News

JLS, Russell Watson and Scouting For Girls All To Receive Silver Clef Awards

• 29th Apr 2010

Nordoff Robbins today have announced a triple star-studded additions for this year’s annual O2 Silver Clef Awards at The Hilton, Park Lane. X Factor stars JLS will pick up the TAG Newcomer Award, ‘People’s Tenor’ Russell Watson is to receive the PPL Classical Award and chart toppers Scouting for Girls will take the much coveted Royal Albert Hall Best British Band Award.

This year’s 35th awards luncheon, which has become a key event in the music calendar, is held to raise money for Nordoff Robbins. It will take place on Friday 2nd July and will be attended by guests including some of the music industry’s highest fliers, most prolific characters, artists, celebrities and supporters of Nordoff Robbins.

JLS, who consists of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan “JB” Gill, and Oritse Williams have quickly shot to fame since their appearances on The X Factor in 2008, they have enjoyed continued chart success throughout 2009. Their debut single “Beat Again” went to number-one in the UK singles chart in July 2009, while their second single “Everybody in Love”, which was released in November 2009 topped the UK Singles Chart too. The band's eponymous debut album released last November has since gone triple platinum, with sales of over one million copies in the UK alone. JLS won the awards for British Breakthrough and British Single (“Beat Again”) at the 2010 Brit Awards, and this year will be collecting the coveted Newcomer Award at the O2 Silver Clef Awards.

JLS said earlier “we are so honoured and humbled to be winning such a prestigious award. There are so many amazing new artists at present and to be considered, let alone win the best newcomer award is truly incredible. We are so grateful, and delighted to be attending an event that does so much good work. We Love you guys. JLS!”

English tenor Russell Watson who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs is the latest edition to join the O2 Silver Clef Awards this year. The self-styled “People's Tenor” came to attention in 1999 when he sang the UK's National anthem at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, “Barcelona” at the last match of the Premiership season between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotsour at Old Trafford and a full set of songs at the final of the UFEA Champions League in Barcelona between Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Watson's debut album entitled The Voice was released in May 2001; five albums followed, and his sixth studio album, Outside In, was released in November 2007.

Russell Watson said earlier, “It’s a huge honour for me to be receiving this prestigious award. The recognition of my peers is a fine accolade indeed and I'm absolutely thrilled! A couple of years ago I didn't think I would ever sing again – so this event will have even more significance to me”.

Roy Stride, Greg Churchouse and Pete Ellard make up Scouting for Girls. The three friends from Harrow spent ten years booking their own shows in a local pub before hitting the big time in 2008, becoming the best selling artists of the year. Known for their piano-led songs, the band had hits with “She's so Lovely”, “Heartbeat” and “Elvis Ain't Dead” and were even nominated for three Brit Awards. Their number one self titled debut album has sold over 700,000 copies, and their second album “Everybody wants to be on TV” has recently enjoyed a the number two spot on the UK album charts.
Their first single from this album ‘This Aint A Love Song’ scored the band their first number one in the UK singles chart, knocking Lady Gaga off the top spot.

With an impressive roll call of previous Award winners and industry favorites, this year’s event will be no exception and will feature winners of the highest talents and calibre. Now in its impressive 35th year, the O2 Silver Clef Awards Lunch is a highlight in the music social calendar…
The event, which has so far raised over £7.5million for Nordoff Robbins, also features an auction of one-off music memorabilia items and other money-can’t-buy items.