By Andrew Ellis, Editor
For the second year in a row the Midwest CMA Songwriter Forum concluded with the Nashville mentors choosing not one, but two songwriters for mentoring sessions in Music City. Brooke Lynn and Julie Eddy were the recipients.
“I honestly started tearing up when Marty said my name and said that him and Clay would like to write with me and help shape and better my writing,” says Lynn, 23. “What? I knew Erin (Grand) got the opportunity last year, and how cool is that for her, but I was just really taken aback and just so thankful.”
Eddy, 27, was so taken aback that she didn’t realize what had happened for a few moments after her name was called.
“It was very surreal! It took a moment for it to sink in and for me to understand what was happening,” says Eddy. “I am so honored to have been offered the opportunity to write with Marty and Clay again, and to be able to learn and create with them in such an intimate setting.”
The feelings are similar for Lynn. She especially grateful that such high caliber songwriters want to help out independent writers and artists.
“I am insanely excited and very much looking forward to working with both of them and learning from their expertise,” she says.
Lynn, whose new single “Lovin’ My Momma” recently debuted on 102.9 The Wolf‘s Hometown Country Sunday Nights show, called her family right after the announcement to share the news, and her 10-year-old brother Trevor was especially excited. A big music fan and aspiring musician in his own right, he had met Marty and Clay at the house concert they put on to kick off the weekend.
“My brother was freaking out and jumping up and down,” she says.
The two singer-songwriters share another thing in common, too. This songwriter forum marked their first official Midwest CMA event. Lynn was glad to finally meet a community of likeminded people that also came from her home state.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t know a lot of other people doing the ‘music thing’ in the Midwest,” she says. “So it was amazing getting to meet and get introduced to all of the music and artistry going on here!”
Originally from South Dakota, Eddy had only moved to Minnesota a little over a year ago with her husband. Since then she’s been gigging and networking every chance she can get around the Twin Cities, and the Songwriter Forum introduced her to even more people.
“I absolutely loved getting to meet everyone and spend time creating together and celebrating each other’s music,” she says. “We have so many talented artists and musicians right here!”
They’re both looking forward to getting as involved in the community as possible. Eddy says she loved “immersing” herself in the Midwest CMA community, and can’t wait for more events. Lynne says she’s looking forward to staying in touch with everyone she met, and meeting those didn’t attend at an event down the road.
“I am so grateful to be part of the Midwest CMA ,” she says. “And cannot wait to see how much the Midwest CMA organization grows in the next few years.”