Authors: Lisa Wainland
His mother was skeptical.
Laura was supportive.
She encouraged Cody. The idea of a leave of absence was hers. Laura thought of Cody’s happiness first. She went to every show in town and tried to make it to the shows out of town as well. Cody looked to her
as inspiration, always singing,
All You Were
to her. He still marveled that they were together. His past never came up to make a difference. Now, they were so focused on the present and their future, the past didn’t even come into the equation. Cody felt he dodged a serious bullet and ended up with a true love.
The guys in the band loved Laura, too. She was their biggest fan and had become part of the family. But their dreams of overnight success did not come so fast. For nearly two years they played small clubs and concert halls around the South, taking long weekend road trips, begging club owners to give them a shot. Most did after hearing a set and booked the band for future dates.
Cody lost his scholarship, much to his mother’s dismay, but the band showed real potential...he needed to go with his gut on this one.
Laura stood by him and the band. She was right there with them every step of the way. It was only fitting that she was with them on the biggest night of their lives.
The band had just finished playing a show in Pensacola. Laura was able to make this trip.
“You guys were great...as usual,” she said, confirming the roar of the crowd. Red Lawn had quite a buzz in the state of Florida, all their shows were packed.
“Yes, you were,” a long blonde haired man said.
“Thanks.”
The man extended his hand. “I’m Eric Wayne, head of Circle Records.” Circle Records was a local record label that helped launch the careers of a lot of Florida bands. The guys of Red Lawn knew very well of Eric Wayne.
“Nice to meet you.” Cody shook his hand.
“You guys sound good. I’m thinkin’ you might be right for my label.” Eric had a thick New York accent. He moved to Florida to escape the cold and depressing winters. A lucky investment in a tech stock helped him start the record label. He made it a success on his own.
Cody had taken on the leadership role of the group, much to Alex’s dismay. He answered quickly, “I think we’d be interested.” He looked around at the other guys. “Of course, we need to discuss it.”
“Of course,” Eric said, already knowing what the answer would be. “Here’s my card. There’s a cell phone number on it. Call it when you make your decision, but don’t take too long.” His caution was more selfish than altruistic, he didn’t want to lose them to someone else.
“Sure, we understand.” Cody took the card.
“I look forward to hearing from you,” Eric said, turned, and walked away.
The guys were psyched. They couldn’t believe it. Laura was thrilled for them
“It’s all happening for you,” she whispered in Cody’s ear.
He hugged her tightly.
Yes, it was.
The next day Cody called Eric and accepted his offer. They agreed to meet two days later in Gainesville for lunch.
Alex was skeptical.
“Let’s not sign up right away,” he cautioned before the lunch.
“Dude, we’re not going to, but he’s the only way we can really break into the business,” Bobby said, frustrated at Alex’s downer attitude. “It’s not like other record companies are knocking down our door.”
“I’m not saying he can’t do a lot for us, I just think we should be cautious.”
“We will be,” Cody interrupted, “Now let’s go to the meeting before we’re late and lose the deal.”
They met Eric Wayne at a small café. Eric was all business. He pulled the contract from his briefcase. A large red circle with a black music note in the center, his company’s logo, was emblazoned across the top. That was the only simple thing about the contract. Under the logo were two pages of the smallest type any of the boys had ever seen.
“I know it looks scary,” Eric admitted, “but, it’s all basic and customary kinda stuff. It just ensures I get my cut, a small cut I promise.”
Cody skimmed the contract with his eyes, overwhelmed, by the legalese. “Can you give us a moment?” he asked Eric.
“Yeah, sure, take your time.” Eric walked away from the table, stepping outside to smoke a cigarette.
“We should probably have a lawyer look at this,” Cody said.
“We should.” For once Alex agreed with him.
“Okay, nice thought,” Harper countered, “but who can afford one?”
“We can’t,” Bobby answered the rhetorical.
Cody leaned back, “So what do we do?”
Alex thought aloud. “Well, Circle Records is legit, we know that. I mean they launched the careers of those other Florida bands...Fearless Five and...and what was the other one?”
“Linus,” Harper answered. “Fearless Five hit it big, Linus only had that one song that did okay.”
“Well, in many respects we control that part of our destiny. Linus didn’t really have any other great songs,” Alex rationalized.
Cody looked the contract over again. He kind of understood it. “Look we either go with it or we lose this chance.” He paused. “I say we do it.”
“I agree,” Bobby said.
“Me too,” Harper chimed in.
They all looked at Alex. “Who am I to disagree?” he said.
They called Eric back in and signed the contract.
“Okay,” Eric said, “now that you’re with me, we can talk honestly. First, we need to discuss the name. I know you’re creating buzz with Red Lawn, but the name is a bit dry. The name doesn’t say much about you.”
The guys looked at each other in shock. They were Red Lawn.
“Well, won’t people not know us anymore?” Cody asked.
“That’s a fair question, but consider this. Most bands change their original names because they’re not catchy enough. If the music is good, which yours is, people are gonna to come see you regardless. And they’ll learn the new name. We do that whole formerly Red Lawn thing when we advertise a show. But when we hit nationally, we want a name that says who you are, that generates buzz. Red Lawn says nothing to me. There’s no intrigue.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“I did some research on you guys and I think I have the perfect name.” He sat back and put his hands in the air as if to frame a marquee. “The Cody Blue Experience.”
“No fuckin’ way!” Alex shouted rising to his feet.
“Chill out, man.” Bobby put his hand on Alex’s arm, preventing him from leaving.
“No,” Alex shouted, “This band is not all about Cody. For Christ sakes he was the last one to join us! I am not playing back-up to him!”
