Stars honoured at awards night

The cream of the Midlands vocal and comic talent stepped on stage to perform at an award winners showcase dubbed the Oscars of the Midlands entertainment scene.

It sold out weeks ago, and last night more than 250 people packed into the club for the annual Midland Counties Awards. Organised by the Midlands Counties Entertainment Secretaries Council, winners in the seven different categories were on stage at Parkes Hall Social Club, Parkes Hall Road, Woodsetton, to show the crowd why they had come out on top.

The artists were chosen by audiences after performing at social clubs, labour clubs, welfare clubs and British Legions in the past 12 months.

Alan Knight, a painter and decorator from Willenhall by trade famed for his Meat Loaf renditions, picked up the Best Male Vocalist award while Paul David, a groundsman at Walsall FC from Wombourne got Best Vocal Entertainer.

Group 2Xtreme received the top duo award, Best Female Vocalist went to Telford songstress Johanna Rose while Simon Dean got the top newcomer.

The two most popular performers on the night however were two familiar faces to the regular crowd.

Comedienne Our Trace, alias Tracey Rhodes from Four Ashes, near Wolverhampton, has a clutch of these awards in her cabinet but won Best Comedienne Award fifth time last night.

"It is always a great night here and this one was no exception," she said.

The special Lifetime Achievement award on the night went to singer Debbie Dee, who has been singing in pubs and clubs for more than 20 years.

The 43-year-old former carer from Wednesfield, a divorcee with two children, said she was delighted and honoured to receive the award. "It is just brilliant," she added. "I am really honoured because I think the entertainers we have got around here are top notch."

Club-goer Joseph Hardiman, from Gornal, said: "It was a great night again

"Simon Dean, the best newcomer, was fantastic and could have a real future. The awards give the talent in this region the chance to shine."