A TALENTED singer-songwriter who has released his third single has told how his upbringing in Renfrew inspired his love for music.

Andrew Cantwell’s song ‘Happiness is not a Destination,’ which is now available on all major music streaming platforms, aims to inspire others to follow their passions.

The 50-year-old has been “overwhelmed” by the positive reception to his latest single, which is being played on radio stations across the UK.

He told The Gazette: “The feedback I’m getting is absolutely mindblowing, with renowned musicians that I grew up listening to sending me really encouraging messages.

“I saw a sign in my friend’s house that said ‘Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life’ and I really liked it, so I wrote the song around that theme.

“I think this single is probably the best of the three I’ve produced so far.”

Andrew was brought up in the Moorpark area of Renfrew and was immersed in the local music scene during his teenage years.

The Gazette: Andrew and brother Tommy as children in 1970s RenfrewAndrew and brother Tommy as children in 1970s Renfrew

The former Trinity High pupil, who now lives in Wigan, said: “Anyone who knows me from Renfrew always knew  I was right into my music and always seemed to have a bag filled with vinyl.

“The local record shop at the time was called Sounds Good and I was forever in there spending money.

“My uncle, who is in a punk band called Fire Exit, is also probably one of Renfrew’s most famous musicians. His name was Gerry Rodden but he changed it by deed poll to Gerry Attrick.

“He used to play at The Bungalow Bar, in Paisley, and also ran the Renfrew pop festival, in Robertson Park, where as a teenager I used to tag along with him.”

Andrew now shares his own popular singles with many of his old friends using his Facebook group ‘Moorky People,’ which is popular with locals and ex-Moorpark residents across the world.

The granddad-of-two added: “It’s never too late to follow your passions and that’s the message I’ve tried to convey in my latest song.

“My uncle is coming down to Wigan next year to play a gig for the band’s 45th anniversary, so it feels like everything has come full circle.

“Music has always been my life but I never thought I would be writing and performing it myself now. It’s like a dream come true.”

For more, visit facebook.com/andrewcantwellmusic.