{image1} Samantha Rise Roberson of Wauwatosa had everyone under her spell as she covered Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and won the 2005 Kohl's Summerfest Rockstar Project at the Potawatomi Stage on Sunday, July 10.
In the finals, Roberson was up against nine other contestants, ages 13-17. Each teen showcased their vocal talent and worked the stage on songs that ranged from Ray Charles' "Hit the Road Jack" to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," for a shot at the grand prize: studio time to record a CD.
The Gufs' Goran Kralj, one of the judges, was very impressed with the young talent.
"It's one thing to be able to sing in the bathroom in front of a mirror, but another to sing in front of thousands," Kralj said. "It's a great way for them to build confidence and help them along."
The judges all agreed that Roberson -- in a shirt that read "After School Special" -- had the style and funk that separated her from the competition and dubbed her the first-ever Kohl's Summerfest Rockstar.
"It's unbelievable," said Roberson, who also plays trombone in a local band, about winning the competition. "I love funk and old school, down-and-dirty music," she added about her choice of "Superstition" as a means for strutting her stuff.
Roberson, who said she used to practice with her grandfather's karaoke machine as a kid, has a year left at Wauwatosa East but plans to pursue both education and music after graduation.
"I'm looking at schools out east in New York and Boston," Roberson adds. "I want to study musical theater and performance."
Roberson will work with Rockstar Productions throughout the summer to record a CD that features original lyrics and music. It will be released locally.
