By EJ Young for Helium
Once upon a time, a little girl from Ohio did not get to live in a fairy tale world. Yet, her life could end up as a happily-ever-after story. It’s the elusive American Dream. The Crystal Bowersox fairy tale is a version of that dream.
Crystal’s American Idol success story transformed a little girl without much magic in her childhood into a pop princess who spins music into gold. She remembers knowing she was destined to be a musician since the time she was 6 or 7 years old. By the time she was 10, she had some paying gigs. At age 12 she was organizing business cards and playing venues chauffeured by her dad. By 17 she considered dropping out of high school to focus on a music career. She stayed in small town Ohio long enough to get a diploma before setting out for the streets of Chicago where she eventually auditioned for American Idol.
Her story epitomizes the ideal of the American success story. She went from having nothing to signing a music contract in less than a year without selling out. She stayed true to her music and to herself, never pretending to be something she was not. She stayed classy but did not conform or bow down to the judges; instead she spoke as a confident young woman. Along the way she defeated huge obstacles to reach her goal. By reaching that goal she solidified a solid financial future for herself and her family. Call it the American Dream or a Fairy Tale but it’s a refreshing story of never giving up on your dream.
A glance at her childhood makes her happy ending seem even more remarkable. After her parents divorced when she was two years old, Crystal was shuffled back and forth between mom and dad. She was sick throughout her childhood due to Type I diabetes. She remembers sitting outside a pharmacy begging for money to buy insulin. She witnessed physical fights between her parents and her dad, who was the one she turned to for advice, ended up in jail after an argument with Crystal’s stepbrother. When her mother got frustrated she’d get angry. But, Crystal holds no grudges.
In spite of all the chaos growing up, she doesn’t hold anything against her parents. She said they did the best they could with what they had. Her tough times as a child help remind her that her son, Tony, won’t have to go through the same hardships. Being able to provide a better life for her son was the main reason she tried out for the show. Providing for her family financially was the motivation that got her through difficult times on American Idol. With the help of host Ryan Seacrest, Crystal realized she had the opportunity to change the lives of her family if she kept working hard.
In addition to overcoming an unplanned pregnancy and caring for her son, Crystal faced the consequences of her disease during the American Idol season. Due to diabetes’ related problems she was hospitalized and almost lost her spot on the show. She said it was the one time she had a fit and refused to be sent home. She told executives she didn’t have a problem going home if she was voted off the show but she wasn’t going home because she was sick. And she didn’t.
When Crystal went to Chicago after high school, she worked for a real estate firm and felt out of place. She ended up working as a waitress at a bar and pizza restaurant in Toledo called The Village Idiot where she felt more at home. When she wasn’t busy she took the opportunity to sing with different bands and graced the stage often. Co-worker and friend Nathan Woodward attributes part of Crystal’s appeal to her genuine nature. He said she has a great voice and people can see she’s giving her very best effort.
At age 24 she seems to have what many people live all their lives to figure out. “To me, the definition of success is happiness,” Crystal said in a recent interview with Redbook magazine. “And, as cheesy as this is, home to me is where the heart is. I’m very at home in my skin. I’m at home when my son is with me,” she added.
Her thoughts on marriage are also a contrast to the diva image. As told in Redbook, “If I ever do get married, I want my husband to be someone who’s honest, kind, generous, with a sense of spirituality. I’m not so worried about looks; I’m more attracted to someone’s mind than anything else.”
After her little Tony said the word ‘happy’ one morning, it almost made her cry. “. . . I’m doing something right and it feels so good, ” she commented. It does sound like the Crystal Bowersox saga has evolved into fairy tale status. She seems to be on the road to ‘happily ever after’.
Showing posts with label American Idol Live Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Idol Live Tour. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
MTV Review: Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze & the Top 10 ~ Good Morning America Concert
'American Idol' Top 10 Begin 'Beautiful Day' With 'Good Morning America'
Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox and company strummed and belted through the rain in Central Park on Friday.
With their signs and banners eagerly clutched in their hands, fans marched into Central Park to see "American Idol" season-nine winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox chat with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos about "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
" before two 12-year-old girls competed and a guy who looked like Santa's older brother competed in an "Idol" trivia quiz. And also to see all of the top 10 Idols perform for the "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series on Friday (July 9).
Crystal was the first one to perform, singing Janis Joplin
's "Piece of My Heart" while strumming her guitar, of course. She did the song justice despite the slight spray of rain.
Next up was Lee, again with a guitar, awaiting his time to shine amid the continuing showers. The crowd shouted their love for him, as he responded to their makeshift banners, wishing happy birthdays and anniversaries.
