Charissa Mrowka & Country Cross

JOHNSBURG – Charissa Mrowka feels like her life is kind of like Disney’s “Hannah Montana,” a youth who lives a double life as a pop star.

“Me and her are similar because I get to go and do shows, and then I go to school,” Charissa said. “I’m just a regular kid.”

A regular kid, except that she has shared the stage with major country acts, including Jo Dee Messina, Trick Pony, Lonestar, Billy Currington, and this month the Oak Ridge Boys.

The 11-year-old spends her Monday nights practicing with the Auburn Sky Band, and every other night she spends at least an hour singing. That’s on top of playing guitar, piano and percussion while being involved in dance and drama.

“It’s a lot of work, but I’m willing to do it because I like it so much,” Charissa said. “I love it so much it’s not really ever a problem.”

Her list of activities continues to grow with the recent addition of songwriting. She is working on a country song with a working title of “Heartbreak.”

“It’s what a lot of country songs today are about, girlfriends and boyfriends breaking up,” Charissa said.

Earlier this month, she finished recording her fourth CD titled “Building Memories.”

Of her works, one was a Christmas CD and the rest were country, which is the style of music she listened to while growing up.

“I really like country music because it tells really good stories,” she said.

When she was only a few years old, her parents already saw her talent, said Charissa’s mother, Donna. Charissa began performing at family parties at age 5.

“Ever since she was little, she would say, ‘I want to be a country star!’ ” Donna said. “We knew when she was a baby that she had rhythm.”

Earlier this month, Charissa won the 26th annual Colgate Country Showdown Wisconsin State Final, and in October she will move on to compete in the contest’s Midwest Regional in South Dakota. Winning the entire showdown would mean $100,000, plus the title of “best new act in country music.”

Although she might get a little nervous before a performance, once Charissa hits the stage, it all comes naturally, she said.

“When I get up there, it feels like it’s supposed to, and I love seeing the audience’s reaction,” Charissa said.
- Northwest Herald

By RANDY ERICKSON | Editor
.
Onalaska’s 32nd annual Sunfish Days celebration is less than a week away, so it might be a good idea to start fishing around for a Sunfish Days button and a schedule of events.

The festival kicks off Thursday, May 22, with the A&P Enterprise carnival midway kicking things off at 5 p.m. in the Onalaska Omni-Center parking lot on Riders Club Road. The midway is open through the weekend, including noon to 5 p.m. Monday.

In addition to the traditional midway, other longtime features of Sunfish Days back this year include pony rides, petting zoo, the Saturday parade (starting at noon), the kids fishing derby (on the French Island side of the spillway Saturday starting at 8 a.m.) and the softball tournament.

The craft fair, a recent addition, is back this year on Saturday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), along with a new feature, Micro Realty Race Cars, which offers the chance to drive remote control stock cars on a banked oval track. The race cars will be up and running Thursday through Sunday.

The battle of the bands won’t be held this year, but there’s a wide variety of entertainment to be had, including Charissa and the Auburn Sky Band, a country music group led by an 11-year-old who already has recorded four CDs.

Other entertainment includes local favorites Studebaker 7 and REload, along with the classic rock of the Screamin’ Nighthawks, the classy mix of jazz, R&B and pop from Carmen Nickerson, the country of Crossfire and a teenage Lil R, whose show pays tribute to Elvis Presley.

In place of the Thursday night battle of the bands, a deejay duo known as Bad Boys 2 will play a teen-oriented mix of music with contests and prizes.

Sunfish Days buttons are only $2 until May 21 ($3 after) and can be purchased at the Onalaska Center for Commerce and Tourism, the OmniCenter, the Onalaska American Legion, the Onalaska branch of M&I Bank and Festival Foods in Onalaska and Holmen. Festival brochures also are available free at those locations.

In addition to supporting the festival, put on by a coalition of Onalaska civic groups, button wearers also are eligible to win cash in a drawing to be held Sunday.

Full details on the Sunfish Days festivities are available on the Web at http://www.onalaskasunfishdays.com/.

Contact Randy Erickson at randy.erickson@lee.net or (608) 786-6812.
.
- Holmen Courier

Talented Charissa Mrowka, age 11 has a dream of becoming a famous Country/Pop Star someday. In pursuit of fulfilling her dream, she studies piano, guitar, percussion, musical theater, choir, dance, and songwriting has become a new venture. She completed her first song, “Nothin But A Heartbreak” at age 10. She has been performing on stages big and small since age 3, and vocally since age 7. She has been performing with her very own band, “Charissa and the Auburn Sky Band,” since age 10. Charissa is a recording artist and has already recorded 3 Country/Pop CD’s, 1 Christmas CD and is currently beginning her new 2008 CD.

Charissa is a regular monthly guest on the “Morning Drive With Henry Show” on WMCW 1600 AM Radio, “The Bill Marquis Show” on WMCW 1580 AM Radio, and “The Dave In The Morning Show,” on WSRC 88.5 FM Radio where she is given an interview and sings LIVE ON AIR. Her songs can also be heard airing daily Monday through Friday from 7:00 til 11:00 a.m. on these stations. Advertisement of Charissa has also been aired on US99.5, WJOB, WRLL, 94.7FM radio, WDMP D99, and 92.1 EZ radio. She has been featured in front page cover stories, newspaper and magazine articles in the Northwest Herald News, Kenosha News, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Hammond Times News, Fox Lake Journal, Milwaukee Sentinel and has been briefly aired on Channel 5 and Channel 7 news in 2006/2007.

