| Like many people Kevin appreciates music, all kinds of music, so for his 49th birthday this September it was our aim to increase his enjoyment and his music collection, by presenting him with a special musical gift pack containing at least 49 CD's of varying genres, one for each year of his life from his fans all around the world. So in July the music collection began to take shape and by the end of August we had well over 60 discs. Due to the wonderful generosity of fans and friends I was lucky enough to actually present them to Kevin in person, during our private fan club meeting at Dragcon Con in Atlanta Georgia USA on the 1st of September 2007. After having dragged them three quarters of the way around the world and braving the curious questions of both the Australian and US customs officials, the day finally arrived. The surprise birthday gift for Kevin was a huge success. The thoughtfulness and generosity of his fans once more overwhelmed Kevin. We had gone in search of something suitable for Kevin to take his gifts home with him and settled on a fabulous blue Nike sports bag instead of gift a box. We figured it was far more practical and he could use it afterwards as well as be able to carry all his CD’s home on the plane. So with birthday streamers, balloons and the card attached we hid it until it was time to present it to him. The moment arrived and we placed the bag in front of him and all wished him a very Happy Birthday from everyone. He then joked about not having birthdays and being only 39. Then I explained that the original idea was to have one CD for every year of his life, but due to the enthusiasm of his fans he was now the proud owner of 65 CD’s. I quickly added that no, we didn’t think he looked 65. Kevin’s reaction was priceless. Firstly he carefully read the card that had everyone’s name CD title and country listed. He really liked the picture of the guitar on it and mentioned that he had started playing his own guitar again. He then turned the card over and read all the names on the back smiling when he recognised a few. Then he opened the bag and peered inside, he grinned widely. “OH MY GOD! All for me? Are you guys nuts!? You guys really shouldn’t have. I have been meaning to go buy some for myself but I just never get the chance to go music shopping”. He eagerly dove into the bag and grabbed a handful out and started going through them stopping here and there to check the tracks and make comments on various ones that particularily took his eye. |
| List of CD Titles from Contributors |
| Dreamtime Dreaming - Terra Australia - Alexander Svencis ...... from Di - NT Australia On a Clear Night - Missy Higgins ......from Erin - VIC Australia BBQ Tracks for fun - Compilations ....from Starchild -Auckland New Zealand James Brown Live - James Brown.....from Feral - NSW Australia Clannad Legend - Robin Hood....from Jenny - Nottinghamshire England The Greatest Hits - The Bee Gees...from Jana - Leipzig Germany The Mission - Ennio Morricone....from Bruna - Bergamo Italy Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic - Jackson Browne...from Carol - Virginia USA Face the Promise - Bob Seger...from Gemini - Georgia USA 1958 The Classic Years - Compilation...from Flora - Firenze Italy Fratello Sole Sorella Luna- Soundtracks....from Flora - Firenze Italy Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits...from Lindsey - Kent England Queen Greatest Hits - Queen...from Shait - Arizona USA Seventies Legends - Compilations...from Harmony - Bournemouth England Nevio - Self Titled...from Kevfriend - Lehrte Germany Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance - Rick Springfield...from Judy - Ohio USA The Best Of - James Ingram....from Marie P - South Yorkshire England Soul, Love, Ballads - Compilations...from Maria F - California USA Relatos De Una Intriga - Amistades Peligrosas...from Loli Spain Timbalada ...........from Marina Brazil Forro..............from Vivian Brazil Alceu Valenca.........from Cecília Brazil Toquinho and Vinicius .........from Mara Brazil O Melhor Do Carnaval De Todos Os Tempos..........from Cláudia Brazil Caetano Veloso............from Telma - Brazil Baden Powell ..............from Paula - Brazil Batucada Brasileira.........from Cristina -Brazil Bossa Nova............from Telma #2 - Brazil Raca Negra ..............from Lucilene - Brazil Axe ..............from Karina - Brazil Maria Bethania............from Ylner - Brazil Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd.....from Jayne - USA L'immensita - Mina.....from Paola - Firenze Italy Big Dog Daddy - Toby Keith .... from Maria -NSW Australia Greatest Hits - Journey ....from Tina - Illinois USA Il Divo - Siempre...from Jewels - NSW Australia I Suoi Capolavori - Mozart....from Pina - Bergamo Italy America : A Tribute to Heroes - Compilation....from Carmen - Brazil Temple of Shadows - Angra...from Carmen and Claudia - Brazil Fresh Horses - Garth Brooks....from Sassi - Germany Bushland Dreaming - Tony O'Connor...from Lainie - ACT Australia The Road and the Radio - Kenny Chesney....from Gemini - Georgia USA Definitive Hits - Elton John...from Orommie - Notts England Childrens Sing Along...from Orommie - Notts England (for the kids) Beatles #1 - Beatles....from Tigercat - New York USA Chopin...from Marcy - Brazil Mozart...from Marcy - Brazil Not Your Daddys Country - Compilations ...from KS4me58 -North Carolina USA Teddy Tunes - Compliations...from KS4me58 -North Carolina USA (for the kids) Relaxing Songs - Compliations...from Tracie - Dorset England The Best Air Guitar Album - Compilations...from Tracie - Dorset England Gentlemen's Night Out - Compilations....from Tracie - Dorset England I Started Living - Rebecca Lee Nye....from Jenna and Chris - QLD Australia Post It Note Propsal - Billy Bridge....from Alison - QLD Australia The Sting Soundtrack - Scott Joplin...from Writer997 - Michigan USA Butch Cassidy and Sundance Soundtrack - Burt Bacharach...from Writer997 - Michigan USA Eddie and the Cruisers Soundtrack - Beaver Brown...from Writer997 - Michigan USA These Days - Bon Jovi....from Julie - Suffolk England Beyond the Thunder - Neal Schon....from Tina Illinois USA |
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| KEVIN'S MUSCIAL BIRTHDAY SURPRISE September 1st 2007 - Atlanta Georgia USA By Stripe |
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| Getting ready for the surprise. |
| Stripe explaining the birthday project and assuring Kevin we did not think he looked 65. |
| Being presented with the card and the bag |
| Stripe explaining about the gift cards on each and every CD. |
| Taking the ribbons off so Kevin could investigate the contents. |
| Looking at the card. Kevin loved the graphics on the front. |
| Kevin commenting on how cool and really perfect the gift idea was |
| Explaining how he simply never had the time to buy discs for himself. |
| Loving all the different titles and styles of music |
| Reading the small personal gift cards that each CD had attached to it |
| Looking into the camera and thanking everyone for such a perfect gift |
| SPECIAL NOTE FROM KEVIN I would have written a thank you note sooner, but I got so busy listening to all the new CD's I received for my 39th birthday, that I just forgot!!!! WOW! The extra weight it added on to my check in luggage at the Atlanta airport cost me a fortune! I thank you all for taking the time to think of me on my 39th birthday. All the CD's and kind letters attached were beyond necessary. Too kind. Many smooches to you ladies. I've been jamin’ in my car like a madman the past few weeks. KEVIN. |
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