Christian singer Matthew West headlines Coke Stage tonight

The staff at Silverdale Baptist Academy felt such an allegiance to Matthew West's song "Do Something," they decided to make it the school's 2014-2015 theme song.

"We strive for our students to have an attitude of service, not to become complacent in a world that says it's all about me," says Christie Johnson, the school's director of advancement. "This song reminded us to follow through with acts of service, as all Christians are called to do."

In the song, West starts off by asking God that, with all the pain and trouble in the world, "Why don't you do something?" God replies: "I did, I created you."

West takes the challenge and, in the chorus, sings:

"If not us, then who

If not me and you.

Right now, it's time for us to do something

If not now, then when

Will we see an end

To all this pain

It's not enough to do nothing

It's time for us to do something."

In the song, West also says he's "sick and tired of life with no desire; I don't want a flame, I want a fire," and those words were especially meaningful to Silverdale.

"We wanted to challenge our Silverdale community to be that fire, then challenge our students to think beyond themselves," Johnson says. "We kicked off the school year by motivating our teachers and staff in the same way. We watched West's music video and gave them some time in small groups to determine what it was God was calling them to do specifically during this past school year."

The "Do Something" theme was reflected throughout the year on campus in the form of such items as posters, notepads and T-shirts.

And it helps that the school staff like West's music. "It's encouraging, thought-provoking and practical," Johnson says.

West, a multiple-ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner and a four-time Grammy nominee, also won his first American Music Award in 2013 for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist and Top Christian Song in the Billboard Music Awards last year for "Hello, My Name Is."

His music has been turning heads since his first release, "Happy," in 2003, when he was given a Gospel Music Association Dove Award, the Christian music industry's version of a Grammy, for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year. In all, he's been nominated for eight Doves and won one. He's also landed five No. 1 hits on Billboard's Christian singles chart, the latest being 2013's "Hello, My Name Is."

"The fact that Matthew West's popularity has skyrocketed does not surprise me at all," says Ted Gocke, morning show host and promotions director for J103, the local Christian music radio station. "He is genuine. What you see is what you get."

In 2007, West began having problems hitting the high notes and, at times, even speaking. Doctors discovered polyps on his vocal cords and performed surgery. There was a worry that he might not be able to sing again, but he recovered and his first single after surgery, "You Are Everything," became the most-played song on Christian radio in 2008.

Gocke says he's noticed a difference in West's music since the frightening surgery.

"Because of his almost career/ministry-ending throat illness several years ago, I have noticed his music really digs deep into what is important in life."

For the past five years, West also has asked to know fans' life stories, a request he made prior to writing songs for his 2010 album, "The Story of Your Life."

"God has uniquely designed your life and your story to impact the world in a special way. Your story matters to me, and it matters to the world. Will you be a storykeeper or will you be a storyteller?" he says on his website.

He received about 10,000 stories that he said ranged from triumph to tragedy, from pain to joy. Even after "The Story of Your Life," he has continued to use those stories to inspire his songwriting.

"He told me that it wasn't about just his story, but he wanted to share everyone else's story of faith, and that's what he has done for the last few albums," Gocke says. " The songs you hear are from actual stories of people who have shared with Matthew what God has done (and) is doing in their lives."

And West has a huge local fan base, Gocke says.

"Our listeners love Matthew West because his music is hitting them right where they live," he says. "His most current and popular song 'Day One,' encourages people to let go of the labels that they and society has placed on them -- let this be day one of their lives."

Festival-goers who've never heard West's music will be pleasantly surprised by his performance, Gocke says.

"When West leaves the Coke Stage, people are going to feel like they have a new friend -- that's just the way Matthew is."

Faith-based music has become increasingly popular in the last couple of decades. Gocke credits the growth to the amount of money and resources that is now put into writing, recording albums, videos and promotion in the Christian music industry, something that has not always been the case.

"But I feel the main reason it has caught on so much is because it is a reflection of where society is today. Our world can be really negative, confusing, stressful and easy for us to get disillusioned and want to give up hope. Christian music, like on J103, is a constant (and) a safe alternative to the negative influences of the world.

"There are all kinds of great music formats, but for music that not only impacts your daily life but your life for eternity; Christian music is becoming the fresh oasis in the desert.

"Christian music is not just entertainment, it is life," he says. "It makes a difference and people recognize and crave that, especially today."

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.