Sandhills singers set sights on Sin City

ROCKINGHAM — Robert Wilkerson is heading to Las Vegas — along with five others.

Wilkerson, of Hamlet, placed first Wednesday night in the Carolina finals of the Karaoke World Championships at Striker’s Lounge.

The finals, as well as the previous auditions, were hosted locally by Steve Bryant of Bowtie Entertainment.

The elimination round pitted Wilkerson against nine other singers for a chance to represent the Tar Heel state at the KWC National Finals Aug. 12-14 at the Sand Dollar Downtown in Sin City.

According to Bryant, the top six performers are eligible for the national competition.

Wilkerson’s song choices were “Save Me” by Jelly Roll and “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young.

Bryant said the scores were based on an average of the two songs. Wilkerson scored 33.33 points.

The competition was close with only 0.17 points separating Wilkerson from third-place winner Megan Bradley, of Rockingham. Jordyn Stewart, of Ellerbe, placed second only 0.08 points behind Wilkerson.

The other three making the state team are Chelsea Chesnut of Pinehurst (4th), Chris Scott of Greensboro (5th), and Maddy Grant of Aberdeen (6th).

“Everyone that competed is incredibly talented,” Bradley told the RO on Thursday. “It is such an honor to have placed third among so many gifted people, and I am very excited to travel to Las Vegas and compete in the Nationals.”

For being the overall winner, Wilkerson’s trip will be paid for. Bryant said the other contestants will have to furnish their own way.

The winner of the national competition will represent the U.S. in the KWC World Finals Oct. 7-12 in Turku, Finland.