Fort Leonard Wood's 2014 Operation Rising Star winner is at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas preparing for finals that start Saturday.

Staff Sgt. Michael Joseph, a 399th Army Band drummer, said he is feeling the pressure to keep the Army Entertainment's Rising Star title on post.

Last year, Sgt. Christiana Ball, 787th Military Police Battalion drill sergeant, won Army Entertainment's 2013 Rising Star. "I would love to win it again for Fort Leonard Wood. Christiana has been so supportive. She just told me to keep doing what I am doing, and the judges will love me," Joseph said.

"It feels great to represent this post in the finals. There were so many great competitors here at the Fort Leonard Wood auditions. I just feel so humble that I was chosen to move forward in the competition," he added.

Originally from Cumberland, Kentucky, he said he started singing about 10 years ago.

"I only started singing in front of an audience about two years ago. I started singing and playing guitar just as a hobby," Joseph said.

Joseph is one of six competitors from Army installations around the world.

Finals week is scheduled for Saturday through Dec. 12, at the Fort Sam Houston Theatre, home of Army Entertainment. Shows are recorded with a live audience Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Dec. 12.

"My wife is getting a support team together for me. She has started a Facebook page and made flyers for the local community," Joseph said. "My Family is most definitely my biggest fans." The shows can be viewed at www.OpRisingStar.com, on Sunday, Tuesday and Dec. 11, beginning at 9 a.m., daily.

Viewers will have 24 hours to vote for their favorite performers after each round.

"I would just like to thank everyone in advance for supporting me through this whole process. The support that I have received already has just been wonderful, and it really means so much to my Family and me. We really appreciate everyone," Joseph said.

The winner will be revealed Dec. 13, at www.OpRisingStar.com, where people can also go to view the shows and vote.