Local Girl Does Good

Everyday is a winding road...and true to her roots, Kennett native, Sheryl Crow is following the road home to play a benefit concert. The 7 time Grammy winner will appear Saturday, December 2 at the Show Me Center. Because of her generosity, proceeds from the concert will be divided equally to establish endowed scholarships for students enrolled in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Southeast Missouri State and the Kennett Area Higher Education Center.

Born in 1962, Crow was exposed to music by her parents who often played in big bands in Memphis. She began playing piano at age six and started singing in rock groups at 16. After receiving a degree in classical piano from the University of Missouri, Crow taught music at a St. Louis elementary school. Then, in 1986, the aspiring singer/songwriter moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the music business. She was a back-up singer for several notable artists including Michael Jackson, George Harrison, Don Henley and Stevie Wonder.

Sheryl Crow was propelled to stardom as a solo artist after the release of her blues-driven, 1993 debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club. The album was recorded with a loose-knit group of musicians who gathered on Tuesday nights at producer Bill Bottrell's Los Angeles studio. The supportive atmosphere encouraged Crow to focus her writing on her personal experiences, but the evenings also produced some lighthearted songs, including "Leaving Las Vegas" and "All I Wanna Do" -the latter received a Grammy as 1994's Record of the Year.

Her 1996 follow-up was equally as successful -going multi-platinum with hit radio songs, "If It Makes You Happy," "Everyday is a Winding Road" and "A Change (Will Do You Good)." Crow spent the next 2 years on the road, playing select dates on the Rolling Stones' Bridges to Babylon tour and performing with the Lilith Fair. Her third album, The Globe Sessions, was released in the fall of 1998 and Crow was awarded another Grammy for Best Rock Album.

Tickets are $30 for lower level and floor seats and $25 for upper-level. Call the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000 to order your tickets. The concert begins at 7pm on Saturday, Dec. 2. Help support her philanthropic efforts and buy a ticket to the show - we're sure you won't be disappointed.