Pictures: Denci Freeri, Sharon Moreau.
Tina Dawn was asked to perform as Taylor Swift countless times before she got an offer she – and her 26 Las Vegas bunnies – couldn’t refuse.
“I had just bought a house to start a rabbit rescue and had 26 rabbits – do you know how expensive it is to feed 26 rabbits?” laughs the musician, who was working as a background vocalist for Vegas tribute show Legends In Concert.
“The guy who played Elvis goes, ‘I have a gig that pays way more than what you’re making now.’ I did the calculations and went, ‘I can save a lot of animals with that!’”
More than 200 Taylor tribute shows – and hundreds of saved animals – later, Tina still finds it strange emulating Taylor. Yet her love for singing started at age seven, when she pranced around her New Hampshire home singing Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid.
Her drummer/singer dad Donald gave her vocal lessons and she starred in productions like Beauty And The Beast. But after attending her first concert – Matchbox Twenty – at 15, Tina’s path changed.
“It made me realise pop and rock music was what I loved, and what I wanted to be part of. But I’m also introverted, so getting on stage is hard.”
Everyone around Tina, 43, encouraged her to become a star and since veterinary studies weren’t an option due to allergies, she rolled with it. Getting a songwriting degree, she moved to Vegas to sing at a club, only to lose the job amid the recession.
A rough few years followed, taking jobs from waitressing to dressing as a pig as a mascot. When she heard Legends In Concert was hiring vocalists, Tina nailed the audition, aced the gig and adored doing background vocals.
“When I was younger, I never understood there were ways to continue singing without being the centre of attention. I finally realised I didn’t have to be what everyone was pushing me to be. You don’t have to be a big star to make a living.”
While sporting red lips and outfits for Legends’ Christmas shows, kids compared Tina to Taylor. But she declining portraying the superstar – until “Elvis” lit up her eyes with dollar signs representing her animal rescue dreams. It helped the job was at her hometown theme park.
And while Matchbox Twenty helped shape her musical ambitions as a teen, they also played a part in her new chapter as a tribute artist. By then, Tina had begun dating the band’s guitarist, Kyle Cook, who encouraged her to take the Taylor gig.
“He said, ‘You’re already in that tribute world, so you may as well do it.’ Kyle was supportive and flew out for my first gig. He says I’ve grown as an artist doing it.”
The couple eventually bought a home in Nashville, but as COVID shut down concerts, Tina took a gardening course and started Cottage Hill Flower Farm. Finding peace and joy in plants, they became her focus – until The Eras Tour rocketed demand for Taylor tribute artists.
It’s a role that requires vigorous prep. Tina studied “every Taylor idiosyncrasy, hair flip, bend and shake” and sourced bedazzled bodysuits, plus a Tortured Poets Department-esque dress that requires an entire suitcase.
She watches her figure because she can’t take gigs if costumes don’t fit and spends US$300 on Taylor-style cuts because wigs can’t handle hair-whipping. “Taylor likes to thrash – I need extra money for a chiropractor after!”
Up to 80 hours of prep go into a 20-minute show. And while she still gets nerves given she prefers background vocals, the audience puts her at ease. “Especially the kids. They’re so excited – waving friendship bracelets and holding ‘I love you’ signs.”
Tina herself was “moved” seeing Taylor perform in Nashville then Melbourne. “After emulating her for five years, it was like an out-of-body experience.”
And while she continues running her farm, helping animal-rescue organisations and doing background vocals – like on Matchbox Twenty’s last album – the Taylor gigs continue.
“I have a rescue parrot, rescue dog, rescue bunny, 12 chickens and fish to feed. It’s become a tool for saving animals. When I need something for these loved ones, I take a gig!
“I didn’t set out to emulate Taylor, but it was a great opportunity, and I love that she roots for the underdog and cares about humanity. Out of anyone I could emulate, I’m not mad it’s her.”
Aotearoa’s one place she’d love to perform, having accompanied Kyle, 49, on Matchbox Twenty’s 2024 New Zealand tour. Hiking Mount Taranaki was a highlight.
“Seeing the native plants and huge trees dripping in mosses felt like being in Jurassic Park. I said, ‘Just leave me here!’ I’ll never forget it.”
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