Music has dominated Weeks' life for years

As it has with many singers and songwriters, music found a place in Hilary Weeks' life when she was young.

Weeks says she took piano lessons, and "found that I loved music over any other activity. While my siblings were outside playing, I was inside at the piano. When it came time to choose between sports and music, I was always drawn to music."

She wrote her first song at age 14. Back then, however, if "someone had told me that I would someday release six CDs, I wouldn't have believed them. And if they had told me that I would sing those songs in front of thousands of people, I would have run. I never had dreams or plans of becoming a singer or songwriter. I just liked music. I loved it. It was just that simple."

Weeks loved music and she kept doing it, and one thing led to another, she says. In 1993, her song "He Hears Me" was included on that year's "Especially For Youth" album. Three years later she released her first solo project.

All these years, five CDs and numerous awards later, she decided it was time to put together a compilation of some of her best-loved songs.

It is really a fan-driven project, Weeks says. "We sent an e-mail to all the people who had signed up on my Web site and asked them to list their top-five songs." She selected the songs for "The Collection" (released by Lumen Records) from that list, which includes "He Will," "All My Days," "Who You Are" and "Be Still." Two new songs, "Faithful," and "I'll Sing," are also included. There are also some new arrangements, so, she says, "it has a fresh feel."

The song that topped the list of fans' favorites was "He Hears Me," which didn't surprise Weeks. Not only has it been out for a long time, "but I think it has a message that a lot of people can relate to." That's included, as well.

Weeks will introduce "The Collection" tonight during a concert in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. She's excited about this chance to share some of the songs that have meant a lot to her. They embody everything that has been important in her career, she says, "love for God, love for family, love for friends, love for life."

If a lot of her music seems reflective, Weeks says some of that comes from growing up in Alaska. They had some wonderful woods next to her house that overlooked the ocean. "I spent a lot of time there. I would often see whales out in the distance." It was a great place to ponder and reflect on life, she says. "I think I've always had a little of that need and desire for quiet times. That has spilled over into my music-writing."