A YOUNG man who cut his creative teeth in Basingstoke will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry after being nominated for a Grammy.

Ross Stirling, who has been working with Mumford & Sons since they were signed, has been nominated in the category of Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.

Ross, 30, got the nod for his design and creative work on book The Road To Red Rocks, detailing the bands’ shows and adventures.

Now Ross, along with some of his team at his creative agency Studio Juice, will attend the ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Ross said: “It’s something that I never thought would happen but it’s a big honour. We’re up against some stiff competition and I don’t think we stand a chance of winning. But I’m really looking forward to the night.”

Ross now runs his business in London, but Studio Juice began life in Church Street, Basingstoke.

Ross, who used to captain Basingstoke Rugby Football Club First XV, studied graphic design at Basingstoke College of Technology before moving to LA to get experience in the music industry.

He said: “I knew I wanted to set up my own agency and we began working with four shy boys who were in a band, just before they were signed – and they are Mumford & Sons.”

The agency also now works with Keane and other bands, as well as working for heavyweight companies including Sony, Polydor, Volvo and Adidas.

The awards show, which will be televised and broadcast across the world, will be hosted by LL Cool J. The performance line-up for this year’s show includes Taylor Swift, Pink, Katy Perry, Robin Thicke and Lorde.

If Ross wins, he will be making an acceptance speech to an audience full of the biggest stars in the world.

Not wanting to tempt fate, he said: “I haven’t practised any speeches – it would be a big shock if I win.”