart with a variety of topics adaptable to any age group.

Kyle's website, www.kylematthews.com, is another place his listeners can connect on a deeper level. Designed to be a resource to churches and individuals, it contains articles about his songs and helpful perspectives on life, ministry, and Christian living as well as information on real-world opportunities to put their words into action. Visitors to the website can learn more about sponsoring a child through Compassion International, participating in the Wherry missions project near Nashville or supporting Graffiti's ministries on Manhattan's lower East side.

Kyle was raised in Waco, TX and Greenville, SC. After graduating from Furman University in 1986, he studied Music Theory and Composition at Baylor University before signing his first publishing contract in 1993. Throughout his career in the Nashville music industry, Kyle has continued to travel to perform and teach in settings as diverse as "Celebrate Freedom" (100,000 in attendance) to men's retreats at Laity Lodge (35 attendees). He has received grants to teach songwriting in public schools, to consult with churches on worship, and to serve as a resource for both the Gospel Music Association and the Samuel Project, a grant-funded mentoring program for people considering church-related vocations.

Kyle's music reveals him to be a person who thinks deeply and dares to ask the difficult questions of life. But for Kyle, wrestling with the complexities of life calls for a healthy balance of humor and playfulness.

Kyle and his wife Susan make their home in Nashville, Tennessee with their children, Emily and Christopher.