Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Father knows best: the Collingsworth Family

The Collingsworth Family.

Phil Collingsworth doesn’t fit the stereotype.

He is an example of the apple falling far – very far – away from the tree.

However, there have been no complaints by the rest of his tight-knit family.

“He’s very tender-hearted with his kids,” Phil’s wife Kim says. “He can cry at the drop of a hat. His father was the exact opposite. He was a military dad.

“He was not saved (for most of his life). He got saved five years before he died (in 2006). Grace changed a lot of things in his life.”

Phil Collingsworth

While taking a significantly different path than his own father, Phil has watched his musical gang swell into a traveling family of nine as they delight Southern Gospel Music fans across the country.

“There’s probably nothing that brings me more joy than seeing my kids excel,” Phil admits. “Probably the one thing that brings me most fulfillment out of the experience we have is now seeing our four children and our three in-law children take ownership in this. They see themselves as concert artists. Everything is viewed through that lens. That internalization process feels like the fulfillment of me being a father. I was able to transfer my dreams from 30 years ago to my children.”

The group’s progress has vastly exceeded expectations.

“I didn’t envision this,” Phil points out. “It was not Kim’s idea at all. Kim was brought along by the power of the Lord. She’d much rather be home, keeping house, cooking and cleaning and going to Walmart. She has absolutely no ambition in the concert realm, but she’s one of the most talented people out there. She feels strongly about us doing it due to the calling of the Lord.

“I did not envision that it would morph into a full-time entity. I didn’t think it would become a company. I never dreamed that all of this would happen, but the Lord has been a phenomenal blessing.”

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Getting Familiar with the Collingsworth Family

The Collingsworth Family. Photography by: Jake Harsh

You may think you know The Collingsworth Family, but did you ever wonder where it all began? When did Kim discover her passion for music? How did she and Phil meet? What was it like growing up in the Collingsworth household from the kids’ perspectives? All your questions and more will be answered as Kim takes you through their journey. You may even hear from the rest of the family along the way.

Kim Collingsworth describes her childhood days and her encounter with her Heavenly Father at the age of three: “My earliest musical memories are of my mother playing the piano in our home. I have eight siblings, and she was very good at entertaining us or helping us find ways to entertain ourselves. I vividly remember her playing ‘Chopsticks.’ My siblings and I, upon hearing this song, would always run around the coffee table and chase each other.

Kim Collingsworth

“I loved it when Mother started playing. It was time to have fun. I was around three years of age when I first started to play. My dad was a minister. One particular Sunday evening, I remember my father preaching a message on the gift of wisdom that God gave to Solomon. I was captivated and drawn in by a statement my father made in the sermon. He said, ‘Solomon asked for a gift, and God graciously granted it.’

“That got my attention that night. I began to think immediately in my mind that I wanted to do the same thing. I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to talk to God when I get home tonight.’ Now keep in mind, I was about three years old. I didn’t have the mental capacity to understand much of anything, but there was one thing I did believe. If I talked to God, He would hear me. I never doubted for a moment that God would answer my prayer.

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Kim Collingsworth’s Majestic honored with a SILVER TELLY Award

Kim Collingsworth’s Majestic honored with a SILVER TELLY Award.

Majestic, starring Kim Collingsworth and produced by ViewFinders TV has been awarded the Telly’s highest honor.
The Telly Awards were founded in 1979 honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV programs and broadcast specials. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
The production, Majestic was recorded in front of a sold out crowd in Greenville South Carolina’s Memorial Auditorium.
Under the direction of Kim White and the ViewFinders production team, Majestic was captured in high definition and recorded in surround sound.

The elaborate scenic design, dramatic lighting, and special effects were the perfect complimented to this extraordinary program.
A prestigious panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals judge the Telly Awards. This year there were nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, and with less than 10% of entries chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, this is truly an honor.
Clarke Beasley, Executive Director of The National Quartet Convention stated: “We are so proud to present Kim Collingsworth with The Telly Award for Majestic on Friday during our afternoon showcase. The NQC has worked with producer Kim Ryan White for over 15 years. In fact, Kim and her company, Viewfinders TV are handling all NQC’s broadcasting production and live streaming. Kim White is the best in the business. We are honored to have her and her staff share our music with the world.”
Majestic is available on DVD & CD by visiting thecolllingsworthfamily.com And you can find out more about ViewFinders at viewfinderstv.com

Anthony Burger Instrumentalist Of The Year Nominees for 2014 Diamond Awards

It’s time to get to know the 2014 Diamond Awards ‘Anthony Burger Instrumentalist Of The Year’ Nominees. This award is named in honor of one of Southern Gospel’s most beloved pianists, Anthony Burger. This award will be handed out at the Diamond Awards celebration on November 4, 2014.

