STOURBRIDGE bluesman Ian Parker was this week hoping to storm into the charts following the release of his first single.

The 30-year-old singer/songwriter's track Your Love Is My Home - releasd through Germany's Ruf Records - hit the shops on Monday March 12.

Featuring a previously unrecorded solo acoustic version of U2's With or Without You, it is available in high street record shops or online on www.amazon.co.uk Ian said: "I am thrilled about having a single released. It is not something which I ever planned or anticipated happening in my career, but it is very exciting.

"The record company have been very pleased with the initial sales of my new album and so they decided to put out 'Your Love Is My Home', as a single as they feel it has 'cross-over' potential.

"I listened to a lot of soul music last year while I was writing the new album and that influence really rubbed off on this particular song."

For more information or to see a video clip of Ian talking about the new single, visit www.ianparkermusic.com Ian is also planning a small scale gig at Netherton Conservative Club, Halton Road, on Saturday March 17, tickets costing £8 are available from Lozz on 01384 231013.