28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right strategy and discipline, you can achieve a significantly lean physique in just 28 days. Read the article

California Cowgirl: Annie Bosko’s Enduring Connection to Her SoCal Roots

"California Cowgirl" is more than the title of Annie Bosko’s highly anticipated debut album—it is a succinct biographical reflection of the singer’s enduring connection to her Southern California roots, even after relocating from the West Coast to Nashville, Tennessee.

While the project marks her official debut, Bosko is hardly a novice in the music industry. A native of Thousand Oaks, California, she has cultivated a loyal fanbase over more than a decade through consistent releases of singles and EPs. Complemented by her high-energy music videos and stage performances—skills refined through collaborations with premier songwriters and choreographers—she has emerged as one of today’s most beloved yet under-recognized country artists.

“It took 20 years to create,” she states with pride. “I entered the music industry during the singles-dominated era, when the prevailing advice was to focus on individual tracks—albums were considered obsolete. Only recently have full-length albums regained relevance.”

The Golden State’s Influence: Fitness, Outdoor Passion, and Home

Though Nashville is now her home, Bosko still experiences pangs of homesickness for California’s sun-drenched beaches, mountain trails, and her family’s farm. It was in the Golden State that she fostered her lifelong passion for fitness.

“I miss the outdoors,” she admits. “I’m an outdoor enthusiast—hiking, mountains, surfing—these are my passions. I grew up as a tomboy, so that’s what I yearn for most about California.”

The shift to Nashville’s songwriting scene has not disrupted the “Neon Baby” singer’s disciplined workout routine. Raised with four siblings, Bosko was instilled with a competitive spirit from a young age. Alongside her musical passion—ignited at age 5 by singing The Wizard of Oz classics—she participated in numerous sports throughout high school. Today, she leverages this athletic mindset to maintain physical and mental readiness for every performance.

“I believe singers are akin to athletes,” she explains. “To perform at a competitive level, you must train like one. Doing so allows you to accomplish more—and do it better.”

Bosko’s dedication to dance—evident in her energetic moves in the upbeat track “Country Girls”—has shaped her athletic physique and enhanced her stage presence. She emphasizes that consistent activity is non-negotiable for holistic health: “I need to move; I can’t stand still.”

A Childhood Rooted in Nature and Adventure

For Bosko, “California Cowgirl” is more than a catchy album title—it’s a testament to her upbringing. Her childhood was a sun-drenched adventure on her family’s farm, where she embraced a ranch lifestyle: riding horses, playing in creeks, and spending endless hours outdoors.

Her love for the outdoors transcends the beach. Bosko fondly remembers hiking California’s mountains, fishing, and hunting with her family: “My dad hunted birds, my mom cooked them—that’s how it worked in our family,” she says, recalling early-morning duck and dove hunts.

While Tennessee boasts excellent hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, it lacks California’s surfable waves. “I haven’t surfed in six months,” she notes. “I’ll carve out time when I have shows in California—September is ideal, as the water is warmer from summer and crowds are thinner.”

Fitness Routine: Consistency Over Perfection

Today, walking forms the bedrock of her fitness routine—especially when touring makes structured workouts difficult. “Some days, it’s just three miles of walking,” she says. “If I do nothing else, I make sure to walk.” Even without gym access, Bosko prioritizes steps, viewing consistent movement as critical to sustaining stamina and mental clarity.

Beyond walking, she incorporates a diverse array of workouts to stay strong and performance-ready: “I’ll do circuit training—elliptical, weight lifting, physical therapy—or take Pilates or yoga classes. I also do a lot of workouts at home.”

Bosko has also taken up golf as a new athletic pursuit, staying active at home and on tour: “I’m a golfer now—who would’ve guessed?” she laughs. “I used to mock golfers, thinking you didn’t need to be athletic. Now I love it.”

Nutrition: Whole Foods, Farm Roots, and Creative Choices

Bosko’s focus on natural, whole foods stems from her family’s California farm, where her father grew cilantro, strawberries, corn, spinach, carrots, and other produce. Her mother’s commitment to home cooking left a lasting mark: “Every meal included protein, starch, vegetable, and salad,” she recalls.

Today, she adheres to that philosophy: “I believe in eating foods that can decompose,” she says. “If something will rot on your countertop, it’s probably good for you.”

At her Nashville home, she employs her California cooking skills by grilling steak and asparagus on her Pit Boss: “I know California gets a lot of criticism, but when it comes to grilling—especially steak sandwiches—they know what they’re doing. They excel at it.”

On tour, finding quality food is a challenge—especially without a Whole Foods nearby. Bosko recommends Walmart or Target as viable alternatives: “I’ll walk to Target and pick up mixed greens, olive oil, and garbanzo bean pasta. That’s better than Uber Eats or Domino’s—I could eat a large pizza, but it wouldn’t make me feel good. So I get creative. Walmart actually has great options, believe it or not.”

Musical Journey: From Disney to Sold-Out Stages

Though “California Cowgirl” took two decades to complete, Bosko’s musical journey began at age 5, when she sang “Over the Rainbow” (from The Wizard of Oz) with her grandmother—a song she later performed at her grandmother’s funeral. This early passion led to her first big break at 13: a singing role in Disney’s The Little Mermaid 2. “I got to go to Burbank’s Disney Studios,” she says.

Bosko’s voice graced diverse stages: she sang happy birthday in Italian as a Macaroni Grill server (“I still remember the lyrics”) and performed the national anthem at sold-out sporting events across the country. “It’s the hardest song you’ll ever sing,” she admits.

Stage Presence: Dance, Zumba, and Athleticism

On stage, Bosko merges her singing talent with athleticism to deliver engaging song-and-dance performances—fueled in part by her love of Zumba. The Latin music-driven dance program is a high-energy aerobic workout and a key component of her fitness regimen: “I love dancing; I can’t sit still. I’ll do Zumba or YouTube dance workouts.”

Zumba and dance are critical for building the stamina and stage presence that define her shows. Zumba burns calories and doubles as practice for her high-energy performances—qualities she believes are vital for performers and anyone pursuing fitness. Bosko even earned a Zumba instructor certification years ago but had to stop teaching due to touring: “I got certified, but it didn’t last long—musicians don’t have consistent schedules.”

Her passion for dance intensified at 19 when she trained with Brian Friedman—choreographer for Britney Spears, Cher, and Beyoncé. “My first job at 19 was with Brian,” she says. “He created Britney’s ‘Slave 4 U’ dance—he’s incredible. After touring Europe with him, I couldn’t walk; my legs were so sore from all the dancing.”

A Promise to Fans: Peak Performance Every Night

Bosko’s blend of music, dance, and energy creates electrifying concerts. With two decades of fan support, she is committed to delivering peak performances every night: “I move a lot onstage—I love entertaining. If I’m bored, the fans will be too.”

For Annie Bosko, being a “California Cowgirl” isn’t just about where she’s from—it’s about who she is: a performer, an athlete, and a woman deeply connected to her roots. Even in Nashville, the Golden State remains in her heart—and in every note she sings.