One is a singing superstar from Alford.
The other is a teenage prodigy from Banchory with ambitions to blaze her own music trail.
So when Emeli Sande met Anna Barton during her tour of Britain this month, the pair had plenty to talk about and got on famously together.
Anna, 18, gained the chance to meet her compatriot after winning the NEX Factor competition – which raised money for north-east children’s charity Cash for Kids – more than a year ago.
But the wait proved worthwhile after she hooked up with Emeli who is currently promoting her new CD, Long Live the Angels.
As the youngster, who is studying English and Scottish Literature at Glasgow University, told The Press and Journal: “I’ve been a fan for a long time. There was an Emeli Sande music book at my school [Banchory Academy] and it helped me learn to play the piano because I wanted to sing all her songs.
“When we met, I was around the whole day with Emeli, sitting in on interviews, watching the sound check and the gig itself, then attending the after [show] party.
“She gave me a really warm welcome and the team made sure I was involved in as much of what was going on as I could be. Then she invited me to perform some of my own material.”
Not surprisingly, she described that experience as “unreal”.
“I kept having to tell myself that it did actually happen,” she said.
“But Emeli really encouraged me to throw myself into the music scene in Glasgow and gain lots of experience.
“I’ve enjoyed watching her musical journey while she has worked on her new album and it was overwhelming to see it all come together during my day with her.
“She really gives herself room to express herself whenever she is performing and it was stunning to watch. Her manager, Ruth Titmarsh, was brilliant and I appreciated her help and support in setting up the whole day for me.
“I want to be able to pour my heart and soul into my music and allow people to feel connected to it. My time with Emeli has given me the confidence to do that, because she’s living the dream and is proof that, regardless of where you are from, you can achieve amazing things.”
After meeting the multi-million-selling artist, Anna returned to Deeside to perform in the acoustic duo, SAILS, who supported former X Factor finalist, Lucy Spraggan, during her gigs in Banchory and Ballater.
And she concluded: “Emeli’s music has really inspired me.”
