Crystal Bowersox, an Ohio singer/songwriter and farmer’s daughter, went from performing in Northwest Ohio and busking in Chicago train stations to later achieving international fame, after rising to runner-up on American Idol. Earlier this year, she returned to Toledo—so that her 5-year-old son could spend time with his grandparents—and did a free concert at Hollywood Casino. I’ve been to many shows in my life, but I’ve never seen a freeway going through town completely stop in anticipation. The depth of love this city feels for Bowersox was illustrated by the glow of endless headlights along the highway.
At 7pm on Tuesday, November 4, Crystal Bowersox will speak at the University of Toledo’s Doermann Theater. Her talk is part of The University of Toledo Jesup Scott Honors College’s program Conversations in Real Time. This event is reserved exclusively for UT students.
Bowersox stated that she will be discussing the success she has had and the different stages of her career pre- and post-Idol. She plans on exploring these experiences through the songs she has written, reflecting on what she has accomplished and how her dedication to writing and performing music has propelled her to where she is now.
“I will be both speaking and singing,” Bowersox stated.
Her most recent recording, an EP titled Promises, was released in September of this year. “It was the most comfortable I have ever been [recording] in all my life.” She discussed the difficulty of “capturing the energy of playing live” in the studio.
She credits the producers on her recent work, Linda Taylor, Maia Sharp and Jono Manson for successfully facilitating the project. It is clear that Bowersox turns the outdated concept of a music diva on its head by living out another truth entirely. She is down to earth and accessible—embracing and giving to the community around her, including, but not limited to, the one here in Toledo. She is currently touring to support the Promises EP with bassist and fellow Toledoan Rachel Coats.
Bowersox will also take her talent to the global stage when she travels to Malaysia in December to do a workshop at the Penang Island Jazz Festival on how music can transform and save lives. “I will definitely use the song ‘I Will Survive,’” she stated.
However, Bowersox’s whirlwind touring schedule does present challenges. “I am trying to minimize stress,” she stated. “I want to have more going on, but I also want to give my son a normal life.”
Bowersox will be working on an album and a book for children, integrating her dedication to music and parenting. “When writing songs for kids, my son is the best test audience,” Bowersox said.
In a track off Promises called How Long, Bowersox sings: “I’m from Ohio / Not American Idol.” It is with that strong, independent spirit that she has returned to Toledo to inspire others with the story of her incredible journey, which like the best of songs, plays on.
