The Women ROCKED THE PALLADIUM THEATRE!

View Finalists

Jennifer Real

  Learn More: Jennifer Real's My Space

The Second Place Winner

Rossana Spallino

Learn More: Rossana Spallino

The Third Place Winner

Vanessa Quillao

WTCB, has completed the first event for 2008- Women Taking Care of Music!

The Event was a Singing Contest open to Women ages 12-100+ years of age.   Our panel of judges selected 5 finalists from 100 women that auditioned to take part in our Variety Show that was held on April 19, 2008 at 7:00PM at the Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida.  All 5 of the finalists put on a show to remember.  Each one already a winner!

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales to this event will go to CASA.  CASA is in the business of saving lives.  Since 1977 CASA has been working in the community to increase safety for women and children who are the majority of domestic violence victims. CASA's mission is to advocate for social change by providing community education, outreach support, crisis intervention, and safe environments for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

View List of Judges-Click Here

Take a look at our list of performers who agreed to perform in the Variety Show:

The event featured September 2007 Moxy Woman- Chantelle Ashby

Chantelle has been singing since she was a young girl and at only 24 years old she has the soulful, seasoned voice of a legendary singer .  Her amazing voice filled the theatre on this night.  A rising star- Chantelle exudes talent and helped to make this event a "night to remember".   Chantelle's vocal range and her ability to sing all music genres demonstrates her musical genius. Chantelle also offered her services as one of the judges for the singing contest.

Shelby and Katelynn Rehnke  accompanied Chantelle in performing her new single.  The girls are twins (fraternal) and were born just two minutes apart.  They are different in every way including their personalities.  The girls are 13 years old and attend the 8th grade at Indian Rocks Christian School.  Katelynn has been playing violin since she was only four years old.  She currently  studies with Rachel Smoliar who plays in the Florida Orchestra.  Shelby has been playing the guitar for 3 years and is remarkably talented.  They have written 4 songs with Steve Geyer and are currently working on their first CD.  Someday Katelynn would love to work with animals; her dream is to become a veterinarian.  Shelby would like to follow in the footsteps of her aunt and become an interior designer.

There was a guest appearance by  

Moxy Woman- Lorna Bracewell.

A native of the Tampa Bay area of Florida, Lorna Bracewell, 24, is a seasoned singer-songwriter with a powerful and distinctive alto voice, a fresh and timely perspective on life, and a resume that reads like that of someone twice her age: she has performed more than 1,000 engagements; she has released 5 full-length CD's on her own label, Braced Well Records; and she has toured Europe three times.  Lorna also participated as one of the judges.

Our Host- Elizabeth Watts is a premier television host, actor, spokesperson and singer. 

She has hosted and made guest appearances on NBC, the Travel Channel, Bravo, and other networks.  She has appeared in over a hundred commercials, infomercials, and Industrial Films.  Elizabeth has considerable experience in live television, including regular segments on

Home Shopping Network.

As an actor, Elizabeth has many South Florida theatre credits.  She has appeared in several independent films and played the lead role in the short film Change of Heart, which won an award at the New York Independent Film Festival.

Elizabeth has volunteered much of her time performing for churches, non-profit organizations, benefits and fund-raisers. 

A St. Pete Beach native, Nancy Rispoli is a singer-songwriter and DJ, having performed in the Tampa Bay area for more than 10 years.  Nancy has a velvety-smooth voice and a deep-seeded passion for singing American Songbook "torch" ballads.  In 2000, Nancy was a featured vocalist at the Tropicana in Las Vegas in connection with the Mobile Beat DJ Convention.  Nancy has had 2 of her original songs in the Top-10 list on the American Idol Underground website.  She also authored articles for TimezOut Magazine and penned a story currently featured on the WTCB website.  Nancy will be on hand to perform her beautiful single, "Live in the Moment," and will also serve as one of our judges for the contest.

Steve Geyer, originally from Boston, is an entertainer, having opened for groups such as Jose' Feliciano and The Mamas and the Papas. In addition, Steve has been teaching guitar, piano, voice and composition for over 25 years, and many of his former students have gone on to enjoy successful music careers ("That 70's Show" and Atlantic Records).  Steve is also an accomplished composer, and two of his originals, "She Dances" and "Live in the Moment," will be showcased in the Variety Show.  Steve will accompany Nancy Rispoli with her performance of "Live in the Moment" which he co-wrote with Nancy.  Steve will also perform with Shelby and Katelynn Rehnke to accompany Chantelle with her soon to be released single.

Also performing an original compostion was pianist and  violinist- Jennifer Diedrich.  Jennifer is the Director of Suzuki Strings of St. Petersburg, a music studio of violin and piano students.  Her passion lies in teaching, especially the preschool-aged child.  By using music as a vehicle for expression, young people learn many life skills including discipline, compassion, kindness, and persistence.  Jennifer is a member of the education staff at the Marcia P. Hoffman Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall and is a violinist and board member for the Tampa Bay Symphony.

