Looking for a great CD to pray along with? Matthew's latest collection is subtitled "Songs for Prayer" for good reason—these songs are meant to provide inspiration for prayer. When you really need to let go and let God speak to the depths of your soul, the heart of this album can help with soothing tracks like "Pour Out" and "Dwell". Also included are upbeat praise songs like "Wake and Rise," and a rocking version of "Be Not Afraid."
Matthew Baute (‘Bau-dee: rhymes with ‘howdy’) is an inspirational Catholic singer/songwriter whose gentle spirit is reflected in the style of music that he plays, effortlessly drawing listeners into prayer. Gifted with a deeply soothing vocal quality, his voice is perfect for creating the spirit-filled, reflective atmosphere that is a trademark of his prayer concerts.
Matthew grew up among the cypress trees and piney woods of Covington, Louisiana, just north of New Orleans. He received a drum for Christmas at age two and a plastic-stringed guitar the next year. These gifts sparked his love of music at an early age, and he began piano lessons soon after. Matthew sang in Catholic youth choirs throughout his teenage years, and he received his high school’s John Philip Sousa award for outstanding musician in 1988, leading the marching band’s drum line his senior year.
Matthew journeyed upriver to attend Saint Louis University, spending most of his free time in some musical endeavor, whether playing in the jazz/pep band, a pop/rock group, or mixing sound for a choral ensemble. Senior year in college Matthew received another seminal Christmas gift, this time a book of writings by Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk. The following months were a special time of spiritual awakening during which Matthew read many works by other Catholic monks and mystics, wondering what his own calling might be.
After graduating from SLU and additional musical studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Matthew felt God calling him to commit more fully to music ministry. In 2002 he began singing for Life Teen youth groups at several parishes around the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and served as youth music minister at Immacolata and Holy Trinity parishes.
For the past several years, Matthew has been ministering in churches across the Midwest, giving concerts and providing music for retreats, Masses, prayer nights, and Eucharistic Adoration services. In 2005 he was part of a music mission trip to the Caribbean island of Trinidad, and in 2006 he played at Kansas City’s “Rock The Light” Christian music festival, at which notable CCM artists such as Casting Crowns and Shawn McDonald also performed.
Matthew now travels to churches and dioceses across the United States as a full-time lay “music missionary,” sharing God’s message of mercy and love through song. He provides music for retreats and conferences, gives Eucharistic healing concerts, and presents workshops on the single life, youth music ministry, and healing through the annulment process, which he has experienced.
Matthew’s debut CD LOVE WINS ALL was released in the Spring of 2004, with several tracks of his original inspirational music receiving international airplay on EWTN’s Global Catholic Radio Network. In 2006 Matthew caught the attention of publisher World Library Publications, and his newest CD HOLD ME, LORD was released by WLP on Ash Wednesday 2007.
Matthew continues to serve as music minister at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in St. Ann, Missouri, leading music for the Sunday family Mass and a monthly XLT Eucharistic Adoration service whenever he is not traveling. He ministers regularly in Vandalia, Illinois, as part of a ministry team which sponsors monthly retreats led by priests from across the country with special charisms of healing.
