Be the Next Jersey Shore Karaoke Idol

The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau is hoping to make Karaoke a part of the Jersey Shore Experience. They're hosting an international summer long karaoke competition, "Jersey Shore Karaoke Idol" and are hoping to set the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest karaoke contest in the nation.

Bureau Executive Director Robert Hilton said the competition is a fun way to take everyone's mind off of Superstorm Sandy and it offers big prizes to winners in several categories. He said you don't even have to be able to sing well to win the competition.

"We've got the best, the worst, the funniest, we've got an over 60 category, we've got most likely to be in a boy band or girl band," said Hilton. "The grand prize is up to $10,000 and there's a trip to the Caribbean. The second prize is up to $4,000 and there's a $300 travel voucher."

Local shore area bars will also be playing a major role in "Jersey Shore Karaoke Idol" by

hosting karaoke competitions at their venues. The list of bars and venues include, The Headliner in Neptune, McDonagh's in Keyport, The Pavilion Bar and Grill at Keansburg Amusement Park, JR's Bar and Grill on the Boardwalk in Seaside Heights as well as the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.

"Each one of those bars that you mentioned, they're finalist. The person who wins that competition has an automatic spot in our quarter finals," explains Hilton.

There are actually three ways to audition for Jersey Shore Karaoke Idol. Contestants can Audition at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch on Saturday, September 6th or Saturday, September 20th. They can audition online by submitting a video to www.jerseyshorekaraokeidol.com or participate in any of the bars hosting competitions. However, it cost $30 to register and participants receive a commemorative Jersey Shore Karaoke Idol T-shirt, according to the Visitors Bureau Press Release.

Hilton said following auditions, there will be twelve finalist. The finale will be held in Asbury Park at the Paramount theater on November 16th with a celebrity panel of judges. Video finalist who are not from the area will be flown in by the Visitor's Bureau for the finale.

Hilton said they need 6001 people to audition to set the world record.