• Although We've Come to the End of the Road…

    March 17, 2008 - Comments (9)

    Well, I would say this tour has gone by fast, but that’s not entirely true. Every tour ebbs and flows. One day it feels like the shows are flying by, and before you know it you’ve seen most of the west coast. Still, other days all you want is to wake up in your own bed, and to be far away from the all too familiar bus fumes. This spring, I have had my ebbs and flows, and as I am flying home from Tampa tonight, the last stop on the tour, I will do my best to re-cap this eventful 8 weeks of my life.

    I can remember a packed house in Seattle, and over 2 thousand people showing 2 hours early to watch my documentary, “Nothing to Say.” The radio station advertised the special screening of the film for anyone who had a ticket to the show. But, I couldn’t believe how many people came to see the film early. That was awesome! Seattle remains one of my favorite cities, and every visit brings it closer to the top of my list.

    I remember spending time with family in Omaha. My mom flew in for the show to visit her brother and sister-in-law. It’s always great to see family on the road. For a few hours, you forget you’re out of town. The joined me on a trip to a Children’s center in Omaha that helps place foster children. It was great to visit an organization helping kids in the area. I brought my guitar along and we sang some tunes. One little 4-year-old boy was a tough nut to crack until I found out it was his birthday. I made up a song for him, but his eyes didn’t light up until he got an autographed picture. He probably thought it was a pic of tobyMac… ☺

    I can remember the subtle wave of fear I would feel before walking on stage each night. The doubts that would come into my mind. It was just me and a guitar this time. All those people out there, and I’ve got no band, no fancy light show. Just me and a guitar. But then I remember the calm that came over me as I heard the crowd sing my songs back to me each night. I remember thanking God for using me in that moment, above the fear, in spite of the doubt.

    I remember talking with my ride to the airport tonight, and hearing the story of a guy who’s had his ups and downs. He heard my show, and heard me talking about my surgery. He told me how he fell 23 feet onto a concrete floor at a construction site, and nearly died. But he shared with me how he knows it all happened for a reason. He said, “Before that happened, my life was heading in the wrong direction. But the accident made me a better dad.” Wow! I was floored by this guy’s story. We pulled up to the airport, prayed together and thanked God for the lessons he’s taught us both through brokenness.

    And although this tour has reached the end of the road, I’m sure little details will pop up every once in a while, or a return visit to a city or town will take me back to this tour. I think it’s good to remember the events of our lives, and I believe how well we remember the details of our lives, depends on whether or not we lived in the moment. See, when we live in the moment, soaking up every day, we’re more inclined to want to remember. I hope I’ve lived in the moment enough. Because, I sure would like to remember.
    -mw

    Matthew West POSTED BY:
    Matthew West

    • 9 comments

    1. 1. Beth commented:

      Mon 17/3/08, 7:12 pm

      Y’know it doesn’t have to end. You can make one last BBM tour date in El Centro, CA. :)
      But great blog, Matt. I’m glad it went well!

    2. 2. Cheryl commented:

      Mon 17/3/08, 8:11 pm

      Hey Matthew,
      I caught the show in Tampa and was so excited to know you would be there singing one of my new favorite songs!
      Did you get more than 15 minutes? Did you get to sing the entire song with a real band? NO! What is the deal with Jeremy and TM? They didn’t have a white sheet as part of their show and they had all these lights and stuff. Just kidding Jeremy and Toby, I really loved the whole concert :)
      I checked YOUR tour dates and I am really looking forward to the upcoming dates in Florida.
      Thanks for your special stories (misspelled name) and testimonies about your faith in Jesus. They are really encouraging. My two boys LOVE your song “Next Thing You Know”. Everytime it comes on the radio, they scream “Turn it up, Mom! It’s that funny guy singing about Billy Graham!” See, they don’t know your name either, but they got the message.
      Your Windy City sister in Christ,
      Cheryl

    3. 3. Amy commented:

      Thu 20/3/08, 11:24 am

      Hi Mr. West!
      I saw you in Tampa, FL and I have to say that was the best concert i’ve been to. Hands down! To not only like all three of the performers, but to LOVE them… is unheard of. To be in the presence of men who reach thousands, not with a message of worldliness, but with words out of THE WORD, is incredibly encouraging. You must love your work, and it definitely showed. Thank you for a wonderful concert experience. Even though you were only on for a short period of time, you touched many hearts.
      My friend that came with me, turned to me during one of your songs and said, “When I was in High school, I had a verse hanging in my locker that said Walk by faith and not by sight.” Apparently alot of the “popular kids” made fun of her for that. But as she sat there Sunday night she felt so uplifted because everyone around us had the same desire to serve God. God Bless you for wanting to provide that to teens and adults all over this world.
      In Him,
      Amy Garcia

    4. 4. teia commented:

      Tue 25/3/08, 2:43 pm

      hey.
      thanks for singing
      keep singing for Him.

    5. 5. Amy from Maryland commented:

      Thu 27/3/08, 7:56 pm

      I had a front-row floor seat for your show at the Patriot Center. I specifically went to see you; no offense to Jeremy and toby, but if you’ve read the testimony I posted earlier, you already know how deeply your music has touched my heart and changed my life.

    6. 6. angie commented:

      Tue 1/4/08, 9:41 pm

      Well, i didnt get to see you….although i really wanted to…but it sounds like you had a good time and like many people were blessed by God through your life. May God continue to bless everything that you do.
      Take care!
      I’m glad you have “something to say!”

    7. 7. angie commented:

      Tue 1/4/08, 9:46 pm

      Well, i didnt get to see you….although i really wanted to…but it sounds like you had a good time and like many people were blessed by God through your life. May God continue to bless everything that you do.
      Take care!
      I’m glad you have “something to say!”

    8. 8. Kelli from tampa fl commented:

      Tue 8/4/08, 4:57 pm

      Hey Matt… i have posted a comment in one of your recent blogs, and said that i was not going to be able to attend the last BBM concert… well praise God i was able to be there! You rocked and so did jeremy and toby! i listen to your music all the time… my six year old sister was coloring the other day and she was singing “i love you more than the sun..etc..” it was great!
      God Bless

    9. 9. Paulina commented:

      Sun 17/8/08, 12:21 pm

      Matthew! I was @ the show in Seattle when you came with Toby and Jeremy….it was an AWESOME show! I really loved watching “Nothing to Say”. I’m so glad that the Lord has used you in my life, and in the lives of others. I was so excited to see that you’re coming back to Washington…hoping to be able to see you then!

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