With a top five placement and two Karaoke World Champions under our belts, Australia was once again ready to take on the world!

Could we do it again? The search to find Australia’s next Karaoke World Champion began in venues around Australia in February, 2008. Over 70 venues took part in this exciting event. The event eventually came down to the wire with just 10 singers left standing for the Australian Grand Final in the showroom at Twin Towns Services Club on Saturday, 2nd August, 2008.

Singers from Qld took to the stage for the Qld State Final moments before the Grand Final. Entrants were performing on a stage that had been graced with the world’s top entertainers, both local and international. After an exciting day and night of karaoke, the judges had made their decision. Michael Bates, a 22 year old customer service representative with a telecommunications company from Parafield Gardens in South Australia, was our new Australian Karaoke World Champion.

The following Monday, Michael found himself in the Gold Coast studios of Channel 7, speaking live via satellite on ‘The Morning Show’, which included an impromptu performance of the Australian National Anthem in support for our Olympic athletes on their way to Beijing.

Michael now had to decide which five songs he would submit for his performaces in Finland. He only had a few short weeks before he would be heading off on his very first trip overseas.

The international finals took place 23rd – 25th October, 2008 at Lahti Hall, Finland’s premier entertainment centre. Australia’s 2007 Champion, Julie Walter-Sgro, was also there as the reigning female Karaoke World Champion. She had arrived a week before the finalists for concert and television appearances in the lead up to the event.

Throughout five elimination rounds, Michael stood tall. As the field narrowed, it was between Michael and Anthony Garcia from the UK. It was anyone’s game until the final round. An unfortunate slip in Anthony’s performance paved the way for Michael to aim for victory. Australia had done it yet again! A record third year in a row!

France’s Juliet Gonnet claimed victory in the Womens section just ahead of Elaine O’Halloran from Ireland.

As winners of KWC 2008, Michael & Juliet secured themselves a record deal. Immediately after the announcement, they were both given an mp3 player with a brand new song written especially for each of the winners to record. While Juliet will travel back to Finland to record her song, Michael had 12 hours to learn his.

The next day, Michael found himself in the recording studio in Lojha, Finland, laying down the vocal track to his brand new single! In between takes, Michael was holding radio interviews with the media back at home in Australia while interviews were also set up for his return to Australia.

The interviews continued while Michael was in transit on his way home. As soon as he landed, he was off to the studios for further radio interviews and preparing for a live satellite broadcast with Kochie & Mel on Channel 7′s ‘Sunrise’.

He later came face to face with his arch nemesis, The Doctor from Triple J’s breakfast program, Robbie, Marieke & the Doctor. The Doctor had set out earlier in the year on a quest to become Karaoke World Champion, only to be evicted by security at a heat for being a pain in the anagramic ears……Now it was time to see how good the Karaoke World Champion really was. Was The Doctor really the Karaoke World Champion? After a verse and chorus of Meatloaf’s, ‘You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth’, it appeared not.

Michael’s advice to future KWC Champions and competitors
Enjoy the moment! The experience is priceless. Believe in your ability and have strong support around you. Have faith in yourself and be confident. Show an audience who you are and what you’re made of and they will see it come through your voice and your performance. Most of all have fun!!!