Atlanta Journal and Constitution...



Pop musician Krystal grew up in a small town in Indiana and was born
into a musical family. Her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles
all sang or played instruments.

Q: What was your childhood like?

A: When I was 2 years old, I started traveling on the road, singing
in churches with my family. It was a good training ground for what I
do now. At the age of 3, I started playing piano. Later on, I started
playing bass, the organ, flute and other instruments.

Q: How did you become a pop star?

A: That sounds weird! I'm still so much at the beginning of
everything, I don't think of myself as that. I still think of myself
as a little geeky girl from Indiana. Three years ago, I met my
manager, Mookie. It was obvious that we were supposed to be a team
because we were on the same road, trying to do the same thing,
inspired in the same way. We're like the millennium Sonny and Cher.
He knew the Backstreet Boys quite well, having worked with them on
their first album. One night, Mookie was talking to Kevin Richardson
from the Backstreet Boys, telling him about the labels (record
companies) we visited. Kevin told him that the Backstreet Boys were
interested in starting their own label and they wanted me to be their
first artist. It was a blessing, because they encouraged me to be
myself. That's how I ended up on their label and on their tour as
well.

Q: How did you come up with the name of your debut album, "Me and My
Piano"?

A: The piano's kind of like my best friend. I used to get frustrated
playing it, but my mom told me someday I'd be playing it. I thought
I'd just sing. But, of course, mothers are usually right. I could not
deny an instrument that was such a part of me and my family. On my
album, I actually played piano on every song. Whenever I perform
live, I always have a grand piano onstage.

Q: If you could be anyone you want, who would it be?

A: Since Prince is my hero, I'd probably want to be him. He rules
when it comes to stage, music. He plays about 26 instruments. I play
six; I'm on the way. He's been a big teacher to me when it comes to
performing.

Q: Do your songs have anything to do with your life?

A: Absolutely. A lot of my songs are inspired by things that happened
in my life and made me feel awesome inside. And, of course, things
that haven't made me feel awesome inside. One of the biggest
inspirations in my life is Christ, so my songs have to do with my
life with Christ and being able to be the superhero I want to be.

Q: Who are your favorite music artists?

A: I love Prince, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Elton John and Billy
Joel because they are piano players. Now I listen to Lighthouse and
Limp Bizkit, as well as soul singers like Stevie Wonder and Marvin
Gaye.

Q: What other careers would you like to pursue?

A: I graduated high school in 1999, and I had plans to go to college.
I wanted to go to a serious music college that would really kick my
butt, that was not easy, like Berkley in Boston or Julliard. But
life is really a great college. I still want to go to college. I also
wanted to be a hairdresser, because I think that's fun."