The Diamond Awards have a long history of being a gala event with surprise guests, great music and an evening of worship.  These Awards are being held at Creekside Gospel Music Convention at Pigeon Forge on November 3rd through 6th. They recognize the best in Southern, Country and Bluegrass Christian music and are hosted by SGNScoops digital magazine and Coastal Media Group.

We urge you to reserve your FREE tickets HERE.

SGN Scoops would like you to meet our top-five finalists for each category of the 2014 Diamond Awards.

Today’s category is the the Anthony Burger Instrumentalist Of The Year, awarded last year to Gordon Mote.

Rob Patz and Kevin Williams

The 2014 Nominees for Instrumentalist Of The Year are:

Kim Collingsworth

Gordon Mote

Kevin Williams

Jeff Stice

Matthew Holt

The Diamond Awards are swiftly approaching. Reserve your free tickets today!

A Night You’ll Never Forget…with The Collingsworth Family! GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE FOR MAY 31 TAPING

Spartanburg, SC – The evening of Saturday, May 31, 2014, promises to be one Gospel music lovers will never forget, as the multi-award winning Collingsworth Family will be featured at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in Spartanburg, SC. This exciting evening will feature two live concerts that will be video taped! This special night promises be a once in a life-time experience for true Collingsworth Family fans and all those who enjoy exceptional, inspiring, uplifting music and rich family harmony.

The first concert will feature The Collingsworth Family with a full live band, original set design and special lighting effects! This portion of the evening promises to be a powerful night, featuring the new repertoire from this Dove Award winning family’s recently released THE LORD IS GOOD recording.

Following an intermission, those attending this special evening will witness an intimate glimpse of Kim Collingsworth, “THE ARTIST”, as the auditorium is transformed into a Sanctuary of worship. Kim will share her piano mastery on her personal C7 Yamaha Concert Grand Piano. Kim will share her testimony, original arrangements fully orchestrated, breathtaking artistry, and an offering of enthusiastic praise. The evening will be brought to a climax as 3 additional Yamaha Grands are moved to the stage for a PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA of celebrity pianists from across the country!!

The Collingsworth Family’s concert video, FEAR NOT TOMORROW received a DOVE AWARD for LONG FORM VIDEO OF THE YEAR from the Gospel Music Association in 2012. The videos that will be taped at Spartanburg’s historic Memorial Auditorium on May 31 promises to garner even more honors and accolades for this multi-talented musical family.

Make plans to be a part of this night of excitement, spiritual anointing, family-emphasis, and musical excellence with THE COLLINGSWORTH FAMILY in Spartanburg, SC at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on May 31 at 6:00pm. The event is welcomed by WSSL FM’s Sunday in the South with Mark & Jerri Ferguson and is a Sunday In America Concert. Complete information regarding this exceptional evening is available by calling 864-582-8107 or by visiting www.crowdpleaser.com.

A Night You’ll Never Forget…with The Collingsworth Family!

Spartanburg, SC – The evening of Saturday, May 31, 2014, promises to be one Gospel music lovers will never forget, as the multi-award winning Collingsworth Family will be featured at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in Spartanburg, SC. This exciting evening will feature two live concerts that will be video taped!  This special night promises be a once in a life-time experience for true Collingsworth Family fans and all those who enjoy exceptional, inspiring, uplifting music and rich family harmony.

Following an intermission, those attending this special evening will witness an intimate glimpse of Kim Collingsworth, “THE ARTIST”, as the auditorium is transformed into a Sanctuary of worship. Kim will share her piano mastery on her personal C7 Yamaha Concert Grand Piano.  Kim will share her testimony, original arrangements fully orchestrated, breathtaking artistry, and an offering of enthusiastic praise.  The evening will be brought to a climax as 3 additional Yamaha Grands are moved to the stage for a PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA of celebrity pianists from across the country!!  

