Music & Video
Find music and videos from CSM, as well as current and former Chicago street musicians below.
Street Musician Music & Videos
Sweet Home Chicago
In August 2009, CSM shot a film featuring 16 Chicago street musicians performing “Sweet Home Chicago.” Musicians included American Idol runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, Keithen Terrell, George Banks, Scott Dusenberry, Vimont Brogsdale, Ronald Christian, Norman Smith, Joseph Ellison, Fritz Legros, Tim Anderson, Cortez Harrington, Howard Wallace, Jerry Williams, Jerome Tolliver, Robert O’Shall and Thomas White.
The jury of Intercom, the International Film and Video Competition, recently awarded “Sweet Home Chicago” with a Certificate of Merit for its superior quality. This division of the Chicago International Film Festival, Intercom honors the best in Corporate, Industrial, Educational and Interactive productions. Sweet Home Chicago competed against thousands of international entries and won in the “Online/Viral” category.
Kindling Group Videos
Chicago’s Kindling Group produces and sponsors documentary films exploring critical social issues and channels these projects into powerful tools for community engagement and change. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, we provide independent and emerging filmmakers with an environment that supports meaningful productions, maximizes their impact with strong outreach, and fosters connections between media makers and the broader community.
We hope you enjoy the trailers, outtakes, and webisodes from our major films and projects! For more, visit www.kindlinggroup.org.
Music is all around us. Everyday we pass street musicians and buskers doing what they love and may not bother to listen. Kindling Group hit the streets of Chicago to talk to some of these musicians, giving them the chance to share their music and their stories with the online community.
Crystal Finishes Second On American Idol, Ready For Her New Life
Crystal Bowersox had a fantastic run on American Idol and she has countless of new opportunities in front of her. Of her Idol experience, Crystal said, “I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’ve learned a lot about the business. I already knew who I was, but I’m picking the things that I like and adding to it. My life is never going to be the same, and I’m ready for all of it.” Way to go, Crystal!
Read MTV.com’s article here.
An article on nymag.com had the following to say about Lee and Crystal: “Although Crystal is a more technically proficient singer and interesting artist than Lee, it was hard not to switch allegiances the moment Lee began crying before the winner was even announced. Clearly, this whole Idol thing is more than he ever could have imagined a year ago, and truthfully, he needs the top spot more than Crystal does. She is a fantastic, authentic singer who has made a name for herself and can probably count on her natural talent to propel her forward from here.”
Read the entire nymag.com article here.
Watch Crystal in one of her last Idol performances singing “Ironic” and “You Oughta Know” with Alanis Morissette:
Other Performances By Chicago Street Musicians
We try to post all of the videos we can find of Chicago street musicians in action. Please email us if you know of a video or audio recording that is not posted here at info@chicagostreetmusicians.org. Thank you.
Chicago: The Great American City (featuring bucket drummers), directed and produced by Kristopher Rey-Talley
Music In The Air, a documentary filmed and produced by Alex Mechlin
Chris James Wins Talent Show Aboard USS George Washington
“Chicago On A Musical Note,” Filmed and Produced by journalist Cecile Vannucci
Crystal Bowersox Performs On American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Ironic” and “You Oughta Know” with Alanis Morissette on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Come To My Window” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Maybe I’m Amazed” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Falling Slowly” with Lee DeWyze on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Summer Wind” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “No One Needs To Know” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “People Get Ready” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Come Together” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Midnight Train to Georgia” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Me and Bobby McGee” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Give Me One Reason” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “Long As I Can See The Light” on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox Sings “You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman)” on American Idol