Randall Walker

A shy child raised in a Christian household with a sponge-like brain he was notably book smart at a young age. He began reading books at the age of two. However, that was the same year he started singing. As most prepubescent boys, Randall had a high pitched voice similar to a young Michael Jackson in his Jackson 5 days. He started singing in the children’s choir at his father’s church where his mother would direct the youth and his brother would play the organ.

Randall was born the youngest child to his parents and his entire family is musical. In addition to his father being a pastor, Randall’s dad was a singer, pianist, choral director, and voice teacher. Randall’s mother is noted as one of his major influences with her strong voice ranging between soprano and alto. She also played the trumpet as a teenager. Randall’s oldest brother is a self-taught musician. Started with the drums, moved to the organ/piano, then the bass guitar, and then trombone in the high school band. He’s often compared to music icon Prince. Even though she doesn’t outright confirm this, Randall’s older sister sings very well also.

From the moment Randall was five years old and belted out his first solo, “Oh Happy Day,” in the children’s choir he knew what he wanted to do in life. Once his dad saw Randall’s interest in singing his father exposed him to many great singers and made Randall join many choirs to train his ear. In May 2002 when Randall’s father passed away it added motivation for Randall to sing. Before his transition, Randall’s father told him, “Man, be the best at whatever you do. You are a Walker. If you want to sing, don’t limit yourself to one genre. Learn them all. Learn to sing in every key. Trust God to do the rest.”

In high school, Randall heeded that advice by entering a program for bright, young talent, to participate in various performing and visual arts programs. For four years, Randall was a part of the Vocal Arts program; with the exception of one season, Randall participated in Musical Theatre. Randall became a trained “baritenor” with four octaves chest voice, two octaves head voice, and a whistle register. He explored Opera, Jazz, Showtunes, Blues, Spirituals, International Music, and Pop music. After high school, Randall attended Columbia College Chicago and majored in Vocal Performance.

For ten years, Randall sang in Gospel ensembles and community choirs; he has now transitioned into the realm of R&B/Pop where he plans to make his mark. Some of Randall’s major influences include: Beyonce, John Legend, Tamar Braxton, Chris Brown, Fantasia, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Josh Groban, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Buble, Billie Holiday, August Alsina, Mary J. Blige. - Rude Boy Magazine