Crystal Bowersox, a Northwest Ohio native, has been a solo singer-songwriter ever since she became the runner-up of "American Idol" in 2010. On "American Idol," Bowersox was the first female contestant to reach the finale since 2007.
Ever since her rise to fame, Bowersox has released several albums such as “Farmer’s Daughter” and “All That for This.” Her most recent album, titled “Alive,” came out this year.
Bowersox hopes people feel more positive after hearing her album titled “Alive.” She stated her inspiration for the album came from getting through hard times.
“It’s all about ups and downs and weathering the storms …There are songs on there … that are personal, and some songs that are just meant to make people feel good,” Bowersox said. “I think that my purpose in this world is to give people a safe space to cry and when folks come to a show, and you know, hopefully, they leave feeling better than when they got there.”
Bowersox has had a busy touring schedule.
“I feel like my life is out of a suitcase, but I definitely enjoy being here,” Bowersox said.
She said her genre is a mix of lot of different types of music.
“I’m influenced by a lot of things — soul, pop, blues, country, folk, rock… There’s a little bit of all of it in there I think,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox speaks fondly of her experience on "American Idol" back in 2010.
“It was definitely a blessing. It brought a lot of joy and opportunity in my life,” Bowersox said. “It’s definitely not normal for anyone to go from complete obscurity to fame. So it spun me around a little bit, but I got my life the way it is now, and I enjoy this new normal that I’ve achieved.”
Bowersox has performed all around the world, from Malaysia, to Mexico and the United States. She said sometimes, shows don’t always go as planned, but she’s learned to roll with it.
“I’ve had Type 1 diabetes since I was six years old, and last night here in Boulder, Colorado, I had to change my insulin pump right on stage, so it was an interesting experience,” Bowersox said. “Luckily, the audience was patient and we just made it a part of the show.”
Bowersox said her most memorable experiences happen after the show.
“People come up and tell me their stories and tell me about how my music has played a role in their life, and so it’s incredible for me to hear those stories,” Bowersox said.
Her performance on Nov. 30 is going to be the first time that she has ever been to Athens.
“It’s a place that I have not yet played, so I’m really looking forward to it. I always go after shows, and sign autographs and get to meet people … This is a whole new group of people that I’ll get to meet,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox said she has heard good things about Athens.
“I do hear that it’s a beautiful town, and a lot of my musician friends have been through there and so I’m looking forward to discovering it on my own,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox hopes the audience feels connected to her as she is performing, and she wants the audience to feel more positive than before she got on stage.
“I really like to make it feel like it’s my living room and we are just hanging out and you know, we have a conversation, rather than me performing for them … [I] hope that people will leave happier than when they got there,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox is performing at The Foundry on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $65 for meet and greet tickets.
https://www.redandblack.com/culture/former-american-idol-runner-up-crystal-bowersox-talks-upcoming-performance/article_bdc41794-d44b-11e7-9a76-cb4ddf97e76e.html