Dear Crystal, Through your hard work and success on American Idol, you have become an inspiration to people everywhere who have a dream—you are amazing! The United Way of Ottawa County has a dream as well. Our dream is to provide crucial services to those in dire need, and we are asking for your help. On Saturday, August 27th, 2011 the United Way of Ottawa County will hold its fourth annual Gem Beach Rocks event. This is an all-day music festival implemented completely by volunteers which features live music, food and fun from 12 to 8 p.m. at Gem Beach on Catawba Island. In the past three years, this premier summer event has raised over $150,000, and all proceeds have stayed in Ottawa County to assist those in need. Unfortunately, the need is especially critical right now due to the devastation caused by the tornado that struck western Ottawa County this past year.

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MESSAGE: I am really hoping that Crystal will be posed this question. I have a long lost friend who I originally met in Culver, Indiana where my family had a 3 generation cottage. My dear friend’s name was Arlo Bowersox who eventually moved to California. He and I kept touch and I even have some of his old letters. I am so curious to get back in touch with him and am wondering if he is any relation to you Crystal. I was one of your biggest fans Crystal for I, too, play the 6 and 12 string guitar and sing. It would mean the world to me to be back in touch with Arlo. For the record, I am a friend, not a past love interest (thought this might be important since he could easily be married). I hope that someone would be kind and good enough to respond if there is any connection between the two of you. He would appreciate it also.

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MESSAGE: Hi Crystal, My friend Heidi and I are doing a wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser for the Diabetes Research Institute. We would love to have an autographed picture or CD to use in our silent auction. Would you be willing to help us find a cure through DRI? My son Thomas (17) was diagnosed with Type 1 one week before his 10th birthday. Heidi’s daughter, Zoe (6), was diagnosed when she was 11 months old.
Thank you, Nancy

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MESSAGE: please tell Crystal to make more CD’s. I loved her Farmers Daughter but cannot wait till she does one that is all R&B in the type of Janis Joplin. I have not heard a voice like Joplins till I heard Crystal on Idol and had never felt like picking up the phone and voting on ANYTHING or ANYONE until I heard Crystal. Please get word to her to not quit making music!

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MESSAGE: Crystal, adorable girl, I’ve been listening to everything on the album over and over and watching you on every show I can find you on since Idol ended. You are in fact the only one that kept me watching Idol last year. I am so happy for you when I hear this music that I hope my elation will be some part of the psychic forces that keep you and precious Tony and yes, your sweet, handsome, talented husband Brian going together through thick and thin. You are not only one of the best and most original talents EVER to emerge from Idol but also deserving of every good thing life will bring you. I wonder if your label is promoting you properly. Cuz the public — those who wouldn’t probably dream of watching Idol — might need an introduction to you that makes them aware of your “commercial” value, as well as your rare and many musical and vocal talents. For instance, though Farmer’s Daughter is a great song, it might be a little heavy for the average listener, who’s accepting, for example, Katy Perry as a good singer.

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