Crystal Bowersox Discusses Married Life, 'Farmer's Daughter,' Diabetes and Wanting to Get 'Knocked Up'
In the eyes of many '
American Idol' fans, last season's runner-up
Crystal Bowersox was a more interesting contestant than eventual winner
Lee DeWyze (she at least has a more captivating name).
During her spell on 'Idol,' the Midwesterner covered
Janis Joplin more than once with her passionate takes on such classics as '
Piece of My Heart' and '
Me and Bobby McGee.' She also represented a somewhat refreshing antidote to the more manufactured contestants on the show. Bowersox, with her tattoos and blond dreadlocks, is not exactly from the
Jessica Simpson and
Britney Spears school of pop stars. She suffers from diabetes, was a single mom and grew up in a family that was neither rich nor particularly stable.
Now 25, Bowersox released her debut album, 'Farmer's Daughter,' in December. The album features a dozen songs, with all but two written by the singer herself. Tracks like '
Holy Toledo,' '
Speak Now' and the title cut are autobiographical and don't sugarcoat anything. 'Farmer's Daughter' takes on the common, but not very popular, subject of a parent's alcoholism and abuse. Elsewhere on the record, she turns in a fine version of the
Buffalo Springfield classic '
For What It's Worth'.
PopEater recently had a chance to talk with Bowersox while she was passing through New York City.
Your wedding was not too long ago. How's married life so far?
Yes, 10/10/10. It's good! You know, with any relationship, there are ups and downs, but marriage is a commitment to work it out. There's no going back, and [we're] just focusing on loving each other and having a good time. We were friends before, and we're friends now, and he's still my best friend. I can tell him anything, and that's how it should be.
In the press release, there's a quote where you say, "In my mind, 'Idol' was a karaoke contest. You get up onstage, you sing covers and then you're a pop star." Is that still your opinion?
Yes and no. One thing I do know about the new season is that they're incorporating original songs from contestants, which is something that I had pushed for the entire time I was on 'Idol.' It wasn't part of the deal then. Before 'Idol,' I hadn't ever really watched the show, so I had this ... I wouldn't say ignorant, it was just an uneducated concept of what the show was. It seemed too good to be true and too easy, so I stayed away from it. I never went and tried out. [Now] I'm glad that I did. I stepped outside of my own safety zone.
But 'Idol' was tough. You have to break down four or five-minute songs into a minute-thirty. That takes skill. Also, in your performance, there's more going on because of the cameras and things. It's not just playing to a live house. It was tough.
You wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on your debut, which is pretty unusual for an 'Idol' alum. And on the title track of 'Farmer's Daughter,' you take on some subject matter that's pretty atypical for contestants. It's very honest, but it's not always the easiest stuff for people to talk about.
Growing up, I always assumed that the artist I was listening to was the artist who wrote the song. I didn't grab the concept of songwriter [versus] performer; I thought it was the whole package. That's the way I always listened to music and the way that I started creating music. I don't know why that's so unusual! To me, it's not.
'Farmer's Daughter' is a true story about my childhood. I don't want to say that it was all dark and stormy because it wasn't. We had a lot of good times despite our differences and the situation. But it's just truth. I guess it's my perspective, really. My mom might tell you a different story -- who knows? I love my mom. She's taught me through her own example how to be a strong, independent woman, and she's all about survival, and I love her for that. She didn't always make the best decisions, but now that I'm an adult and I look back, you realize when you're older that your parents are just people doing their best. I think she did all right. I turned out OK.
Crystal Bowersox's 'Farmer's Daughter' Video
One of the few tunes on the album that's not an original is 'For What It's Worth.' Were you a Buffalo Springfield fan growing up?
Oh yeah! My father's taste in music really saved me from a lot of things. Listening to that era of music was good for my spirit, I suppose.
Stephen Stills,
Neil Young, CSNY, my dad turned me onto all of it. There was always
Steppenwolf,
ZZ Top. Classic rock was huge, and he's a huge blues fan, too. The message in that era of music [reflects] the kind of music that I want to make.
What are some interests or hobbies of yours, outside of music, that might surprise people?
I used to be a cat lady [laughs]. I love cats. I have four who are stranded at my dad's house because my new husband is allergic to cats, so I'm a cat lover. And I knit [she laughs and shows off her socks]. I made these. These are fabulous, right??
They are! We can't thread a needle.
I can ski [but] can't snowboard. I can Rollerblade, but I can't skateboard. I have to be facing forward.
You also do some work to raise awareness about juvenile diabetes, right?
Yes. I've been Type 1 diabetic since I was about 6 years old. It was tough growing up with diabetes -- it affects every aspect of your daily life but thank goodness it's manageable. I wasn't diagnosed with a terminal illness. In the day and age we live in, the technology is amazing.
Every opportunity that I've been given is really a responsibility to use it for good. I don't know why anyone wouldn't. I mean, if you have a public forum, you need to use it in a way that's good for the world. You can't do everything, you can't save everyone, but everyone can do something. I'll be going to the Children's Congress. Me and about 200 kids will stand at the congressional hall and speak to our representatives about Type 1 awareness and the differences between Type 1 and Type 2.