The Collingsworth Family’s concert video, FEAR NOT TOMORROW received a DOVE AWARD for LONG FORM VIDEO OF THE YEAR from the Gospel Music Association in 2012. The videos that will be taped at Spartanburg’s historic Memorial Auditorium on May 31 promises to garner even more honors and accolades for this multi-talented musical family.

Make plans to be a part of this night of excitement, spiritual anointing, family-emphasis, and musical excellence with THE COLLINGSWORTH FAMILY in Spartanburg, SC at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on May 31 at 6:00pm. The event is welcomed by WSSL FM’s Sunday in the South with Mark & Jerri Ferguson and is a Sunday In America Concert. Complete information regarding this exceptional evening is available by calling 864-582-8107 or by visitingwww.crowdpleaser.com. 

HARMONY ROAD CHRISTMAS SPECIALS FEATURE COLLINGSWORTH FAMILY AND TRIUMPHANT QUARTET Co-Hosted by Scotty Inman

Signal mountain, TN December 5, 2013:

Harmony Road is pleased to present special Christmas programs, airing the next two weekends on The Heartland Network, theWALKtv, WATC57 Atlanta, www.wmjn29.com and other outlets.  These programs are co-hosted by Scotty Inman and feature the music of The Collingsworth Family, and the Triumphant Quartet. Harmony Road is hosted by Singing News Publisher and Solid Gospel radio host, Les Butler.

Music includes “Mary Did You Know” by the Triumphant Quartet, and a powerful rendition of “Oh Holy Night” performed by Kim Collingsworth on the piano as well as classics including “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, “Winter Wonderland” and “Mary Did You Know”.  Harmony Road will feature Christmas music the first three weeks in December. This week’s program originates from the beautiful lobby of the Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN.  You can find more info at www.musicroadresort.com.

More information on Harmony Road and its growing list of affiliates can be found at www.watchheartlandtv.com , www.harmonyroadtv.com or www.facebook.com/harmonyroadtv, or www.thewalktv.com.

Other team members include musician Cody McVey providing special interviews and insights, as well as Roger Spears, Producer and Allan Rhodes, Technical Director

Scotty Inman Special Guest Co Host on this Week’s Harmony Road

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN April 17, 2013

Gospel singer/songwriter Scotty Inman will be guest co host of this
weekends Harmony Road TV program, seen on TNN/The Nashville Network
and other outlets. Scotty and host, Les Butler will introduce music
from Triumphant Quartet (featuring Inman), the beautiful “I Got
Here as Fast as I Could” from Mark Bishop, Kim Collingsworth with
a stirring Piano solo, The Shaffer band and their concept video “I
Believe”, and Karen Peck and New River with the hit song “Hey”.

Shot at the Music Road Resort in Pigeon Forge, this week’s program
features a variety of songs and artists ranging from a classic
quartet, a soloist, an instrumental and 2 mixed groups. More
information on the Music Road Resort can be found at
www.musicroadresort.com. The resort hosts several gospel events per
year including the Triumphant Quartet’s Anniversary Celebration this
fall.

Harmony Road can be found each week on TNN, The Nashville Network on
Sunday mornings at 8 Eastern, and on other outlets. Information on TNN
and its growing list of affiliates can be found at www.watchtnn.com.
Go to www.harmonyroadtv.com for other times and channels. Harmony Road
is also seen on theWALKtv. For a list of affiliates and information on
streaming, including ROKU, go to www.thewalktv.com.

You can also find Harmony Road each Saturday evening and Sunday
morning on WMJN29 in the Huntsville/Decatur, Alabama area and streamed
on the internet at www.wmjn29.com. The program is also shown on Sunday
afternoons in the Anniston/Gadsden Alabama area on tv24, and on
Charter Cable in Clarksville and Jackson, TN where it’s also available
“on demand”.

Other members of the Harmony Road team include Ball Brothers pianist,
Cody McVey, doing interviews and stories “from the road”, as well as
Randy Liner, Technical Director and Roger
Spears, Producer.