Crystal Bowersox at Klickitat Band Camp in Portland. Photo: Steve Rosenfield.
Great news! American Idol season 9 runner up, Crystal Bowersox, will be releasing her second studio album in March via Sanachie Entertainment.
According to the press release, below, the album will be recorded in either Nashville or Los Angeles. Crystal will be working with collaborators such as Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Jakob Dylan and John Lee Hooker.
I expect the album to be really raw, considering it’s due out in two months and she hasn’t begun the recording process yet. I’m looking forward to where she goes musically a few years after her 2010 debut, Farmers Daughter, and a new label that’s sympathetic to her vibe.
ETA: Crystal tweeted, “So, the cats out of the bag!!! Mr. Steve Berlin is Producing this next record, and Mr. @jakobdylan and I sang a little diddy together.”
Press release.
Every now and again in an industry that is saturated with over hyped –here today and gone tomorrow talent- an artist comes along who truly embodies a unique sound and vision. Crystal Bowersox is that artist. The small town Ohio born singer/songwriter and guitarist whose early performances began in coffeehouses and later Chicago’s underground subway circuit, was catapulted to stardom when she captured the hearts of millions as a finalist on Season 9 of American Idol. Earning a slot as the season’s runner up, Crystal Bowersox’s gentle strength, quiet wisdom, immense emotional depth and angelic voice made a connection with the show’s viewers and indeed her debut album outsold that year’s Idol winner.
With a confidence and rich soulfulness well beyond her years, Crystal made a lasting impression. March 2013 Shanachie Entertainment will release Crystal Bowersox’s label debut. Shanachie Entertainment General Manager, Randall Grass, says, “On American Idol, Crystal Bowersox stood out as a real singer with a big voice who made an emotional connection with the audience, similar to the way Adele does. Yet we feel the true depth of her talent as a singer and songwriter has not yet been fully exposed and we look forward to achieving that with her new album. We are very excited to be working with her.” Bowersox adds “Shanachie is a good fit for me and my music. I am happy to join the label’s growing list of critically acclaimed and well-respected recording artists. I am really looking forward to working on this new project.” Bowersox is currently in the studio and has been writing consistently to come up with a batch of very special songs that will reveal her true essence as an artist. Crystal is joined on her new album by producer Steve Berlin of Los Lobos (Rickie Lee Jones, Sheryl Crow, Raul Malo, Crash Test Dummies, John Lee Hooker, etc) as well as special guest Jakob Dylan among others.
Inspired by everyone from Bonnie Raitt, EmmyLou Harris and Michael Franti to Aretha Franklin, Jewel and Janis Joplin, Crystal Bowersox is a consummate artist with a broad musical palette to draw from. Her rich amalgam of emotive folk-rock-country and soul makes her easily one of the most dynamic artists of her generation. Not yet thirty, she has emerged as a truly gifted songwriter who is able to easily tap into the raw emotion of any song. While on American Idol in 2010, Bowersox had the opportunity to perform alongside the likes of Joe Cocker, Harry Connick Jr., and Alanis Morrissette. The experience of Idol was full if lessons for the young artist, wife and mother. A grounded person with a great sense of humor the singer shares, “I’ve learned that you’re not allowed to wear the same outfit twice on television and I’ve also learned not to burp and curse so loudly in public. But best of all, I’ve learned that forgiveness starts with forgiving and accepting yourself as you are, it makes it easier to accept others as they are. I’ve learned that as you grow older, time becomes more precious than it’s ever been, so don’t sweat the small stuff.”
2010 was a big year for Bowersox who married fellow musician and longtime friend Brian Walker and released her critically heralded Farmer’s Daughter. Her recording debut was a powerfully moving and personally revealing recording that dealt with real life issues including childhood abuse, love and life’s everyday challenges. The direction of Crystal Bowersox’s Shanachie debut is still taking shape and will be recorded in either Los Angeles or Nashville. The album’s producers are in the process of being selected and the material will feature mostly originals. Crystal shares, “I feel like I’m finally achieving a sense of balance in my life and it’s making itself evident in my new material. My career is really still in its infancy and the possibilities are limitless. This will be my second studio album and I’m excited to see what happens. The silvery residue from Idol has faded a bit and now it’s all about what’s true and real in my world. I’m paying way more attention to the things that really matter and making more of my decisions based in kindness and love. My son has taught me so much about that, how strong I can be, even in my weakest moments.”
