Eddy Mann is a creative musician, songwriter, 
worship leader, teacher, speaker, coach, husband and father led by faith. His life and music has constant vision of hope, peace and understanding through the eyes of a loving heart. As a musician and songwriter it was twenty years ago that he made the decision to offer his creative gifts to God. Since then he’s released seven CD’s and written countless songs for the church and world at large. On any weekend you can find him in a coffeehouse, in concert, at a conference, and/or leading worship.
His new fall album, The Consequence, the follow up to 2014’s Dig Love, will once again touch on the theme of a peaceful and loving existence, while delving into the consequences of our actions. Musically it continues down the path that Dig Love charted staying close to the Americana, roots rock, and singer-songwriter traditions.
Q. Take me back to the beginning of your career, can you tell me how you found your love and talent for music and how you decided to make it a career aspiration?
A. “In high school someone put a guitar in my hands and it changed everything. I was a really shy child growing up. It wasn’t until I played guitar did I feel confidence. In the beginning I wasn’t very good, but for some reason I still had confidence and could express myself without any reservation. So it was a natural thing for me. In college while studying business, I realized I needed to be on the road to get this out of my system. I realize now, it will never be out of my system. It was a journey that developed and blossomed quickly for me.”
“I took some time off when my children were young. I went back to school and was an educator for a number of years. (During this time) An assistant Pastor at a church got ahold of one of my albums, he enjoyed it and asked me to start a new service at the church.”
Q. What or who played an important role in developing your career goals and making the decision to take fate into your own hands to pursue a career in music?
A. “My father played piano when I was growing up, so there was music in the house. I have music genes from him and my mother was a creative person. I knew I would do something creatively. There was also a teacher who saw something in me and put it inside of me that if I work hard at anything, I could achieve. It was focused on my efforts. Later on as I grew in my faith, the spirit put it in me that there’s no reason to expect I wouldn’t be successful. I have no doubts and I’m inspired each day to create and see what will come out next.”
“When I started I was infatuated with the instrument. I listened and studied all the guitar greats in the past. Then it occurred to me what was getting me out of bed was the creative part of song writing. So began to dig into the great songwriters of the past. Try to understand why certain song resonated with people. I grew up listening to all types of music. When it came time for me to write I started naturally to write in different styles. Whatever we experience in our lifetime becomes part of the fabric of who we are so whenever we are creative it comes out naturally.”
Q. What do you enjoy or look forward to most about recording or performing music?
A. “I’ll be honest, when I picked up the guitar back in high school what I enjoyed most were the girls. As I became a professional, I thought it was cool I could make a living doing this. My career evolved from being a professional musician to a songwriter. Being able to write and touch other people. Being able to relate to other people who want to be creative or seek a career in music. It’s wonderfully humbling to touch other people in a spiritual way.”
Q. What is a memorable experience for you in your music career and how has it impacted you?
A. “I was doing a concert when a came in who lost her husband to cancer. She just wanted to get out of the house, saw an advertisement for the concert, checked out my music online and decided to come. We had a wonderful conversation on how she was lifted up, touched and felt a little bit better from the songs.”
“God does provide a moment to lift you up and give you strength keep you going. To continue on even when it seems the world isn’t listening. The latest album, Dig Love, was written during a season when I was watching the news and disappointed there was lack of compassion in the world. The songs came out naturally. Sometimes it can be a negative situation that spawns a positive result. I didn’t’ enjoy what I was hearing, but I found the songs were positive and trying to find a peaceful type of love.”
Q. What advice would you give to someone who may have a dream or desire, but is struggling with taking the steps to make them a reality?
A. “It’s valuable to enjoy the journey when things aren’t going well is the secret for me. My father gave me advice when I was a young boy that whatever way I decide to deal with the problems in my life, that would determine how happy I was going to be because there was always going to be another problem. So as a m
usician and creative person, my career is never still. It’s always changing and evolving just like our lives are. At one moment we could be in the deepest valley and five minutes later we could be on top of the mountain. For someone just starting out, the arts are tough because people judge the arts in ways they shouldn’t be judged. When I was teaching, I would challenge people to find the creative part of their brain and use it. You can’t get down because one person doesn’t like something you wrote or played or if you can’t get work right away. You just have to enjoy the journey and where you are at now. Perhaps write about where you are at now. There isn’t one person other than God that’s going to put a stamp on whether or not you have been successful in this life. We are all struggling in our own skin, to find our own way. I have written music that touches one person and goes write by another person.”
Q. Can you tell me some of your exciting plans for the rest of the 2016? What goals do you have for your career?
A. “I am looking to travel and play more. I’ve done a lot of recording in the past year and some projects are going to be released. I have a collection of worship pieces that are being released in September called Re:Prize. In November, I have the follow up to Dig Love being released called The Consequence. So I have a lot of new things I’m excited about. I have my plans, but I wont be surprised at all if there are some unexpected turns. I’m excited and confident about the future in what I’m doing and pleased I’m being used by God.”
Follow Eddy Mann on social media to stay updated on music and shows:
www.facebook.com/eddymann.musician/
Instagram: @eddy_mann
Farm Girl With Curls 