"KARAOKE BATTLE USA" GOES TO THE HEARTLAND TO FIND AMERICA'S KING AND QUEEN OF KARAOKE

"Episode 102" -- "Karaoke Battle USA" continues to follow the search for America's King and Queen of Karaoke, as the show heads to the heartland for a new regional championship. Joey Fatone (*NSYNC, "Dancing w/the Stars") hosts and the judges -- singer/songwriter and TV host Carnie Wilson ("Bridesmaids"), music journalist Joe Levy (Maxim, Rolling Stone) and 2009 National Karaoke Champion Brian "The Cowboy" Scott -- size up the competitors, along with officials from the pre-eminent Karaoke World Championships USA organization. The winners from tonight's episode will join the other regional champions at the semi-finals in Los Angeles at the House of Blues. "Karaoke Battle USA" airs FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

By series' end, a new female and male karaoke star will be crowed. In addition to bragging rights, winners will also receive a prize package that includes a recording released by Hollywood Records and a trip to compete at the Karaoke World Championships in Ireland later this year.

The series is produced for ABC by Lincoln Square Productions. Executive producers are Rudy Bednar, Muriel Pearson, James Sunderland and John R. Green.

"Karaoke Battle USA" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with stereo sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.