Award is fitting tribute to a class act

MHDE-06-03-12-Teacher-Mar18 William Parker School,Teacher Richard Samson with year Eight D Science class who won a national tribute competition for his Drifters Cover Act.

Published on 11/03/2012 12:19

A SCIENCE teacher has swapped test tubes for a microphone to win a national music award.

Richard Sampson, who teaches at William Parker School in Daventry, has led his tribute act to long-running soul group The Drifters to one of the top prizes at the UK Tribute Awards.

The ceremony took place at Villa Park, Birmingham on Thursday, February 23 when Richard Sampson’s Drifters Revue won the best overall entertainers award.

Mr Sampson told the Daventry Express: “We were up against 600 other tribute acts from across the country. There are awards given out for the best outfit and best sound.

“I think we were all completely surprised when we won the award. The best overall entertainers was the last award to be announced and I don’t think we really expected it.”

Interest in the band has escalated since the award.

Mr Sampson added: “We have been going for seven years and have performed for people like David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson. Recently we were in Dubai where we performed for Tom Cruise when he was promoting his latest movie.

“Since the awards though, my phone has not stopped ringing so the extra attention is nice.”

It is also news that has gone down well with his pupils at William Parker.

Mr Sampson said: “They have all been really pleased that we have won this award.

“They do get a little bored sometimes hearing the stories I’ve got of where I have been and who I have met. However, they are always pleased for me.

“It is great for me because the children know I have a passion for music and I think that is something that really speaks to the children.

“We’re always trying to find new ways of keeping their attention in lessons and music certainly helps.”

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Award is fitting tribute to a class act

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