Leanna Crawford opens the ‘Still Waters Tour’ in Xenia, OH with style

By Amelia Morris

You may not have heard the name Leanna Crawford, but you likely have heard her song “Still Waters.” On November 6, 2025, Crawford opened her “Still Waters Tour” with her first show at the Schneider Banquet Center in Xenia, Ohio. 

Crawford is a new Christian artist best known for her hit “Still Waters,” from her album of the same name. The catchy and spiritual song features a chorus with lyrics similar to the words from Psalm 23, also known as ‘the shepherd’s psalm.’ The song has become very popular on Christian radio stations.

Crawford is beginning to establish herself as an artist through her outfits, stage decorations and atmosphere. This was evident even in her first show with her long flowery dress and cowgirl boots, decorated microphone stand and aesthetic backgrounds for the lyrics on screen. Secular artists have already discovered the importance of branding and plaster it on everything. Crawford has done it tastefully by wearing modest yet groovy clothing when appearing on stage. She is creating an image for herself, even on a budget.

Crawford sang with power and grace. She was an amazing performer, belted out her songs and touched the hearts of her audience.

With this being her first show of the tour, there were some expected hiccups. During the first few songs Crawford was singing, there was ear-shattering feedback from the microphones. Everyone in the audience was concerned, but like the great performer she is, Crawford went with the flow and pivoted. When she finished the song, she took a brief pause before beginning the next one.

She recovered just long enough for it to happen later in the next song. There were also some technical issues concerning the projection of the lyrics on screen. The words were not lining up with what she was singing and even started before she was ready to sing.

Despite the rocky start, Crawford was consistently entertaining. The intimate venue allowed for audience interaction and participation in the music. The audience was singing, dancing and clapping to nearly every song. For Crawford’s unfamiliar songs, the lyrics were projected on screen so the audience could sing along. 

Laura Plush, a Resound Radio concert ticket winner, saw the concert as a huge success for Crawford. 

“Her hits stood out, of course,” Plush said. “She shared personal stories about the origin of those songs and others like ‘How Can You Not’ and ‘Vow to be Yours’. That helps to connect to the music and makes the artist feel more human.” 

Crawford had a way of reaching everyone in the audience, even speaking to non-Christians in the room. Her love for the Lord was an integral part of her concert and herself. Crawford’s personality was apparent throughout the show, which showed how she was someone we can all relate to.

Kat Braden, a sophomore broadcasting and digital media major at Cedarville University, attended the concert with Resound Radio.

“It was a much smaller venue and she was very conversational too,” Braden said “It felt a lot less showy than any other concert.”

The venue was humble yet beautiful, perfect for Crawford. For artists like Crawford, at this stage of fame, this type of setting is common but also aids in audience engagement and collaboration. A larger venue would have desensitized the music and taken away from the atmosphere of the concert. 

“Because it is a smaller scale, she was able to interact more with the audience,” Braden said. “She seemed very authentic.”

At the concert, Crawford also featured some of her new songs that have not yet been released. It was a nice sneak peek into what she is planning for the future. 

Crawford’s hit songs, amazing voice and stage presence made for an excellent concert. ‘Still Waters’ tour is off to an excellent start.

“Leanna’s velvety-toned voice never wavered throughout the concert; she clearly has a gift,” Plush said. “Her tour will only improve with less nerves and a little more polish. I’d definitely see her again.”

Amelia Morris is a freshman journalism major and writer for Cedars A&E. She loves reading, writing and being in nature with her dogs.

Pictures captured live at the concert.