Today we’d like to introduce you to Cole Collins
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My start was with music performance. I played the drums in my middle school church band. I come from a family of musicians and had constant access to most common instruments when I was growing up. Shortly after learning to play the drums, I learned enough guitar to write a song. So I started jotting down the best lyrics my 13 year old brain could come up with (Which were just awful) and asked my dad to set me up in his recording studio. As I continued writing songs, my dad taught me all about audio engineering and music production, which sparked a love for the craft that has continually grown since then. I would force myself to learn enough of each major rock instrument that I was able to add them into my recordings. I learned the drums, guitar, piano, bass, violin and glockenspiel. “An impressive list” you might say, But don’t be fooled, I really only consider myself a drummer. All the others on the list take pain staking work and countless redo’s in order for me to capture any kind of a decent take. My true passion is for the composition. I love the process of a song going from a simple melody to a great big symphony. In earlier days, I spent countless sleepless nights working on my music. I would sometimes tell friends I couldn’t hang out because I was too busy working on music. I chose not to go to college and instead went straight to working wherever I could. In 2019, I was approached by a local artist who wanted to have me produce his EP. The conclusion of that EP marks the time that I started taking on more independent music production work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can honestly say that I’ve had a pretty smooth career so far by my own standards. I have always had my eggs in several different baskets. So when I don’t have a project in the studio, I’m usually working as a private contractor for production companies and venues. I also play the drums in a local cover band. However, I don’t attribute any success or opportunity I’ve received with any of my own ambition or self elevation. Rather, I attribute it solely to God’s provision over myself and my family. We try our best to operate within the wisdom of Matthew 6:25-34 Where the Lord Jesus tells us “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” – Matthew 6:26-27… And… “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34. True success for me is measured by the degree in which one is willing to surrender to the will of God and follow His Word above all else. Underneath that is providing for my family and leading them closer to the Lord. And beneath that are my personal career goals and ambitions. Considering both the wonderful gifts and the hard times, the Lord has always provided for us everything we need, and nothing we don’t. Of course, I’ve certainly had things in my life that I don’t need. But I am always both the sender and the receiver of those things.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve done a substantial amount of live audio engineering over the passed five years in addition to my work in the studio. But I would say I’m more widely known to be a drummer and music producer. From the first brainstorming session, to the final mix, I specialize in the full production of musical (and non musical) studio works. People tell me I have a keen ear for detail. As for what sets me apart… I suppose it would be my desire for each song to stand on its own two feet as an original work and trying not relying on whatever trendy formulas or fads are floating around at the time.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
As an independent contractor, my level of risk for un-employment could potentially be considered higher than others. But I believe anyone who works hard at the opportunities they receive and truly gives all their effort will do just fine anywhere they find themselves. A friend once gave me some good advice saying “Perform the same for a room of 10 people as you would for a room of 10,000”. That’s helped me a lot on days when I’ve felt like phoning it in because I wasn’t particularly enjoying whatever it was I was doing. It can also be likened to a Parable in the gospel of Luke in which Jesus says “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10. I don’t think about risk all that much. Because I know that every moment of my life is held in the hand of God and that I’m not the master of my own fate. And therefore, if I keep in step with the spirit of God, he will always take me where I need to be. King David understood this well when he wrote “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:1-4
Pricing:
- I work on a “Per-Project” basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colecollinsmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colecollinsmusic/
