After spending a year at KSU, Cyndi Thomson went on to use her experiences as inspiration for her musical career.
In fact, Thomson reached number one on the country charts in 2001 with her single “What I Really Meant To Say” and recently told the Sentinel that the single, her favorite composition, is about a boy that she knew at KSU.
The unnamed prince charming played baseball with a college team in Tifton, Ga., where Thomson grew up. Later, Thomson’s crush moved to Kennesaw, unaware that she would see him again when she attended KSU in 1996.
She dated the baseball player on-and-off during her first year at KSU and one day had a realization when supporting him in the stands.
“As I watched the scouts [when] I was in the stands, I realized no one was scouting me,” Thomson said. That’s when she decided to attend Belmont University in Nashville, a concrete step in pursuing her dream to become a country music artist.
Thomson recalled her time at KSU as an exciting time, as it was her first taste of freedom away from home. She told the Sentinel she believes her experiences at KSU have influenced her music.
“It was a sweet time in my life,” Thomson said.
“What I Really Meant To Say” was a song from the heart about the romance Thomson left behind when she decided to move to Nashville. It was her first single and watching it go number one solidified her dreams.
Thomson’s music has been heavily influenced by her relationship with God and her small town background — two things she is very grateful for.
She decided to pursue a career as a country music artist one overwhelming day when she was watching Trisha Yearwood perform “She’s In Love With a Boy.” Thomson remembers praying to God and hearing his voice for the first time, reassuring her with “you’re gonna do that.”
Thomson explained that the inspiration for her music has changed as she has grown.
Now Thomson’s music is often influenced by different types of writing, including spiritual and devotional books, compared to her first album, which was heavily influenced by personal experiences.
Today she continues to find inspiration in her personal experiences. Thomson has a husband of 16 years, a 13-year-old and a nine-year-old, all of which serve as encouragement and inspiration.
Thomson is in the process of writing a book about her unique experiences while continuing to work on new music.
