(March 30, 2001) — “Let’s don’t wait till the water runs dry/We’ll make the biggest mistake of our lives/Don’t do it baby.” Crooning one of his favorite melodies at the top of his voice and strumming his guitar, the newest singing sensation entertains an anxious group of fans. Without having taken a single voice lesson in his life, this high school singing sweetie with the three-octave vocal range has already made a name for himself in the music community. His favorite thing about being a musician: “making people cry.” No, he’s not a member of the newest boy band and he’s not Puff Daddy’s latest protégé. Meet Tim Turner: singer, songwriter, classical guitarist and most importantly, future music superstar. Ever since he began singing along and harmonizing with his parents (both musicians) when he was only two years old, music has been a major part of his life. From singing around the house, Turner soon began performing every chance he got at open-mic nights in local coffeehouses, school talent shows and private parties. In fact, his first performance was with his mom at the age of nine at a coffeehouse. Since elementary school, he has headlined school-wide talent shows every year and even special events such as last year’s poetry night at Clark. Tim said all his experience and his parents’ talents are where he got his “musicality.” “Your musicality depends entirely on the environment in which you grow up,” he explained. His parents are also two of his greatest inspirations and encouragement, he said. “They are my managers, they taught me what harmony was and they always bring me new opportunities.” Along with his parents, Turner takes home the first, second and third prizes at every single karaoke competition he competes in. However, singing isn’t the only thing the talented Turner can do. He has been playing the guitar since age nine, first taught by his parents, then self-taught for a while until he started classical guitar lessons two years ago. Using his skills, Turner often accompanies himself and others and can play any kind of guitar part needed to complete a song. He has accomplished a lot in a short time. Last year he was one place away from national finals at a classical guitar competition at USC and this year he is competing again next Saturday. Turner said he admires Boyz II Men, John B. and Brian McKnight. He says listening and singing to their music helps him broaden his range. Although Turner does write his own songs, he said he doesn’t believe a musician’s talent should be based on songwriting. “I don’t think writing your own songs is important unless you’ve had life experiences, which I haven’t,” he acknowledged. “But some songwriters I would love to work with are Brian McKnight and Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds because their styles of music suit me the most.” There are certain drawbacks in the art such as being too critical of his own work and pleasing the public. Turner confesses the biggest challenge is “keeping it a secret. Being asked to sing on the spot and not having anything prepared is always tough.” But when asked if he’s ready to enter the demanding business of the recording industry, Tim replied with a smile, “Oh, yeah! I’ve been ready since I was 15.” Look for Tim Turner in today’s Annual Clark Talent Show and on April 7 at 1 PM in the ASTA Aronn Green Classical Guitar competition at the United University Church Sanctuary located on the USC campus on 840 W. 34th St.