Let me tell you about Joan Osborne, a woman who grew up in the small town of Anchorage, Kentucky, never imagining she'd one day become a world-renowned singer. Joan, now 58, shares with a laugh, "If you told anyone in my little town that you wanted to be a singer, they’d think you were crazy!" But life had other plans for Joan. While studying filmmaking at NYU, she stumbled upon a vibrant blues music scene and started performing at open mic nights. It was one of those moments where life takes an unexpected turn, and Joan found her true calling.
Fast forward to today, and Joan has earned seven Grammy nominations, carved out a long and successful career, and built a dedicated fan base. She tours alongside her partner, musician Keith Cotton, and recently spoke with Closer after her City Winery Mother’s Day online benefit concert, Can’t Be There Today. Joan opened up about her career, her upcoming album, Trouble and Strife, and the joys of raising her teenage daughter. She says, "My daughter has completely transformed my life in ways I never anticipated."
How Are You Holding Up in These Challenging Times?
Joan shares with honesty and grace, “We’re actually doing pretty well. Keith and I are fortunate to have a place with a big yard where we can go outside and breathe fresh air. Of course, it’s tough in other ways. My daughter is stuck at home with us, and that’s not always easy for her. And like so many others, we’ve lost all our touring work, so we’re figuring out how to support ourselves. But we’re aware that we’re not as bad off as a lot of people. So, we’re grateful for what we do have.”
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What Did You Do on Mother’s Day?
“Mother’s Day was all about quality time with my daughter,” Joan explains. “We worked on some gardening projects together, and I tried to convince her to enjoy spending time with me. [Laughs] As a teenager, she tends to spend most of her time in her room, so that was her special gift to me. My siblings and I also did a Zoom call with our mom, who’s 89 years old and in great health. It’s not easy being apart from her right now, but we’re making it work.”
What Does “One of Us” Mean to You Today?
“When I first recorded that song, it felt like a little voice asking a profound question — ‘What if God was one of us?’ — that you don’t have an immediate answer to because you’ve stopped thinking about it. The song continues to resonate with people because it doesn’t dictate what they should believe. Instead, it invites them to reflect on their own beliefs. That’s why I still love singing it. It reminds us to treat each other with kindness and respect, recognizing that we’re all connected in some way.”
What Was It Like to Experience Such Massive Success?
“The success of ‘One of Us’ was intense and, at times, overwhelming,” Joan admits. “Having something so meaningful reach such a massive audience was incredibly rewarding and wonderful. But the celebrity aspect wasn’t always comfortable for me. I’ve always been a private person, and for a while, that privacy was taken away. It was an adjustment, but I learned to navigate it.”
What Was It Like Performing at Lilith Fair?
“Lilith Fair was an incredible experience,” Joan reminisces. “It was like being part of a traveling festival where you got to see the same amazing artists every day. I was a huge fan of Emmylou Harris, and it was surreal to bump into her at lunch or see her perform. I became close friends with the Indigo Girls and even recorded with them. Lilith Fair reinforced the idea that female artists are just as valuable as male artists. It was a special time that I’ll always cherish.”
What Was Your Best Celebrity Encounter?
“I had this unforgettable moment at a benefit concert in Italy that Luciano Pavarotti used to host. We were in the dressing room when suddenly, in walks Elton John in a bright green suit! He said, ‘I love your record, you guys are great. I heard your soundcheck, it was wonderful. Really looking forward to seeing your show. Bye.’ It was like a whirlwind. I was like, ‘Oh my God, that was Elton John!’”
What a Leap from Anchorage, Kentucky!
“Growing up in Anchorage was wonderful,” Joan reflects. “I was the oldest girl of six kids, and we had so much freedom to explore the woods and town. It was a close-knit community where people didn’t even lock their doors. It was a great place to grow up.”
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Why Did You Switch from Filmmaking to Singing?
“It was pure serendipity,” Joan explains. “A guy in my building invited me out for a drink, and we ended up at a blues bar. My friend dared me to go up and sing a song. The piano player encouraged me to come back every Tuesday for their open mic night. I met other musicians who told me about other places to perform. I was amazed that people actually liked what I was doing!”
What’s the Secret to Maintaining a Relationship While Living and Playing Music Together?
“[Laughs] Oh, that’s a good question. I think George Harrison’s widow once said, ‘The secret to staying together is that you stay together.’ You make it a priority. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Making music together can be a powerful experience. You can be in the middle of a heated argument, and then you go on stage together. It brings out parts of your soul that don’t surface in everyday life. It gives you a different perspective on conflicts, which has been key to us working and living together successfully.”
How Does Your Work Influence Your Relationship?
“Creating music together changes how you see your relationship,” Joan says. “You can be in the middle of a tough argument, but when you step on stage, something magical happens. It taps into parts of your soul that aren’t always visible in daily life. Sharing that experience gives you a fresh perspective on your conflicts. It’s been a crucial part of keeping our partnership strong.”
Do You Stay in Touch with Your Family?
“Absolutely,” Joan shares. “We have a regular weekly Zoom call. It’s a little chaotic, but we fall into our usual family dynamic
