As published in the January 1, 2011 Toledo Business Journal
Crystal Bowersox
American Idol contestant
Jive Label Group recording artist
Bowersox uplifting for NW Ohio
by Abby Hoicowitz
Toledo Business Journal recently spoke to Crystal Bowersox, 2010 American Idol contestant, Jive Label Group recording artist, and northwest Ohio native. She shared the following thoughts.
Toledo Business Journal: Your success has brought a lot of pride to northwest Ohio. Have any local companies or organizations asked for your involvement? Are there any you would consider working with?
Crystal Bowersox: Actually, yes. Some of the organizers who did the hometown visit on American Idol have thrown around the idea of another “Bowerstock” [event]. It’s way too soon to tell if we have time for that, but that’s something that, maybe a few years from now, we could look into. We could possibly have a festival of some sort to benefit the area and different organizations. I would love to do that.
One of my heroes, [musician] Michael Franti, does that every year in San Francisco, a thing he calls Power to the Peaceful. I’d love to be a part of that and see how he runs that show, and it’s maybe something that I could bring back to northwest Ohio.
TBJ: In regards to the business side of the music industry, has there been anything that has especially surprised you?
CB: When you start out and you’re a dreamer and a starving artist, you dream of this thing called success, and you’re wondering really what it is you’re dreaming about. You’re thinking, “I want to play in front of thousands, and I want to do this and I want to do that,” but now I’m on the other side of it.
I never knew that this is what I wanted. It’s such a strange thing. My friends – who are still playing and doing open mics in bars – they talk about wanting to do that. And I just really wonder if they know, if they understand what they’re after.
I love where I am in life, and I’m very blessed to be this busy and have the life that I do right now. My son is healthy, my family is healthy, and I can do what I love for a living.
TBJ: Your August concert at the Huntington Center in Toledo brought a lot of people to downtown Toledo. Any plans for another concert in our area?
CB: I definitely will; I’m coming back to my hometown for sure. It’s just a matter of when, right now. We’re looking forward to the album [and] seeing how that goes. [There is a] possible summer tour, and I’d love to do some charity events on the home turf. That would be an awesome privilege.
TBJ: Your debut album, Farmer’s Daughter, was released in mid-December. Can you discuss the direction of this project and the collection of songs?
CB: There are eight songs that are solely written by me, and most of them are pre-Idol songs. One [song] that everyone has heard, “Holy Toledo,” made the album. The version that everyone’s heard is stripped down, acoustic, and just me and [local musician] Frankie May on bass. I think people can expect from the album a much fuller sound and something they can really jam out to.
The single is “Farmer’s Daughter,” a song about my troubled childhood with my mom and our relationship and issues that we had. It’s a heavier song, and I know there are people out there that can sadly relate. Hopefully it’s a healing song for them as well.
TBJ: “Holy Toledo” is a song you wrote before Idol that has been re-recorded for release on Farmer’s Daughter. Can you share the process you went through in writing this song?
CB: I wrote it at about 17, and I actually wrote it on Jackman [Road] and Sylvania [Avenue], around there. I was staying at a friend’s house – sitting on the front porch – and I was contemplating moving to Chicago… I was leaving Toledo and kind of looking for more.
The song is about hope for a brighter future and looking forward, especially the line, “How do I get to heaven from here?” People in Toledo can relate, too, with the dark outlook on things. People in Toledo need a little hope right now; things are kind of dim. It’s a song about looking forward to better things.
TBJ: You are a former Toledo School for the Arts student. Can you share the impact the school had on you and your musical goals?
CB: Definitely, Dave Gierke, their development director, actually went to high school with my mother. The reason I went to the Toledo School for the Arts was because he saw me performing at the Erie Street Market.
I was going to school in Oak Harbor, playing gigs on weekdays and weekends in Toledo. I really wasn’t happy with going to school there… It wasn’t easy, where I was, and Toledo School for the Arts gave me a place where there were artistic, creative kids – dare I say, misfits. You put all of these interesting, creative people together, then no one is an outsider. It was such a great, welcoming feeling that I really needed at that time.
So, my junior and senior years, I went to the Toledo School for the Arts and was surrounded constantly by music and theater and dance and visual arts, and it was just a safe haven for me. I had a great experience there.
TBJ: You have been vocal about artistic integrity and sticking to your beliefs, musically. Can you share the process of compromise and collaboration you have gone through with your team?
CB: It’s interesting with an album and getting signed to a label… It really does become a collaborative process, and everyone involved is hoping for it to do well, artistically and everything. Certain people are looking for different aspects of the album.
One [co-write] was even with my husband. And another co-write [included] just a few changes to a song that had come to me from David Ryan Harris and Ali [Alexandra] Tamposi, which is “Lonely [Won’t Come Around].” I got the song, I listened to the demo, and I really liked it, but there were a few changes I wanted to make, and everyone was okay with it. And I think that song turned out great. It’s kind of the poppiest thing on my album and it’s such a happy, feel good song, and I love that. It’s something that you don’t necessarily get out of my solely written songs. My solely written songs tend to be a little darker just from my experiences. And co-writing just brings a [new] element. It was fun.
TBJ: There is a prestigious awards program in our area called the 20 Under 40 Leadership Awards program. Toledo Business Journal is the media sponsor for this annual event. Will you accept our nomination for consideration of this award?
CB: Oh, wow. Sure! That’s awesome! Do I get a little trophy? If I can’t physically be there, we could maybe do a Skype or video thing. I really don’t know what’s going on next September. I will accept your nomination.