By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, filed January 21, 2015
Season 9 runner up Crystal Bowersox didn't really change for "American Idol." She was the earthy singer songwriter cut from a 1970s cloth. She was unapologetic about who she was and nearly clinched an improbable victory during an otherwise forgettable year. I thought she deserved to win over the guy who did.
And I always connected with her as a fellow Type 1 diabetic. While she hasn't broken out it in any major way, she has continued over the past four years to tour and build her own dedicated fan base. She also came out as bisexual with a pretty holiday song "Coming Out For Christmas" in late 2013. She returns to Atlanta for two nights at Decatur's Eddie's Attic Feb. 3 and 4. I will be attending. (Feb. 3 tickets here and Feb. 4 tickets here.)
"What a great venue," she said Tuesday. "A fun intimate setting. I can see people’s faces. I did two shows there one night on my birthday [in 2013.] It was a blast!"
She said her primary income in this day and age isn't music sales but touring and merchandise. Tickets are $20 in advance, $26 at the door, on the high side for Eddie's but something she can get away with. She wisely capitalizes on her "Idol' fame by offering a separate VIP meet and greet for another $50 that includes a picture with her, an autograph, a special laminate, a Q & A and a small acoustic set.
"I’m very satisfied with the way my life is, my touring career," she said. "I work all the time I’m still playing music."
Crystal spends about half her time on the road and has now done shows in every state in the union save for Alaska and Hawaii. "The toughest part is staying in touch with friends on the road," she said. "I have two mindsets. On the road, I'm work Crystal, very focused. I'm famous. When I'm at home, I just want to stay in the house and relax." And since she prefers to see people face to face or by voice on the phone, she doesn't end up doing much of that.
Bowersox has done the opposite of Kris Allen, who recently moved to Nashville. A year ago, she decided post divorce to move back to her hometown of Toledo, OH from Nashville to be closer to family. Her six-year-old son Tony accompanied her. She tries to take him on the road when she can but otherwise, she has a nanny and parents nearby to take care of him.
"When I come home, we spend time together," she said. "I am present with him. I want to set an example that you can pursue your dream and do what you love for a living. You've got to work hard and love hard."
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
She said she has done her best to cushion him regarding her 2013 divorce to fellow musician Brian Walker . "I explained it to him in an age appropriate way that sometimes people have to go their separate ways. He knows he's surrounded by love. I try to be real with him. If he asks a question, I explain it the best I can."
Her last release was an EP last summer. She hopes to hit the studio in Nashville again this summer for more.
Other topics we covered:
We talked diabetes, probably at a granular level that would bore non-diabetics. She wears a pump most of the time but sometimes wants to be untethered and goes back to using needles. In concert, she has less worry about low blood sugars, which could cause some potential focus and steadiness issues, but rather, her adrenaline will often shoot her blood sugars high. "We perform our best when our blood sugar is stable and within range," she noted correctly. "My body is pretty tough. I'm amazed what I can do."
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Crazy for Patsy Cline: Crystal was set to star in a Broadway musical focused on the country legend but it has been delayed due to creative differences between the playwrights and the funders. "Whenever they get it together and we're ready to go to Broadway, I'm there!" She loves Cline as a "powerful woman ahead of her time. She wanted to wear pants at the Grand Ol' Opry. When they told her no, she said, 'I reckon I won't be singing tonight.' They let her on stage. She paved the way for so many female artists today not just in country but in music in general. Her voice is timeless. I sympathize with her children. She was far too young to go when she did."
Reaction to "Coming Out For Christmas": The gay and lesbian community welcomed her with open arms after the song came out. "I had quite a few people tell me how beautiful the song was. There was one woman who came out to her family by playing that song. There have been so many stories of teen suicide in the LGBT community because they were afraid they wouldn't be loved by their family. It's very troubling. And I don't think there will be any peace until people truly love others unconditionally."
She said her family accepted her when she came out as bisexual. "It's not a big deal in my world," she said. "I didn't think the world necessarily needed to know. But I struggled with my identity in high school. I had sad thoughts and I was bullied. Nobody should have to go through that. The song was important and was important to me. The more people are in the public eye that just come out and say it's okay to be yourself no matter who you are, that will help other young people."
About turning 30 this year: "I'm happy about every year I get. Diabetes makes you grateful."
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The "American Idol' crew came before TV critics and tried to sell how they are going to make this year better than last year. They are teasing the talent more this time around, hoping that gets folks excited about the top 24.
They are also adjusting a show that will only air 41 hours compared to 55 hours last year, thanks primarily to no more results shows - save for the finale. Trish Kinane, president of entertainment programming, FremantleMedia, tried to spin it in a positive sense: "The one thing I can tell you is that we're not going to do the elimination at the top of the show," she said. "We've got some cool ways to incorporate the drama throughout the course of the [episode]. We're actually rather pleased that they're down to one per week. We're going to have all of the drama of an elimination, as well as the performances for America to vote on for the next week. It's going to be jam-packed."
In the meantime, the Fox Television Group Chair Gary Newman stated the obvious to the Wrap, that singing competition shows "are pretty well played out" but still hopes to find some collaboration again with Simon Cowell.
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Adam Lambert, who subbed for Keith Urban during last week's episode taped last fall, signed with a new record label for his third album. He left RCA after the label tried to pressure him to do a covers album as his third. He refused.
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Kelly Clarkson's new single "Heartbeat Song" is already getting plenty of airplay on Hot AC stations and is at No. 19 after a week. Star 94 has spun it 30 times here locally. Top 40 has been slower picking it up and is now at No. 37.
Carrie Underwood's song "Something in the Water" is closing in at No. 1 on Mediabase 24/7's country chart. It's now at No. 3.
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TVLine's brilliant Michael Slezak always does a fun weekly Reality Check with Melinda Doolittle. Here is their take on last week's episodes:
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