Sharleen Spiteri and Fratellis help charity hit 100,000 notes at awards party

Nov 23 2008 By Billy Sloan

THE Fratellis and Sharleen Spiteri led the charge last night as Scotland's rock royalty partied at a star-studded awards show.

Showbiz's biggest names were out in force for the Tartan Clef ceremony to back charity Nordoff-Robbins.

The event raised s100,000 to help fund music therapy in Scotland.

It was a night of comic surprises, emotional reunions and stars of pop, sport and the movies rubbing shoulders.

Funnyman Peter Kay made a seven-hour round trip from his home in Bolton to surprise pal Sharleen with an Outstanding Contribution to Music gong at the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow.

She said: "It's great to support the cause but to get the award is a real honour."

She was flattered when she learned about Peter's long journey. She added: "It's always nice to know you have great friends who will go that extra mile for you."

Emotional The Fratellis delayed their latest tour to attend - and picked up the headline Tartan Clef award.

Lead singer Jon said: "It's great to have won an award for Scotland."

He said he was thrilled to be associated with charity Nordoff-Robbins, adding: "As someone who gets their own therapy from music, it is something that should never be underestimated."

And he revealed he would like to work with star Edwyn Collins.

He said: "He wasn't a massive hero of mine growing up but there aren't many songs that sound better than Girl Like You. I'd like to work with him in the future."

It was an emotional evening for Glasgow band Orange Juice who reunited after 26 years.

Edwyn Collins, James Kirk, David McClymont and Steven Daly had not been together since their acrimonious split in 1982. But they were all smiles as they won a Lifetime Achievement gong.

Edwyn returned to playing live earlier this year after being struck with a near fatal double brain haemorrhage in 2005. He said: "It's fantastic to be here and great be together with the guys again."

The Simply Thrilled Honey band reunited outside former label Postcard Records' old offices - in a tenement in Glasgow's west end - before the awards.

Tattooed heavymetal act The Almighty took the Rock Award while ex-Fairground Attraction star Eddi Reader was given a gong for Songwriter of the Year.

Actor Billy Boyd took a break from making movies to perform with his group, Beecake, and accepted a People's Choice Best Live Act award.

The band received most votes from fans in an online poll run by VisitScotland. Lord Of The Rings star Billy said: "It's amazing.

We're all shocked as we've not even released our first album yet."

Dougie MacLean was given the Trad, Folk and Roots prize while Gerry McElhone and Rab Andrew, of GR Management, took the Sunday Mail's Music Industry award.

In their 28-year career the duo have handled acts such as Altered Images, Texas, Primal Scream and El Presidente.

The night was kicked off by previous Tartan Clef winners Hue And Cry. Old Firm legends Gordon Strachan, Walter Smith and Ally McCoists were there to support the charity. Strachan said: "I really like Glasvegas and I love going to gigs."

Culture Secretary Linda Fabiani said: "It's great to celebrate Nordoff-Robbins with the talent we have in Scotland."

Nordoff-Robbins Scotland chairman Donald MacLeod said: "The Tartan Clefs will soon be as important to the UK music industry as the Brits or NME Awards."

Nordoff-Robbins Scotland provides 9000 sessions a year. Their teams use musical co-improvisation to help improve quality of life for people isolated by conditions such as autism and mental health issues.

ALL THE WINNERS

Tartan Clef Award, sponsored by SECC:

The Fratellis

Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Glasgow, Scotland With Style:

Orange Juice

Sir Reo Stakis Outstanding Contribution Award:

Sharleen Spiteri

People's Choice Best Live Act, sponsored by VisitScotland:

Beecake

Trad, Folk and Roots Award, sponsored by Guitar Guitar:

Dougie MacLean

Singer/Songwriter of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster:

Eddi Reader

Scottish Rock Award, sponsored by Rock Radio:

The Almighty

Music Industry Award, sponsored by the Sunday Mail:

GR Management

To see our photographs from the award show click here

TO LEND YOUR SUPPORT TO THIS GREAT MUSIC CHARITY OR FIND OUT MORE, GO TO WWW.TARTANCLEF.ORG