ET earns Lifetime Achievement Award

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

A 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to veteran cabaret star Errol 'ET' Webster will be one of the highlights when Linkz96FM presents its third annual Linkz96FM awards show on Friday at The Jungle Nightclub in Negril, under the theme, 'Saluting Excellence'.

"This event is geared towards highlighting and rewarding persons who have excelled in the entertainment industry, particularly those who have worked and resided in the county of Cornwall," said Roger Allen, general manager of Linkz96FM.

"Additionally, each year the Linkz96FM lifetime award is conferred on one of the pioneers of the industry from the county," Allen added.

Recovering from stroke

This year's lifetime achievement awardee ET Webster, who is now recovering from a stroke, has been a household name on the entertainment circuit in the west since the mid-1960s when he burst on to the scene at Montego Bay's famed Yellowbird Nightclub, singing as a part of the group Billy Vernon and the Celestials.

In a career spanning close to half a century, the lyrically smooth Webster, who toured extensively in the '80s and '90s, has developed a rich reservoir of hits, which include the classic Can We Meet - a ballad which rode the RJR Top 10 Charts for many weeks; Music Is Life, Hit A Bomb, Freedom Fighter and ET Webster Sings Golden Hits.

"ET has opened concerts for superstars such as Billy Paul, Manhattans, ChiLites, Ronnie Dyson, Chuck Jackson, and has appeared on numerous concerts with all the leading local artistes around the island," said Allen.

"He has shared billing in Florida with the likes of Heavy D, Cocoa Tea, PaPa San, Super Cat, Inner Circle and Culture. ET has paved the way for other great talents who will also be awarded this year."

This year's awards will once again feature 16 categories to include the coveted Top Male and Female Vocalists of the Year as well as Top DJ of the Year.

Following the award ceremony, selected nominees will perform at a special after-award show. The artistes slated to perform are T'Nez, Charley Blacks, Edge Michael, among others. Music will be provided by the Linkz96FM Party Playaaz.