Music, Mindfulness & Motherhood

After 30 years in the music business, Sheryl Crow knows how to carve out her own path. With over 35 million albums sold worldwide and more #1 singles with triple A listings than any other female artist (ever), she’s undoubtedly Nashville’s most globally famous artist. And chances are her latest project will garner her an even larger fan base, as it involves so many beloved musicians throughout the world. A few of the collaborators on the various songs include Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Joe Walsh, Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Lucius, Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Don Henley. Other sure-to-be-hits involve hometown friends like Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. Based on the talents involved combined with her own musical mastery, it’s slated to be one of the most sought-after records on the market when the full vinyl edition releases later this year. A project this big would seem to be enough to cause anyone’s plate to overflow, but not hers. In fact, she’s living the far more downto-earth life of a Nashville mom, friend and community supporter.

After a full day of shooting Sheryl in various ensembles from local fashion haunts along with jewelry by Vincent Peach that she instantly fell in love with, we decided to have a more intimate visit a week later in her Forest Hills home. It’s here where she can relax and be more open, and the ambiance is designed to complement her low-key approach to life these days. Well, low-key for her, at least. She’s still performing, gearing up for a tour with the band Heart over the summer, as well as participating in various shows and concerts. Her clothing line is booming on HSN and she fits in lots of time for family, friends and especially her two boys, who happen to be one of the primary reasons she chose to move to Nashville.

“As a single mother, I decided the environment here was much more suited to raising children than the often more offensive obstructions parents have to deal with in Los Angeles,” she says. “And I was coming to Nashville before it became ‘cool’ since my sister lived here long before I arrived. I find it an easy place to find privacy while also engaging with others who are in the same creative business I am. We have lots of friends and our entertainment is usually at home, inviting people over for game nights. When it comes to my social life, it’s very family-oriented.”

She seems totally at peace, dressed casually in ripped jeans and sitting back in a well-worn chair in one of the conversation rooms scattered about the main floor. In fact, “lived-in” is the way I would describe the whole place. The décor, furnishings, art and collectibles remind me of classic European style, with aged rugs layered on the floors, lots of iron sconces and fixtures and an array of well-chosen antique wood pieces scattered throughout. She sees it a bit differently, saying, “the kitchen feels like a kennel right now. Since we got our new puppy, Jewels, it’s a bit crazy.” While we’re chatting, the happy dog bounds in and out while one of the cats, Dallas, winds around my chair legs. She also proclaims herself guilty of never throwing anything out. “The difference between being a hoarder and a collector ishaving aisles,” she says she’s been told. “I guess the best way to describe me is an organized hoarder.” Her reluctance to throw anything out over the years particularly applies to her wardrobe, which reflects her long-time love for all things vintage. The collection is what inspires items in her clothing line, which she says is extremely affordable and accessible to the average woman seeking authentic style. She loves clothes and fashion but isn’t into super-expensive new designer frocks, choosing instead to roam thrift stores for fresh finds. That also applies to items you might find around her house, as she loves to head to downtown Franklin or Gas Lamp Antique Mall to go “junking.” She knows a treasure when she sees it, which is apparent in the surroundings.

Other downtime rituals are almost always active. “We have horses on this property, and we love to ride here or go to Percy Warner Park. Me and the boys are also big sports people. I’m constantly playing baseball, basketball or ping-pong, or jumping on the trampoline with them. In the summer, we spend most of our days in the pool,” she smiles. “I also have some incredible female friends here, some of whom I call my ‘mom friends,’ with kids the same ages as mine. We hike the nearby trails and parks to catch up.” Just looking at her toned limbs is evidence of her active lifestyle, but she reports that there is more to being healthy than just an array of activities. “I’ve practiced meditation for 17 years and am a firm believer in the practice for staying mindful and finding peace of mind,” she says. “It can still be tough sometimes to quiet the mind and just release, which is why it’s called a ‘practice.’ It’s a daily effort that has continually paid off for me.” She also tries to eat clean most of the time by avoiding preservatives and sugar, as well as consuming as little gluten as possible. She also clocks in serious time on her rowing machine, which she loves. “Carrying your own gear to and from shows and rehearsals is also great for upper-body strength,” she adds, and likely her crew respects and appreciates her hands-on approach.

When discussing the thought process behind this upcoming album, she tells a bit of the story from her point of view. “When it came into my mind, the first call I made was to Kris Kristofferson, who has a presence on the record. Sadly, his recent diagnosis with memory loss makes this a bit emotional, but his involvement was paramount. From there, I began making other calls to friends, mentors, talents I admire and those who’ve been most inspiring to me. Everyone was so easy to work with and I’m pleased with the end result.” That also applies to Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records, who instantly signed Sheryl to his multi-genre label.

He heard a few of the first songs and knew that they had to be involved and is spearheading all of the promotion of the album, as well as releasing a couple of singles this summer via streaming platforms. She has complete faith in his vision and direction and is happy to know as little about that process as possible. “The business has changed so much, and trying to do something with country radio a few years ago wasn’t a positive experience for me,” she admits. “There’s just so little room for females to be played, so having someone like Scott in charge is a big relief.” She calls herself an “Elder Statesman” in the industry (she’s 57) but is so proud and supportive of artists she feels are carrying the torch of being authentic to the craft in a new generation.She’s a big fan of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and rising talent Maren Morris. She’s also a huge fan of some of Nashville’s beloved songwriters, citing Kelley Lovelace, Natalie Henby, Chris Duboi, Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall as friends and co-writers.

She’s not so much all-over the #metoo movement, choosing to avoid that topic while still standing behind her hopes for females in music. “There need to be more female radio programmers and producers running the show,” she says. “I also would like to see more young girls encouraged to pick up a guitar—or any instrument— to develop their own talents while being supported for it. Oh, and one last thing... When it comes to downtown Nashville, what’s up with all of the big bars being named after guys? Don’t you think it’s time we had a big club named after a girl?” We both laugh a little as I can’t quite imagine the draw for a bar named after Carrie Underwood.

When I ask her what’s next, she says that if she never makes another album again, she’s completely at peace with that. She looks forward to touring, raising her boys, returning to her home state of Missouri or the Gulf Coast for vacations and living in the moment. Currently that includes juggling quite a bit, including a passion project in downtown Columbia where she purchased a historic building: “The little town feels like the ideal Middle America scene, and that’s something I completely identify with. I think a clothing store may go in very soon, but I’m not sure. Overall, it’s just been enjoyable to help refurbish something so precious.” So, big picture, she’s going to keep singing, inspiring others in her life and taking care of herself and her family. As for this afternoon? She’s headed to pick up the boys from school and will spend a little time with them before heading downtown to see a performance by Brandi Carlisle, who’s also a collaborator on one of the songs on the album. As Sheryl herself puts it, “What more could I want?”

Photography, Alex Berger Art Direction & Styling, Lacie Thorne Styling Assistants, Tori LaRocco and Courtney Geree Hair & Makeup, Meg Boes Photographer’s Assistant, Brittany Hölljes

Special thanks to homeowners Scott and Sarah Gardner