In almost two decades of writing and performing his songs, Kyle Matthews has emerged as one of Christian music's most prolific songwriters. Of his over 60 cuts by major artists of disparate genres, he has penned such well known songs as "If You Want Me To," recorded by Ginny Owens, "Everything and Nothing," recorded by Vince Gill, "One and the Same," recorded by Cece Winans, "God Forbid," recorded by Point of Grace, and "Been Thru the Water," recorded by Kyle.
Kyle's song "We Fall Down," recorded most notably on a multi-platinum release by Donnie McClurkin, won numerous music industry awards, including the Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Song of the Year, the Stellar award for Song of the Year, and ASCAP's 2002 Christian Song of the Year. His songs have been broadcast and performed in concerts around the world and have appeared on television shows such as the Oprah Winfrey show, as well as the BET and WB networks, among others. He is a 2004 alumnus of Leadership Music (Nashville).
Kyle's itinerant, ecumenical ministry includes almost as many speaking engagements as concerts, because those opportunities allow him to blend his songs and storytelling with preaching and teaching. His music company, "See for Yourself Music," produces recordings, print music, and devotional materials which model Christian "edu-tainment" more than "entertainment." He has served as a teaching resource for both the Gospel Music Academy and the Samuel Project, a grant-funded mentoring program for students considering church-related vocations. Kyle also welcomes opportunities to teach creative writing and music in non-religious settings. Through a "Partners in the Arts" grant in Virginia, for example, he has taught songwriting and creative writing in public schools.
But Kyle's music is only a reflection of his deeper commitment to sound theology and spiritual health. Part of his mission is to motivate people to serve others in a way that allows them to meet Christ in "the least of these." In that endeavor, he is a recruiter for the Wherry Project, a transitional housing ministry near Nashville, TN, which combines the provision of renovated, low-cost shelter with programs for child development and adult support groups on a variety of issues. Kyle also serves on the board of directors for Hand Up Africa, a non-profit organization sending road paving and farming equipment to the people of Uganda, and he is a child sponsor and sponsor recruiter for Compassion International. In the course of his travels, Kyle lends temporary support to other deserving ministries and organizations, and he is an active part of a local congregation. The "Helping Others" page of this website is a resource for people interested in learning about, contributing to, and participating in some of these helping ministries.
Kyle lives in Nashville with his wife Susan and children Emily and Christopher, writing for Universal Music Group and traveling to perform and speak. In April of 2006, his Alma Mater, Furman University, awarded him the Richard Furman Baptist Heritage Award recognizing "a graduate who reflects Baptist ideals by thinking critically, living compassionately and making life changing commitments."
