World & Caribbean Awards Ceremony 2008

Show

Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge

Main Act

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Kathy Sledge is the youngest of five girls from Edwin and Florez Sledge. By age 6 she was singing songs with her sisters in perfect harmony. Who would have guessed that only 10 years later, she would record a song that would literally touch the hearts of millions around the world.

Sister Sledge signed their first record deal with Atco Records, resulting in their very first No. 1 record in the UK ‘Mama Never Told Me’. They went on to record their second international hit record ‘Love, Don’t You Go Through No Changes on Me’ which landed at No. 1 on the Japanese charts. Following this Sister Sledge won the prestigious and highly sought after Silver Award at the Tokyo Music Festival.

The start of the millennium was a monumental time for Kathy and her sisters. In addition to a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, Sister Sledge was voted by VH1 one of the most successful girl groups of all time, second only to the Supremes. In 2001 ‘We Are Family’ was voted the No. 2 biggest record of all time.

Today Kathy finds herself as busy as ever. Over the years, in addition to all of the records and performances she starred in the hit musical ‘Oh What a Night’ to standing room only crowds through out Australia and the national gospel play, ’What Men don’t Tell’. She still performs selected shows with her sisters, whenever her exciting solo schedule permits. With more than 100 awards and commendations for their superb work in the entertainment field, Sister Sledge has become established as one of the world’s most successful female groups.

Maven Huffman

Host

Maven Huffman taught sixth grade for two years in Portland, Ore., before leaving the profession for the action-packed world of professional wrestling. After winning the reality show "WWE Tough Enough," he earned a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He later hosted BET's "J List" and starred in Season 6 of VH1's "The Surreal Life."

Maven has degrees in history and social science and is a history buff who loves to read (and occasionally write) poetry. He enjoys spending time outdoors, especially fishing, and stays fit with a regular workout regimen. He’s also a big sports fan and enjoys watching games with friends. He was raised in Nashville, Tenn., but considers Harrisonburg, Va., home.

Lori Heuring

Presenter

The confidence and fresh energy of Lori Heuring shines through both on and off-screen. This Texan spit-fire studied rigorously in college, resulting in a Finance degree. She then changed her focus and made her way out to Los Angeles, setting her sights on an acting career. Lori was recently seen in 20th Century Fox's hit thriller, Runaway Jury, alongside Gene Hackman and John Cusack. Heuring was born in Panama, but after a family move, relocated to Austin, Texas, where she was raised and will always think of as "home." With the support of her family, she began spending summers studying with an acting coach in Los Angeles and returning to school in the fall. After co-starring in her first movie, Animal Room, with Matthew Lillard and Amanda Peet, Heuring graduated from the University of Texas with an Honor's Business degree, and moved to Los Angeles to further her career as an actress. Heuring's list of television credits is extensive, including a series regular role on ABC's "The Player," opposite Patrick Dempsey, Viggo Mortensen and Jennifer Garner. She also landed recurring roles in television pilots such as Charles Haid's "Sherman Oaks," for CBS, opposite Esai Morales, Jonathan Silverman and Kelly Rutherford and "LA Confidential," with Kiefer Sutherland. Episodic appearances include guest star roles on WB's "Seventh Heaven," CBS' "Early Edition," UPN's "Legacy," and ABC's "Ellen," and a recurring role on ABC's "Alias."

Jennifer Finnigan

Presenter

Three-time Emmy Award winner Jennifer Finnigan is internationally well known for her role as Bridget Forrester on the Bold and the Beautiful. From there she moved on to join the cast of hit TV show Crossing Jordan, and then the short-lived but critically acclaimed NBC sitcom Committed. Most recently she starred on her own hit television show Close to Home, from blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer. She currently has several films being released in the near future, including family comedyBeethoven's Big Break (Universal Pictures), and Playing for Keeps (Lifetime). Her new film The Thacker Case is competing in film festivals worldwide. Jennifer lives inLos Angeles with her husband, fellow actor Jonathan Silverman.

Jonathan Silverman

Presenter

Jonathan Silverman has starred in over 30 motion pictures, several Broadway plays and his own top ten television series. His film work includes CLASS ACTION with Gene Hackman, STEALING HOME with Jodie Foster, BROADWAY BOUND with Anne Bancroft, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS with Blythe Danner, the sequel to THE ODD COUPLE with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon and the cult comedy hit, WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S.

Other films include; MADE, THE COOKOUT, LAURA SMILES, FREAK CITY, BOBBIE'S GIRL, DENIAL, THE MEDICINE SHOW, FRENCH EXIT, LITTLE BIG LEAGUE, WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S 2, LONDON SUITE, CADDYSHACK 2,DEACONS FOR DEFENSE,and THESE OLD BROADS.

Jonathan is currently shooting the Hallmark film THE WILDERNESS FAMILY,opposite Peter Strauss and next month stars alongside his beautiful wife Jennifer Finnigan in Universal Studios feature film BEETHOVEN'S BIG BREAK.

On Television, Jonathan starred in NBC's hit show THE SINGLE GUY and last season starred in ABC's comedy IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. His other television appear ances include FRIENDS, E/R, CLOSE TO HOME, CSI MIAMI, NUMBERS and PSYCH.

On Broadway, Mr. Silverman created the role of Eugene in Neil Simon's BROADWAY BOUND after starring in Mr. Simon's successful Broadway runs of BILOXI BLUES and BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS.

Dwayne Perkins

Comedian

Dwayne Perkins is a comic who makes a direct connection with his audience. His truthful intention is to challenge the audience while he makes them feel really good about their lives. He focuses on what he sees in the world that's slightly out of balance, off kilter and you recognize it because you've had this experience too. His set up takes you to the familiar, his conclusions startle you as he provides insight that is only too pertinent—and original.

The challenge is that each audience is different and each performance must be accordingly so. Dwayne recognizes that every audience is diverse, which makes his comedy connection work on the global stage. His affable demeanor makes you feel like you know him, and wish you did. He's quick on his feet and engages the audience playfully and they participate with ease.

Dwayne works clean, believing that you can develop a broader audience by reaching people without offending. He also makes his point without resorting to the easy, anticipated shot. He makes his audience think by what he tells them, not in how he shocks them.

Dwayne commits to the joke completely and knows that when you have one that works with all ages, it's a keeper. When a joke works, he knows that the funny has to be reproducible. Some jokes are in the re-telling of a story he believes, while others are in the wishing that things were that way. Still other jokes are observational and are conveyed through analogy by taking it to the ridiculous. Whatever the style, Dwayne Perkins tells the joke and stands by it knowing it's funny--delivering it to the fullest and finishing it with as much oomph and vigor as he's got.