Hamlet’s Wilkerson takes 8th in national karaoke competition

LAS VEGAS — Of the six Sandhills singers competing in the Karaoke World Championships, only one made it to the top 10.

Robert Wilkerson, of Hamlet, wowed the judges enough to place eighth during the national competition this week held at the Sand Dollar Downtown in Sin City.

The contest included both solo and duet performers from across the country. According to Bryant, 87 singers qualified, but only 72 competed in the three-day event.

Performers sang on Monday and Tuesday before the top 20 finalists — and the People’s Choice winner — were announced on Wednesday.

Team Carolina featured Wilkerson and five other local singers — Megan Bradley of Rockingham, Jordyn Stewart of Ellerbe, Chelsea Chesnut of Pinehurst, Maddy Grant of Aberdeen and Chris Scott of Greensboro — vying for a chance to compete at the world finals in Turku, Finland.

Wilkerson, who won the state finals hosted by Bowtie Entertainment at Striker’s Lounge, was also the only local singer to make it into the top 20.

The cheering section for Team Carolina included Striker’s owners Steve and Angel Thompson, Steve “Bowtie” Bryant of Bowtie Entertainment, and Ray Mills of Axe to Grind. Other fans in Richmond County watched and shared live streams of the performances.

“I am so proud of Team Carolina and I am honored to have led such an amazing group of singers to Las Vegas,” Bryant told the RO on Thursday. “This was only my third trip to Las Vegas but it was far and away the best. Three of my team of six were from right here in Richmond County where I reside and I am excited that the contacts they made with potential for future opportunities to entertain with their awesome voices — all because they were willing to enter a singing competition at their local Striker’s Bowling Alley during BowTie Karaoke.”

Bryant said that since he made the top 10, Wilkerson will automatically be invited to compete again in 2025.