The Big Break
Sheryl Crow was born in a musically gifted family, with her father being a trumpet player and mother a piano teacher. The love for music came naturally to her. Sheryl wrote her first song when she was just thirteen. Later, she decided to get a professional degree in music from the University of Missouri, in Columbia.
During her university days, Crow became a part of a cover band Cashmere. After her graduation she began teaching music at an elementary school while simultaneously recording local advertising jingles and playing as part of a cover band called P.M. It was in 1986 that Sheryl Crow decided to pursue music as a full time professional career. She relocated to Los Angeles and worked as a waitress while trying to find ways to make her debut in the music industry. The big opportunity came when she was recruited by the Pop King, Michael Jackson as a backing vocalist for his international Bad Tour. During the tour, Sheryl Crow sang the female part of the duet ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.’
Collaborations and Debut Album
After the tour ended, Crow continued her search to sign with a record label but in vain. Hence, she began performing as a session vocalist and worked with renowned artists like Joe Cocker and Don Henley. She also worked on her songwriting skills and produced compositions that were sung by top singers of the time including Celine Dion and Eric Clapton. During her time as a session vocalist, she was acquainted with the producer Hugh Padgham, who helped her in signing a deal with the label, A&M.
Unfortunately Crow’s first attempt at a debut album was shelved. However a few cassettes of the record were leaked and received modest publicity. She then joined the music group Tuesday Music Club, of which her then boyfriend Kevin Gilbert was also a member. The group comprising David Baerwald, David Ricketts, Brian MacLeod, Dan Schwartz and Bill Bottrell worked hard as a team to produce Crow’s debut album ‘Tuesday Night Music Club.’ It won three Grammy Awards in the categories ‘Record of the Year’, ‘Best Female Vocal Performance’ and ‘Best New Artist’.
Following Music Contributions
Sheryl Crow’s second self-titled album was released in 1996. The collection had tracks on controversial subjects like abortion and nuclear war. The single ‘If It Makes You Happy’ became a huge radio hit and earned the singer two prestigious Grammys. Other popular songs of the album include ‘Home’ and ‘Every Day is a Winding Road.’
The following year, Crow produced the title theme song of the movie ‘Tomorrow Never Dies.’ The number received a Grammy as well as a Golden Globe nomination. Following releases by the multitalented musician include ‘The Globe Sessions,’ ‘C'mon, C'mon,’ ‘Wildflowers,’ ‘Detours,’ ‘Home for Christmas,’ ‘100 Miles from Memphis.’
Sheryl’s latest album ‘Feels Like Home’ released in 2013. It marks the singer’s country genre debut. With singles like ‘Easy,’ ‘Giveaway,’ and ‘Homecoming Queen,’ the record was ranked by Billboard as one of the year’s best country albums. In the upcoming concert series, Sheryl Crow will perform cover songs, her own pop, rock and folk hits as well as tracks from the most recent release that features the country tunes by the versatile artist.