Asked about the life-changing experience of winning "Idol," he said it was "important to remember where you came from" and managed to plug the October release of his upcoming album. He then performed "Treat Her Like a Lady" by the Cornelius Brothers, to which the audience reacted with more enthusiasm and excitement.
Then all of the top 10 took the stage and the band began the riff for Bon Jovi
's "It's My Life." The guys gave their best for the rousing anthem, before the girls took over with "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson
. The rain seemed to bring down the energy of some, Lee in particular, who almost seemed bored at times. But as all 10 sang the song as an ensemble, they gave it a powerful finish.
Before the last song, Lee, Andrew Garcia and Michael Lynche began to beat box and rap for the slightly drenched crowd. But instead of capping off the set with another group performance, Lee went solo for his single, U2
's "Beautiful Day" — and fans didn't seem to mind the irony of the bad weather.
Actually, as one fan told MTV News, there's more than one reason to consider it a beautiful day. "It was great to see the American Idols on stage together, and the rain was nice, as it has been so hot!"
Source: Christopher MacAllister, MTV
Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox and company strummed and belted through the rain in Central Park on Friday.
With their signs and banners eagerly clutched in their hands, fans marched into Central Park to see "American Idol" season-nine winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox chat with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos about "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
" before two 12-year-old girls competed and a guy who looked like Santa's older brother competed in an "Idol" trivia quiz. And also to see all of the top 10 Idols perform for the "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series on Friday (July 9).Crystal was the first one to perform, singing Janis Joplin
's "Piece of My Heart" while strumming her guitar, of course. She did the song justice despite the slight spray of rain.Next up was Lee, again with a guitar, awaiting his time to shine amid the continuing showers. The crowd shouted their love for him, as he responded to their makeshift banners, wishing happy birthdays and anniversaries.
Asked about the life-changing experience of winning "Idol," he said it was "important to remember where you came from" and managed to plug the October release of his upcoming album. He then performed "Treat Her Like a Lady" by the Cornelius Brothers, to which the audience reacted with more enthusiasm and excitement.
Then all of the top 10 took the stage and the band began the riff for Bon Jovi
's "It's My Life." The guys gave their best for the rousing anthem, before the girls took over with "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson. The rain seemed to bring down the energy of some, Lee in particular, who almost seemed bored at times. But as all 10 sang the song as an ensemble, they gave it a powerful finish.Before the last song, Lee, Andrew Garcia and Michael Lynche began to beat box and rap for the slightly drenched crowd. But instead of capping off the set with another group performance, Lee went solo for his single, U2
's "Beautiful Day" — and fans didn't seem to mind the irony of the bad weather.Actually, as one fan told MTV News, there's more than one reason to consider it a beautiful day. "It was great to see the American Idols on stage together, and the rain was nice, as it has been so hot!"
Source: Christopher MacAllister, MTV
Monday, July 12, 2010
Crystal Bowersox: On Balancing Motherhood and Music
Crystal Bowersox: Balancing Motherhood and Music Is Hard
American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox has seemingly mastered motherhood by day, musician by night, but now that she’s ready to head out on tour, the singer is preparing herself for a new routine — without her 17-month-old son Tony by her side.
“People don’t realize that before Idol, I gigged a lot. I used to play four one-hour shows a night, five nights a week in Chicago and Ohio,” Bowersox, 24, tells to PARADE.
“But on the Idol tour, I’m just doing four songs a show. The traveling is going to be the hard part. Also, the fact that my son’s not coming with me.”
Fortunately, Bowersox’s family has stepped up to the plate when it comes to caring for her toddler while she’s away.
“My son will be with family and friends. No matter where he is, he’ll be well taken care of and loved,” she insists.
“And his Mama’s gonna miss the crap out of him! But I’ll get to see him for little bits here and there.”
And although, at times, they’ll be hundreds of miles apart, thanks to modern-day technology, the mother-son pair will always be in contact!
“I just discovered Skype! So, he and I will definitely be Skyping!” Bowersox reveals. “Tony is getting the hang of how to use the phone. He can’t have a full conversation yet, but he knows it’s Mama.”
As for Tony following in her footsteps, Bowersox admits she wouldn’t be against the idea of her son joining her in the music industry. After all, she notes, he has been hearing music since the womb.
“I played gigs up until he was born. I had to put my guitar off to the side a little bit because my belly was too big to have my guitar hanging in front of me,” she says, adding that the music world is all Tony — whose favorite toys include a keyboard and baby bongos — knows.
“Besides, music is good for cognitive development. Tony’s advanced — I think that every mom says that about their kids. But, really, Tony’s a very social little guy. He says ‘hi’ to everyone he meets.”
