D'Votion means record deal for soul brothers

Cheslyn Hay soul brothers have signed a two-single record deal with EMI.

D'Votion, featuring Paul, John and Charles Smith, have produced garage and dance mixes of R&B numbers for release shortly.

They also made it through to the final pre-boot camp stage on X Factor, but the record deal, signed just after they narrowly missed out, would have stopped them continuing. The trio have sung together all their lives having all been members of the choir run by their father, Pastor Jacob Smith, at his church, Bethel United Apostolic Church in Low Hill, Wolverhampton.

Lead singer and songwriter Paul, aka Mr Smith, is the oldest, aged 29, and says his ambition is to the make the group into multi-platinum selling artists. John, aged 28, and Charles, 22, supply the harmonies.

Paul said: "X Factor was a great experience. We got through to round five and that was a real confidence boost.

"We were filmed at home and in the church which was really enjoyable.

"We knew this deal with EMI might be happening at the same time, so everything worked out well."

The group is also set to appear on some upcoming Ministry of Sound compilations.

Paul said: "We are hoping the re-mixed singles will launch us on to a bigger stage and give us the chance to get our R&B style heard because that will have more longevity and marketability.

"Further down the line, we hope to have our own record label to promote local talent."

The brothers, who all attended Stafford Grammar School, are not the only potential stars in the family.

Their sisters Julia, aged 26, and Louise, 19, also perform as a duo and individually and are currently gigging in pubs and clubs and entering local talent contests.

"It would be great if the whole family could make the charts.

"We just want to work hard and earn as much success as possible."

The boys will appearing as support to their music idol Jodeci at Birmingham's Carling Academy on Valentine's Day next year.