He sits at the coffee table, a sunrise streaming through a window at Ferroni's Allegro Coffee & Bistro in Middlefield.For Will Collens, the release of…
He sits at the coffee table, a sunrise streaming through a window at Ferroni’s Allegro Coffee & Bistro in Middlefield.
For Will Collens, the release of a recent single, “Surrender,” on iTunes makes him happy. But, as he talks, he gives credit to a higher power for getting him to this point.
“I’m designed to do music. God gave me talent and I want to use it,” he said.
Innovate Records, of Cortland, recently signed Collens, a local Christian music artist from Mesopotamia.
Collens, who wrote his own music, serves as a worship leader at Abundant Life Church of God in Middlefield.
His first single came out recently via iTunes and will go to 1,000 radio stations nationwide within the next three weeks.
He works for a local excavation company, Gingerich Excavating of Claridon, and pursues his passion on the side.
The Saturday before Memorial Day, he was preparing for worship the next day when he was inspired to write “Surrender,” which took five minutes.
He wrote the song and played it on his acoustic guitar. Innovate Records representatives, as well as President Jordan Biel, then contacted him shortly afterward and he went into the studio to record the song.
The radio-friendly song, which is 4 minutes and 46 seconds long and 4 minutes long for the radio edit, contains cello, bass, guitar, drums and a few keyboards. Collens cited influences such as Casting Crowns, dc Talk and MercyMe while developing the song.
He said his late sister, who passed from leukemia a decade ago, urged him to create music for God, not himself.
“So I vowed to God that I would do just that,” Collens said.
The bistro’s owner, Becky Ferroni, said she had become friends with Collens over the last few years.
“I’m impressed with what he’s done and it’s inspiring,” Ferroni said.
A long-time friend, Ruth Baker, said she is not surprised by Collens’ ability.
“It’s an awesome adventure he’s part of,” Baker said, adding she has known his family for 12 years.
“God’s given him a great talent,”?she said.
Baker, of Burton Township, said she is looking forward to what the future brings. Both said an album with 12 songs is slated for a spring 2015 release.
For Collens, it’s not about fame. It’s about helping others with his talent.
“I don’t care if I get famous,” he says, watching Ferroni and her mother prepare coffee in the bistro.
“I just want to help others with the talent God gave me.”
