Press Release - Where It Begins... 1st Place WINNER of the 13th Annual BILLBOARD WORLD SONG WRITING CONTEST in R&B!!! “Cobb has a voice that is reminiscent of an early Donna Summer meets Bonnie Pointer, with just a dash of Gladys Knight.” -Shane Bruce, Blade Music “She knocked my socks off... This lady has pipes. She has soul. She has style.” - Ed Munson, Desert Daily (Los Angeles) - Karen Cobb is an award winning singer, songwriter and producer who has just released her much-anticipated third album “Where it Begins.” Her singing style is a fusion of Pop, R&B, Jazz and Hip Hop. Self-taught starting at the age of five, Karen began singing in her church and writing her own songs, finding inspiration in Bonnie Raitt, Whitney Houston, Billie Holiday and her Mother, Beverly Cobb. Now apart of the MAV Records family Karen continues her tradition of writing her own music. “Where it Begins” features six original songs and four covers including the beloved Etta James classic, At Last and the well known, Natural Woman by one of Karen’s idols, Aretha Franklin. A new song, Issues, has also been compared to the rhythmic style of Franklins’ Respect. “Recently, I met Aretha Franklin and told her I was modeling my career after hers,” Karen said. “She was so encouragingâ€"it has inspired me to continue my diva-life!” Karen can generally be found performing in Southern California and has won hundreds of competitions and titles including, Orange County Entertainer of the Year. She has previously performed with Lainie Kazan, Kevin Flournoy, the Jeff Harris Company and with T.N.T. She also created a cabaret duo with pianist Johnny English and her own one woman “Diva Show.” Upcoming concerts for Karen include the House of Blues Laguna Shanti Benefit and a charity-performance for Mercy House at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Earlier this year, Karen also conceived and produced a television pilot. She is currently seeking distribution for the reality program that focuses on the struggles and successes of an up and coming diva. About the Album: “Where it Begins” consists of six original songs and four covers of classics done her distinct way with a mix of Jazz, Pop, Funk, Gospel and Rock. Karen’s newest compilation strikes a beautiful balance in stories of loosing and gaining love. Issues, written by Karen, tell the story of a woman’s emancipation from a difficult relationship. Issues has been compared to the sassy stylings of Respect. Juxtaposed to Issues is a cover of the intimate At Last. The title track Where it Begins, about a couple recognizing love, is contrasted with a Jazz rendition of I will Survive. Perhaps the crest of balance on this album is found in the dance version of Natural Woman to a Rock performance of a new song, You’re way.