I am old enough to remember the last time Nottingham produced a pop sensation. Hailing from Arnold (where I lived) we were blessed with Paper Lace. You can’t fail to remember ‘Billy Don’t Be a Hero’ or ‘The Night Chicago Died’. CLassic stuff it’s not! 1974 it was…

And just shy of 40 years on we have produced our second pop sensation in the form of Jake Bugg. He made the No.1 Album chart last week with his new album – which is fantastic news! The single, Two Fingers contains plenty of references to Nottingham. The video stars another local celebrity Vicky McLure – of This is England fame!

Jake is about to head off to America – supporting Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds (who are brilliant live by the way!). He’s also appeared on Jools Holland.

I have to admit that my first pre-conception about an 18 year old is of a ‘boy band’ or another Justin Bieber. But Jake isn’t any of this. The songs are quite ‘folky’ and have great lyrics. I like the album…

And my youngest son has a claim to fame now – about two years ago Jake played before them at The Maze in Nottingham!

Good luck to Jake – if you have an interest in music – take a listen to the album – it is really rather good!