(September 2007 Issue)

Vicki Randle, percussionist and singer for the Tonight Show band for the past fourteen years, loves her job–partially because of the eclectic music she gets to play, but also because it’s performed live. “You have one chance to do it, and then you let it go and start fresh the next day. I have to use every bit of my concentration and skill. It’s fun and scary,” admits Randle, who has endured a couple of on-camera bloopers, like ramming into her loud percussion instruments in the middle of the show. “I love interacting with the audience, though.”

Besides her work with the Tonight Show band, Randle’s credits include tours and records with Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, and Kenny Loggins. And Vicki recently released a solo album that she describes as “a singer/songwriter effort.” It’s called Sleep City, and features a mixture of ballads and blues.

Vicki obviously lives for music. “Music feeds you,” she insists. “It’s a life force. It’s not something you do. It’s more or less something you are.”

Robyn Flans