Stories are in Matthew West’s DNA. It’s been 10 years since he has toured with Winter Jam and now, more than ever, he recognizes that each person on stage is also a storyteller — though with different styles and different types of storytelling.
“I definitely pride myself on taking people on a journey when I’m writing a song or writing a book or even when I’m on stage doing a concert. I’m getting the chance to tell a story and because my faith is the most important part of my life, I really feel like what I’m exploring as a storyteller is the opportunity to retell the greatest story ever told and how the story of God’s love can impact each of our stories,” West said.
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“That’s what every single one of us on this stage are doing. We’re telling stories and helping people to connect to God into their own stories,” he continued.
West is a headliner for Winter Jam 2026, along with other storytellers Chris Tomlin, Katy Nichole, Hulvey, Disciple, Emerson Day, Newsong, Zane Black, Anne Wilson (Wichita, Nashville, Grand Rapids), nobigdyl. (Atlanta), Jeremy Rosado, Heath Brothers and Cliff Preston.
‘Penetrating through barriers’
Russ Lee, one of the lead vocalists of NewSong, the band that started Winter Jam, said that even though each year the tour takes on a different personality, sharing the gospel is what Winter Jam is always about.
“Music has such a powerful way of penetrating through barriers and past walls and you know getting to people’s hearts. Music is such a great vehicle and the message is what’s most important about what we do,” he noted.
“We love to hear the stories about people whose lives are changed at Winter Jam and how God rescues. We’ve had people who were literally contemplating suicide and had written a suicide note and someone brought them to Winter Jam and their life was changed and they didn’t kill themselves,” Lee said. “We’ve also had people who have come to Winter Jam that were in trouble and that have come to Winter Jam who have been rescued and been saved and now they’re grownups and bringing their kids or bringing their youth group and their youth pastors.”
West has even had a full-circle moment related to this year’s tour. He’s led worship to some of Chris Tomlin’s songs and loves waiting in the wings, listening to all of the different artists before he gets on stage himself.
“I’m just excited to be part of this community. There is just so much talent and all these artists have a desire to be about a name bigger than their own. That’s what I think Winter Jam is — a collective that none of us are here for ourselves. It might be our names on the marquee, but it’s not our names that we hope people remember when it’s all said and done,” West said.
Winter Jam 2026 kicked off on Jan. 9th in Columbia, South Carolina, and after 40 concerts, they will finish in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on March 29 with a stop in Birmingham, Alabama, on Feb. 15. Tickets aren’t required but there is a suggested donation of $15 at the door.
For more information, go to https://jamtour.com/index.html.
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