Smashing Buttons: A Conversation With Matthew West

By Darren Tromblay

Winter Jam, the world’s largest Christian music tour, is making a highly anticipated stop at Casey’s Center in Des Moines this Sunday once again, bringing together a who’s-who lineup of some of the top Christian artists and speakers in the world for an uplifting night of a faith-filled celebration, worship and music.

Doors open at 4 p.m. for general admission, and the main show kicks off at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 suggested freewill donation at the door.

The 2026 tour features powerhouse headliners such as Matthew West, Chris Tomlin, Katy Nichole, Hulvey, Disciple, Emerson Day, and NewSong, along with speaker Zane Black.

West, one of the biggest names in the Christian music industry as well as a accomplished author in his own right, sat down with ListenIowa recently to talk about the tour, the joys and struggles of writing, and learning how to “smash that like button.”

How are things going on Winter Jam 2026 thus far?
It’s been awesome man. We’re having a blast. Winter Jam has been true to its name. We’ve been going to one cold weather city after the other. But what a great way to kick off the new year, incredible crowds every night and just people coming ready to start their new year off with a big, old concert and a worship experience. We’re having a great time.

How many Winter Jams have you been involved with, Matthew?
Well, this is, I think, my third or fourth time doing the Winter Jam tour. It’s my first time in 10 years, so this is my kind of 10-year anniversary! It’s pretty exciting to come back as one of the headliners, too.

In addition to your music, you just released a book, “Don’t Stop Praying: The God Who Hears Is Just A Breath Away.”
Yeah, over the years, I’ve written a bunch of songs, and that’s really been my passion, but, you know, every now and then I’ll get to the end of writing a song, and I’ll see maybe how that song has connected with people, and I feel like there’s more to unpack. As a storyteller through song, you learn how to tell your story in three minutes and make it rhyme. But there’s only so much I can say. And so, in the case of the song, “Don’t Stop Praying,” I just heard so many stories of how that song impacted people and reminded them of the power of prayer, and I just felt compelled to kind of unpack that topic on a deeper level, just even in my own personal life, and out of a desire to make sure that I’m remembering the most important conversation I’m going to have every day is with my Creator. And so, I turned it into a 40-day devotional, and, I’ll tell you what, I’ve written and released a lot of songs, but it’s just as rewarding to finish a book and release it. 

I was going to ask you which was harder to write, a book or a song. Because I know the process in writing a book can be quite extensive as well.
It really is, especially the editing process. I think you learn quickly not to fall in love with your first draft, you know, and there’s a lot of similarities like that that I’ve experienced writing songs and writing books. It’s harder to write a book than a song, I’ll tell you that much, but I love it, and I love what the book is about, and it’s been so cool to get that in people’s hands and see them kind of making it a priority to go deeper in their prayer life.

So where do the biggest differences lie?
The biggest difference is that songwriting can be such a collaborative experience, and it’s a very verbal and vocal one, whereas when you’re writing your book, you’re stuck in the quiet between you and your laptop. I work with a friend of mine and decided to treat my book writing kind of like how I write songs, and try to make it more collaborative. So much of the process of writing this book was having a conversation back and forth with my friend and getting all of my stories out and like kind of verbally processing what I wanted to say before I actually sat down with the laptop. That really helped me out. It’s a very in-depth and laborious kind of experience, going through the editing process and all the different drafts. But the pride you feel when you’re finished with it is pretty special.

And is this your ninth book, correct?
Yes. 

In the past, had what kind of books had you written?
You know, all different kinds, devotional books, mostly inspirational living. With “Don’t Stop Praying,” there might be a certain song that seems to resonate with people, beyond just a song. For me, that’s always been important. It’s like, I’m not interested in just a song. I want to be a part of a movement. I want to create songs that somebody listens to and goes, “Okay, that’s my anthem. That’s what I needed. That put words to how I was feeling.” I think that’s one of the things that Christian music kind of tends to separate itself from other genres. It’s not just like, oh, this is a catchy tune. It’s like, people listen to Christian music to find a song that can be a lifeline and an anthem for them as they’re going through the fight of their life. The books have been very similar to that.

Give me a direct example.
I had a song called “Hello, My Name Is,” which was all about just discovering what your true identity is because we live in a world obsessed with the topic of identity right now. I have another book that I wrote during the COVID pandemic called “The God Who Stays,” which was just a reminder of God’s closeness to us during difficult times in our lives. 

You probably have a million ideas roaming around in your head at all times.
I’m already working on my next book — number 10 — which will probably come out sometime next year. 

You are veritable artistic machine, Matthew.
I appreciate that. I try to stay moving, you know? I like myself the least when I’m not moving. I think there’s there’s something to be said about momentum in life, and so I like to keep my plate full. I get inspired, and I hope my kids will learn that in their lives as a result of watching me. I have never been afraid to fail. And sometimes I do, but it won’t be for lack of trying. I hope my kids will live their lives that way, too.

You’ve written a lot of hit songs and won a lot of awards in your career, but what’s the one thing you’re going to be most proud of when it’s all said and done?
Hands down, I would hope to be most proud of the work that was done inside my own home. It’s so crazy how things continue to come more into focus. Like, you would think maybe the more success you have, the more in love with that success you become. But, you know, I’ve watched documentaries over the years of athletes and sports stars who reach the top of the mountain and still feel empty. I think that’s always been a cautionary tale for me just to remember what really matters. And so when I think about what really matters, my thoughts immediately turn to my relationship with my wife of 23 years and with my two daughters and my parents. And then I go, “Okay, I want to be a success in my own home, and I want to always make sure that I don’t place more precedence on a bank account or a hit song or a best-selling book or whatever.” Those are all well and good to set goals and try to live your life with excellence and run your race well, but, hands down, that’s (home) the most important part of my life. Hopefully it will be said of me that I wasn’t two different people: one person on stage and another person behind closed doors. 

Do you have any good behind-the-scenes Winter Jam 2026 stories so far?
What’s been really fun for me on this tour is my oldest daughter is actually on tour with me, and she’s so much fun to be with. And my girls have been coming out on the road with dad ever since they were little. And so the last time I was out on Winter Jam, my daughters were young, and they’d have their little scooters riding around the arena, but these days, one of my favorite things I do every day with my now-20-year-old daughter, is find a good little coffee shop, and we go and take a walk and have coffee together. Sometimes after the show we’ll find a good restaurant, and the band and I and my daughter will go have a good dinner together. The other night our arena was near a Top Golf place. And so we went and showed how terrible we are at golf. (laughs) It doesn’t get any better than that.

And I saw on your Facebook page that she taught you how to “smash the like button.” (laughs)
Yeah, I love embarrassing them every chance I get. (laughs)

Winter Jam 2026
When: Sunday, March 15
Where: Casey’s Center, Des Moines
Tickets: $15 (suggested donation)
Time: Doors open at 4 p.m., show 5 p.m.