By Andrew Ellis
Julie Eddy was looking for a way to reintroduce herself as an artist. She was searching for her truth, a voice and sound that was hers alone. Little did she know, all it took was a glass of wine and a late night call to her mom.
“Despite the time, she answered and we talked for over an hour,” Julie Eddy, 27, says. “She’s never ever left me hanging when I’ve needed her, and I’ve always felt like I wanted to be just like her.”
Afterwards Eddy’s admiration for her mom felt different, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. But soon it wasn’t just the wine she was pouring out. It was one of her most personal songs yet — one about her mom. Turning her admiration into lyrics wasn’t going to be hard, but making sure every word fit perfectly would take time.
“I knew I wanted it to be perfect in the way it described her,” she says. “I think I underestimated how hard it would be to describe her and our relationship in so few words.”
Getting “Like My Mama” right took about three sessions. She even enlisted the help of Midwest CMA award-winning producer Greg Huberty. She learned quickly that they work great together.
“I knew the vibe I was going for with the song and he did a great job of taking what I could play and describe to him and bringing it to life,” she says. “We have developed a friendship and a very honest rapport so we are able to be straight up with each other.”
As she prepared for the song’s release she used #likemymama to interact with her fans and connect her to new ones. She simply wanted them to post about their moms. Their reaction caught her off guard.
“It was so surreal. Songwriting has always been a way for me to tell my truth in an attempt to connect with others,” she says. “And it was really cool to see everyone connect with the song in such a real way.”
The song also doubled as a Christmas gift. Every year each member of Eddy’s family draws a name, and they have to make that person a gift. She wrapped up a bluetooth speaker for her mom, and pressed play when she pulled it out.
“There are no secrets between us so it was hard to keep it from her,” she says. “She cried like I knew she would, we hugged, and we both had a big glass of red win together.”
After a successful release show at the Troubadour Wine Bar she had big plans for writing here and in Nashville, recording, and gigging. But like every other artist the COVID-19 pandemic has required her to adjust. So Eddy has been putting everything into songwriting and planning her new album.
“Although I miss playing live shows and connecting with fans in real life,” she says. “I am excited about having this time to hone in on my craft, and make this record one that fully encompasses who I am as an artist.”