Crystal Hopkins is the type of girl you’d love to bring home to Mom. The aspiring country musician has the potential to become the next big thing while still being as down to earth as possible. Not too mention she was recently chosen as one of Atlanta’s most beautiful people in Jezebel Magazine. When asked about doing an interview with Tunigo, she was more than happy to give me the time to fill Tunigo in on everything she’s up to, what makes her tick, and what we can expect to see from her in the near future.

You’re a true Southern girl from the small town of Jesup, Georgia. You’re now an NBA Cheerleader with the Atlanta Hawks, a fitness model and a budding country music artist. At only 23, how has music always been a  part of your life and how has that helped get you to where you are now?

- As a little girl, my dad would play his old upright player piano by ear and I would sing along with him.  By the age of 7 I had finally mustered up enough courage to sing in front of the congregation at my local church. From then on I knew singing and performing was my dream.  I continue to climb the musical latter everyday to make my dream a reality.

Some of the greats, like Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton, were listed as your favorites to sing along to as a kid. How did they, and others, help shape your flavor as a musician and singer?

- Every lyric Aretha and Dolly sing is heart felt throughout every fiber of their bodies. To me, that is the epitome of soulful music which has inspired me as an artist and a writer. By admiring these great vocalists I have learned to sing with conviction, hurt, joy, and love. And, to truly tell a story in each song through my vocals every time I perform.

You’re debut single released in May is, “I Can See This Going Somewhere”. Where did the inspiration for this song come from?

- “I Can See This Going Somewhere,” is a song about seeing my future with a certain someone, and not needing “all that fairy tale stuff” to make it last. I just want to let our hearts run free no matter where that road may lead us. Believe it or not, the simple things in love mean more to me than any material things. And, that is what I wanted this song to convey.

Is there a music video you’re working on currently for the song?

- I am planning to record about 3 more songs and then figure out which one to do a video on.

With so many aspirations on the table (cheerleading, singing, modeling) and the will to get it all done, how do you keep yourself balanced?

- I’m so blessed to have a great support system. They all definitely keep me sane at stressful times. Also, I enjoy reading my daily devotional books. This helps me each day to keep my priorities in order and my life in perspective.

So we discovered you because we learned you are working with some friends of ours…the great production team of Kenneth Mount and Zach Odom at ZK Productions.  Can you tell us something exclusive about working with them on your new material? The name of a track or the album? Maybe even the date??

- My new song I wrote is called “Little Town.” This song is about my first love from my hometown. I started writing the song with the idea of “if home is where the heart is found, then I’m heading back to my little town.”  I absolutely LOVE Zach and Kenneth from ZK productions! I also worked with ZK on my first song, “I Can See This Going Somewhere.” After that, I told them they were never gonna get rid of me! They have such a positive energy that makes me feel so comfortable. These guys are so down to earth and genuine. They make the atmosphere so loving to work in. Not to mention, Zach and Kenneth are by far the most talented producers I’ve ever worked with! They really know how to bring out the best of me when I’m in the booth!

If you were able to speak to your younger self, the one with all these dreams that seemed so far away at the time, what would you say was the single best part of growing up in Jesup, in a small community, that helped you achieve so much, so quickly?

- Growing up in a small town where you never meet a stranger has definitely impacted who I am today. My supportive community in Jesup encouraged me every day to always “keep on keeping on!” That alone motivated me to never stop or settle. As a goal oriented kid I found out real quickly how rewarding it was to accomplish and fulfill a goal I had set for myself. If I could speak to my younger self I would say “Be a kid, live a little! Be patient! Don’t put so much emphasis on accomplishing your dream at such an early age because it’s on God’s timing!”

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