PREMIERE

ABC'S NEW SUMMER SERIES, "KARAOKE BATTLE USA" CRISSCROSSES THE COUNTRY TO FIND AMERICA'S KING AND QUEEN OF KARAOKE

Joey Fatone Hosts, and Judges Include Singing Superstar Carnie Wilson, Music Journalist Joe Levy and 2009 Karaoke Champion Brian Scott

"Episode 101" -- Did you know that some of America's biggest singing sensations started with karaoke? Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and others began that way. Who will be the next singer to leap from the karaoke circuit to superstardom? "Karaoke Battle USA" shines the spotlight on the best karaoke singers across the country in six one-hour episodes, hosted by Joey Fatone (*NSYNC, "Dancing w/the Stars") and premiering with a two-hour episode, FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Note: The series will air regularly Fridays from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET.

"Episode 101" was shot at the Las Vegas House of Blues. The series is filmed in House of Blues locations in Houston, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

Fatone and a judging panel that includes singer/songwriter and TV host Carnie Wilson ("Bridesmaids"), music journalist Joe Levy (Maxim, Rolling Stone) and 2009 National Karaoke Champion Brian Scott will travel to the regional competitions at House of Blues locales, semi-finals and finals, along with officials from the pre-eminent Karaoke World Championships USA organization, which crowns two U.S. champs each year. As part of "Karaoke Battle USA", the best male and female performers at each regional competition will move on to the Los Angeles House of Blues, where they will square off for the titles of King and Queen of Karaoke. In addition to those 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, John R. Green and David Sloan.

"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.