Biography

Dorenda Wynnette Madkins (born November 10, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and entrepreneur. Madkins is a native of Hobbs, New Mexico, but relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1997, where she currently resides. 

Madkins interest in music started in church. She was in the church choir as a child and joined the school choir in both middle and high school. She also studied drama in high school due to her love for performing arts. In her early 20's, she began writing and singing her own music under the stage name "Karmen". After developing a small fan base, her songs began to soar on the independent charts. "My Bedroom" and "Can't Let You Go" were two of her most popular songs. Her success on the charts led to collaborations with independent artists in the U.S., Canada, Jamaica and other countries. 

Madkins was offered a recording contract as the main act for a popular independent record label, but she ultimately turned down the offer because she did not like the genre of music the labels producer wanted her to sing. Personal situations in her life at the time also factored into her decision. She went on to be offered other recording contracts from various record labels but wanted to focus on her writing career instead. Madkins has been interviewed by & received airplay on numerous radio stations. She was offered her own radio show in 2013 after the director of the radio station discovered her writing via her blog, while preparing to interview her about her #1 hit song on the charts at the time, "Won't Give Up". 

In 2022, Madkins rejoined the music industry with "I Am Free" being her first single after a long hiatus.