VOWS Awards 2013

The VOWS Awards 2013 were held in the fantastic surroundings of The Edinburgh Corn Exchange on the evening of Monday the 25th November. Needless to say with a fourth Hireaband win - voted Best Music & Entertainment Agency - it's taken until Wednesday the 27th of November for me to recover enough to write this blog.

As Managing Director of Hireaband Ltd I have a lot of people to thank without whom our record breaking 4th win would have been impossible. 

To the indefatigable Gaye Young - you know how much we value you. You're one in a million and we would simply not be here without you.

To the staff at The Scottish Wedding Directory and DC Thomson, in particular Rachael and Gina - thanks so much for having us and for the energy and style you brought to the event.

The performers on the evening had the mammoth task of entertaining almost 600 wedding industry movers and shakers. The packed dancefloor and raucous applause was a testament to the quality on (and off) the dance floor.

The cast in order of appearance was;

The Jersey Tones - Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons Tribute

The Lounge Machine - Cool Jazz, quirky pop and even some punk. Lounge style

Reyonce - Unbelievably accurate tribute to Beyonce with superb dancers

Elwood - Quite possible the best wedding and party band in Scotland - see a full dance floor for proof

Elvis Presstoplay - The original and the best Elvis DJ. Unbeatable.

We know a thing or two about entertainment at Hireaband and it has to be said that this lineup could not be bettered. God help us for next year's event - this will be impossible to top.

Des Clarke (with an E) was our host. Brilliantly slick, warm, funny with one of the fastest comedy brains in the business, Des simply rocked. By the way, he's in panto at The Kings in Glasgow this December. Shout hello from the audience - he loves that :-)

To Tracey, Laura and Donna from F3 - we are in your debt as usual. Wthout a doubt, the hardest working show producers in the UK. You can tell Tim B I said that :-)

We had the enormous pleasure of welcoming as guests, three of our four Hireaband Franchisees. From Hireaband London, the best dancer in the room, Irving Walker, from Hireaband East Midlands, the cool, calm and collected (until the Tequila arrived) Mark Waldie and from Hireaband Newcastle, runner up in the best Hireaband beard competition and captain of Hireaband United, Lee Walker. Your support and hard work has made us the UK's best entertainment agency. Thank you all Gentlemen.

We missed having Matthew Cherry of Hireaband West Midlands due to previous commitments. HIs legendary yodelling skills are being kept on ice for next year.

The team at MCL, in particular Chris, Callum and Christian, made the entertainers look and sound fabulous. You managed to set up and soundcheck 5 acts in 90 minutes - professionals who are credit to the industry.

Nathan from 21cc Fireworks, thanks for not killing anyone - and in all seriousness, making the event go with an artistic and spectacular bang.

Most importantly, to all the couples who voted for Hireaband - a HUGE THANK YOU. It was a privilege to be involved in your celebrations.  We are constantly humbled by the trust and faith put in us by our wonderful clients - may you all have everything you could wish for.  And remember one thing; we also hire entertainment for Christenings!

On a personal note and because it's my company, may I say that although I'm the head honcho here at Hireaband, there would simply be no business, no bookings, no bank balance and absolutely no point without my senior partner Lisa Cotton. She is the beating heart of Hireaband, the hardest working, warmest hearted human being I've ever met - and officially the only person on earth that could put up with me 24 hours a day as the poor girl is often forced to do.

Lisa, it's all because of you. xxx

Del Cotton - West Kilbride - November 2013