Amy Janu�r 27

Amy Macdonald snubbed by British awards but up for a gong in Germany

Jan 27 2009 By Beverley Lyons And Laura Sutherland

AFTER being snubbed in her home country by the Brit, MTV, Q and NME Award shows, Amy Macdonald is finally celebrating being nominated for the Best International Female award at Germany's Echo Awards.

The Scots songbird has sold more than two millions copies of her debut album This Is The Life since its release in July 2007.

The hit record reached the No.1 position in five countries across the world in 2008, knocking rockers Radiohead off the top spot in the UK.

The 21-year-old star was also well received in the US after Americans were impressed by the fact her "success wasn't about hype, but was through word of mouth".

But, despite her achievements, Amy has missed out on nominations for the Brits, MTV, Q and NME awards to British singers such as Adele, M.I.A and Duffy. And if UK music pundits continue to ignore the star, the Mr Rock and Roll hit-maker will be a bigger star in Germany than back home in Britain.

Amy revealed: "Things are continuing to go incredibly well for me in Germany. I've sold nearly 700,000 albums there and it looks like Germany is going to overtake the UK for the country where I have most success. I love it."

Amy then let it slip she had been nominated for a prestigious Echo award after being overlooked for similar awards in the UK.

She added: "It's amazing news.

"This is great for me.

It's such a massive awards show and it really means a lot to finally be recognised for my music.

"I always say the best reward for me is having great fans and I totally stand by that, but it does feel nice to be recognised. I've been left out of awards shows for so long and this makes it even more special."

Previous winners of the Best International Female award include Nelly Furtado, Christina Aguilera, Madonna and Dido.

Other Brit acts to be recognised this year are Leona Lewis, Duffy, Amy Winehouse and Coldplay.

But the singer from Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, is just happy to be nominated for and admitted the most exciting news for her was the fact she has been asked to perform at the event, too.

US singer Katy Perry and Irish legends U2 will also take to the stage at the awards show, and Amy revealed that performing alongside Bono and co. is a dream come true.

She said: "The best news is that not only have I been nominated for an award, but I have also been asked to perform as well.

"This is incredibly exciting as U2 will be playing, too.

"I cannot believe that I will be performing on the same stage as U2.

"This is such a huge honour and I can't wait."