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Crystal Bowersox facts for kids

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Crystal Bowersox
Crystal Bowersox.jpg
Bowersox in 2010
Background information
Birth name Crystal Lynn Bowersox
Born (1985-08-04) August 4, 1985 (age 39)
Elliston, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Instruments
Years active 2010–present
Labels
  • Jive
  • 19 (2010–2011)
  • Shanachie (2012–2013)
  • Mamasox (2013–present)

Crystal Lynn Bowersox, born on August 4, 1985, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She became well-known as the runner-up on the ninth season of the popular TV show American Idol. She was the first female contestant to reach the finale in three years, showing off her amazing talent.

Crystal's first album, called Farmer's Daughter, came out on December 14, 2010. Later, she released her second album, All That for This, on March 26, 2013.

Crystal Bowersox's Early Life and Music Beginnings

Crystal Bowersox and her twin brother, Karl, were born in Elliston, Ohio. When she was six years old, Crystal was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She went to Oak Harbor High School and later the Toledo School for the Arts. She loved music, singing in the choir and playing the flute in the marching band.

Crystal started performing professionally at just 10 years old. She played at local places in Toledo, Ohio, like Papa's Tavern. When she was seventeen, she moved to Chicago. There, she played music as a busker (a street performer) at train stations. She also performed at open mic nights, sharing her music with others.

In 2006, the city of Chicago chose Crystal to represent its folk musicians in a special program called "Experience Chicago." In 2007, she even traveled to different countries, like Turkey and Mexico, to play her music in small cafes.

Crystal Bowersox on American Idol

Crystal Bowersox auditioned for American Idol in Chicago. She sang the song "Piece of My Heart" and impressed the judges. Guest judge Shania Twain said Crystal had a "raw, natural talent."

During the show, Crystal became unwell because of her type 1 diabetes. This caused a change in the show's schedule to give her time to recover. She performed the next day and continued to impress everyone. Simon Cowell, one of the judges, even said, "Right now, you are the one everyone has to beat."

Crystal was the last female contestant left in the competition. She made it all the way to the finale, becoming the first female finalist since 2007. She also made history on American Idol by having one of her own original songs, "Holy Toledo," played during her hometown visit.

In the final performance, Simon Cowell praised her song "Up to the Mountain," calling it "outstanding" and "by far, the best performance and song of the night." On May 26, 2010, Crystal Bowersox was named the runner-up, with Lee DeWyze winning the season. After Idol, Crystal shared that she wanted to help raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes.

Crystal is one of only a few American Idol runner-ups who were never in the bottom group of contestants during the voting.

Crystal Bowersox's American Idol Performances

Episode Theme Song choice Original recording artist Order # Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Piece of My Heart" Erma Franklin N/A Advanced
Hollywood Week First Solo "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" Aretha Franklin N/A Advanced
Hollywood Week Group Round "Get Ready" The Temptations N/A Advanced
Hollywood Week Second Solo "If It Makes Me Happy" Sheryl Crow N/A Advanced
Top 24 (12 Women) Billboard Hot 100 Hits "Hand in My Pocket" Alanis Morissette 11 Safe
Top 20 (10 Women) "Long as I Can See the Light" Creedence Clearwater Revival 1 Safe
Top 16 (8 Women) "Give Me One Reason" Tracy Chapman 7 Safe
Top 12 The Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want" The Rolling Stones 12 Safe
Top 11 Billboard Number 1 Hits "Me and Bobby McGee" Roger Miller 5 Safe
Top 10 R&B/Soul "Midnight Train to Georgia" Cissy Houston 9 Safe
Top 9 Lennon–McCartney "Come Together" The Beatles 5 Safe
Top 9 Elvis Presley "Saved" LaVern Baker 1 Safe
Top 7 Inspirational "People Get Ready" The Impressions 7 Safe
Top 6 Shania Twain "No One Needs to Know" Shania Twain 4 Safe
Top 5 Frank Sinatra "Summer Wind" Wayne Newton 3 Safe
Top 4 Songs of the Cinema Duet "Falling Slowly" — Once with Lee DeWyze Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová 3 Safe
Solo "I'm Alright" — Caddyshack Kenny Loggins 5
Top 3 Contestant's Choice "Come to My Window" Melissa Etheridge 2 Safe
Judges' Choice "Maybe I'm Amazed" Paul McCartney 5
Top 2 Contestant's Choice "Me and Bobby McGee" Roger Miller 2 Runner-up
Simon Fuller's Choice "Black Velvet" Alannah Myles 4
First Single "Up to the Mountain" Solomon Burke 6
  • The judges used their 'save' for Michael Lynche, so the Top 9 stayed the same for an extra week.
  • Even though Crystal Bowersox was the last person announced as 'safe' for the Top 3, the host said the announcements were in "no particular order."
  • This song was chosen by Ellen DeGeneres.

