The artist behind “If It Makes You Happy” shared with fans over the weekend that her move to the Tennessee countryside was what finally made her happy – and was lifesaving.
Sheryl Crow, famed country and Americana artist, hit the stage at Sea.Hear.Now Music Festival in New Jersey over the weekend, and during her set, she gave some words of encouragement to the crowd that might be going through a hard time.
People Magazine reported that before singing “Cross Creek Road,” she talked about her move from Los Angeles to Nashville:
“I know how hard it is for especially young people – and I don’t know if anybody was pained by struggles like I did when I was young – but these are some tricky waters to navigate now.
I’ll just tell you that, for me, getting out in nature really saved my life…
So, I moved to Nashville, and I bought a farm. I sat in the trees and just asked God to give me some answers — and I wound up writing this song.”
Crow made her cross-country move in 2003 from Los Angeles to Nashville, but more in the town’s countryside, right on the edge where Franklin meets Nashville.
Describing her oasis’ location to Architectural Digest, Crow revealed:
“The property has 50 acres—but we are also, like, five minutes from a Starbucks.”
Crow made her move right after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and during a time in her life when she felt she didn’t have roots in any place.
“I walked in, and I immediately sensed that this is a home.”
The move was not only beneficial for Crow but also for her two sons, Wyatt and Levi. While Nashville might be a musical hub compared to other major cities, there are no paparazzi, letting celebrities live a “normal” life.
“It’s great to have my kids grow up with the mentality that they live in a community, they owe their good fortune to helping other people, and there are no paparazzi there.”
While Nashville is different today, as a native, I can attest to that statement. Many people of fame love Music City because of this reason. Downtown, they might get recognized (hello, that’s tourist central), but as many live on the sleepier, more country side of town, they are just people out there.
She once told Rolling Stone about the hominess that comes with Tennessee:
“I completely relate to Nashville because I have a lot of friends there who are also in the music business… But not only that, I just relate to the people. I relate to the friendliness and down-homeness.
I feel a relaxation that comes over my body that I usually don’t feel when I’m in New York or L.A.”
I’d feel a sense of relaxation if I had a compound like Crow’s. Her stunning home features a barn that doubles as her recording studio.
While Crow might not be beachfront, she can still “Soak Up The Sun” from the stunning Tennessee countryside.
Check out her inspirational space.