In 2007 Charissa entered the largest, nationwide country music talent search contest the ” “Colgate Country Showdown” with various radio stations and states winning numerous preliminary competitions and was named the first place winner at the local finals competition with OUTLAW D99.3 COUNTRY radio in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on May 18, 2007. She advanced on to the State Competition on August 2, 2007 at the Wisconsin State Fair and won the Wisconsin State Championship title, along with $1,000.00. Charissa set several new records in the Colgate Showdown, 1. the youngest contestant ever to make it through 3 levels of this competition, 2. first child State Champion, and 3. first time ever Wisconsin State, Unanimous Judges vote!

Charissa has accomplished so much in her few short years and some of her most memorable experiences thus far, are having been selected to be the opening act for Country Superstar, Billy Currington, on September 19, 2004, performed 5 shows side stage with, Trick Pony and Confederate Railroad, on August 13, 2005, opened for Lonestar at Lisle Fest on July 2, 2006, opened for Jo Dee Messina at Lisle Fest on July 1, 2007 and shared the stage with the Oak Ridge Boys and Danielle Peck at Lakewood Fest, on August 18, 2007 with her band, “Charissa and the Auburn Sky Band” who will also share the stage with Gretchen Wilson, Kelly Pickler and Bucky Covington on June 21, 2008 at Porterfield Country Fest. In December 2006, Charissa performed at “Lonnie’s Western Room” and at “Wanna B’s” in Music City, Nashville, TN and she is proud that she was given the honor of having her photo hung on the “Wall of Fame” at “Wanna B’s” with all the country stars. Over the years she has also performed with legendary Rock N’ Roll groups and Doo Whop groups such as Dr. Elmo, The Tokens, The Crystals and Dale Hawkins at the Genesee Theatre in December 2005, with Disney’s Jump 5 at Eli’s Cheesecake Festival in 2005, with Janet Davies of 190 North of Channel 7 in 2006 and with various “Elvis” impersonators, such as Rick Saucedo, Shawn Klush, and Donny Edwards. On July 20, 2005 she entered and won the first place title in a singing contest at Country Thunder USA in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and had the thrill of performing on the Main Stage. On July 19, 2006 she was asked to shoot an advertisement commercial singing at Country Thunder USA, which aired throughout the week long fest and she was asked to be a guest performer in four shows with the Michael Scott Band on the Jack Daniel’s Stage.

Charissa is extremely excited and is looking forward to a very rewarding 2008 when she begins working directly with “LIVE NATION,” the nation’s largest Talent Buyers Organization, under full corporate sponsorship with John and Dana Burgess from IPA.
To book, “Charissa and the Auburn Sky Band,” or “Charissa” as a soloist with tracks, contact: Rick Strauss at 262-705-2451 or Donna Mrowka 847-497-4995. For more information visit http://www.charissaonline.com/


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- Madison News

Little girl with big voice makes name
By STEVE PETERSON - speterson@nwnewsgroup.com
Comments (No comments posted.)
JOHNSBURG – Charissa Mrowka admits she was nervous when she sang onstage the first time, at age 7.

That was four years and four CDs ago for the blond-haired, blue-eyed Mrowka. Her busy summer schedule includes performances at Illinois and Wisconsin state fairs.

“I want to be a country music performer,” Mrowka said on band practice day.

“Last Thursday at Country Thunder, I met Trick Pony and they said they remembered me opening for them,” Mrowka said. “I enjoy it and love it. It’s a great honor. I have met Billy Currington. There is so much work. You have to mix the slow songs and the fast songs.”

The singer has had much help from her family. Her mom, Donna, works on bookings, promotion packages and interviews. Older sister Renee is a backup singer and her husband, Rick Strauss, hosts the practices at their home in Bristol, Wis.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Donna said.

A sister, Chantelle, is a dancer. Wesley, 21, is her brother and dad is Frank. The band’s name is “Charissa and the Auburn Sky Band.”

“I was nervous when I started at age 7, but no more,” Mrowka said.

The fourth CD is called “Building Memories”, which was worked on at Precision Recording Studio.

She practices singing with a karaoke machine at her home in Pistakee Highlands, near Johnsburg.

“We’re very blessed,” Donna said.

Mrowka was one of 10 finalists in a contest Aug. 2 at the Wisconsin State Fair.

“The winner gets $100,000 and a recording contract,” Charissa said.

She opened and performed for Currington in 2004; Trick Pony in 2005; Lonestar 2006; Jo Dee Messina, whom she met this year; Oak Ridge Boys this year and Rick Saucedo, Shawn Klush and Donny Edwards, as well as doo-wop groups such as The Tokens, The Crystals, and Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs.

“It is so cool to see the reactions,” Charissa said.

“Her range of voice keeps getting stronger,” Donna Mrowka said.