Crystal Bowersox's Career After American Idol

Right after American Idol, Crystal Bowersox signed a music deal. Her song "Up to the Mountain" was released to radio stations and online.

First Album: Farmer's Daughter (2010–2012)

Crystal's first album, Farmer's Daughter, came out on December 14, 2010. She performed her song "Farmer's Daughter" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In 2011, her record label, Jive Records, closed down. This meant Crystal needed to find a new label for her future music. She also made her acting debut on an episode of the TV show Body of Proof. In 2012, she released an EP (a shorter album) of songs she recorded before Idol, called Once Upon a Time.... She also sang with the band Blues Traveler on their album Suzie Cracks the Whip.

Second Album: All That for This (2012–Present)

In October 2012, Crystal signed a new record deal with Shanachie Records. Her second studio album, All That for This, was released on March 26, 2013. This album was produced by Steve Berlin from the band Los Lobos and featured Jakob Dylan.

Crystal performed the first song from the album, "Dead Weight," on On Air with Ryan Seacrest. She told Ryan that the song was very meaningful to her. She started a tour to support the album in March 2013. Crystal also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote her album. It was announced that she would play the famous singer Patsy Cline in a Broadway show called Always, Patsy Cline.

Crystal Bowersox's Discography

Crystal Bowersox has released several albums and singles.

Studio Albums

Year Album details Peak Certifications
US US
Rock
US
Digital
CAN
2010 Farmer's Daughter 28 2 8 90
  • US: 205,000
2013 All That for This
  • Release date: March 26, 2013
  • Label: Shanachie Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
71 21
  • US: 8,000
2017 Alive
  • Release date: 2017
  • Label:
  • Format:
2022 HitchHiker
  • Release date: 2022
  • Label:
  • Format:

Digital Albums

Year Album Peak Sales
US
Heat
US
Indie
2010 Season 9 Favorite Performances 6 38
  • US: 5,000
"—" means the album did not appear on the chart.

Extended Plays (EPs)

List of EPs with relevant details
Year Title EP details
2012 Once Upon a Time...
  • Released: May 29, 2012
  • Label: self-release
  • Format: Digital download, CD
2014 Promises
  • Release date: September 23, 2014
  • Label: Mamasox
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles

Year Single Peak Album
US CAN
2010 "Up to the Mountain" 57 47 Non-album single
"Farmer's Daughter" 73 Farmer's Daughter
2013 "Movin' On" All That for This
"Dead Weight"
"Coming Out for Christmas" Non-album single
"—" means the single did not appear on the chart.

Digital Singles

Year Single Peak Album
US CAN
2010 "Falling Slowly" (with Lee DeWyze) 66 70 non-album single
"—" means the single did not appear on the chart.

Music Videos

Year Song Director(s)
2010 "Farmer's Daughter" Meiert Avis
2013 "Dead Weight" Tiger Tiger
2017 "Until Then" Steven Rosenfeld
2021 "The Storm" Crystal Bowersox

Filmography

Year Title Role Other notes
2011 Body of Proof Zoe Brant Episode: "Second Chances"

Awards and Nominations

Year Presenter Award Result
2010 Teen Choice Awards Female Reality/Variety Star Nominated

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Crystal Bowersox para niños

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