The lovely and talented Crystal Garrett talked with Yasmin Young today about her pop/R&B music and growing up in North and South Carolina.  This former beauty queen is ready to take over the music industry!  Watch her video interview, listen to her new single “Hostage,” and tell us if you want to hear more of Crystal on Power 98!

CONTACT INFO

Website: www.crystalgarrett.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Garrett/230768626984619

Twitter: @crystalgarrett

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Fort Bragg North Carolina and now based in Columbia South Carolina, Crystal Garrett is a Pop/R&B artist destined for greatness. Not just your ordinary performer, Crystal prides herself in her unique ability to woo her audiences at every turn. As the former 2007 Miss South Carolina, her energetic stage show, combining great original songs and innovative dance only begin to describe the commercial potential this amazing young and talented artist represents.
It all began at the ripe old age of four, Crystal, while listening to Mariah Carey, found that she possessed the uncanny ability replicate her sound by being able to hit all the notes that Mariah was singing. It quickly became evident that when she sang and performed; people smiled. She continued performing and even back then knew that a career in music was inevitable.
As a highly eclectic musician and person in general, Crystal listens to and enjoys a wide variety of musical genres from pop, R&B, country, and jazz, to great classical music. Her favorite artist of all time is not surprisingly Patti Labelle, and her sound is influenced by many of the greats such as Mariah Carey, Prince, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga. “These are all artists with amazing voices that stay true to themselves and are always looking for new ways to express themselves musically”, states Crystal, “I love to push the boundaries and be a little unusual. It’s ok to be crazy in my book”. Crystal’s music exhibits a unique flare and is a signature sound. Although, if she were to be placed in any particular “Sounds Like” category it would have to be Mariah Carey & Janet Jackson with a touch of Christina Aguilera and a little Brittany Spears.
When asked if her songs and music come from within or from what she observes around her, Crystal replies, “My music comes from both within and from what I observe day to day. I can only write about what I know, see, and experience. We all go through similar challenges and experiences in life so I write about what everyone can best relate to. It’s real”. Drawing inspiration from her young nieces she states, “I want them to look at me as a positive role model, so that makes me work harder at bettering myself as an artist and as a person. I love to play my music for them and they are very up front and honest about what they think and how they feel about it”.
In her still young career, Crystal has already performed as the opening act for Jennifer Holiday and Keisha Cole. She has also performed live at the Amber Ready Fundraiser at the ABC Studios in Time Square New York and the Tom Joyner Family Reunion in Orlando, Florida. Citing her dream gig as a sold out house in Madison Square Gardens in New York, Crystal wants her audiences to leave one of her exciting live performances feeling emotions like they have never felt before; feeling that her performance was unforgettable and that they have just experienced something fresh and new.
Not only the former Miss South Carolina and up and coming artist, Crystal loves to cook and has volunteered on many worthwhile projects such as The Princess Workshop, a family and children event that Crystal created through Family Connection, a family and children oriented organization. The Princess Workshop is a fun day for 12 disabled girls where they all receive makeovers inside and out; where at the close of the workshop, their true potential is realized. She also served as a counselor at a camp for children with asthma in Myrtle Beach, SC, and as a counselor at L.A.W.K (Ladies Armed with Knowledge) which consisted of a group of young women ages 13 to 25 where they discussed the knowledge needed to survive in the world while making a difference.
Retaining her artistic integrity as she attains the inevitable commercial success is definitely not a problem for Crystal Garrett. On this subject she states emphatically; “Of course! I plan to always be myself in every aspect of my career. I think that will help people to become drawn to me musically and through commercial endeavors because I am and I will remain real”. When asked of any regrets she might have as a performer she once again strongly replies, “No regrets, it’s a waste of energy. Instead I take the not so good times and learn from them. I take what I’ve learned from bad instances and implement my new knowledge into my everyday life so that I don’t make the same mistake twice”.
Crystal is currently in the studio in Atlanta pounding out her debut album with a team of high profile music producers. The new record is earmarked for release sometime in 2012. She will pre-release the single “Hostage” in early 2012 which will be available on iTunes and other digital distribution portals. To keep up on the news, release dates, and tours, for this fiery young talent, you can visit her official website at http://www.crystalgarrett.com.