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| Crystal Bernard was born on September the 30th, 1961 in Garland, Texas in USA, to preacher Jerry Wayne (who was called Brother Jerry while she was growing up) and Gaylon Bernard. She is the second of four girls, her sisters' names are Robyn, Scarlett and Angelique. At the age of three she was already singing on stage with her family, before her father preached. Performing at churches, tent revivals and gospel jubilees - touring every summer and most weekends. Crystal has said that this grounded her faith in God, knit her family together tightly and taught her how to connect with a crowd. As she grew older she and her sister Robyn sang Southern Gospel tunes with their father, they were known as The Bernard Trio . Later they recorded 12 albums in their home, and that with one microphone only. At age 14 while doing alive performance with her family Crystal caught the attention of singer / songwriter Bobbie Gentry (best known for the 60's hit 'Ode to Billie Joe' ), who invited her and Robyn (who was 16 at the time) to perform in her Las Vegas revue. Vegas fueled her passion for the stage, the screen and the sound room. To follow her dream she studied acting at Houston's Alley and enrolled as a theater and international relations major at at Baylor University at age 16. She also spent one summer as an exchange student in London and Paris. The same year she signed as a model with Nina Blanchard, and was immidietly noticed in a Pepsi commercial (followed by Perrier - that aired in Mexico, and Perry Ellis). In 1983 she did her first feature film which is the Garry Marshall's comedy "Young Doctors in Love". The same year she got the role as Richie and Joanie Cunningham's cousin K.C. Cunningham during the 10th season of ABC's "Happy Days". (She already played in the "Happy Days" episode "Tell Tale Tart" as Mikki in the 9th season) Playing K.C. caught the attention of the producers of the syndicated sitcom "It's a Living" , and she enjoyed a four- year stint as the sweet Southern waitress Amy Tompkins in the series from 1985-1989. Among those smitten by her performance was then NBC Entertainment president Brandon Tartikoff, urged the producers of fledgling "Wings" to audition her. She got the part as Helen Chappel Hacket, for eight seasons, (1990-1997 when they stopped broadcasting it), a would-be cellist who ran the lunch counter at the airport, and married the man of her dreams. Crystal says, she doesn't play cello and is single, but our hearts and dreams were much the same . Crystal's numerous other TV credits include "The Love Boat", "Gimme A Break", "My Two Dads", "The Master", "Just Shoot Me", "High School U.S.A", "Chameleons", "Miracle Child", "Hot Prospects", "When Will I Be Loved?", "Without Her Consent", "A Matter Of Trust", "Lady Against The Odds", "As Good As Dead", "Dying To Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story", "The Secret Path", "A Face To Kill For" and "To Love, Honor and Betray". Crystal has also appeared in a few feature films including the previously mentioned "Young Doctors In Love", "Slumber Party Massacre II", "Siringo" and "Gideon". While TV jobs were always there Bernard says her music has been just as constant. She wrote her first song at the age of 8 and after moving to Hollywood she penned hits recorded by Paula Abdul ( If I Were Your Girl), Lisa Stansfield ( Make It Right ), Tracey Spenser ( I'll Be There For You ) and Debbie and Angie Winans. Her first duet was with Jim Messina, called 'Watching The River Run' , on his album with the same title. In 1995 she made a duet with Peter Cetera called '(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight' , which she also produced and directed the video for, and she now has a video company called August First Productions partnered with her friend Steven Monroe. When record companies noticed and came offering contracts, she begged off a pop career in favor of country music, realizing her debut album called 'The Girl Next Door' the 29th of October 1996 and winning solid reviews. The album spawned the successful singles 'You're Gonna Miss A Whole Lotta Love' , 'State Of Mind' , and 'Have We Forgotten What Love Is' which is a duet with her longtime-friend Billy Dean who also co-wrote the song with her. The videos to 'State Of Mind' and 'Have We Forgotten What Love Is' was produced by hers and Steven Monroe's video company. They've also done videos for other artists including Billy Dean, Ronna Reeves, Steve Azar and as mentioned previously, Peter Cetera. One year later she went on tour for a few month opening for such Country artists as Billy Dean, Sawyer Brown and Sammy Kershaw. She also appeared at Fan Fair and co-hosted the 97' ACMA awards. Two years later, the 2nd of February 1999, she released her second album (AC/Pop) called 'Don't Touch Me There' , the first single from it was the song with the same title, which she wrote together with the album's producer David Rhyne. This album has also won many solid reviews. And it's said by many to be her best album so far. Cystal planed a 99 tour and television appearances to promote the album. Crystal now has a new sitcom in the works. The working title is, "Take My Advice, Because I'm Not Using It". This sitcom is early in the development stages. When she has some time off Crystal enjoys hobbies which include race car driving, jet skiing and racing speedboats, she's also a serious runner and a gym-goer. She currently resides in Los Angeles. |
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