Stars of clubland honoured with awards

The creme-de-la-creme of clubland have been honoured at a Black Country awards ceremony.

Published Oct 30, 2009

The creme-de-la-creme of clubland have been honoured at a Black Country awards ceremony. Hundreds flocked to Oldbury's Royal British Legion Club to congratulate the six top acts of 2009 - voted for by the clubs themselves.

Fan's favourite Tracey Rhodes, aged 47 from Four Ashes, near Wolverhampton, retained her title as best comedian. Better known as alter-ego Our Trace, she used the awards ceremony to showcase new material and introduce new characters, Our Trace's gran Mavis and Us Norman, her nephew.nextpage

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. The first to take to the stage last night was 13-year-old Luke Millard, of Cypress Avenue, Lower Gornal, who was named top newcomer. Despite his tender years, the Ellowes Hall pupil has performed in Black Country social clubs for the last two years. He first sang in a karaoke competition at the age of six, and from that first performance a star was born.nextpage

Tony Gold, aged 45, who lives in Darlaston, mixes music and comedy in his act. The care worker, who was a big hit with the crowd was top vocal entertainer and performed tributes to Al Martino and Renato Pagliari, as well as delivering a string of one-liners that had the audience in stitches.