As field narrows, hometown crowd grows for Crystal Bowersox

Bowersox just one step away from becoming the next American Idol
BY CATHARINE HADLEY • Staff writer • May 20, 2010 Port Clinton News Herald

ELLISTON -- Crystal Bowersox fans were thrilled to see their star move into the finals of "American Idol" during the "hometown visit" elimination show Wednesday.

Each week, more and more people show up at the Trinity United Church of Christ fellowship hall for a viewing party. This week they got to see the Elliston native make it to the top two, and they also got to see footage from her concert at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds and her visit to Elliston on Friday.

The show production crew taped hours of footage, but some people weren't too concerned about what made it to the final edit.

Bill Bowersox, the singer's father, said he was moved more by watching his daughter's reaction to the hometown footage than he was by the footage itself. Crystal became emotional, and so did he.

Amber Gahler organized Friday's event at the church. "I didn't get to see it on TV," she said. "It seemed like Crystal really enjoyed herself."

Before the broadcast, Gahler said accomplishing a goal she'd been told was impossible was more important than being on television.

"She was here. We got her here. It was probably the last free concert where everybody will get to see Crystal," she said. "I'm happy. Her dad's happy. Crystal seemed happy. ... The goal was accomplished."

She said the most memorable thing Friday was watching Bowersox's reaction to the crowd at the fairgrounds. The singer had tears in her eyes.

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