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To immediately listen to this month's Top Five vocalists, please Click Here Marlena Randall Wins January SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” CompetitionBy Dale Kawashima Marlena Randall, a talented vocalist & songwriter based in Riverside, CA, has won the January SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song “Just To See You There.” This song is one of 10 cuts included on her upcoming album, At Any Hour, which she will release independently next month (February 2005). Another song from her CD, “It Won’t Be Me,” was also named one of the Top 5 vocal performances of the month.
“Just To See You There” is a well written and produced pop ballad, which showcases Randall’s clear, powerful vocal performance. Later in the recording, the melody shifts into a higher key, which allows Randall’s vocals to adeptly soar into a higher range. In addition, the song’s lyrics are articulate and thoughtful, with Randall writing about a friend whom she cares deeply about. Randall, 22, was born in San Bernardino, CA, and when she was 10, she moved with her family to Canyon Lake (near Riverside). She grew up in an active music environment, with both her father and grandmother being singers. “Music has always been a part of me,” explained Randall. “I decided when I was about 12, that I wanted to be a (professional) singer. I’ve gotten great encouragement and support from both my family and friends.” During high school, Randall kept a busy schedule as a singer and stage performer. She did musical theater, sang solo at events and in the school choir, and was on the dance team. When she was 17, she entered the Miss America Pageant, and she became Miss West Riverside County. Two years later she entered again, and she reached a higher level, being named Miss Inland Empire. Randall has continued her education, and she is currently attending California Baptist University in Riverside, where she will graduate this May with a Bachelor's Degree in Music.
Randall has also developed her songwriting skills, and she has learned to play piano and guitar for writing purposes. Last summer (2004), she began recording her debut album with veteran producer/writer Josquin Des Pres at his Track Star Studios in San Diego. "I’m really excited to have finished my album, and Josquin has done a great job as producer,” said Randall. “There’s a good variety of songs on the CD. ‘Just To See You There’ is more pop, but many of the songs are more progressive rock, like Evanescence. With my songwriting, I wanted to make every song (and lyric) have a purpose, to make people think. Some of the themes are about society, eternity, people who are lost and hurting, having faith, and reaching out and helping people.” 2005 figures to be a promising year in Randall’s development as a successful singer & songwriter. When she graduates from college in May, she plans to aggressively promote her album, and regularly perform live with the new band she has formed. “I’m really looking forward to pushing my CD full-force,” she said, “and bringing my music to as many people as possible.”
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