Cody sat silent, not wanting to be any more the target of anger.
Eric looked Alex right in the eyes and spoke firmly. “Listen Alex, this name is not about you. It’s about the band.”
“I think it sounds cool,” Harper said, just happy to have a record deal. To him the name was secondary, what Eric could do for them came first. He wasn’t going to ignore his advice.
“I’m not opposed to it,” Bobby agreed.
Eric looked at Cody, “And you?”
“Well, what the hell do you think he’s gonna say?” Alex yelled.
“I don’t know why your anger is directed at me!” Cody spat, sick of Alex’s attitude.
“Maybe it’s because you,
Cody
, joined the band last and somehow you,
Cody
, have become the lead, the spokesperson and now the freakin’ name of the band!”
“Alex,” Eric interrupted, “leadership roles evolve. I think you’re giving Cody too much credit with this whole name thing. It was my idea. I’m putting my money behind you. I have a vested interest in your success and us working together.” His threat was not so veiled. “Don’t bust up the band right when you’re getting your big break.”
Alex sat back down, realizing the reality before him. He took several deep breaths. “Fine.”
“Good answer,” Eric said. “Cody?”
“Uh, whatever, it’s fine.” He was embarrassed.
“Good. That’s settled. Now let’s talk about more important things, like making a demo. We’re gonna get you boys on the radio.”
Dana drove to Scully’s. She wasn’t in the mood to be Dana Drew tonight. She just wanted to be Dana Hill, brokenhearted with a bag of potato chips on the couch. But the job didn’t allow that. So she pumped herself up for the appearance, pasting a smile on her face.
“So happy to be here,” she practiced in the car. “So
happy
to be with you all.” She sounded believable. Maybe. “I’m happy,
happy
, happy.” She said, hoping that by saying it enough times the sentiment would stick.
Dana pulled up to Scully’s. It was a favorite waterfront bar on the intracoastal, a landmark really. Scully’s was the p
lace to come for happy hour, for a casual date, or to park your boat and pick up appetizers. For years, Scully’s had been and still was the hot spot in Miami. They didn’t really need the station there to draw a crowd, they were always busy, but the restaurant and bar business was a flaky one. Hot restaurants came and went. Scully’s had learned from all that had sparkled and faded and continued to advertise heavily, keeping their name indelibly etched on the young Miami singles scene.
It was now, seven-thirty, one half hour to air. Dana parked her convertible and took a deep breath. She could do this. She was Dana Drew. She turned her rearview mirror sideways to see her face. She realized she should have spent more time on her appearance, she didn’t look all that fabulous. “Who cares,” she muttered and got out of her car.
Larry Carter watched Dana’s whole ritual from his beat-up green Toyota. He’d been at Scully’s parking lot since six p.m. waiting for Dana to arrive. He saw her get out of her car and walk into the bar. He was disappointed to see she had her beautiful black hair pulled back in a ponytail. This was going to ruin his picture.
He got out of h
is car and entered Scully’s, taking a seat at the bar. From this vantage point, he had a perfect view of Dana setting up to go on the air. Even with her hair pulled back she was still good looking, he admitted to himself
“Can I get you anything?” The bartender interrupted his thoughts.
“Yeah, vodka rocks.” Larry needed a little liquid courage for the night.
Dana got set up. Scully’s was already pretty packed. People started coming up to her, she felt the Dana Drew personality take over.
Smile, be happy
. “Thanks for coming,” she gushed. “So nice to meet you!”
Larry saw the others approach Dana.
No!
he thought to himself,
they’re distracting her! They’re taking time away from me!
If he was going to talk to Dana, now was the time. He scooted through the crowd, pushing past people on his way.
“Watch it buddy!” one guy said, annoyed at the thin little dweeb that just stepped on his toes.
Larry didn’t care, he was just a few feet from Dana Drew.
“Dana,” he spoke nervously.
She put on her headphones, it was time for a break. She smiled at him, “One minute,” she mouthed.
Larry stood patiently as Dana went on the air.
“Hey Miami...it’s me, Dana Drew live from Scully’s!” She tipped the mic toward the crowd who responded with loud cheers. “We’re having a great time at a great party. There’s lots of drink specials...plus I’ve got your chance to register to win a trip for two, with yours truly, to the Bahamas at the Paradise Island Resort and Casino! Oooh paradise indeed! More details to come! I’ll be here till ten so you still have plenty of time to get here and see me at Scully’s, downtown Miami on the intracoastal! Stay tuned…I’ve got new music from Matchbox Twenty on the way on Miami’s Only Rock and Roll...WORR!”
Dana took the headphones off and turned to Larry.
“Hi,” she said, mustering friendliness, “Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand.
Larry took her hand. So smooth. So soft.
He was awestruck.
Speak, dammit, speak!
“I’m Larry. We’ve spoken on the phone.”
Dana’s mind raced, his voice sounded familiar, but she talked to lots of callers every day, she had no idea who he was.
“Oh, yeah,” she fibbed, “Nice to see you again.”
“Actually this is our first time meeting.” Larry was frustrated she didn’t realize that. “You helped me deal with the break-up of my last relationship.”
Dana immediately thought of Sam. Unconsciously her smiled dropped. Larry noticed her change in appearance. “Oh, glad I could help.”
“So can I get a picture with you?” Larry pulled out his camera.
“Um, okay.”
Larry asked a bystander to take their picture. He stood next to her and wrapped his arm around her thin waist.
“Say cheese!” The man took their picture.
“Thanks, Dana,” Larry said and gave her a hug.
Dana backed off, startled at this strangers hands on her.