Sheryl Crow on Prioritizing Family, Mother’s Day Traditions and New Album (Interview)

For a special Mother’s Day celebration, we’re spotlighting singer-songwriter and actress, Sheryl Crow, who’ll be celebrating the big day at home in Nashville with her family. Crow’s success is beyond compare. She’s released eight studio albums, which have sold 35 million copies worldwide. Seven of them climbed into the Top 10 and five were certified for multi-platinum sales. In addition to several No. 1 hits, Crow has 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Mainstream Top 40 and Hot Country Songs charts. She has more No. 1 singles in the Triple A listings than any other female artist.

Although she has a hectic schedule of touring, recording and music promotion, the talented artist and single mom of two boys, Wyatt, 10, and Levi, 7, makes her children priority #1. In fact, her new album, BE MYSELF, is about life through the eyes of a single parent, educating her children and living a full and creative life while being exactly who she is at her core, a strong, intelligent, modern woman giving her all to her family.

We were delighted to catch up with Crow about single motherhood and the proverbial work-life juggling act. And being that the Grammy Award-winning singer is a super busy single mom we wanted to know how she ensured her kids knew they were of utmost importance. “I’m lucky that I can schedule my work around their school schedule. I am in school drop off and pickup line every day, and I’m able to schedule a lot of my work in between that time,” Crow tells Tinseltown Mom. “If I need to work late, my boys know they are welcome in the studio anytime they want. A big priority to me is that we have dinner together every night, no matter what. It’s the best time to check in about their school day and connect as a family.”

The life of a flourishing artist is not easy, especially when touring is involved, but somehow the singer-songwriter knows how to make it work with her family. “I have made it a priority to bring my boys with me everywhere, as much as I possibly can. They really love touring in the summer. Wyatt and Levi both learned to walk on the tour bus—and have great balance, and love being a part of the tour life.”

Life on the road with a musical mom is not all work. Crow maintains a consistent schedule for her sons, but she makes it fun. “I try to keep a pretty good routine with them even when we travel, and that has been really helpful. We have a list of things to do in each city. We’ve been to science museums, zoos, aquariums and water parks all over the country… We spend most of the day out and about, and then they know that mom needs to get back to work in the late afternoon. There’s soundcheck and dinner with the band and crew, and then they play or have downtime while I get ready. When they were little, I got to put them to bed every night before I went onstage, but now that they are older they get to stay up late and we all get to sleep in—they’re touring pros!”

Crow’s new album, BE MYSELF, is not only original but relatable. The idea behind the album was based on her experience being a single mom. “When we started writing this album, Jeff Trott—my long-time co-writer—and I had a lot of discussions about raising kids these days. I look around and see kids disengaged from the world sitting on their iPhones, or posting just the right picture hoping for enough ‘likes’ to feel okay about themselves. That’s a lot of pressure for kids… I’m so glad all of that wasn’t around when I was growing up…  So yeah, a lot of the songs are about being present in your own life, showing up and being yourself and not caring about what people on social media think of you.”

One of the songs on the album, Roller Skate, was inspired by hearing that dreaded phrase, ‘Mom! Put your phone away!’ “…Ugh, that’s the worst,” Crow admits, “… Your kids want your attention, and they deserve it…  So it’s my little anthem to put the phone down, be with the people around you, and enjoy the life that’s right in front of you.”

Crow adopted her sons and it’s so wonderful to hear her talk about the beauty of adoption and how the experience has positively impacted her life, a decision that has changed her in more ways than she imagined. “Choosing to adopt was the best decision I ever made. I feel so blessed to have these boys in my life, and some days I can’t believe how lucky I am. They really are my two favorite people to spend time with. Your priorities change as soon as you become a mom. Being a mom informs everything else – I consider these two boys in every decision I make. I think I’m better about slowing down and enjoying the time I have with them. Most days I feel like I’m spinning 50 plates, but when my kids are around, I’m zeroed in on them and our time together.”

As Mother’s Day approaches Crow shares some of her favorite traditions. “Growing up, we always took my mom breakfast in bed, and then we always wore a rose to church in honor of our mother and grandmother. My boys have started their own little traditions—and they’ve taken to making breakfast in bed too!”

Be sure to check out where Crow will be touring this spring and summer. The following dates have been confirmed:

June 8                    Greek Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)

June 10                  The Mountain Winery (Saratoga, CA)

June 11                  The Mountain Winery (Saratoga, CA)

June 21                  Wolf Trap – Filene Center (Vienna, VA)

June 24                  North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh, NC)

June 25                  Chastain Park Amphitheater (Atlanta, GA)

June 28                  Beacon Theatre (New York, NY)

June 29                  Rochester Internat’l Jazz Fest (Rochester, NY)

July 14                   Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater (Chautauqua, NY)

CLICK HERE to purchase Crow’s new album BE MYSELF.