Shocker Entertainment / VacShak Karaoke Contest Rules and Guidelines

To qualify for onsite individual competition, you need to register at www.shockerkaraoke.com by January 19th, 2025. ***Update, registrations are now closed due to max number of participants; we will hold 2 nights of single elimination as noted below.  You will be notified which group and night you will perform***

Navigate to the contest page and fill out your information.  Feel free to email shockerkaraoke@gmail.com for questions and more info.   

FAQ’s:

1)      Is there an age requirement? 

a)      Participants must be at least 21 years old.

2)      Is there a cost?

a)      No, this event is free of charge to enter.

3)      When will participants be notified?

a)      The week of January 20th, approximately. There will be a mandatory meeting January 23rd at 6:30pm Fast Breaks for all participants.

4)      Will there be open Karaoke during these events?

a)      Yes; as much as reasonably possible.  We also invite and encourage participants that don’t move forward to perform for fun during the events at random times. 

5)      When dates & times are the onsite competitions? How many performers will move on? How many songs will each performer sing?

a)      6p.m. to approximately 10p.m. Thursday January 30th.  Group A

i)       1 free-choice song per participant, sing for your spot in the next round!

ii)     Group photo right before the competition.

b)     6p.m. to approximately 10p.m. Friday January 31st.           Group B

i)       1 free-choice song per participant, sing for your spot in the next round!

ii)     Group photo right before the competition.

***The top 16 scores from Thursday / Friday will advance to February 6th. ***

c)      6p.m. to approximately 10p.m. Thursday February 6th.

i)       1 free choice song.

ii)     1 from rap, hip-hop, r & b genre 1990-2010.

iii)   10 participants move on to the next round.

iv)   Duet partners picked.  (More info on this at the meeting.  This is unscored.)

d)     6p.m. to approximately 10p.m. Thursday February 13th.

i)       1 free choice song.

ii)     1 song from the band Queen (5-minute max time limit, no exceptions!).

iii)   Unscored duet song, any genre.  This is for fun and entertainment!

iv)   4 participants move on.

v)      4 participants will meet with the judges for “judge’s choice” directly after the competition ends for the night.

   e)   8p.m. to approximately 10p.m. Friday February 21st.

i)       Grand Finale with 4 competitors.

ii)     Prizes for all finalists.

iii)   1 free choice song.

iv)   1 “judge’s choice” song (picked the week prior that the judges feel will highlight the singer’s range and style).

v)      1 song from the year of your birth.

2)      What are themed songs?

a)      Examples include but are not limited to: Specific genres, specific categories (such as a certain artist or year of your birth, etc.), spin the wheel, mini games, and more.  These will be determined before the competition participant meeting for your song planning.  

3)      Is there a song length requirement? 

a)      5 minutes max or under, no exceptions, and will be strictly adhered to.  Remember, songs with long instrumentals do not showcase your voice. 

4)      What if I am chosen but can’t attend? 

a)      A participant that did not move on will be chosen to fill your spot based on points.  Once the spot is filled it is locked in and that person chosen becomes a competitor.

5)      Inclement weather?

a)      This will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  Any and all conflicts will be posted on the event page and www.shockerkaraoke.com.     

6)      What are the judges looking for in my video and onsite performance?

a)      Vocal Technique – Tone quality, breathing, intonation, diction, articulation.

b)      Stage Presence / Performance / Entertainment Value – Music selection, effective use of the stage and performance area, mic etiquette, crowd response, look and style​.  Please put some thought into your stage outfits every week!

c)      Accuracy – Are you generally accurate with the song? (We understand that karaoke tracks can sometimes be off lyrically; minor imperfections will not impact scoring.)

7)      Points:

a)      Each contestant will be scored by each judge per song.  Tie breakers will be handled by a sing-off if needed.  The highest total scores will move on.

8)      Who are the judges?

a)      There will be a panel of 3 judges each night comprising of various demographics including musicians, non-musicians, a VacShak designated panel member, and a cast of rotating local personalities. 

9)      Are there any technical considerations?

a)      Participants have 1 chance per song; there will be no “restarts”.  The only exception is if there is a technical issue with audio or video that is beyond the participant’s control. 

b)      For all rounds except the Grand Finale participants must select from the Karafun platform.  The catalog can be found at Karafun.com. 

c)      For the grand finale contestants may provide their own music / Karaoke files.  This will be discussed in detail with the finalists at an appropriate time on a case-by-case basis.     

10)  Is there anything that would make me ineligible to enter in the competition?

a)      Yes; see the following:

i)       If you are a professional musician signed to any record label, including small local labels.

ii)     If your participation would create impropriety or the appearance of impropriety.

iii)   Any person associated in the development, production, distribution or other exploitation of this contest or any variation thereof. 

iv)   Any person supplying goods, services, prizes, or sponsoring the event.

v)      In addition, the VacShak Karaoke Competition committee reserves the right to render ineligible any person that it determines, at its sole discretion, for any reason including but not limited to; anyone sufficiently connected with the production, administration, judging, or distribution of the competition such that his or her participation in the competition could create the appearance of impropriety. 

The foregoing eligibility requirements, rules, and guidelines may be amended, revised or changed at any time and in any fashion at the committee’s sole discretion.

Please read carefully:

Please understand that this is an amateur level event.  It is intended to showcase local talent and provide fun safe entertainment for the community.  We encourage loud cheering, smiling faces, and peer support!  Understand that while the producers and staff do all they can to make things run smooth, things can pop up that were not planned for. 

Poor-sport behavior by any participants or their associates will NOT be tolerated in person, on social media, or in any other form.  Immediate disqualification and further action (if necessary) will result.

By signing up for this event you give permission to Shocker Entertainment, The VacShak, and Fastbreaks to record you on audio / video, take your photograph(s), and publish photos / videos / audio on any and all platforms, social media, and otherwise.