– Anya Leon, People Magazine
“People don’t realize that before Idol, I gigged a lot. I used to play four one-hour shows a night, five nights a week in Chicago and Ohio,” Bowersox, 24, tells to PARADE.
“But on the Idol tour, I’m just doing four songs a show. The traveling is going to be the hard part. Also, the fact that my son’s not coming with me.”
Fortunately, Bowersox’s family has stepped up to the plate when it comes to caring for her toddler while she’s away.
“My son will be with family and friends. No matter where he is, he’ll be well taken care of and loved,” she insists.
“And his Mama’s gonna miss the crap out of him! But I’ll get to see him for little bits here and there.”
And although, at times, they’ll be hundreds of miles apart, thanks to modern-day technology, the mother-son pair will always be in contact!
“I just discovered Skype! So, he and I will definitely be Skyping!” Bowersox reveals. “Tony is getting the hang of how to use the phone. He can’t have a full conversation yet, but he knows it’s Mama.”
As for Tony following in her footsteps, Bowersox admits she wouldn’t be against the idea of her son joining her in the music industry. After all, she notes, he has been hearing music since the womb.
“I played gigs up until he was born. I had to put my guitar off to the side a little bit because my belly was too big to have my guitar hanging in front of me,” she says, adding that the music world is all Tony — whose favorite toys include a keyboard and baby bongos — knows.
“Besides, music is good for cognitive development. Tony’s advanced — I think that every mom says that about their kids. But, really, Tony’s a very social little guy. He says ‘hi’ to everyone he meets.”
– Anya Leon, People Magazine
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Idols LIVE Tour Update: 7 Concerts Canceled & 8 Rescheduled!
FANS here is the revised schedule for the Idols Live Summer Tour. Pay very close attention; some September concerts are now scheduled for July!
The tour kicked off July 1st and will now wrap up on August 31st.
In all, 7 concerts were canceled (Omaha, Kansas City, Winnipeg, Toronto, Buffalo, Cleveland and Portland) and 8 were rescheduled (Bridgeport, Pittsburgh, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Chicago, Toledo, Cincinnati and Indianapolis).
7/7 - Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach
7/9 – Bridgeport, CT – Arena at Harbor Yard
7/10 – Atlantic City, NJ - Mark G. Etess Arena
7/11 – Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
7/13 – Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
7/14 – Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena
7/15 – Hershey, PA – GIANT Center
7/17 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center
7/18 – Mansfield, MA – Comcast Center
7/20 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
7/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion (venue change)
7/23 – Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
7/24 – Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
7/25 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/27 – Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
7/29 – Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Amphitheater
7/31 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
8/1 - Duluth, GA – Arena at Gwinnett Center
8/3 - Sunrise, FL – BankAtlantic Center
8/4 - Tampa, FL – St. Pete Times Forum
8/7 - Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion
8/8 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
8/9 - Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
8/12 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
8/13 – Los Angeles, CA - STAPLES Center
8/14 – Mountainview, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountainview
8/16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
8/17 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
8/18 – Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
8/20 – Seattle, WA – KeyArena
8/21 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
8/23 – Denver, CO – Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
8/25 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
8/26 – Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
8/27 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
8/28 – Chicago, IL – United Center
8/29 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center
8/30 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
8/31 – Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse
The tour kicked off July 1st and will now wrap up on August 31st.
In all, 7 concerts were canceled (Omaha, Kansas City, Winnipeg, Toronto, Buffalo, Cleveland and Portland) and 8 were rescheduled (Bridgeport, Pittsburgh, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Chicago, Toledo, Cincinnati and Indianapolis).
7/7 - Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach
7/9 – Bridgeport, CT – Arena at Harbor Yard
7/10 – Atlantic City, NJ - Mark G. Etess Arena
7/11 – Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
7/13 – Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
7/14 – Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena
7/15 – Hershey, PA – GIANT Center
7/17 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center
7/18 – Mansfield, MA – Comcast Center
7/20 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
7/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion (venue change)
7/23 – Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
7/24 – Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
7/25 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/27 – Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
7/29 – Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Amphitheater
7/31 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
8/1 - Duluth, GA – Arena at Gwinnett Center
8/3 - Sunrise, FL – BankAtlantic Center
8/4 - Tampa, FL – St. Pete Times Forum
8/7 - Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion
8/8 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
8/9 - Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
8/12 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
8/13 – Los Angeles, CA - STAPLES Center
8/14 – Mountainview, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountainview
8/16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
8/17 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
8/18 – Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
8/20 – Seattle, WA – KeyArena
8/21 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
8/23 – Denver, CO – Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
8/25 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
8/26 – Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
8/27 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
8/28 – Chicago, IL – United Center
8/29 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center
8/30 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
8/31 – Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Crystal Bowersox Gets Rave Review from USA Today!
