Standing room only for cream of clubs

More than 300 people piled in to see the cream of Midlands clubland honoured at a special awards ceremony.

It was standing-room only last night for the Midlands Counties Secretaries Entertainment Council Club Awards 2008.

All of the winning artists were chosen by delegates from venues across the region after their performances at social clubs, Labour clubs, welfare clubs and British Legions over the past year.

As well as receiving their awards, all of the winning acts wowed the assembled crowd with their acts, each receiving 30 minutes to showcase their talents.

Singer Darren D Davison, better known to Midland audiences as the Dudley Dazzler, was presented with the award for top male vocalist during the talent showcase at Cradley Labour Club, in Colley Gate .

The 40-year-old, from The Buffery estate, said: "It's absolutely brilliant to receive this award and to know you are entertaining audiences across the Midlands.

The award for top female vocalist went to Telford-born singer Johanna Rose.

It is the second year running she has received the award and the 41-year-old mother-of-five said it meant a lot to her.

She had to cut her singing career short a few years ago as she fell ill following the birth of her last child.

"I only came back two years ago and I have won this prize two years running which I am very proud of," she said.

Performer Paul David, aged 34, from Dickinson Road, Wombourne, received the award for top vocal entertainer.

He too has won the award previously but said it was still a thrill to be honoured by the clubs.

"I have been performing since I was 21. At first I was with a band but decided to go solo," he said.

Well-known comic Our Trace, alias Tracey Rhodes from Four Ashes, near Wolverhampton, was voted top comedy act.

The 46-year-old dedicated her award to her husband Terry and 12-year-old daughter Amy.

"Without their dedication and support I simply could not do this and would certainly not have been nominated for this award," she said.

"It is fantastic to receive this award. I have been performing now for around 10 years."

This year's top newcomer award went to Bilston entertainer Gavin Baker, who fuses Tom Jones and Elvis Presley in his stage act.

The 26-year-old, who is a self-employed plumber by day, is fresh from gigs in Corfu over the summer and has also performed before audiences in Blackpool.

"I just love performing and I am gaining more experience all the time," he said. "I started out around four years ago."

Tipton twosome 2xtreme was voted top duo and entertained audiences with a high-energy performance, including a painstakingly choreographed tribute to Michael Jackson's Thriller video. The act is made up of 23-year-old Linzi Kesterton and Steve Cadman, aged 27.

Steve said: "We like to bring more theatrical elements to the show. It is great to know people like what you do. We are very proud to receive this award."

This year's special Lifetime Achievement award has been won by veteran performer Mervyn John, who has been a regular on the club circuit since the 1960s.

The 65-year-old, from Bramber Drive, Wombourne, started out in a band, called Whisper, which performed on the very same circuits as The Beatles in the early to mid-60s. When the band split, he went solo adding more comedy and spoken work elements to his shows. He became well-known and loved on the circuit as "the man who could not say no" to a show, raising thousands of pounds for the County Air Ambulance and Compton Hospice through benefit gigs.

Alongside his shows he was also a metallurgist at Triplex, in Tipton, for many years.

Mr John said his performing had now slowed down after a fall from his horse two years ago left him needing a metal plate in his hip. "I am really choked up to receive this award," he said. "I have made a lot of very good friends in the whole entertainment circuit over the years and this means a lot to me.

"I am very honoured to receive this and thank everyone for it."

The event was compered by president and entertainment secretary of Rowley and Blackheath Labour Club and vice-president of the Midland Counties Entertainment Secretaries Council Dean Whittle.

Secretary of the Council Malcolm Edwards, who organised the event, said: "This is a night to honour the artistes for all the hard work they do."