Garvaundo Hamilton, co-founder and CEO of Karaoke Idols, died unexpectedly Aug. 4 during the organization’s Washington State Championships. He was 36.
Hamilton took the stage Sunday evening at the Emerald Queen Casino’s conference center in Fife to sing “God Bless the Broken Road” before he planned to announce the three finalists who would be moving on to the world competition.
However, right after Hamilton finished the song, he walked off the stage and collapsed, according to witnesses. One judge who witnessed the collapse posted on social media that CPR and defibrillators were used in an effort to revive Hamilton, but he was eventually pronounced deceased at the scene.
An official cause of death has not been released.
Diann Spicer, one of Karaoke Idols’ Washington state co-directors, said organizers are figuring out the next steps for the competition.
“We want to continue because that’s what Garvaundo would want,” Spicer said. “This is his community.”
Born and raised in Jamaica, Hamilton is co-founder and CEO of Karaoke Idols and has been involved in the karaoke competition world for years. He was the 2020 Karaoke World Champion, and last year was on the board of the International Karaoke Federation. He helped launch the IKF global karaoke competition debut in 2023, titled the Karaoke Cup.
This year, Hamilton split from IKF to form Karaoke Idols, headquartered in Federal Way. His business follows a similar format, with some changes designed to create a solid foundation for growth and reduce barriers for staff and participants. Karaoke Idols also includes a community engagement piece called the One Love Initiative, which focuses on making sure that no one is left behind, according to a report in the Federal Way Mirror.
Hamilton was a member of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and had recently joined the chamber’s board.
Watch Hamilton sing his final song:
Garvaundo Hamilton, founder of Karaoke Idols, is seen singing “God Bless the Broken Road” on Aug. 4, 2024, at the Emerald Queen Casino in Fife. Hamilton collapsed and died after the performance. (Screenshot)
