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A "natural" from the moment she steps on stage, it is clearly evident that Colleen Rae is
"home". From the first pure note to the last, it is obvious that Colleen was born to sing.
With her amazing smile and enthusiastic stage presence Colleen Rae completely wins
over her audiences.
Editorial by Gayle Slusarchuk, 2006.
Colleen Rae’s debut album What You Need Is Me was release March 1, 2006.
“This album is dedicated to my Mom and my Dad, Ann and Bill Chamzuk. Who were the
first to love me unconditionally, who listened to me, who believed in me. Thank you for
doing everything in your power to help me follow my dreams. I am grateful for all your
unselfishness. I will never forget the sacrifices you made. The early memories of us
traveling to the next shows will always be close to my heart. I will always remember my
dad’s advice. He’d say “if you can go to work at a job you love it’s more than half the
battle”.”
Colleen Rae-Ann Chamzuk was born January 25, 1980. She has lived in Edmonton
Alberta all her twenty-six years. Colleen grew up surrounded by a musical environment –
her family. Everyone plays and sings. Colleen inherited her mother’s pure voice. Her two
older brothers, Kevin and Randy, claim to have taught her everything she knows. Both
are naturally gifted on the drums, guitar and with their singing. But it was actually her
dad who showed her the chords for “You Are My Sunshine” on the guitar. You would
think this family was destined to be the “Partridge Family”. Colleen’s extended family
gatherings with her grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousin’s always turned into a
musical jam session.
At age six, Colleen started staging her own shows in the basement, charging for popcorn and
Kool-Aid (a mind for marketing even then!). When her parents got an electric garage opener,
Colleen moved to another level and even bigger venue. The neighborhood crowded into lawn
chairs set up in the driveway. Colleen’s elementary school allowed her to perform songs at
their monthly assemblies. Colleen would sing songs by Reba McEntire, Madonna, and young
artist Tiffany.
Colleen studied drama and piano throughout junior high and high school. She developed her
stage presence by performing in dramatic plays such as Caged Birds, Grease, MacBeth, and
the Wizard of Oz. Colleen completed Royal Conservatory of Toronto piano, grades one and
two, and Preliminary Theory, achieving First Class Honors. Colleen joined the All City
Centennial Choir in 1995, and was a member for three years. She studied voice with Jana
Lapel from 1995 to 1997 and continued vocal instruction with Laurier Fagnan in 1997 and
1998. Upon learning the guitar in 1997, Colleen began adding music to her poetry.
In April 1996, Colleen performed at Queen Elizabeth High School’s Western Days
with her first band, Backroad Rebels. This was the turning point. Until then, Colleen had
Considered a career in radio broadcasting. However, now her destiny was certain. The
applause, the happy faces, the love of singing and the thrill of performing captured
Colleen’s heart and soul. “Colleen Rae” the artist was born.
My parents always encouraged my to follow my dreams. I never felt pushed or forced to
pursue the music.
Country music was always playing on the kitchen radio, never a moment of silence in the
Chamzuk home. One country artist that was a favorite of Colleen’s parents was Mrs.
Connie Smith. Colleen’s love of traditional country music led her to perform a Tribute to
Connie Smith at the age of 18. The tour spanned over two years with Bill Hersche & the
Blue Train Band.
Colleen’s top two favorite female singers/influences are Trisha Yearwood and Patty
Loveless.
Colleen also spent a year performing with the trio, Rocky Mountain Roses, where she
honed her skills as a harmony vocalist. Not long after Colleen decided to focus only on
her solo career.
In January 1999, Colleen was introduced to Dennis Charney. The two artists quickly
became friends and co-writers. Three of their songs were recorded at The Master Factory
with engineer Gerry Dere. Colleen received a grant from the Alberta Foundation for the
Arts in November 1999. With the aid of producer Louis Sedmak, Colleen chose a song
by Edmontonian Rob Heath, Duane Steele/Louis Sedmak song, and one of her own
originals. Her new three-song demo was completed at Louis Sedmak Productions in
October 2000.
Colleen believes in supporting the associations which help sustain the music industry.
Therefore, she is a member of the CCMA, SOCAN, ARIA, SAC, and Global Country.
These associations have kept her informed of the many industry changes. They have
offered seminars that encouraged Colleen to learn the business side of things.
Colleen takes pride in the fact that she is an independent local Albertan artist. She has
had full control over her career with her mother guidance as her personal manager.
