'Karaoke Battle USA' TV Show Scouts in Wyandotte

The country’s next karaoke superstar could be discovered in Wyandotte this week.

is hosting the state finals for the ABC television show Karaoke Battle USA. The singing begins at 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Wyandotte’s Edward Justice of Justice Entertainment has been coordinating the auditions in Michigan and said there’s a lot of good talent in the running.

“We have a lot of quality singers around here who have really impressed the judges,” he said. “It’s going to make for a good contest.”

Auditions began in late April and wrapped up last week. They were held at local venues across Downriver­–Joe's Primetime Pub in Brownstown, Blue Iguana Bar in Lincoln Park, All Around Bar and Key West Grill in Taylor, and in Wyandotte.

The finalists from those competitions, who total more than 100, have now advanced to the state finals where one man, one woman and one fan favorite will be chosen. Those three will move on to a regional competition, taking place at the House of Blues in Chicago on July 9 and 10. Three other regional contests also are taking place across the country in June and July.

The regional winners will advance to the national competition at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Aug. 13 and 14.

Former boy-band singer Joey Fatone of 'N Sync will host the televised regional and national competitions. The show begins airing at 10 p.m. Aug. 8 on ABC.

Justice said the singers will be judged in five areas–voice and song quality, rhythm and tempo, vocal expression, stage presence and entertainment value.

“We're looking for an all-around person who's a very good singer," he said.

In addition to receiving a prize package worth $14,000, the USA winner also will advance on to the Karaoke World Championships in Killarney, Ireland, on Sept. 8 to 10.