Old Dogz celebrate 10 years (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Old Dogz celebrate 10 years

12:04pm Saturday 9th February 2008 in Ilminster By Kirsty Maclagan

ILMINSTER based rock 'n' roll band Old Dogz New Trix are celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a sell-out concert at The Shrubbery Hotel tonight (Saturday).

All 250 tickets for the event have been sold - with a donation of the profits going to the Vaughan Lee House residential home in Ilminster.

Original members David Illingworth, Graeme Barnes, Phil Crick and Jeremy Riches first got together in 1998, when they were asked to perform at a sixties themed variety show in Broadway.

Drummer Jon Parsons completed the current line-up when he joined the band in 2006.

The veteran rockers have spent the past decade entertaining audiences across the country with their rendition of classic hits from the likes of Elvis, Buddy Holly and Cliff Richard.

Lead singer David, 64, has been a well-known face in Ilminster since 1967, as one of the first live DJs in the South West.

The self confessed 'fifties bore' held a Wednesday night disco at The Shrubbery for over 10 years, which attracted up to 300 people each week.

As DJ 'Dave The Rave', he hosted some of the most popular acts of the era, including The Moody Blues, Amen Corner and The Equals, as well as an early appearance by legendary Radio One DJ John Peel.

After taking a 10-year break to start a family, David returned to The Shrubbery in 1990 to start the popular Four Seasons Club, which ran for a number of years.

"Music has been a passion of mine all my life," he explained.

"My first love is to play records - all I've ever wanted to do is entertain people."

Saturday's event also coincides with David's 64th birthday celebrations and to mark the occasion he will be stepping behind the turntable once again to spin some of his favourite records.

"We've had an amazing response to the concert, we are now having to turn people away," David said.

"It promises to be a really special evening."

And the 'Old Dogz' popularity looks set to continue with a number of upcoming gigs, including Friday, April 11, at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster.

For ticket information contact Dave Case on 01460-57717.

*To find out more about Old Dogz New Trix follow the link below.