A Callander musician has walked away with two songwriting gongs at a ceremony in the States.
Dina Andrews was in Atlanta, Georgia, for the International Singer Songwriter Association (ISSA) Awards 2022 where she picked up ‘International Female Songwriter of The Year’ (gold) and ‘International Female Album of the Year’ (silver) for ‘The Naked Truth’ which was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dina – who also broadcasts The Pink Cowgirl Radio Show on Trossachs Radio – said she was overjoyed at being recognised in the awards, adding: “When I heard my name being called out, it was like ‘Oh my God!’ I did let out a shriek.
“Hearing people cheering and clapping as I went up to the stage made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“I was brought up on a council estate in Jersey, so to be up there in Atlanta winning one award, then being called up a second time was just amazing.
“It was the best feeling ever. I was so happy to be rewarded for two years of hard work.”
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Dina, who also works part-time as a carer – moved from Jersey to Callander in July last year and travelled to Atlanta the following month for the awards ceremony.
Her husband Les is from Leith and they have two grown-up sons, James and Alex.
The 58-year-old is currently working on her third album ‘The Legend of Sally Skull’.
Dina said: “I always write my lyrics before I write the music. And making videos for the songs is always good fun too.
“My song ‘Did you find Jesus in Nashville?’ which is on ‘The Naked Truth’ was inspired by being tapped on shoulder by a homeless man in Nashville who asked me if I knew where the church was that fed the homeless.”
Dina’s first album ‘Complicated’ was also recorded in Nashville.
She added: “I have met great musicians in the USA, especially whilst recording my albums in Nashville.
“One of my songs on the first album ‘Let The Desert Wind Blow’ has guest drummer John Gardener on it who used to drum for the Chicks (Dixie Chicks) and the guitar player is Grammy award winner Thomm Jutz, who is well known for his Bluegrass music.
“Scotty Sanders, who has played with Country greats like the late Charley Pride, is on steel guitar and dobro.”
