'Karaoke Battle USA' Rocks the Nation on ABC This Friday

Aug. 9, 2011 — -- "Karaoke Battle USA" on ABC shines the spotlight on the best karaoke singers across the country. The competition series is hosted by singer and actor Joey Fatone and a judging panel that includes singer/songwriter and TV host Carnie Wilson, music journalist Joe Levy (Maxim, Rolling Stone) and 2009 National Karaoke Champion Brian Scott. The series showcases regional competitions in the North (Chicago), South (Houston), East (New York) and West (Las Vegas), and culminates at The House of Blues in Los Angeles, where eight semi-finalists will compete for the titles of America's Karaoke Queen and King. In addition to those bragging rights, winners will also receive a prize package that includes a Hollywood Records recording contract and a trip to compete at the Karaoke World Championships in Ireland later this year.

Throughout the competition contestants are scored privately by our judges on voice quality, rhythm & tempo, vocal expression, stage presence and entertainment value. Some of America's biggest singing sensations started with karaoke-- Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and others to name a few. So who will be the next singer to leap from the karaoke circuit to superstardom? Watch ABC on Fridays this summer at 9 p.m./8 central to find out, starting with the two-hour premiere THIS FRIDAY Aug. 12.

"Karaoke Battle USA" is produced for ABC by Lincoln Square Productions. Executive Producers are Rudy Bednar, Muriel Pearson, James Sunderland, John Green and David Sloan.