Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Crystal Bowersox announced that she had signed with Shanachie Entertainment back on Oct. 3.

But the label didn’t get around to releasing an official announcement of her signing until yesterday (Oct. 15).

The best news in the release: The label plans to release Crystal’s sophomore album in early 2013.

“On American Idol, Crystal Bowersox stood out as a real singer with a big voice who made an emotional connection with the audience, similar to the way Adele does,” Shanachie Entertainment General Manager Randall Grass says in the release. “Yet we feel the true depth of her talent as a singer and songwriter has not yet been fully exposed and we look forward to achieving that with her new album.”

Added Crystal: “My career is really still in its infancy and the possibilities are limitless. This will be my second studio album and I’m excited to see what happens.

“The silvery residue from Idol has faded a bit and now it’s all about what’s true and real in my world. I’m paying way more attention to the things that really matter and making more of my decisions based in kindness and love,” she adds. “My son has taught me so much about that, how strong I can be, even in my weakest moments.”

Other tidbits of news about the upcoming album:

•  The producers have yet to be selected
•  It will be recorded in Nashville or Los Angeles
•  It will feature mostly originals

Well, being a Crystal Bowersox album, I should hope so.

But given that a producer hasn’t been selected,  an early 2013 release seems  a bit optimistic.

Since winning Idol … oops, she should have won, but finished second …  Crystal released her fine “Farmer’s Daughter” album in 2010 and an EP of five pre-Idol songs in May.

If you haven’t checked out the EP, you should, especially the songs “Slut” and “Get Me Out.”

As for Shanachie Entertainment, it’s also the home of Rusted Root and another former Idol contestant, Ruben Studdard.

Here’s Crystal performing “Get Me Out” live.