Interview with Steve Siler |
"Merciful Jesus" from What Hope Says project |
Q: Talk about your new music project called WHAT HOPE SAYS and what led to its creation.
A: Between the pandemic, social media, political polarization, and the rising suicide rate, it seemed to me that we needed to do something to address anxiety. All our consulting therapists told us that it was the thing they were hearing about the most from their clients. So that confirmed for us that this was where we should go next.
Q: The songs on WHAT HOPE SAYS are quite diverse. How did you go about choosing them?
A: Whenever we do a full-length topical project for the ministry, we always approach it using what I call the arc of healing. We start by writing songs that address what it feels like to be trapped in pain. That’s because I’ve learned that people will not trust you with their hope until you demonstrate that you understand their pain. From there, we take the listener on a journey through the key steps in the healing process as identified by our consulting Christian therapists. The arrangement and recording style of each song is determined by what will best convey the message of the lyrics. We arrive at the end of the arc by sharing a message of hope in Christ.
Q: What other topical issues have led to projects from MUSIC FOR THE SOUL?
A: We’ve covered 44 different topics including abortion remorse, eating disorders, pornography addiction, caregiving, grief, miscarriage, and suicide, to name a few. To date, we’ve produced 20 full-length projects in addition to single songs. Our contributing writers have a combined 173 #1 CCM radio singles and 22 Dove Awards. We also provide discussion guides written by professional Christian therapists, devotionals, spoken word, testimonials, books, and music videos.
Q: Who are the artists/singers on your recordings?
A: For the most part, the singers on our songs are professionals who work in the Christian music industry as studio singers. It’s the exception when we use a well-known recording artist, but we have certainly had major artists contribute to our projects over the years. I always want the listener to feel like the song is about him or her – not about who is singing it. I think that makes it easier for the listener to experience the song as part of their story.
A: Between the pandemic, social media, political polarization, and the rising suicide rate, it seemed to me that we needed to do something to address anxiety. All our consulting therapists told us that it was the thing they were hearing about the most from their clients. So that confirmed for us that this was where we should go next.
Q: The songs on WHAT HOPE SAYS are quite diverse. How did you go about choosing them?
A: Whenever we do a full-length topical project for the ministry, we always approach it using what I call the arc of healing. We start by writing songs that address what it feels like to be trapped in pain. That’s because I’ve learned that people will not trust you with their hope until you demonstrate that you understand their pain. From there, we take the listener on a journey through the key steps in the healing process as identified by our consulting Christian therapists. The arrangement and recording style of each song is determined by what will best convey the message of the lyrics. We arrive at the end of the arc by sharing a message of hope in Christ.
Q: What other topical issues have led to projects from MUSIC FOR THE SOUL?
A: We’ve covered 44 different topics including abortion remorse, eating disorders, pornography addiction, caregiving, grief, miscarriage, and suicide, to name a few. To date, we’ve produced 20 full-length projects in addition to single songs. Our contributing writers have a combined 173 #1 CCM radio singles and 22 Dove Awards. We also provide discussion guides written by professional Christian therapists, devotionals, spoken word, testimonials, books, and music videos.
Q: Who are the artists/singers on your recordings?
A: For the most part, the singers on our songs are professionals who work in the Christian music industry as studio singers. It’s the exception when we use a well-known recording artist, but we have certainly had major artists contribute to our projects over the years. I always want the listener to feel like the song is about him or her – not about who is singing it. I think that makes it easier for the listener to experience the song as part of their story.
Q: What style of music do you do?
A: Our songs reflect a variety of styles. There are songs with orchestras, there are songs with gospel choirs. There are songs with solo piano, there are songs with rock bands. There are up-tempo songs and there are ballads. If I had to select one category, I’d say the songs fall broadly into the pop music genre. Q: How do you choose the topics and issues you write about? A: We look for topics that are sometimes difficult to discuss. These are things that cause people to feel shame, guilt, or loss. I’m especially sensitive to the fact that pastors did not go to seminary to study eating disorders, pornography, trauma etc., Yet all these issues are found in every church. One of our goals is to provide a tool for church leaders that helps facilitate these discussions. |
Q: Is there brain science that supports what you do?
