Emma Stevenson
Name: Emma Stevenson
Age: 20
From: Melbourne, Australia
Date Of Birth: 9/12/79
Fave Tina Songs: Chains, Burn, Greatest Gift, Wasn't It Good, Sorrento
Moon,
Standing Up, No Shame, Sixteen Years, Not For Sale, Now I Can Dance, Woman's
Work, Aller Plus Haut, Live, The Bohemienne Song
Best Tina Moments:
1. In Deep Live concert- Melbourne, December 13th, `97. A b'day present
from my family (god bless `em!). My cousin worked for bass so I was very
fortunate to have front row tickets, which I shared with my friend, Anna
Garland, who loves Tina to bits too. We both had an absolute blast, and i
know that I will always cherish that night in particular because I was able to
express to Tina my gratitude and respect. I gave Tina a small gift just
before she began to thank the audience, the band, sony, etc. Initially
Tina was taken back, but I told her she deserved a gift, and she smiled at me
warmly and said thank-you.
2. Seeing Tina at RCM when Rhiannon was doing her work experience there around
the middle of `98.
Fave Tina Cover Art: Chains, Wasn't It Good, Burn, Show Me Heaven, If I
Didn't Love You, Aller Plus Haut.
Rarest Tina CD I Own: a vinyl record of "I need your body".
The Story:
It was a Wednesday in June `98,
that I was very fortunate to have a brief chat to Tina while she was at RCM.
My friend, Rhiannon Morley was doing her Year 11 work experience at RCM because
she wants to work in the music industry in the future. Anna, Rhiannon and
I had all been friends and huge Tina fans for quite some time, and because
Rhiannon lives in the country, our opportunities to catch up with her were
limited. So naturally when Rhiannon told Anna and I that she was staying
in a hostel in Melbourne for the 5 days to complete her work experience here, we
were delighted. We decided to meet up with Rhiannon at RCM, and I remember
walking up the stairs and being very impressed with the shiny floorboards and
the lovely italian couch. Anna and I soon spotted Rhiannon lingering in
the room. The office had such a cosy, welcoming feeling about it, and such
a vibrant feel too, with all the Tina posters and plaques on the walls.
Anna and I were enjoying soaking up the atmosphere so much, that it took us a
while to notice this petite lady sitting on the floor in discussion with another
lady. I immediately recognised her as Tina, and admitedly, i got an attack
of stagefright- a rush of nervousness and delight. Tina then got up from
the floor and as she was walking towards us, she asked Rhiannon is she was right
to get home because it was getting dark outside. Rhiannon replied that
we'd come to pick her up. Tina looked at Anna and I then, and I think she
worked it out pretty fast why we were still there. Anna introduced herself
and stuck out her hand, which Tina shook, telling Anna is was great to meet her.
Anna became very animated then and started chatting at a hundred miles an hour
to Tina, asking her if she remembered us from the concert, and if she remembered
her e-mails. Anna was really cute and funny, and got Tina chuckling away,
and me with a big grin on my face. Tina replied to Anna saying she
remembered us from the concert and congratulated her for getting in to the
Melbourne Youth Orchestrer. Tina has replied to Anna's e-mail talking
about that just a few days before, and Anna was touched that she remebered.
Just in the same way that I was very stoked that Tina remembered who I was.
I told Tina it was lovely to meet her and she accepted my handshake. As
soon as I said my name, Tina looked quite guilty and started apologising about
not returning my e-mails. I was so surprised that Tina actually remembered
me, and told her that, and she smiled and went on to tell us about how busy
she'd been lately, continously apologising for the delay with the e-mails.
Tina told us time constraints made it really difficult for her to write more
than a couple of lines on each e-mail even though she wished she could write
more. Tina seemed quite guilt-ridden about the whole thing, so I told her
not to worry about the e-mails and that everyone understands how busy she is.
Anna agreed with me too and Tina seemed to appreciate that because she smiled
and hanged the topic to her up coming schedule. Amongst other things, Tina
told us she was going to the U.S. soon to release In Deep, and Anna and I wished
her good luck. Tina smiled and then told us she was still pretty busy with
work, so we all took the hint and made our way towards the stairs. The
conversation was probably no more than 10 minutes, but it was an insight and
memory that i will always treasure. Tina is such a friendly and
down-to-earth lady, but I think what struck me the most about her was how honest
and giving she is. Tina truly gives a shit about her fans, I could see the
honesty on her face, she doesn't want to disappoint them. And she's
totally committed to her work, at the expense of everything else. Another
thing that became obvious to me is that Tina is a great communicator, not only
through her music, but as a person. She is very approachable and
confident, and appeared very comfortable in her own skin. anyway, if
you've read this far, you deserve a medal :) take care everyone!
Emma xox