 In addition there was a guest appearance by drummer C. Barry Skeete and his wife-Cathy Costa- an accomplished musician. This part of the show had the audience mesmorized.    Barry has performed at the Clearwater Jazz Festival and opened for headliners such as Patti LaBelle, B.B. King and Boz Skaggs.  (Barry photo left)

Appearing with Barry was the incredibly talented, Fred Johnson.  Fred is a graduate of the National Academy of the Performing Arts as well as the Master Performers School of the National Mime Theater. He has recorded and toured worldwide with jazz legends Chick Corea, Richard Elliot, George Benson, David Sanborn, B. B. King, Ramsey Lewis, Patti LaBelle, Herbie Mann, and the great Miles Davis. Currently the Director of Education and Outreach at The Center for Creative Resources in New York, Fred was for many years affiliated with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Florida where he served as both Vice President of Education and Humanities and Artist-in-Residence.

(Fred Johnson- Photo left)

Richie Merritt: over 25 years of music experience serving as lead vocals in various groups including The  clovers (love Portion # 9) and The Marcels (Blue Moon) and a recent induction into the vocal group hall of fame in Sharon Pa. with The Clovers. (Richie and Marcels photo below)

Performing with Terez was Tony St. Tone- an accomplished singer-songwriter and musician with a long list of credentials.  Tony has toured 16 countries, performed with over 25 national acts including Foreigner, Sister Hazel, Kansas & Little Feat, and has been featured at major international events including the 41st songwriters hall of fame showcase. 

Tanya LaReese-  Tanya was born in Hartford, CT.  She is a very talented, powerful, singer/songwriter and actress.  Tanya has been performing professionally since 2005 and released her first CD- "Ready or Not" on May 12, 2007.  All songs on this CD were written and co-produced by Tanya.  She has performed both locally as well as nationally.  In her own words; "I want to touch all people with my music". 

Learn More:  Tanyalareese.com

Jennifer Real (J.Real)- Jennifer was born in Yonkers, New York.  When it comes to music this female vocalist has done it all.  Her natural musical talent and unbelievable vocal range inspires all types of people.  Jennifer has been singing for as long as she can remember.  She has been singing professionally for over 7 years.  Jennifer's passion for music is a lifelong one and her desire is to share her musical gift with as many people as possible.  Her infectious enthusiasm and commanding stage presence has all the components to make for one memorable performance.  Her soulful tone and powerful delivery has made Jennifer Real a sought after female vocal artist.  Her vocal ability can "wow" a crowd, whether she is singing a lush ballad or an up tempo dance number.  Her original style and stage presence is something audiences cannot get enough of.  Jennifer is one of the rare vocalists that have a multiple octave range.

Learn More:  Jennifer Real's My Space

Lois Greco- Lois is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who uses the influences of blues, R&B,  gospel, jazz and rock to knock listeners over with her powerfully soulful & sultry vocals and electrifying stage presence. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Rhode Island, Lois moved to New York where she was cast in the lead role of "Grease" on Broadway. She then moved to Los Angeles where she appeared in acting roles on "Days Of Our Lives", "General Hospital" and numerous episodic series. She has written and sung for TV and feature films which have aired on HBO, Showtime, Cinemax & USA. Lois was the winner of  the "Outstanding Female Singer" Award in the Blues Audience Reader's Poll. She is currently producing her second CD which will be released this summer. 

Learn more:  www.LoisGreco.com or  www.myspace.com/loisgreco

Rossana Spallino- Rossana is a native of Sicily, born in Bivona, province of Agrigento.  She began singing when she was chosen to perform solo in the musical "Caino e Abele".  Rossana soon found herself singing for summer festivals and holiday events in Sicily.  She moved to the United States in 1999 after marrying Jim Callan.  The couple with their daughter, Giovanna, live in Tampa where Rossana has performed at various restaurants and functions.

Vanessa Quillao- Vanessa started singing when she was only 5 years old and is currently only 15 years old.  Vanessa sings and performs like a woman twice her age.  She has performed in many venues throughout Florida and has won many singing contests.  She enjoys performing and hopes to continue singing for her future and dreams of being on American Idol.

From our Top 12 contestants (photo below) performers; Mindy Simmons, Alissa Longtin, and Megan Tillson will light up the stage performing two original songs by songwriters-Steve Geyer and Nancy Rispoli.

Top 12- Front Row- left to right:  Jennifer Real (J.Real), Lois Greco, Rossana Spallino,

Vanessa Quillao, Wendy Berlanti.  Back Row- left to right:  Melodi Lawson, Tanya LaReese, Wendy Rich, Linda DeMaio, Alissa Longtin, Mindy Simmons.

(Megan Tillson-not pictured above- see below)

Megan Tillson

Producer & Promoter for the show-  President & CEO of Women Taking Care of Business, Inc. and Ms. Harpoon Productions, Jean Harper  (photo below)

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