photographer : Jake Harsh the Song Selection Process
WITH PHIL & KIM COLLINGSWORTH
The Collingsworth Family is consistently producing excellent new music . For those not in the music industry , can you help us understand the process for selecting the songs you choose to sing and record ?
Selecting songs is quite a process . Over the course of a year , we receive hundreds of new songs from writers , publishing companies , etc . Phil usually listens first to what we receive and bookmarks anything he feels we may be interested in . At this point , I come into the process and start listening to what he has marked as a potential Collingsworth Family song . There may be somewhere close to fifty songs left for me to go through . Once I ’ ve listened , I discard anything I feel is not a good fit . We then begin narrowing the selection down to twelve to fourteen songs for the project . This process can be quite difficult and usually happens in three ways .
First , we strive to ensure that the lyrics are biblically accurate and represent a theological position we want to promote .
Second , we select songs based on where they would fit in the concerts . We always need an excellent opener , a good ballad , a heartfelt , encouraging song , and uptempo songs .
Third , we select songs through much prayer . We take the selection process very seriously . These songs will be heard all over the world , and we simply don ’ t have the ability to know what is needed out there . Only God knows who will hear this music and who may need to hear the gospel message or an encouraging lyric that will help them get through a difficult place in their life . Songs have proven over and over to be a lifeline to people when they are in desperate situations . So , we must trust God to lead us and guide us in the choices we make . Prayer is by far the most important work in the song selection process . ■
22 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW