For Crossley, word of mouth is key

By JOHN BENSON

entertainment@vindy.com

Adam Crossley may be a songwriter, but when discussing why the New Jersey native has booked concerts for Friday and Saturday at the Pierce Opera House in Sharpsville, Pa., the 32-year-old becomes an impressionist.

“I was raised in South Jersey but I was born in Pittsburgh,” said Crossley, calling from Toronto, Canada. “And every summer we’d go back to visit my grandma. Now my sister lives there, I’ve got cousins and my parents are also there in New Castle. So I’m there quite a bit. And my mom especially has been like, ‘You need to come and play a show back here because we have so much family and friends that want to hear you.’”

What may be lacking in firsthand knowledge of Crossley’s mom doesn’t matter when the artist dishes out his best high-pitched, slightly nasally voice that seemingly comes with love from years of practice (and perhaps years of nagging).

“So I said to my mom, ‘If you find the place and you book it, I’ll come,’” Crossley said, laughing.

Well, she fulfilled her end of the bargain and now Crossley will be doing the same. However, before we talk about his solo debut at the Pierce Opera House, the artist’s history is notable. By the age of 7 the young pianist was writing songs and showing promise musically. Over a decade later, he landed in Nashville where he fronted pop-rock band 9 Point Landing.

It wasn’t until 2005 that his career took a different turn when he began collaborating with producer Asher Lenz, an accomplished Canadian music, TV and film composer, whose credits include co-writing Andrea Bocelli’s “Go Where Love Goes.” At that point, Crossley moved to Canada and the duo started writing for Josh Groban. Their song “So She Dances” is featured on the platinum-selling artist’s 2006 album “Awake.” In addition, Crossley’s song “Prisoner” was featured on NBC’s “Law & Order.” That track can also be found on the artist’s recently released solo debut, “Anvil of a Heart.”

“There’s a bit of pop and jazz on my album,” Crossley said. “What I’ve heard from people is they say it’s Norah Jones meets Sting meets John Mayer and even meets Coldplay. I really haven’t heard another artist I think it’s comparable to.”

The self-released “Anvil of a Heart” includes lead single “Beautiful World,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart, and the upbeat “Shout it Out.”

Currently, Crossley finds himself pulled in two directions. Not only is he still busy writing for other artists, current projects he’s pitching tunes for include the new albums from Josh Groban and Susan Boyle, but he’s hoping to watch his own solo career take off. Crossley admits despite his success, he’s not yet a household name, especially in the Northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania area. Still, he promises something special for those who come see his upcoming local show.

“Every time people come to my show, they spread the word,” Crossley said. “The nice thing about my stuff is it’s fun and kind of quirky enough and it’s got a bit of seriousness, too. So the span of people who like my music is very broad, which is really cool. I think anybody from 8 to 80 will dig it.”