Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Suzanne Crow was born in Kennett, Missouri on February 11, 1962. She enrolled at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition, Performance, and Education. While in college, Crow sang in a local band, Cashmere. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta social sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota show more International Music Fraternity for Women, and the Omicron Delta Kappa Society. Later, Crow was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After graduating from college, Crow worked as a music teacher at the Kellison elementary school, in Fenton, Missouri. Teaching during the day allowed her the opportunity to sing in bands on weekends. Later, she was introduced to local musician and producer Jay Oliver. He had a thriving studio in the basement of his parents' home, in St. Louis, and helped her by using her in advertising jingles. Her first jingle was a back-to-school spot for the St. Louis department store Famous-Barr. McDonald's and Toyota commercial jingles soon followed. Crow toured with Michael Jackson as a backup vocalist during his Bad World Tour from 1987 - 1989, and often performed with Jackson on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You."She also recorded background vocals for performances from various established artists including Stevie Wonder, Belinda Carlisle and Don Henley. Her song All I Wanna Do became an unexpected smash hit in the spring of 1994. The singles "Strong Enough" and "Can't Cry Anymore" were also released, with the first song "Strong Enough" charting at #5 on Billboard and "Can't Cry Anymore" hitting the Top 40. In 1996, Crow released her self titled second album. The album had songs about abortion, homelessness and nuclear war. The debut single, "If It Makes You Happy," became a radio success and netted her two Grammy awards for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Album. Some of her other albums include Globe Sessions and Live. Sheryl Crow has recently authored a cookbook entitled If it Makes You Healthy: More Than 100 Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Seasons. This title made Publisher's Weekly Best Sellers List in April 2011. (Bowker Author Biography) show less