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Proud of Twain's success

Singer's former manager shares stories at convention

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The Daily Press
August 9, 2008
Chelsey Romain

To the world they are known as Mary Bailey and Shania Twain. To each other though, they are simply Eilleen and Eveline.

Years ago, Eveline Kasner became the woman who would help Twain on her road to stardom, after inviting a Nashville entertainment firm to listen to her.

On Friday, Kasner stood in front of dozens of Twain fans at the sixth-annual Shania Twain World Wide Fan Convention, as a living link to their favourite songstress.

"Any real Shania fan is aware of the key role Mary Bailey played in her life," said longtime fan and convention attendee Tom Waler.

"Without Mary Bailey I don't know if Shania would have made it.

"She's a great person and to actually see her and speak with her in real life is amazing."

Shania Twain Centre manager Tracy Hautanen said for years the fans have been requesting the convention take them to Kirkland Lake, where Kasner now owns her own vegetarian food company, Meatless Gourmet Inc. But Hautanen said it hasn't been possible.

This year she decided to spring a real surprise on the fans and invited Kasner up to Timmins, where she made a special vegetarian lunch. Both she and Twain are vegetarians. And Kasner spoke of her life with Twain.

"They love the personal stories," said Hautanen. "It's the most important thing to them, because it makes them feel close to her."

While Kasner has more than her fair share of personal stories from her time spent as Twain's manager, most she likes to keep close.

"They are my memories and that's how they'll stay," responded Kasner when asked why she never wrote a book on Twain

"I've had a business life and a private life with Shania, and it means so much to me."

Gossip and private details of Twain's life will never make it to the printed word as far as Kasner is concerned. She is quick to speak of Twain's best qualities, both as a person and an entertainer.

"Sometimes people don't realize really how hard it was for us to build up and create a brand as big as Shania," Kasner said. "But I know that whatever she does in her life, she will be extremely successful.

"I always said she was like an athlete going for the gold."

Since she and Twain parted ways several years ago, Kasner said she decided to go in a different direction.

She explained, at that point in time, it was almost as if she had overdosed on music.

Kasner has since dabbled in a few music ventures, but said she never had the same passion and commitment she had with Twain.

"I've been fortunate and privileged to have been involved with the music industry and have the success I've had," Kasner said. "I'm honoured to have been a part of it."

Kasner said she knows how extremely bright, creative and focused Twain is.

Seeing the fans at the convention showed her how the music really effects people.

Kasner remembered from a couple of months back, when she and Twain were making their way through an airport, and they were approached by somebody from security.

The person told Twain that her music had changed his life and helped him get out of a negative situation.

"I thought wow," said Kasner. "That's what her message and music does.

"Her fans are loyal, and now I'm hearing stories about how her music changed their lives."

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