A year ago, now-nationally famous “American Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox was an unknown singer who arrived for a video shoot in a car whose bumper fell off, with a baby in one arm and a guitar in another.
That 4-minute video can be seen on the YouTube site of ChicagoStreetMusicians.org, co-founded by marketing professional Sarah Barnes and graphic designer Gabe Chapman.
The co-founders’ online concept is aimed at bringing the varied sounds street music to the ears of the general public.
The video featured street eight musicians, including Bowersox, singing “Sweet Home Chicago” on eight different Chicago city streets in one day.
“We shot Crystal on the street corner on the east side of the Art Institute, as my 15-year-old daughter baby sat her son,” said Schimmel.
“As Crystal sang ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ passers-by never gave her a second look. When she was finished, everyone on our crew agreed there was something incredible about her voice and her performance.”