A: God has designed us so that a song is uniquely able to communicate healing. Language (lyrics) is processed primarily in the left hemisphere of the brain. Melody is processed primarily in the right hemisphere of the brain. As it turns out, that is where our trauma is held. So, when I talk to you, I’m only getting half of your brain and it’s not the half where your trauma lives. But if I sing a song to someone, I’m speaking to the whole brain, and the music can seep through the cracks in that wall of defense and gently open their heart where we can lay a healing message. And because melody and rhythm are memory devices, whatever I sing to you is going to have a far greater chance of being remembered. The therapists we work with tell me that our songs fast track the healing process. We have been endorsed by organizations such as Hope for the Heart, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the American Family Association.
A: God has designed us so that a song is uniquely able to communicate healing. Language (lyrics) is processed primarily in the left hemisphere of the brain. Melody is processed primarily in the right hemisphere of the brain. As it turns out, that is where our trauma is held. So, when I talk to you, I’m only getting half of your brain and it’s not the half where your trauma lives. But if I sing a song to someone, I’m speaking to the whole brain, and the music can seep through the cracks in that wall of defense and gently open their heart where we can lay a healing message. And because melody and rhythm are memory devices, whatever I sing to you is going to have a far greater chance of being remembered. The therapists we work with tell me that our songs fast track the healing process. We have been endorsed by organizations such as Hope for the Heart, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the American Family Association.
Q: Talk about the new song and video “Whole In The Sight Of God” and why you decided to release it after so many years.
A: This song is about what God showed me when my son was diagnosed in utero with Spina Bifida. Our story is in a different place now for me and my wife. But I realize that every day the story begins fresh for a new family, and that there are thousands of families who every day love a child with a disability. I wanted to offer this to those families as encouragement. It is our desire that this video be shared so there are no restrictions on it and people don’t have to ask our permission. If this will bless a church, counseling center, a ministry serving families with disabled children, or a friend someone cares about, I want people to know they can go ahead and share it. |
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Q: You are making your entire catalog available for a gift of any amount to churches, counseling centers, and the general public. Why did you decide to do that?
A: I never want anyone to go away without taking something they need because they feel they can’t afford it. We’ve heard countless testimonies over the years of our songs being life-changing for people, but we’ve kind of been the little engine that could. We haven’t been able to afford to pay for the kind of advertising that would help create a larger profile. To me, this approach is about scattering the seeds so that the resources can be more widely available to serve those who need them. Making them completely free would suggest they have no value, when they have proved to be invaluable for so many. That’s why we’re letting people assign whatever value they deem appropriate. If that’s one penny fine. If it’s $100 fine. The main thing is that these 225 recordings touch the people with hope and healing.
Q: Is Music for the Soul a record company?
A: No, we are a non-profit (501c3). We have no artist roster. We don’t support tours. We don’t seek to be in rotation on radio stations. We don’t lobby the music industry for awards. We are unique and difficult to categorize. Our songs address both mental health issues and spiritual issues. I feel like the songs serve as individual missionaries, going out into the world to minister to hearts, one at a time wherever they find them.
A: I never want anyone to go away without taking something they need because they feel they can’t afford it. We’ve heard countless testimonies over the years of our songs being life-changing for people, but we’ve kind of been the little engine that could. We haven’t been able to afford to pay for the kind of advertising that would help create a larger profile. To me, this approach is about scattering the seeds so that the resources can be more widely available to serve those who need them. Making them completely free would suggest they have no value, when they have proved to be invaluable for so many. That’s why we’re letting people assign whatever value they deem appropriate. If that’s one penny fine. If it’s $100 fine. The main thing is that these 225 recordings touch the people with hope and healing.
Q: Is Music for the Soul a record company?
