Tuesday night, eight contestants sang karaoke songs at Mile 277 Tap & Grill restaurant in Sunset Hills as they competed for a spot in the grand finale of the St. Louis Idol Karaoke contest.

Throughout this year, Mile 277 Tap & Grill in Sunset Hills has hosted the event, which seeks to raise money for the St. Louis Idol’s Line of Duty Fund, a fund used to benefit law enforcement and emergency personnel charities, such as BackStoppers, The St. Louis Police Foundation and the Barwick/Newton Fund.

The music was provided by DJ Mike Kempf, of Shaggy Sounds DJ Services.

The winners of the night were singers Gary Layton and Cari Stensaker. The two will go on to the Grand Finale this Saturday, April 28, at Cotter's Sports Bar in South St. Louis.

“It’s fun; I love singing and watching the crowd get excited with my songs,” said contest winner Stensaker, who grew up in Sunset Hills and now lives in St. Louis City.

“I’m not shy and I’ve been singing my whole life,” said Layton, the other winner of the contest. “I also think this is a great cause that I am happy to support.”