Biography
Singer-Songwriter Randi Perkins was influenced by the likes of Dan Fogelberg, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce and John Denver. His music reflects a broad spectrum of life experience and being passionate about the legacy of singer-songwriters, he has been quoted as saying his mission is to "bring the singer-songwriter spirit back to the heart of America". John Denver, who was a close friend of Randi’s first producer, once called Randi a "very gifted poetic songwriter." Randi is committed to a positive presentation of songs and stories about home, family, friends, and a celebration of life calling his music “inspirational melodic folk”.
Randi grew up on a farm in Southwestern North Dakota, and in early years, attended a one room schoolhouse. Ever since he realized people actually created songs, he wanted to be a songwriter and began writing songs and performing. Before settling in to his folk singer-songwriter roots, Randi graduated from Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota where he majored in music and business and he participated in nationally acclaimed music groups including jazz band, choir and symphonic band. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Sandy & his son, Clark.
Prior to college days, Randi was a founder and songwriter in the 1970's influential rock band, Young Imagination, who captured the attention of many folks in the upper Great Plains. Young Imagination recorded at Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis and released a record that received notable radio airplay in the region. Randi was honored to have his song "Dakota, I've Not Forgotten" chosen to represent North Dakota's centennial celebration in 1989 which earned him numerous radio and TV interviews and concert appearances. He performed on CBS TV with Roy Clark and Bobby Vee during the course of the Centennial celebration. He was a male vocalist winner in the Country Western Jamboree in Dickinson, and was a winner in a True Value/Jimmy Dean Country Showdown contest in 1996 with his nieces and brother.
As a songwriter with depth in his music and lyrics, Randi was a finalist in the coveted 1974 American Song Festival out of 60,000 entries and has been a winner in a number of song competitions including the NSAI/CMT Songwriting Competition and the USA Songwriting Competition.
Discography
2016 “Faces Of Love” 2015 “Finding A New Song” 2014 “Home & Heart” 2008 "Life Is Good”
2000 "The Songwriter" 1989 "Dakota Dream"
Published Author
Randi’s current book released in 2009 is called Tales From A Singer-Songwriter-Volume 1: A Spiritual Road. The story about his song “The Last Harvest” was featured in the book “This I Believe: On Fatherhood” published in 2011 Jossey-Bass, an imprint of John Wiley & Sons publishing. Randi is also a co-author of article on music business in Mix Magazine, and co-authored a text used in the music business program at University of Colorado / Denver and is a contributing author on Navigating The Music Industry by Dick Weissman and Frank Jermance published by Hal Leonard Publishing.
Teaching
Adjunct Professor 1995–1998: University of Colorado/Denver teaching Music Industry Financial Management.
Artist Development
Randi has been instrumental in the careers of Kat Perkins (niece) who was in the top 5 on The Voice-Season 6, Kelly Aspen, and Aubrey Collins who was the lead singer for the country band, Trick Pony for most of 2007.
Organizations
Nashville Association Of Talent Directors – board member and treasurer
Vocal Arts Nashville - board member and treasurer
Nashville Songwriters Association International – Legislative committee
Nashville Songwriters Association International – Denver Regional Coordinator 1999-2002
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy’s) - voting member
