Two dark horse contestants beat early favorites to win the national karaoke crown. Rebecca Armstrong of Tennessee and Brian Scott of New Mexico are the 2009 winners of the Karaoke World championship USA competition. This year the talent was as brutal as the Ohio heat as nearly 30 finalists braved the summer sun to compete on King Island's grand outdoor stage. Flanked by majestic fountains and thousands of onlookers, for two days they performed, undaunted by the heat, the wardrobe changes, or the stiff competition of their peers.
This year the mix of contestants was eclectic and the performances ran the gamut from hard rock AC/DC style, 
to hip hop, to Broadway. They had park-goers clapping, dancing and singing along, wanting to know how to enter next season's competition. It was also very clear that the semi-finalists saved their best for last, as the top five men and women really threw down the gauntlet with amazing performances during the final round of competition.
Rebecca Armstrong who won the regional competition held at Big Mama's Karaoke Cafe in Tennessee made her mark singing deep soulful versions of "At Last" and "Proud Mary." But Rebecca had stiff competition from second place winner Myriah Cross of Ohio who wowed everyone within earshot when she switched from the pop and country numbers she had done on the first day of competition to a powerful Broadway number. But Rebecca's powerhouse singing secured her spot on the flight to Finland for the World Karaoke Championship.
Brian Scott was clearly the dark horse coming into the semi-finals. After making the top five on the first day of competition, he was in the company of last year's champion Alex Peak, who clearly came to defend his title and return to Finland, and a newcomer, Jerry Griffin from Brooklyn New York, whose smooth style on stage and well-honed voice made him seem like he was already a star. Then there was Freddie Gaulman, who came despite having his toe amputated unexpectedly just days before. His voice, his charm and charisma had the crowd from the beginning, but ultimately it was Brian who won out in the end as he delivered the most creative version of an old song; Elton John's "Candle in the Wind." Some judges agree, it was better than the original.
The two U.S. champs are now on their way to vie for the top prize in karaoke at the World championships in Lahiti, Finland on September 11th and 12th. Please wish them well by signing our guestbook. Read profiles and watch videos of our two karaoke winners and more stories about this talented group of finalists.
KWCUSA 2009 Top Five
| Male |
Female |
Brian Scott (NM) Winner!
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Rebecca Armstrong (TN) Winner!
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Freddie Gaulman (SC) 2nd Place
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Myriah Cross (OH) 2nd Place
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Jerry Griffin (NY) 3rd Place
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Anthea Mae Neri (NY) 3rd Place
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Alex Peak (OH) 4th Place
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Richia Gregston (OK) 4th Place
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Gary Byrd (OH) 5th Place
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Tatum Harvey (MA) 5th Place
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Click here Information on how to enter, host or watch the Karaoke World Championship USA competition
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