What is the difference?
This isn't always the case, but Type 2 is sometimes from lifestyle. The pancreas of a Type 2 diabetic is still working, but it's having trouble keeping up, I suppose. Your pancreas makes insulin, and insulin regulates your blood sugar. Glucose goes to your blood and from your blood it needs to get to your cells. Insulin's [the] key that unlocks that gateway and allows that to happen. Without insulin, it stays in your blood, your blood sugar jumps, your body will start breaking down. It's complicated. I've learned a lot about what you're supposed to eat and how insulin works. Type 2, [with] diet and exercise can be managed, but there are Type 2 people who are on insulin as well. No matter what type of diabetes, it's not easy.
I wear an insulin pump and without insulin, I won't survive. Usually, it's a slow, painful death. Some countries don't even have statistics on Type 1 diabetes, but that doesn't mean that country doesn't have it. There's no statistic because they die and usually [it's deemed] natural causes. That's another thing I'd like to raise a little awareness about.
To wrap up, what are your goals for this year?
I really want to get knocked up! [laughs] Plainly put -- I want to have another baby. We'll see how I can fit that into my work schedule. Life's a little hectic and crazy right now even with one. But my husband and I would definitely like to expand the family.
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GD, she's butt ugly. Her song sucks! All you hear about is her personal life, and rearly about her music. And why is that? BECAUSE SHE SUCKS! I feel terrible for her son. He's a real cute kid. He was very close to her ex-B/F and she just dumped him when she THOUGHT she was going to be famous. God I hate white trash.
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YOUR THE WHITE TRASH-MORON!!!
Hey Chaz, I bet you're all that and a bag of chips. Just because she doesn't fit your ideal of beautiful doesn't mean she is not. She has a great voice and is not your average crappy pop singer. So there.
In the eyes of many 'American Idol' fans, last season's runner-up Crystal Bowersox was a more interesting contestant than eventual winner Lee DeWyze (she at least has a more captivating name).I love reading this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agelessc'upid.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..
Well, "Chaz" you just pretty much summed up what so-called "white trash" is by your negative, hateful statement. You are SAD.
What is Black Trash?
JEALOSY WILL NOT GET YOU AYWHERE AND WITH OPINION LIKE YOURS YOU
MUST BE VERY SICK.WITHOUT A DOUBT SHE HAS MORE TALENT IN HER THAN YOU COULD EVER HAVE IN THAT WARPED MINE OF YOURS.GO SMOKE SOME MORE CRACK.
I think she's beautiful! She has such a beautiful, captivating voice!
You just hate because you lead a miserable existence on this earth....
Wow why are you so jealous and dont deny it you are. People that say the things you say are just that JEALOUS. She like every ohter artist sings about their life. Look God gives everyone of us a gift just do a lot of soul searching and find yours and stop being a hater.
People like you only add to the negativity of life. It's so easy to be kind and allow for indifferences without always putting others down. Got a hole to crawl into? Please do!
you have to learn to look deeper.....I admit to having that original thought.......don't judge......look closer
What's wrong Chaz ? That suffereing from Micro Penis syndrome finally getting you down ?
who is jealous of her oh god..she looks dirty..her yellow teeth.they try to dress her up..but you cant dress up a pig.
Chaz you are exactly correct. That girl is not easy on the eyes and her noise bothers the ears also.
My dad always said that pretty is as pretty does in case you are slow due to the amount of drugs, alcohol and being dropped on your head as a child that means beauty is in the way a person acts not what is on the outside. That being said you must have one black soul...you need to work on yourself instead of judging others.
Seems like you are a black white hater.What is it you want to heard from her? That she is drugadict like you? Eat your thoughts
about people that you don't know, they are ugly
You are a bad and hurtful person. I feel sad for you. Crystal got a shot in life and you hate her for it. SADDDDDDD.....
I think Crystal Bowersocks should have won on american idol. Her voice and heart were good. The reason she did not win is because society is so messed up in their thinking, because she had a baby and not married, lived in the country couldn"t afford to fix her teeth and her daddy rode a cycle, all these things were held against her.The boy friend she got rid of , that was a good thing. I do not think she is any worse then some of the rich and famous stars and their life style . Why do most of them even bother to get married, let alone have kids.The only difference between them and Crystal for the most part is Crystal is poor. Look at Charlie on two and half men, look at Lindsley Lohan, Britt Spears,in my opinion nethier one of these has any talent, just rich BRATS. Crystal Bowersocks can sing, and i wish her all the best.
Chaz, Chaz, Chaz.. do you read news stories besides this, at all? Crystal did NOT "dump" her boyfriend. On the last night of Idol singng before the winner was picked, her boyfriend dumped HER that SAME day! HE didn't want the "glamorous Hollywood lifestyle". He was a 'home boy'and likes it that way so HE let HER go and it was amicable, though painful for all of them. Get your story straight before you tear someone you don't know anything about a new one. Don't believe me? Google it!!! And by the way - grow up!