A STOURBRIDGE music venue hit the right notes in Parliament to win judges’ votes in a prestigious rock and poll event.

Base Studios in Rufford Road was declared a winner in the best live music venue category in the 2014 Rock The House competition at a high-profile awards ceremony at the Palace of Westminster.

Rock The House is the brainchild of heavy metal loving MP Mike Weatherley, who has teamed up with some of the biggest names in the music business to raise awareness of copyright in a bid to protect the incomes of songwriters and performers.

Base Studios was nominated for Rock The House by Stourbridge MP Margot James and she was among MPs, music industry executives and rockers including Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden at the finale of the competition on July 1.

Ms James said: “I have seen Base grow hugely over the five or six years since my first visit. Warren has a real vision for what music and the incredible array of employment opportunities that underpin live music can do for young people locally.

“Base supports so many young people who might be NEET when they arrive at Base, but within months their prospects are transformed, either they are budding musicians or they get training in, and aspire to jobs, in sound, lighting, staging and other vital roles that go into making a live show work.”

During the ceremony and rock concert on the terrace at Westminster The Base was announced as joint winner of the best live music venue category, along with Brudenell Social Club in Leeds.

Warren Evans said: “At Base Studios we believe it is important to help as many young people as possible to discover and nurture their talents.

“We have state-of-the-art facilities and experts including successful musicians working as tutors to give the musicians and technicians of the future a great start.

“It is fantastic to have been a part of Rock the House and we are grateful to Mike Weatherley, the judges and Margot James for their support.”

As well as a place on the Rock The House roll of honour Base Studios also collected a winner’s prize of items from sponsor Orange - including amps worth £200.

Rock The House patron, Queen guitarist Brian May, said: "It is a great honour to back Rock The House. The UK is a hotbed of musical talent from all genres, and if the British music industry is going to grow and thrive then musicians need to be able to make a living from selling their product.

“This competition gives all musicians, from all backgrounds the chance to get out there and make live music - one of the things Brits do best.”

Ms James added: “The facilities at Base are constantly expanding; there are lots of studios for acts to rehearse in, work in and record in and there are facilities for beaming the productions overseas so Base are contributing to exports in the creative industries field.

“I think the judges were impressed by all of this and the passion of the directors.

“The award is another boost to the amazing musical heritage that Stourbridge has, and which needs to be nurtured.”