NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Before dawn Tuesday, more than two dozen people were killed. Seventeen are still missing after devastating tornadoes hit Music City. It marked the deadliest day of tornadoes in seven years
Nashville, known for its music, was silenced early Tuesday morning as tornadoes ripped through the city and some of its historic venues were destroyed.
“A lot of the music venues are gone, places I've seen shows, places I've seen my friends play, places I've played,” said ninth season American Idol runner-up, Crystal Bowersox.
Bowersox, an Ohio native who is now a Nashville resident, watched from on-tour as the tornadoes ripped through her neighborhood.
“It was probably the scariest night of my life, and I wasn't even in Nashville,” Bowersox explained.
Her 11-year-old son was home with a nanny.
“The power went out while we were on the phone, and then the phone cut out. There was a lot of 'Hello, hello?' It was terrifying,” the singer said.
She was on the phone with them until about 4 a.m., making sure they rode the storm safely.
“Ultimately, my home was spared, everyone is okay that I know. It's not the same for a lot of people living in Nashville,” Bowersox said.
She says it's encouraging to see the new community that has welcomed and supported her and come together to help each other. The Nashville beat will go on.
“It's going to be a rebuilding process but, the community is strong. People are getting their hands dirty and helping each other,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox was playing Wednesday as a part of the Heather Pick Music Program at the OSUCCC-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Pick was a beloved 10TV news anchor who passed away from breast cancer in 2008.
Bowersox will be playing at the Rumba Cafe in Columbus Wednesday night.