In the midst of the last-minute rush to finish getting ready for the annual “Behold the Lamb of God” Christmas tour, Jill Phillips was kind enough to take a few minutes to answer some questions for SquarePegAlliance.net readers. Jill’s newest CD “The Good Things” releases today, and is available on her web site.

Ron Davis: You write a lot of your songs with Andy [Gullahorn]. How does the co-writing work with spouses? Do you sit down together intending to write, or does it happen randomly through your daily routine? Is it easier to write songs with your husband than it is to write with other songwriters?

Jill Phillips: I think our co-writing process has evolved through the years, mainly as we have had children. There used to be a lot more sitting down together and collaborating, but now we tend to finish things separately. He will bring an idea to me or I will bring one to him and we tend to work on our own and edit and finish it together. Maybe that is a function of efficiency more than anything. There are also songs that we know we are supposed to write and finish alone. It is definitely easier to write with Andy than anyone else for me. I enjoy learning from other writers too but overall Andy and I have similar music sensibilities and an understanding for what each other is going through and wanting to express. We live life together which helps! There is also not a lot of wasted time with small talk and getting to know each other that I find in some writing meetings. We aren’t worried about hurting each other’s feelings, we can share ideas in a safe and comfortable environment.

RD: “The Good Things” has some content that seems like it would be hard to write about – things like grasping the love of God, working to make a marriage last, and accepting the sovereignty of God. Do you have to work harder to write on these tough topics, or does it tend to come naturally as you deal with them in your own life?

JP: Yes, I do find it hard to write about some things that are personal but I also find it very rewarding. I just try to write about what I am dealing with, thinking about and learning from. That way the record really is a snapshot of where I was when I was writing the songs. There will always be themes that I write about on every record like grace, love, forgiveness, etc. just because I haven’t gotten a handle on them yet!

RD: The song “Resurrection” has a verse about Jody (Andrew Peterson’s “Queen of Iowa”). Meeting her seems to have been a significant point in Andrew’s life. What was your experience meeting her?

JP: I went to visit her for the first time with Andy and Andrew on a Christmas tour several years ago. It was profoundly moving and humbling. To be able to spend time with someone who is dying and is still praising Jesus with every breath is a gift. I was able to visit her again last spring and she opened her eyes at the exact moment Andrew was singing “I believe He is the Christ, Son of the Living God” and started mouthing every word. We were all weeping at the beauty of that moment. For someone to praise God in the midst of such pain and suffering increases my own faith and helps me to believe that His promises are true. I believe that we will eventually be free in a place with no pain and no suffering. I think of them every day and my kids pray for them. We get updates from Jody’s amazing husband John and we feel, as many do, that they are a part of our family.

RD: Speaking of Andrew, I know you’ll be out on his annual Christmas tour this month, but what are your plans to tour “The Good Things” in 2009?

JP: We have already started booking shows for the winter and spring and are looking at some possibilities for a tour. I haven’t decided which direction to go… Part of me wants to put together a run of intimate house concerts and part of me wants to take a band out and do bigger shows. As soon as I figure it out I will let you know:)

RD: Is it generally pretty easy to setup a concert with you? How would somebody unsure of (and potentially intimidated by) the process get you scheduled to play at their venue?

JP: Yes, it is really easy. They can e-mail Andy directly at andy@jillphillips.com and we can answer any questions they might have. People often write me on the site and ask why I am not playing in their state or city. The truth is, we need people to invite us and we need a place to play and we need the money to get there. So that is the very short answer but we would be happy to talk to anyone who wants to set up a show.

Thanks to Jill for taking the time to provide some insight on the new CD. I’ve been listening to it for a while now, and it really is some of her best stuff. Grab the new CD from the web site, or pick it up when you go see her with the rest of the BTLOG crew in concert this month. (Christmas tour dates here.) Either way, make sure you get it. You’ll really enjoy it.