“Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.” -- Edward Bulwer Lytton
After stepping away from the spotlight at the height of her country music career in 2001, Franklin’s Cyndi Thomson is returning to her musical roots. Released last May, more than two decades since My World, Thomson's new EP, the six song Acres of Diamonds is a testament to the hold music has over us. Thomson said of the release, “Acres of Diamonds is the harvest of a quiet season – a reminder that even in stillness, something precious is growing.” We caught up with Thomson to ask about reclaiming her musical career.
Let's rewind to 2001 when "What I Really Meant To Say" was a number one hit. How did it feel back then when it catapulted you into the spotlight?
It was so exciting and everything that I dreamed of and more. I started dreaming about country music when I was 12 years old and so to be standing in that moment was just a tremendous feeling. You also think about all of the people that it took to get you there and I remember thinking about my parents and all the time spent investing in me. You want to celebrate all of the people in the midst of that moment.
You stepped away from the industry at a time when your career was taking off. What inspired that decision and how do you reflect on it now?
This gift that I had dreamed of doing my whole life was a fast-spinning world, and in the midst of it, I was having panic attacks and night terrors. I was having major heart palpitations and all of these things didn't make sense to me. My mind would race and I thought to myself, 'How could I be in the midst of my destiny, my purpose, and also feel all of these other feelings of fear and anxiety that are so overwhelming?' So I went to a doctor who prescribed me antidepressants, which were kind of a new thing back then. I think I was afraid to tell anybody I was feeling that way because I didn't want them to think I didn't appreciate what was happening or treasure what was going on in my life. It was weighing on me that everything I had dreamed of I had accomplished. But I'm really proud of myself looking back because I was young but mature enough to really think this isn't right. I took a long time to make the decision to walk away. I was prayerful and didn't make it haphazardly. I do not regret it. There are things I missed tremendously once I stepped away. I'm proud of myself. There's no amount of money or awards that could compare to this life I've created with my family.
What's going on with new music today?
I started releasing new music last year. There was a period of time before that where I really hunkered down and started writing the music we're putting out now.
CyndiThomson.com