Whether it's writing a song or a column for CCM Magazine, writing notes to his fans on his Web site or jotting down ideas for future books, Christian music singer/songwriter Matthew West loves working with words. "Words (can) be powerful whether they are set to music or not," he notes during a break from working on his upcoming album. "I'm finding my voice in different arenas" where, he says, he has no music to hide behind.

Since West released his debut album, "Happy," in 2003, this 29-year-old singer with classical vocal training has caught the attention of not only members of the Christian music industry, but the songwriting industry, too. "Happy's" single "More" was named Christian music song of the year by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. His songs have been recorded by a number of other Christian recording artists and country music band Rascal Flatts.

West performs Saturday at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland.

It's not just West's peers that respect his writing. His fans find his love of writing allows them to get to know him.

His songwriting style is influenced by "classic" songwriters like James Taylor and Billy Joel and Christian music superstar Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriters that write about the life they've experienced or see around them.

Through songwriting, West says, he reflects on his own journey through life. "I feel like songwriting has forced me to be open about my life," he says. He can't, he emphasizes, write a song without writing about his life, so his fans hear about his love for his wife or the birth of his daughter. "Whatever the journey is, those are the things I have to write about."

But it's not just through his music that West's fans get to know him.

On his Web site, for instance, he regularly writes personal notes to his fans, giving them insight into his everyday life, from adventures with his dog, a pug named Earl the Girl, to feeling the responsibilities of being a first-time father to what life is like on the road. "Every opportunity I have to reach out to the audience Ð to share the lessons I'm learning Ð I enjoy allowing the audience to take that journey with me," he explains.

West performs Saturday before the Portland Pirates hockey game. Folks purchasing a ticket to West's concert also can attend the Portland Pirates/Worcester Sharks game at 7:05 p.m. West takes the stage at 4:15 p.m. and performs until 5:30 p.m. West will sign autographs after the performance.

For the concert, you can sit wherever there is a seat available in the quarter and main decks of the Civic Center, but you will have a designated seat for the hockey game. You can leave between the concert and the game, but you will need to have your hand stamped and your ticket to get back in for the game.

Tickets are available if you want to attend the hockey game only.

News assistant Stephanie Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6455 or at: sbouchard@pressherald.com