She once beat out several adults at a contest.

Her favorite professional recording artists are Sugarland, Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain.

Later this month, Charissa will return to life as a sixth-grader at Johnsburg Middle School.

She said she enjoys that part of her life, too. She is a choir member, and may give something else new a try – basketball.

Her Web site is at www.charissaonline.com.

- Lake County Journals

Hannah Montana' headlines Country Fair
By Eileen O. Daday | Daily Herald

Clarissa Mrowka, 12, of Woodstock loves to perform country music, but increasingly she is finding a bigger demand for a spinoff act she debuted in the spring: her Hannah Montana tribute show.

What started with one track on her CD, blossomed into a full one-hour act devoted entirely to Montana's hits, which premiered at the grand opening in March of the Keylime Cove Water Resort in Gurnee, and where she continues to perform the show every month.

"It's become a really big hit," says Clarissa, who just finished up sixth grade. "Country's still my favorite, but it's fun to do Hannah, since I'm a kid, and she's a kid."

Clarissa and her Hannah Montana Tribute Show will headline the main stage at 5 p.m. June 22 at the 31st annual Country Fair in Schaumburg.

The five-day festival opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday and runs through 10 p.m. June 22, all on the grounds of the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1451 W. Bode Road. Admission is free, though there is a charge for the carnival rides and food.

Besides Clarissa, some of the other main stage acts include the Schaumburg High School jazz band, which opens at 6 p.m. June 19, as well as the local, Sham Rock 'n Irish Band at 6 p.m. Saturday June 21.

The popular band, 7th Heaven, which played Schaumburg's Septemberfest last year, follows, at 8 p.m. on June 21.

There are different family activities packed into each day, including Bingo, children's games, and raffles, as well as a food tent stocked with ethnic specialties - including Hispanic, Filipino, and American - made by parishioners.

Back in the 1970s, the Rev. George Kane, founding pastor of the church, pitched the idea of organizing the fair, as an outreach into the community.

Consequently, what started out in 1977 as a two-day fair, now has grown into a Northwest suburban festival that can draw as many as 10,000 people over its five-day run, organizers say, with another 300 volunteers working to mount it.

"It's our largest fundraiser, and it really brings the parish together," says Tom Evon of Schaumburg, who is co-chairing the event with Kathy Atwell, Ramon Correa, and Frank Kozak, all of Schaumburg, as well as Madeline Navarra of Streamwood and Tony Varchetto of Hoffman Estates.

Despite its growth, Evon says, the festival still retains its "country fair" feel, with parishioners working together to coordinate the event, and the traditional outdoor Mass taking place at noon on Sunday.

"It's a great family time, with free entertainment and concerts," Evon says. "It's all about getting people together, more than it is about making money."

If you go

What: 31st annual Country Fair

When: Wednesday through June 22

Hours: 6-10:30 p.m. Wednesday and June 19, 6-11:30 p.m. June 20; 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. June 21, and noon to 10 p.m. June 22

Where: Church of the Holy Spirit, 1451 W. Bode Road in Schaumburg - Daily Herald

Charissa Does Hannah
J & S Dollar Bazaar
Now Open
J&S Dollar Bazaar is now downtown.
43 N Ayer
815.943.6658
Charissa Mrowka will perform live at the Family Fun Fest from10am - 12pm on Saturday, August 23rd. She will perform an hour of country music and an hour long tribute to Hannah Montana.
Charissa has performed at Milk Days, Fiesta Days, and opened for Lon-estar and Jo Dee Messina at Lisle Fest. She has competed in several talent contests, placing first at Country Thunder USA in Twin Lakes, WI is 2005, and winning the Wisconsin State Championship for the Annual Colgate Country Showdown in 2007. She also performs regularly at Keylime Cove resort in Gurnee and at Six Flags Great America.
We are very excited to add Charissa to our Family Fun Fest event which also includes a craft show (applications available at www.harvardmainstreet.com or call 815.943.3431), Ponies That Party pony rides, kid’s games, and a free make n’ take kids craft.
Sweet - Harvard Post

CONGRATULATIONS! Below is the press release on your win. Feel free to send to your local papers as well.

Thanks!
Erin





COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 6, 2007


Contact:

Erin Burr – Colgate Country Showdown– 615.321.5130 – erin@countryshowdown.com

Donna Mrowka – 847.497.4995 – d.mrowka@sbcglobal.net



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.


# # #



** 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)
- Dodgeville Chronicle

Making her first appearance at Walleye Weekend will be Charissa & the Auburn Sky Band. This talented 11 year old has a list of accreditations that would top most adults. Her powerful voice has been propelling her into the spotlight in areas all around the country, rubbing elbows with the likes of LoneStar, Gretchen Wilson, and Daniel Peck, among others. She is the proud winner of the 2005 Country Thunder Karaoke contest, as well as the Wisconsin state championship title of the 2007 Colgate Country Showdown talent contest. She has already recorded four albums and is currently working on her fifth. She will be performing three sets Saturday and Sunday at Walleye Weekend, so be sure to shop and check it out.

Visit her Web site: http://www.charissaonline.com/ - Fond du Lac Post