Home secretary Jacqui Smith praises work of Redditch music studio

Nov 29 2008 by Anuji Varma, Birmingham Mail

THE frontman of Birmingham band Dodgy proved thatbeing home grown really does have its advantages.

Nigel Clark arranged for home secretary Jacqui Smith to meet some of the budding singer- songwriters at his studio HiJack Music in Redditch.

And the local MP was impressed with her constituents’ talents – and with Nigel’s project to develop local youngsters’ musical abilities in a bid to keep them off the streets.

She said: “HiJack Music are offering a good service to young people who haven’t always got on very well in school.

“They work with local schools and other groups to offer extended learning opportunities in an environment that looks nothing like a formal school, but it is education none the less.

“I hope that more schools will look into how HiJack Music can help them.”

Nigel, who is behind Dodgy’s hit albums Home Grown and Free Peace Sweet, runs the studio with business partner Doug Armstrong.

He met the Home Secretary at the opening of an underpass in Redditch. Nigel said: “Jacqui was officially unveiling a piece of graffiti which featured Dodgy and Led Zeppelin when I told her about the studios and how we worked with young people.

“She was impressed and arranged to come and meet some of the kids and see the studio.

“I’m pleased that she came down to support the youth work at the studio and that she could see what a difference it makes.”