Christian music tour Winter Jam 2016 comes to Columbia

A night of Christian music featuring some of the genre’s best-known musicians will stop by Columbia to deliver a powerful message.

Winter Jam 2016 is Christian music’s biggest tour, and it is making a stop Friday, Feb. 26 at Colonial Life Arena.

This year’s Winter Jam features headliners Matthew West, King & Country, Crowder, Red, Sidewalk Prophets, Newsong, Tedashii, KB and Lauren Daigle. Opening acts include Starts Go Dim and We Are Messenger. Evangelist Tony Nolan will deliver a message.

West released his album “Live Forever” in 2015, and his accolades include earning the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year several times, four Grammy nominations, an American Music Award and a Billboard Music Award.

We caught up with West before his arrival in Columbia, where he said those attending Winter Jam are in for an “incredible night.”

Can you tell me how your first got into music?

West: The majority of my youth was dominated more by a love for baseball than a love for music, if I’m being really honest. Music is something that became a passion of mine and a dream of mine as a result of a dream that did not come true. … My sights were set on playing baseball in college or maybe having a chance to play in the pros. It was when I found out that wasn’t going to happen … that I had to begin searching for, “OK, what else is out there that gets me excited to get up in the morning?” I grew up in a very faith-driven household. My dad’s a minister. They had always encouraged me to remember that while I might have plans and dreams, that the one who created me also has a plan and a dream for me. His dream and plan for me is better than my own.

Who are some of your main musical inspirations?

West: I’ve loved all different kinds of music, from oldies to country to pop to Christian music. To this day, my listening pattern is still pretty scattered like that. I’m kind of a melting pot in terms of what I sit down to write my own songs. Somehow it all blends together, and then I put out something that hopefully is uniquely me. I did grow up listening to artists like Billy Joel, James Taylor, Steven Curtis Chapman; a lot of singer-songwriters are what I can immediately relate to. John Mellencamp was someone that I loved because his songs were so simple and they were three chords. It was great for me to be able to pick up those songs quickly and easily and add them to my repertoire.

You’ve not only seen success in the Christian music genre but also in the mainstream. What do you think that says for you as a Christian artist?

West: I’ve never wanted to be pigeonholed or limited. Creativity can extend beyond any one genre. For me, when I first started writing songs, my goal was to just become the best songwriter I can be. … When I first moved to Nashville, (Tenn.,) I thought it was about getting a record deal, making my own record and going on tour. But when I first moved to Nashville, no one would give me a record deal. What I did get was an opportunity to be a behind-the-scenes songwriter. … Now I’ve kind of got the best of both worlds. I get to be creative and make my own music … and then I get to be a part of the music for other people. This week I’m celebrating a No. 1 song that I never even recorded. I wrote it for Casting Crowns.

What is it like to co-headline Winter Jam?

West: It’s such an honor. I’ve been on this tour before as an opening act, so this is my first time being invited as one of the headliners on the tour. I’m just thrilled. It’s the No. 1 tour in Christian music. It’s been the No.1 tour for all of music for the months of January, February and March, which is pretty crazy. I will say that this tour has become such a well-known entity. … It’s kind of less about who the artists are and more about the event and the anticipation that’s built around the event. I think that all of the artists, myself included, we all sort of pinch ourselves when we get to stand on stage in front of 17,000 people.

You are traveling a significant amount. What is your schedule like and how much are you traveling?

West: There are 48 cities together on this tour. We are traveling for the months of January to April. We’re getting close to the middle of this tour. We usually travel Thursday through Sunday, and then we’re home. Our weekends are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

West: Hands down, it’s hanging with my daughters, so any downtime I get is completely devoted to them. When you’re on tour, any downtime is I guess you could say making up for lost time. … Yesterday I was driving them to dance class and gymnastics. The day before, I was downloading a movie and watching it before bed. We had some snowfall in Nashville, so we’re out there playing snowball fights and things like that. For me, it’s going into dad mode. … My wife and I have been married for 12 years, and we have two beautiful daughters. My time is theirs when I get home.

When you are here in Columbia, will you have any time to explore?

West: We usually try to hop out and explore every city whenever time permits. … We’re always looking for a good local coffee shop. I try to find the best restaurants in town, which can get me in trouble – I’ve got to hit the treadmill. We’re always looking forward to exploring. I’ve been in Columbia before. I look forward to being back and seeing what there is to uncover.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 9:34 AM.