BEING a mum of four in your early 40s is not usually a recipe for dance chart success.
But Stacey Jackson, who plays Blackburn’s Liquid nightclub, is out to prove them wrong, having scored a top 10 hit in the Music Week club chart this summer.
The single I Hear A Symphony was picked up from her album Upside Down — ‘a heavy, rocky tribute to Motown’ — and given a dance remix by the Future Freakz.
“It has been such a whirlwind. My whole life changed,” the Canadian-born singer said.
“It was unimaginable, seeing my name between Lady Gaga and Scissor Sisters.
“And my kids were saying ‘that’s really cool’ . That works for me — that they think their mum is cool.
“There are parts of what I do that freak my 15-year-old out a bit.
“I’m a 40-something mum for my new single the stylist had me wearing something skimpy and my son was saying ‘No’ to all the pictures.”
While chart success is something all musicians aspire to, it came as a surprise to Chelsea-based Stacey, who moved to London 11 years ago.
Her recent focus has been her work with the Music For Youth project.
Young musicians from across the country were given the chance to perform on Stacey’s album.
“Music for Youth is about raising awareness, not just funds, and getting kids out there on stage and building their confidence,” said Stacey, whose three sons and daughter are 15, 12, eight and three.
“In November, at the time I launch my single I Am A Woman, they end the season at the Royal Albert Hall with three days of shows where kids from all over the UK will gather.
"It’s their 40th anniversary this year “Some of the kids involved have never been to London, never mind the studios we use.
“I get so much pride giving them the experience to do what I love.
“It was as exciting working with them as it is for me to be recording and performing myself.
“Now, breaking the top 10 is the cherry on the top. It's total glee.”
* Stacey Jackson: Dance Nation TV tour, Liquid nightclub, Blackburn, Saturday, September 18.
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