Mama Sox rocks Detroit
The audience greets Crystal Bowersox with a standing ovation, and she strolls onstage, strumming the opening chords for 4 Non Blondes
' What's Up -- a song she has said she tried to perform on the show but couldn't get writer Linda Perry to grant the license.
Crystal has traded in her mic stand for a wireless headset mic, allowing her to roam the stage freely. "Sing along, guys, it's real easy," she encourages the crowd, and they respond, gladly.
For Crystal, the signs have come out: "Holy Toledo Mama Socks Rocks" reads one, and another says, "Village Idiot [Hearts] You," referring to a venue she used to play.
"These lights are so bright, it's hard to see anybody up in the back, so can I hear you?" A roar starts in the back and works forward. "That's what I like to hear!" Crystal says.
"This song is by a new good friend of mind, Melissa Etheridge
," she says, as she introduces Come to My Window. The song starts slow, so the audience sits down, but many of them get on their feet again as it picks up at the chorus.
Crystal's smiling big tonight. "This is pretty cool, man. This is the first date on our tour. We've never done this before. How do you like it?" The crowd absolutely loves it.
Crystal sits on the edge of the stage for Patty Griffin
's Up to the Mountain, and the audience in the front rows crowd as close to her as they can. She can't stay there long, though -- there's too much passion in this melody to keep seated. The crowd has offers scattered screams of support throughout her performance, and, when she finishes, many of them rise with their applause.
Crystal introduces her next song by saying she auditioned with it, singing it a cappella. She's glad to have the chance to do it with a full band now. It's Piece of My Heart, which she turns into a set-closing rave-up with just a touch of Janis Joplin. The audience knows she's got it, and it clearly makes them feel good.
source:USAToday.com
' What's Up -- a song she has said she tried to perform on the show but couldn't get writer Linda Perry to grant the license.Crystal has traded in her mic stand for a wireless headset mic, allowing her to roam the stage freely. "Sing along, guys, it's real easy," she encourages the crowd, and they respond, gladly.
For Crystal, the signs have come out: "Holy Toledo Mama Socks Rocks" reads one, and another says, "Village Idiot [Hearts] You," referring to a venue she used to play.
"These lights are so bright, it's hard to see anybody up in the back, so can I hear you?" A roar starts in the back and works forward. "That's what I like to hear!" Crystal says.
"This song is by a new good friend of mind, Melissa Etheridge
," she says, as she introduces Come to My Window. The song starts slow, so the audience sits down, but many of them get on their feet again as it picks up at the chorus.Crystal's smiling big tonight. "This is pretty cool, man. This is the first date on our tour. We've never done this before. How do you like it?" The crowd absolutely loves it.
Crystal sits on the edge of the stage for Patty Griffin
's Up to the Mountain, and the audience in the front rows crowd as close to her as they can. She can't stay there long, though -- there's too much passion in this melody to keep seated. The crowd has offers scattered screams of support throughout her performance, and, when she finishes, many of them rise with their applause.Crystal introduces her next song by saying she auditioned with it, singing it a cappella. She's glad to have the chance to do it with a full band now. It's Piece of My Heart, which she turns into a set-closing rave-up with just a touch of Janis Joplin. The audience knows she's got it, and it clearly makes them feel good.
source:USAToday.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
American Idol Live! Tour 2010 Tickets are NOW on Sale!!! Get them HERE!
The Top 10 finalists Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, Didi Benami, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche, Siobhan Magnus, and Tim Urban will hit the road this summer on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010.
See Crystal Bowersox LIVE!!
America’s #1 show will make 51 stops this summer at a mix of top arenas and amphitheaters across North America giving fans a chance once again to catch their favorite Idols performing live in a town near them. The Live Nation promoted tour begins on July 1st in Detroit and runs through September 14th in Pittsburgh. For the full list of locations.
Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of American Idol stated, “We are all looking forward to this year’s American Idol Live! Tour. This is always one of the highlights of the year. Each of the Idols have the chance to meet the people that voted for them and perform at incredible venues all over America, another special moment in their developing careers.”
See Crystal Bowersox LIVE!!
America’s #1 show will make 51 stops this summer at a mix of top arenas and amphitheaters across North America giving fans a chance once again to catch their favorite Idols performing live in a town near them. The Live Nation promoted tour begins on July 1st in Detroit and runs through September 14th in Pittsburgh. For the full list of locations.
Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of American Idol stated, “We are all looking forward to this year’s American Idol Live! Tour. This is always one of the highlights of the year. Each of the Idols have the chance to meet the people that voted for them and perform at incredible venues all over America, another special moment in their developing careers.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)