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Joelle Named May “Best Vocalist Of The Month” With
“Natural Beauty”
By Dale Kawashima
Joelle, a promising pop/rock singer & writer based in
Calgary, AB, Canada, has won the May SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The
Month” Competition, for her performance of the new song, “Natural Beauty”
(written by Jim Sells & Don Somerville). This song is featured on her
second album Pillar Of Stone, which she released independently in 2008.
Joelle
“Natural Beauty” is a very appealing, pop/AC ballad which
provides an excellent showcase for Joelle’s clear, expressive vocals. Joelle
has selected a fine song to record – “Natural Beauty” has a positive, romantic
theme with descriptive, heartfelt lyrics. This song was skillfully produced by
Chris Omartian, who co-wrote eight of the songs on Joelle’s album. The
recording also features Grammy-winning producer Michael Omartian on piano, plus
music tracks by several top Nashville studio musicians,
Joelle (whose last name is Persram) grew up in St. Albert, AB, which is a small town northwest of Edmonton. She began singing in public
when she was eight, and she also started writing songs early on. During high
school, she joined a prominent choir called the Youth Singers Of Calgary, which
performed regionally and overseas (including Australia). Joelle also entered
local talent contests and fared well – she won a trip to Las Vegas, and
received airplay by winning a radio station contest.
Following college (she studied music at North American
Baptist College in Edmonton), Joelle began pursuing her music career. She has
recorded two full albums – Look At Me Now (2003) and her latest CD, Pillar
Of Stone. Joelle co-wrote three of the songs on this album, which she
recorded in Nashville, “I commuted from Calgary to Nashville to record Pillar
Of Stone,” she explained. ‘I loved working with Chris Omartian, who is
brilliant and has an amazing ear. And it was great co-writing with Chris, Jim
Sells and Don Somerville.”
The CD cover of Joelle's album, Pillar Of Stone.
Prior to the album’s release in Canada, Joelle released the
title track “Pillar Of Stone” as a single in the U.S. Impressively, the song
reached #36 on the Radio & Records Top 40 CHR chart. Joelle is now
considering releasing “Natural Beauty” as her next single, and she’s already
filmed a video of this song.
In addition to promoting her music at radio, Joelle is also
planning a media press tour, while building a strong internet presence.
Notably, she has formed a band (with six musicians) which plays regularly
around Calgary. “I hope to tour with my band later this year,” she said. Joelle
is currently handling her own management, although she does receive guidance
from a management company.
In addition, here are four, talented vocalists/artists who complete our Top Five Vocalists honorees list for this month's competition, with their credits, plus their e-mail and website links. You can listen to their songs by clicking the music players below.
Jamie Holden
"One More Minute." (pop/rock). Performed and written by Jamie Holden, of Cairns, Queensland, Australia.