Annie and Subo saluted at charity’s ceremony
Singers Annie Lennox and Susan Boyle were hailed at the star-studded Scottish Music Awards last night.
The awards, dubbed the Tartan Clefs, are staged in aid of the Nordoff-robbins Music Therapy charity and other winners included rockers Snow Patrol and Mark Knopfler.
Annie and Susan were given Hall of Fame awards, while former Dire Straits frontman Mark was presented with the Living Legend Award.
In a specially recorded video message, Annie said: “I just wanted to say thank you so much for giving me this very special award. I’m very, very sorry that I can’t join you tonight, but I’m there with you in spirit. I’m so proud of the work that Nordoffrobbins does and all I can say to you is thank you, thank you, thank you.” The Sunday Post columnist Donald Macleod, chairman of Nordoff-robbins Scotland’s events committee, said the organisation was thrilled to recognise Blackburn star Susan Boyle who is poised for a glittering TV comeback.
Speaking on the red carpet last night, Subo revealed she will take on Paul Potts and 48 other acts in an America’s Got Talent spin-off and will battle for the title of champion of Simon Cowell’s Got Talent franchise next month.
She also announced that she has a new album coming out next year, adding: “Watch this space.” Donald said: “Susan Boyle is a fantastic success story and it is great that she gives such great ongoing support to our charity. Susan’s achievements on the global stage have not been recognised enough.” On the night, Snow Patrol were named artist of the year, while the Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award went to comedian Kevin Bridges. Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody said: “Nordoff-robbins is such an important charity. It’s what they do for kids and people who don’t have access to music in their lives, and many other things of course. “We were very lucky growing up, all of us in the band had access to music and art in our lives – even though my mum did tell me to keep it down a lot!”
The band performed along with Subo and hitmaker Amy Macdonald. Indie band Frightened Rabbit won the coveted songwriting award, sponsored by legendary Glasgow music venue King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.
In May, the band was devastated by the death of frontman Scott Hutchison, 36, following a battle with depression.
Geoff Ellis, chief executive of DF Concerts, said: “King Tut’s is recognised as a launchpad for many artists and as far as Scotland goes, it’s a venue that most bands start off in. Frightened Rabbit was one of them back in 2006 when they first played the venue.”