A: No, we are a non-profit (501c3). We have no artist roster. We don’t support tours. We don’t seek to be in rotation on radio stations. We don’t lobby the music industry for awards. We are unique and difficult to categorize. Our songs address both mental health issues and spiritual issues. I feel like the songs serve as individual missionaries, going out into the world to minister to hearts, one at a time wherever they find them.
Q: What types of responses have you received from people who have heard MUSIC FOR THE SOUL projects?
A: There have been countless stories and testimonies sent to us, but I’ll share a few. One man told me our Somebody’s Daughter project saved his marriage. When his daughter got married he invited me and flew me down to Florida to be there. He told me that without that recording, he probably wouldn’t have been a part of his daughter’s special day.
A single mom showed up at our office to tell us her son had died by suicide. She had lost her faith. She said somebody gave her a copy of our Chaos of the Heart project. She told us: “Your song ‘How Could You’ gave me back my faith. I’m just screaming at God, but at least we’re talking again.”
A woman who had been considering abortion came up to me at an event and showed me a picture of her baby. She said the song “We Forgive You” from our Mercy Great Enough project made her decide to have the baby.
An elderly woman was caring for her husband who was in a vegetative state. She wrote to say that hearing ‘Whole in the Sight of God,’ was like having a support group present with her in her home. In the envelope were two crumpled one-dollar bills.
A man began to cry and rushed from the room when Becky Nordquist shared our song 'Heaven’s Playground' at the Gloria Gaither songwriting intensive event. When Becky saw him later she asked if he was okay. He said: “Yes. Those were tears of joy. It’s been more than thirty years since we lost a daughter to miscarriage. After hearing your song, I know where she is now.”
Q: What types of projects do you plan in the future?
A: We are currently working on a documentary for women who’ve experienced incest. We hope to complete it in 2025. We also have a song for single parents that we will be recording in October. The list of potential projects is endless, so we will just keep at it and serve as God leads.
A: There have been countless stories and testimonies sent to us, but I’ll share a few. One man told me our Somebody’s Daughter project saved his marriage. When his daughter got married he invited me and flew me down to Florida to be there. He told me that without that recording, he probably wouldn’t have been a part of his daughter’s special day.
A single mom showed up at our office to tell us her son had died by suicide. She had lost her faith. She said somebody gave her a copy of our Chaos of the Heart project. She told us: “Your song ‘How Could You’ gave me back my faith. I’m just screaming at God, but at least we’re talking again.”
A woman who had been considering abortion came up to me at an event and showed me a picture of her baby. She said the song “We Forgive You” from our Mercy Great Enough project made her decide to have the baby.
An elderly woman was caring for her husband who was in a vegetative state. She wrote to say that hearing ‘Whole in the Sight of God,’ was like having a support group present with her in her home. In the envelope were two crumpled one-dollar bills.
A man began to cry and rushed from the room when Becky Nordquist shared our song 'Heaven’s Playground' at the Gloria Gaither songwriting intensive event. When Becky saw him later she asked if he was okay. He said: “Yes. Those were tears of joy. It’s been more than thirty years since we lost a daughter to miscarriage. After hearing your song, I know where she is now.”
Q: What types of projects do you plan in the future?
A: We are currently working on a documentary for women who’ve experienced incest. We hope to complete it in 2025. We also have a song for single parents that we will be recording in October. The list of potential projects is endless, so we will just keep at it and serve as God leads.
About Steve Siler:
Steve Siler is founder and director of Music for the Soul. He is an accomplished songwriter and music producer with over 500 songs recorded in the Christian, country, and pop genres. His songs have been recorded by pop and country artists such as Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Patti Labelle, Kenny Rogers, and The Oak Ridge Boys, among others. In the Contemporary Christian music field, Siler won the Dove Award for Inspirational Song of the Year, and has nine #1 and 45 top ten CCM songs to his credit. Siler has written extensively for television including theme and underscore work for children’s animation, sitcoms, drama, sports, game shows, and news programming. He has also had songs featured in theatrical motion pictures. He is the author of three books, and the co-host of the Music For The Soul Podcast. Visit https://www.musicforthesoul.org/.