Karaoke World Contest News

There have been some dramatic changes in the world contest this season so far. First, our world finals host of several years and founding partner KH-Viide has dropped out and will no longer fulfill their duties and contractual obligations as world finals host. A new company, Oy KWC Organization, Ltd. created by the same Hujanen family in Finland claims to have taken over. They announced a change in the finals venue to a ferry boat on the Baltic in September, then turned to their international partners and demanded money to continue. KWCUSA, objected publicly and the new firm called that disrespectful, and began telling others that KWCUSA was no longer a part of KWC, not that KWCUSA had any interest in signing such a document with folks who would not negotiate, nor honor their previous obligations.

A phoenix has risen from this mess. It turns out the United States is not alone! Yes, we were immediately contacted by Ric Gold of Australia and told of a similar problem he had (they abandoned their contract with him as well several years ago, and went around his back to another company.) Next came England and right behind them Austria, ...both refusing to sign the new contract.

A new organization is forming as the Karaoke and Entertainment Guide goes to press. We have created the working title Karaoke World Contest, and KWCUSA has volunteered to host this summer’s World Finals. Next year the World Finals will be in Australia, and after that possibly Vienna, Austria or London, England then back to the good old USA again in rotation. Peter Kremmel of Austria has offered to create new logos and manage our new international website http://karaokeworldcontest.com and we seem to have the unanimous backing of contestants here in the States. The karaoke tradition of a world finals continues in this new international cooperation for the singers.

KWCUSA National News:

America’s KWCUSA host have two tasks at hand: Hosting our Nationals, and hosting our first World Finals. A new forum of KWCUSA hosts is currently working on proposals for these events. Already, there have been proposals which dwarf the finals from previous years when Nationals were held right here in the Puget Sound area (Tumwater and Lacey), and exceed by many times the budget of World Finals in Heinola, Finland. It is expected that an announcement will be made in mid February.

KWCUSA Local News:

Regional finals are still scheduled for April 1 at The Limit Bar & Grill in Centralia, WA where “J” Schraeder is hosting her KWCUSA tournament events. Turnout has been small so far, so if you want to participate, just stop by on any karaoke night to enter ($20 entry fee applies) and qualify for her tournament finals. Call “J” for more information: (360) 273-2396. Her regional finals will select the six singers who qualify to advance to Nationals in May.

KWCUSA Kids Karaoke News:

This is a call for musicians! Specifically, those who Rock and Roll and would like to perform in a showcase of talent concert to be held just south of Olympia at Monarch Contemporary Sculpture and Arts Park from 2pm-9pm on July 8, 2006. Proceeds will go towards Monarch and the (now forming as a non-profit) kids karaoke portion of KWCUSA. The ultimate long range goal is to build an amphitheater at the Park which will also serve as home for the KWCUSA Kids Karaoke Contest National Finals.

If your band rocks, and you want to be a part of this, send your promo and demo to KWCUSA 7602 A-1 Henderson Blvd. S.E. Olympia, WA 98501. We are also seeking KJ’s who are interested in being involved as local Tournament Hosts for the Kids Karaoke Contest, and anyone else interested in volunteering their services to help put on either the showcase concert or the Kid’s Karaoke Kampout next August 4-6, which will again feature the Nationals for the kids portion of KWCUSA.

We are still awaiting an answer from KWC in Finland regarding this becoming home to the Kids Karaoke World Finals, ...something entirely lacking on this Earth. If you really want to get behind this project, send your vitals and request to be considered for inclusion on the charter board of directors. We would very much enjoy being contacted by architects, audio engineers, bankers, musical educators, accountants, or others who believe they could bring their special talents to this endeavor. The board will be a volunteer position and may include honorary (non-voting) members. Email: fjdavies@yahoo.com.