The USA also have a song contest, based on the ESC. The first heat has been held already

While the preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest are in full swing, the American Song Contest has already begun. Unfortunately, the show will not transmitted live outside the USA. But there are various European TV stations, which are going to broadcast the show at a different time.

The show will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg. The idea to bring the format of the Eurovision Song Contest to other continents comes from Martin Österdahl (ESC Supervisor) and Ben Silverman. Christer Björkman is one of the producers.

The rules are a bit different like those from the ESC, because of the number of participants 50 states and six oversea territories. There will be five qualification rounds, two semi-finals and a Grand Final with 10 participants. In each qualification round there will be a winner chosen by 56 music experts and three further participants will be selected by online voting. And like in the original ESC the voters are only eligible to vote for other entries, not their own representative. The voting procedure will be similar as well with 50% jury and 50% online voting. But probably not all the 56 jury spokes persons will announce their twelve points. The winner will be announced as “best original song” in the Grand Final in 9th May.

It will be very interesting, how this new show format will succeed in the USA. It is planned to have this contest on a yearly basis.

Last Monday the first heat took place:

1. Minnesota - Yam Haus - "Ready to Go" 
2. Oklahoma - AleXa - "Wonderland" 
3. Arkansas - Kelsey - Lamb  "Never Like This" 
4. Indiana - UG skywalkin "Love in my City (feat. Maxie)" 
5. Puerto Rico - Christian Pagán - "Loko" 
6. Connecticut - Michael Bolton - "Beautiful World" 
7. Iowa - Alisabeth von Presley - "Wonder" 
8. Wisconsin - Jake'O - "Feel Your Love" 
9. Mississippi - Keyone Starr - "Fire" 
10. Wyoming - Ryan Charles - "New Boot Goofin’" 
11. Rhode Island - Hueston - "Held on too Long" 

These are all the 56 participants (not all songs are unveiled yet):

1. Alabama: Ni/Co
2. Alaska: Jewel
3. American Samoa: Tenelle
4. Arizona: Las Marias
5. Arkansas: Kelsey Lamb
6. California: Sweet Taboo
7. Colorado: Riker Lynch
8. Connecticut: Michael Bolton
9. Delaware: Nitro Nitra
10. Florida: Ale Zabala
11. Georgia: Stela Cole
12. Guam: Jason J.
13. Hawaii: Bronson Varde
14. Idaho: Andrew Sheppard
15. Illinois: Justin Jesso
16. Indiana: UG skywalkin
17. Iowa: Alisabeth Von Presley
18. Kansas: Broderick Jones
19. Kentucky: Jordan Smith
20. Louisiana: Brittany Pfantz
21. Maine: King Kyote
22. Maryland: Sisqó
23. Massachusetts: Jared Lee
24. Michigan: Ada LeAnn
25. Minnesota: Yam Haus
26. Mississippi: Keyone Starr
27. Missouri: Brett Seper
28. Montana: Jonah Prill
29. Nebraska: Jocelyn
30. Nevada: The Crystal Method
31. New Hampshire: MARi
32. New Jersey: Brooke Alexx
33. New Mexico: Khalisol
34. New York: ENISA
35. North Carolina: John Morgan
36. North Dakota: Chloe Fredericks
37. Northern Mariana Islands: Sabyu
38. Ohio: Macy Gray
39. Oklahoma: AleXa
40. Oregon: courtship.
41. Pennsylvania: Bri Steves
42. Puerto Rico: Christian Pagán
43. Rhode Island: Hueston
44. South Carolina: Jesse LeProtti
45. South Dakota: Judd Hoos
46. Tennessee: Tyler Braden
47. Texas: Grant Knoche
48. U.S. Virgin Islands: Cruz Rock
49. Utah: Savannah Keyes
50. Vermont: Josh Panda
51. Virginia: Almira Zaky
52. Washington: Allen Stone
53. Washington, D.C.: NËITHER
54. West Virginia: Alexis Cunningham
55. Wisconsin: Jake’O
56. Wyoming: Ryan Charles

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!