CHARISSA MROWKA WINS
COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN STATE FINAL
Nashville, Tennessee (August 6, 2007) – Surpassing the competition at the 26th Annual Colgate Country Showdown Wisconsin State Final, Johnsburg, Illinois’ Charissa Mrowka proved worthy of the state title and $1,000. The Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis showcased eight acts who had won a local contest sponsored by radio stations throughout Wisconsin, enabling each to perform at the state level competition of America’s largest country music talent search.
Mrowka, representing radio station WDMP of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, triumphed at Thursday’s state level event. She currently fronts the Auburn Sky Band and has opened for major country recording artists – Jo Dee Messina, Trick Pony, Lonestar, Billy Currington. She is schedule to performing with the Oakridge Boys in August. Mrowka won a Showcase at Country Thunder (2004) in Twin Lakes and appeared in a commercial for the event. She will also be performing at the 2007 Illinois State Fair. Although she has been taking guitar, piano and percussion lessons, songwriting has become a new venture. Her website is www.charissaonline.com. In Thursday’s competition, she rocked the crowd with Sugarland’s hit Something More and the Dixie Chick’s Let ‘Er Rip. Other acts – listed with their sponsoring radio station – were Chellanie Adams WQPC Prairie du Chen, Breanna Gilbertson WQCC LaCrosse, George Schneider WPKR Oshkosh, Tyler Wicihowski WCUB Manitowoc, Cody Clauson and Coloma (Mike Bond, Brent Clauson, Brittany Clauson, Cody Clauson, Heather Deery & Al Heidemann) WTKM/AM Hartford, David Parker (Rex Carroll, Jeff Courtney &Tony Keller) WMIL Milwaukee and The Men of Constant Sorrow (Jim Meyers, Dan Nimphius, Tom Schwark & Hank Smith) WTKM/FM Hartford.
On October 27th Mrwoka will compete in the Midwest Regional at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau, South Dakota to determine if she will advance to the National Final. The five regional winners from across the country will receive an all expense-paid trip to the National Final to compete for $100,000 and the coveted national title of Best New Act in Country Music. The National Final will air nationwide, over syndicated television in March and April, with a second airing to follow on Great American Country (GAC) in May.
About the Showdown:
Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in local competitions throughout the U.S. Throughout all four levels – local, state, regional and national – of competition a uniform judging system is used. The 1-10 point scoring system is used for the following categories: Marketability in Country Music, Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance; Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent with bonus points for Song Writing. Past local, state and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sara Evans. For more information about the Colgate Country Showdown, log on to www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.
About Colgate:
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company,
tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition.
Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the
world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive,
Mennen, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Elmex, Ajax, Axion,
Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription
Diet pet foods. For more information about Colgate's global business, visit
the Company's website at www.colgate.com.
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** Photo available upon request.
Erin D. D. Burr
Publicist
Colgate Country Showdown/SPI
63 Music Sq. East, Nashville, TN 37203
615.321.5130 / 615.320.1708 (fax)
Hi Friends, May 29, 2008
It is time once again for "COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN 2008" the nation's biggest country music singing contest. I have entered with three radio stations contests so far and have made it into their local finals. One was with WQCC 106.3 radio in Onalaska, Wisconsin, which unfortunately I was unable to attend the final round of competition on April 27, 2008 because I came down with a bad case of strep throat. The next one is with KICK 97.7 FM radio in Quincy, IL. I was one of 10 finalists to make it to the local showdown, which will take place in Quncy, IL on June 14, 2008. If I win the next round I will advance onto the state competition. Wish me luck! Hey, me and my band, Charissa & Auburn Sky Band entered WCUB 980 AM radio in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. If I do not win the local level with KICK 97.7, me and my band will advance onto local competition in Manitowoc with WCUB radio on July 5, 2008! I will keep you posted on progression. Thanks for your support as always
August 6, 2007
Hi Friends and Fans
I am extremely excited to announce that on August 2,
2007, at the "Wisconsin State Fair"
I won the "Wisconsin State Championship"
title for the 26th Annual "COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN,"
the nation's largest country music talent search contest. I received $1,000.00
in prize money! On May 18, 2007, I was the local winner (state finalist) for
"Outlaw D99.3 Country" radio station in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.
I am proud to be representing all the staff at D99.3 and I am very pleased
that I was able to bring home the winning state title for them! I want to
personally congratulate ALL the state finalists
that competed with me. They are all extremely talented and I consider it an
honor to have performed with them. I will now advance on to the Regional
level of competition, which will take place at the "Royal
River Casino" in South DaKota on
October 27, 2007, with the hopes of winning a spot in the national,
televised level of competition and a chance to win $100,000 and a recording
contract. I want thank all of my family and friends, for your continued support.
Wish me luck!
July 6, 2007
Hi Friends.
Totally cool news today. I received a phone call and a letter from DJ, Jimmy
Hicks from U.S. 51 COUNTRY WKBQ 93.5 RADIO
in Tennessee stating that after auditioning, I was one of their
top 15 finalists for the COLGATE COUNTRY
SHOWDOWN, to compete in the next round. Jimmy said that this year
they had more contestants than any other year and the judges selected only
the absolute best. I am especially pleased because I auditioned in 4 States
and I won a spot in all 4 showcases. The next round of competition will be
held on July 21, 2007 at The Historic Ruffin Theater
in Covington, Tennessee! I love to perform.
It is so much fun! Thanks for letting me share with you.
June 15, 2007
Good morning everyone,
This morning I received yet another exciting phone call. This call came from Jerri Pruet, from WIFE RADIO in Indiana. She informed me that I was one of their top 7 finalists for the Colgate Country Showdown showcase with their radio station! This makes 3 states out of 4 states that I entered so far. I will compete for the title on July 20, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Roberts Park Amphitheatre in Connersville, Indiana. This has been such an awesome experience for me. I am looking forward to meeting the other talented finalists that share the same love for country music and as I do. Once again, thanks to all of you for your continued support. I know this will be a very memorable experience for me that I will cherish for a lifetime. You are all a blessing to me. I will keep you posted.
Your friend in music,
Charissa
May 18, 2007
Hi Friends and Fans,
Tonight was a very exciting and blessed evening for me. I competed for the
championship title for the COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN
with Outlaw D99.3 Country radio
station at the Baymont Inn in Belmont, Wisconsin and I won the FIRST
PLACE TITLE! It was an awesome experience for me. I got a chance
to meet the other 9 finalists and we got to battle it out for the title by
performing two songs each. We were judged in various categories from vocal
ability to charisma! All the other contestants were very talented and I considered
it a privilege to have performed with them. It was especially fun meeting
D99.3 DJ's, Melanie Rae and Michael Anthony (pictured with me below). They
were both so cool and friendly. I will advance on to the state level of competition
to battle it out with the other state finalists at the WISCONSIN
STATE FAIR on August 2, 2007 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the hopes
to advance on to the regional competition. Wish me luck and thanks for all
your continued support. You are all very special to me, and I wouldn't be
living my dreams without your support!
Melanie Rae, Charissa, Michael Anthony
May 30, 2007
Hi Fans,
This COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN contest
is proving to be so rewarding for me. I entered the contest in 4 states so
far. (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Tennessee) Today I received a phone
call from DJ, Kenna Endebrock from WKJT 102.3
radio in Illinois and she informed me that I was one of their top 10 finalists
for the showdown! I will compete for the championship title at the,
Hearts Rock Café, in Effingham,
Illinois on June 29, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. If I win the title I will get to advance
on to the Illinois State finals. Keep those prayers and good luck wishes coming
my way!
