Matthew West Talks Career Highs and Lows with Songwriter AJ Pruis
By Movieguide® Contributor
On his podcast, singer-songwriter Matthew West spoke with his friend and band member AJ Pruis about songwriting and his experience in the Christian music industry.
The two began by reminiscing about how Pruis joined West’s band at just 20 years old.
“I just remember being so impressed by you but maybe concerned about your age…but then you absolutely crushed it and have continued to impress everywhere you go with your musical skills,” West told Pruis.
Pruis moved to Nashville to pursue music, where he had the opportunity to join West. Despite his age, he made the cut and began touring with the popular Christian musician.
Later in the interview, West asked Pruis if he had any disappointments as a songwriter.
“Can you think of disappointments you’ve had…or even a discouraging season you know, where you’re just like ‘what the heck?’” West asked Pruis.
“I mean in Nashville for sure I’ve had scenarios. I mean, a Nashville story for sure of like ‘man that was close.’ There was a little big town song I had that they loved…doesn’t make the record. And it’s just like those kinds of scenarios, they’re just disappointing,” he shared.
Despite facing some letdowns, Pruis remains optimistic. “There will be more songs, there will be more opportunities,” he said.
He also shared why he continues to work in the contemporary Christian music world/
“It’s the eternal effects of what we’re doing that…I don’t want to say it feels more important but, it does! When we are talking about Jesus…when we’re sharing the good news with people, it does matter more, and it does matter more to me,” Pruis explained.
Pruis continues to find success by writing uplifting songs for different artists.
“AJ Pruis recently celebrated his seventh #1 single, ‘How Far’ by Tasha Layton. Pruis co-wrote and produced every track on Matthew West’s latest release, Brand New, and Leanna Crawford’s self-titled debut EP. Pruis’s most recent cuts include “Worth It” released by Colbie Caillat, ‘twenty something’ from Alaina Springsteen, “How Can You Not” From Corey Kent and more. AJ has had cuts with Ingrid Andress, NEWSBOYS, Anne WIlson, Maddie & Tae, Matthew West, LOCASH, Scotty McCreery, Leanna Crawford, Sanctus Real, and more,” Combustion Music reported.
After West released his album “My Story Your Glory” in February, Pruis wrote, “I am so thankful to have produced on 19 and written on 14 of these songs. You are one of the best songwriters (@nsaiofficial approved) and artists to ever do it and I loved getting to bring these songs to life with you. Thank you to all the players, singers, engineers, producers and songwriters for all your hard work on this project. It takes a village and wouldn’t be the same without you!”
Movieguide® previously reported:
Songwriter and producer Jeff Pardo shared with Mathew West how giving up his dream of singing allowed him to discover God’s plan for his life.
Music has interested Pardo since he learned to play piano in third grade. By the time he was a freshman at Bellmont College, he had been writing songs for years and dreamed of becoming a full-time musician.
As he shared his music and collaborated with others at Bellmont, he realized that while people enjoyed the music he created on his own, they loved the music he created in collaboration with others. By his sophomore year, he felt prompted by God to focus on behind-the-scenes work rather than try to forge his way as an individual act…
The music world is certainly better to have Pardo as a songwriter and producer. He has been a collaborator on dozens of hits, including “Rise Up” by Cain, “My Jesus” by Anne Wilson and “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” by Katy Nichole.
Pardo collaborated with West and Wilson on “My Jesus,” which became Billboard’s No. 1 song on the Christian charts when it was released in 2021.
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