'Groovy granny' is a real country star

Rotorua woman Sita Emery has again won awards at this year's New Zealand Country Music Star Awards. Photo / Ben Fraser

Vocalist and "groovy granny" Sita Emery can add another award to her long list of accolades.

She recently won the overall trophy for the veteran 60-plus at this year's NZ Country Music Star Awards.

Believing you are judged by your appearance Mrs Emery said the beautiful sequinned dress she wore on the night must have made the difference after the judges nicknamed her "granny glitter".

It's the fifth time the well-known Rotorua great-grandmother has won a trophy at the awards, held at the Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre in Tauranga.

This time she reached the finals of the gospel, country rock and vocal sections, winning the latter with the song Silver Cowboy, and taking the overall 2015 trophy for 60-plus, coming away with a total prize package of $500.

The 82-year-old said she would be back next year, despite "not feeling good about herself" this year.

Mrs Emery said she was still picking up the pieces after losing her husband 11 months ago and felt "a bit raw inside". Although people said she was always a strong singer she believed she was now singing with more conviction.

Mrs Emery launched her first album, titled Richer Than I, a couple of years ago and said she felt she had the strength to do another album now. Singing against younger contestants at the awards didn't daunt her.

The fit and active songstress said she still had the passion and was still going to the gym.

"Singing is great therapy and the gym is wonderful for your mobility and sanity and it's all about that at this stage of your life."