Colleen gives lots of credit to her mom. “She is everything to me; my friend, mentor,
manager, hair dresser, she has been my inspiration! I get my strength from her”.
As her professional life was taking off so was her personal life. Colleen & Doug
Sheremeta dated for five years, building a strong foundation, before setting a wedding
date. On September 17, 2005 the couple was married in front of 350 guests. Over in
Banff, on this very same day, another Alberta born country artist named Terri Clark was
also tying the knot.
Colleen feels grateful to have such a wonderful husband. Doug love’s and support’s her
unconditional. Colleen admits there are times when even she can’t understand this crazy
music business, but Doug seems to make sense of it all. They see children in their future
and they plan on raising their family in Alberta. “I love children, in fact I believe family
is so important, I even sing about it in the lyrics in the song titled “Family”, cut #4 on the
CD”.
Gaining one “man of her dreams” and loosing another. Sadly Colleen’s dad passed away
from a massive heart attack on September 8, 2004. “One day we were planning the
wedding and the next - unexpectenly my dad was gone”. The loss was devastating.
Colleen’s close nit family feels like something is always missing. “Growing up my dad
was the only one who ever understood me”. “Now I regret selling the keyboard my dad
bought me in order to pay my car insurance, I’d sure miss that instrument now”.
Fortunately our family was able to talk about anything and everything. One day I set up a
meeting with a funeral home for my parents not knowing that two years later my dad
would pass away. Making some of the arrangements when my parents did made the
process easier. My dad was looking forward to completing the CD, now I wanted to
finish it more than ever.
Continuing the business relationship with producer by Louis Sedmak, Colleen headed
back into the studio to record a full 10 song CD, to fulfill another long awaited dream.
This project would be especially for her loyal fans who have watched her career develop
over the years.
What You Need Is Me fuses traditional country music and strong lyrical content with
more contemporary country stylings. Wanting to stay true to her country roots, Colleen
sifted through hundreds of songs for this recording, hand-picking those written by
Canadian and American songwriters. Among the well-known songwriters involved in this
project are Duane Steele, Cyril Rawson, Byron Hill and Naoise Sheridan (best know for
co-writing the recent Kenny Chesney hit “Young”).
What You Need Is Me has already yielded one nationally charted single in “Lookin' For
Love” (penned by Rob Heath) which received European and Australian radio support.
Kent Matheson from CHMT 93.1 Timmins, Ontario comments “One of the best songs
across my desk in a long time…”. And Australia’s Country Harvest program director
states “Colleen’s performance is very professional, a most enjoyable song”.
Colleen's second single "What You Need Is Me", released on October 1, 2005, gained
strong radio and fan support, reaching #1 on Alberta radio station CFCW’s Top Canadian
Singles.
Performing live is my favorite way of sharing my music. Colleen Rae joined
Cornerstone four years ago. Cornerstone consists of Wayne Bellerose (Lead Guitar), Del
Cocks on (Bass), and Randy Busby (Drums). “A mutual friend told me they were looking
for a lead singer and it just so happened that I was ready for a band.” “Cornerstone was
skeptic of me at first, they didn’t think I was going to stay with these seasoned musicians,
but I knew a good thing when I saw it.” Together they have created an engaging and
unique sound that has garnered attention throughout Western Canada. Due to the strong
versatility in their music Colleen Rae and Cornerstone appeal to all ages. They feature
mainly country music (new and old), classic rock, and pop. Favorites from such artists
as Johnny Cash, ABBA, Dusty Springfield, ACDC, Nora Jones, just to name a
few. Colleen Rae’s original songs have already been greatly received through her live
performances. Memorable performances for Colleen Rae and Cornerstone include
opening for Adam Gregory, Julian Austin, Charlie Major and sharing the stage with the
Corb Lund Band. The bands “wild life” on the road is filled with crib games and bologna
sandwiches.
In 2004 and 2005, Colleen was delighted to perform at the Winspear Centre as a part of
the Global Country All-Star Concert. She will also be featured at the event this year.
Colleen Rae is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, and an entertainer. She plans
on preparing material for future projects. To this date Colleen’s favorite song she wrote is
a song called “Do I Have Your Eyes” on the topic of adoption.
Her determination to succeed in the music industry is second only to her natural talent.
Great success awaits this young artist.
For more information or to purchase Colleen’s CD visit www.colleen-rae.com