Quick Facts
Biography
Dina Andrews a native of Los Angeles, Ca. (born Dina Ruth Andrews; February 28) is an African American female music executive, and entrepreneur. She is President and General Manager of Dina Andrews Management (DAM), Inc.
Biography
Andrews a native of Los Angeles, Ca. graduated High School from the 11th Grade, and began college at 16 years old. Beginning her career in the Music Industry in her Junior year of college took her full attention, but she went on to graduate from Azusa Pacific University where she acquired her BS in Business with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership.
Andrews began her music career at the age of 19 under the tutelage of Dick Griffey the CEO of Solar Records. Under the Solar (Sound of Los Angeles Records) banner she worked with artists such as:
| Artist | Albums | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| The Whispers | More of the Night, And the Beat Goes On, Love Is Where You Find It | Synthpop, Disco, Contemporary R&B |
| Shalamar | Big Fun, Friends, Three for Love | Disco, Pop music, Contemporary R&B |
| Lakeside | Shot of Love, Fantastic Voyage, Galactic Grooves | Rhythm and blues, Funk |
| Dynasty | Adventures in the Land of Music, Your Piece of the Rock, The Second Adventure | R&B |
| Carrie lucas | Street Corner Symphony, Still in Love, Dance With You: The Best of Carrie Lucas | Disco, Dance music, R&B |
| Midnight starr with the Calloway's | All The Way, Let's Get Smooth | Pop music, R&B |
| The Deele with LA Reid | Eyes of a Stranger, Street Beat, Greatest Hits | Contemporary R&B, Rhythm and blues |
| Babyface | Christmas With Babyface, MTV Unplugged NYC 1997, Face2Face | Urban contemporary, Adult contemporary music, Pop music |
| Bobby Womack | The Poet II, Back to My Roots, Understanding | Southern soul, Doo-wop, Soul blues |
| Klymaxx | One Day, Meeting in the Ladies Room, The Maxx Is Back | Dance-pop, Rhythm and blues, Funk |
| Atlantic Starr | All in the Name of Love, Brilliance, As the Band Turns | Adult contemporary music, Pop music, Dance-pop |
The Music Business
Dina Andrews has been a Record Company Executive, Artist Manager, Associate Manager and General Manager. She has Executive Produced several projects, and has spent an equal amount of time working in Urban Music and Gospel/Christian Music. Dina Andrews has worked with several major labels such as RCA, BMG, Verity, Sony, Capitol, Elektra, East-West/Atlantic, EMI Gospel, Warner Bros, Benson, Word, and Gospo-Centric, in addition to start-ups.
After four years at Solar Records she was pursued by the now multi-platinum record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to help them with their careers as songwriter/producers. In 1982 Ms. Andrews began managing the careers of the duo who were then with "The Time" a Minneapolis musical group signed to Prince's Paisley Park Records (a Warner's Bros Joint Venture). Under the management and direction of Ms. Andrews, the duo began building their reputation as great songwriter/producers outside of their work with Prince. Andrews introduced the duos music to Tabu Records Founder/CEO Clarence Avant who gave Andrews an opportunity to do a deal with him for Jam and Lewis to produce SOS Band. Thus, the start of Flyte Tyme Productions. Under Dina Andrews Management, Andrews negotiated deals for Jam & Lewis to write and produce not only for SOS Band, but Cheryl Lynn (Encore), Change (Change of Heart), Cherrelle, and Alexander O'Neil. She entered negotiations with Warner Chappell Music for a multimillion-dollar co-publishing deal, and with Clive Davis and Gerry Griffeth at Arista Records in the early 80's. Through Andrews relationships on the West Coast and East Coast, she was the first person to introduce the pair to John McClain, Brenda Andrews, Dick Griffey, Neil Portnow, and Hank Caldwell (most who originally passed on them as songwriter/producers).
After the split with Jam and Lewis, Andrews contracted with Perry Williams Entertainment, Production Company to Leon Sylvers, Keith Washington, Robert Daniels, Troy Johnson, and Luscious Daim.
She was later approached by Motown Productions Burl Hecthman, to join Motown Productions with Suzanne dePasse, Burl Hechtman and Suzanne Coston to work in television. She began her career Hechtman's temporary Executive Assistant with the promise of a position being created for her as soon as he sold his show "Nightlife (featuring David Brenner and Billy Preston) to King World. After the show was sold, Hecthman promoted her to West Coast Project Manager
As her career continued to blossom continued to grow, she moved her offices into the historic Taft Building in Hollywood,CA. During that time she managed CCM artist Leon Patillo, Vincent Brantley, Lisa Roche and several other clients.
Andrews signed guy group "Fresh Attraction" to her production company. Having done several deals with Capitol Records through then VP of A & R Scott Folks, Andrews entered into a development deal for Artist Development and Production for "Fresh Attraction". Upon expiration of the Development Deal with Capitol Records, Andrews was approached by entertainment attorney Ron Sweeney (her former attorney) who'd become President of Tabu Records. Sweeney offered her a Production Deal to record under the Tabu umbrella.
In 1992, Dina accepted the role as General Manager for Pebbles PT Entertainment which managed the group TLC. At the time, Andrews was U.S. Manager of hit songwriter/producer Derek Bramble (Heatwave, David Bowie, Dave Koz, Vanessa Williams, Alton "Wokie" Stewart, Stephanie Mills, Keith Sweat, Madonna, Toni Braxton and numerous other artists).
In 1994, Ms. Andrews began representing Gospel and Christian songwriter/producers and recording artist. Namely, "Virtue" on Verity Records. Percy Bady, songwriter/producer on Full Gospel Fellowship Choir "Bow Down and Worship" (Gospo-Centric); Marvin Sapp (Word Records) ; Trin-i-tee 5:7 (Gospo-Cenric) ; Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Comm. Singers (Word Records); Gary Oliver (Sony Music Group); Kelli Williams (Word Records) ”It’s Gonna Be Alright” and “I Get Lifted”; Angelo & Veronica (Benson Music Group) ”Not Enough”; Benson Christmas (Benson Music Group) ; Hezekiah Walker (Benson Music Group); GMWA (Benson Music Group); DeLeon Richards (Intersound Records); Nu City Mass Choir (New Haven Records) 1998 recording; Virtue (Verity/Zomba) Verity Christmas project.
In 2000 Andrews was introduced to Bishop Gilbert Thompson and his family by his Youth Minister of Music Leroy Hampton. Andrews was hired as a Music Consultant to build their record label Axiom Entertainment. Andrews worked for New Covenant (now Jubilee) in Boston, Mass as their Consultant & Acting President for three years until she founded Knew Beginnings Entertainment.
Black History
Dina R. Andrews is among one the first black female American music industry executives to represent songwriter/producers. Dina was nominated as an African-American History Maker in Entertainment by The History Makers in February 2006 for her long list of accomplishments.