by C. L. Roman
For a home studio, he has a pretty good setup, a high-end Mac that is compatible with the recording equipment he bought and any choice of instruments.
Seth is able to play quite a few instruments, which makes his studio look like his own music store. Guitars, both acoustic and electric, hang on wall hooks, joined by a handful of bass guitars. A keyboard sits facing the back windows of the room. He loves to look out across his yard as he writes. A piano sits in the same spot in the adjacent den. Nature seems to inspire him, so looking out and seeing God’s creation usually helps the creative juices flow.
As he drives down the winding road toward the city, the memory of his former girlfriend suddenly overwhelms him. That relationship is one that he’d just as soon forget.
Seth was in love with Lauren…crazy in love with her. He’d even gone so far as to look at engagement rings once or twice. She was a model who had steady work with magazines, advertisements and various other outlets.
Seth frequently questioned, if only in his own mind, why she was with him. He was definitely dating up, but he thought that maybe, finally, everything in his life was falling into place.
He knew Lauren was ambitious, but he never thought that she’d disappear without any warning. She’d taken off with some highfalutin agent who breezed into town one day and offered her the world.
She was gone…without a word.
Seth found out about it only because one of her friends felt sorry for him and called to tell him.
He was devastated. He didn’t sleep, didn’t eat, and felt as though his heart had been ripped out of his chest and stomped on.
That was eight months ago…and about the same time that his writing went to shit. It wasn’t until right now that he realized that fact. With his lips pursed tightly, he shakes his head in frustration, incredulous that not only had she crushed his soul, she’d fucked up his livelihood, too.
Well, ain’t that just a kick in the ass?
Still in his head, Seth almost drives right past Nashville Rox Music Store. He slams his foot on the brakes just in time to pull his Range Rover into the parking space right in front of the store. Aggravated that Lauren can still get to him, he quickly exits the car.
Standing in front of the display window, he eyes the goods to make sure his coveted guitar hasn’t been purchased since last night. His heart immediately speeds up. There she is!
His heart lightens a bit as he grins to himself and enters the store. Seth breathes in a deep breath and slowly releases it. There’s something about the smell of a music store that soothes him, especially this one.
His shoulders seem to release the built-up tension as he takes in the familiar comforting smell of sandalwood and citrus incense.
While Seth is taking in the environment, the owner walks toward him from the back of the store.
A jovial, deep drawl greets him, “Seth, how you doin’, brother?”
Seth grins and heads toward the owner, “Len, what’s going on, man?”
The two men clasp hands, followed by a quick hug, “Livin’ the dream, brother…livin’ the dream.”
Seth laughs, “I hear ya.”
Len sounds exactly like the actor Sam Elliott. That deep, rich southern voice.
Len replies, “What can I do you for? Finally givin’ in and takin’ that beautiful lady in the window home with ya?”
Seth chuckles, “As a matter of fact, yes, I think I am.”
Len throws his head back and laughs loudly, “Ahhh, I knew it! You were meant to be together. There’s magic when she’s in your hands, man.”
Len walks over to the backside of the display case, the scent of his quick movement sends a puff of the comforting smells of the store from his flannel shirt toward Seth. Len believes in the power of incense, crystals and other types of spiritual healing.
Even though Seth isn’t quite sure he’s on board with all that, he’s always been keenly aware of his reaction when he enters the store…the calmness, tranquility and feeling of peace. He’d chalked it up to being in a place where he’s surrounded by the things he loves.
Len finishes his task of unlocking the guitar from its location and gingerly removes it from its stand.
He pulls a rag from his back pocket, snaps it in the air and shines up the body of the guitar before he hands it to Seth.
As Seth wraps his hand around the neck and holds the body in his hands, it feels like part of him has been missing and has now come home.
A sense of absolute peace seeps into his body as a cold sensation spreads from his hands, up his arms and throughout the rest of his body. There’s no doubt, this guitar is his.
He sits down in the nearest chair, checks the tuning of the guitar, which surprisingly is only slightly out of tune.
After correcting the tuning, Seth poises the guitar in his hands, sets an e-chord with his left fingers and begins to strum. He effortlessly, almost automatically plays one of his previous songs.
Len shakes his head in disbelief, “Never seen anything like it, brother. Never seen a man and an instrument find each other like this.”
Seth looks up at Len as he laughs, “Come on, Len. Don’t BS me.”
Len, still shaking his head, replies with a serious tone, “I ain’t shittin’ you, Seth. Don’t you feel it? Because I sure as hell can see it.”
Len believes these instruments are like people. He believes if an instrument wasn’t meant for a musician, it won’t feel right when they try to play it. He swears he’s seen it time and time again.
Seth always thought Len was kind of out there. Dude is definitely eccentric, but holding this guitar now and playing it so effortlessly, Len might not be so crazy after all.
As excitement surges through his body, Seth stands, holding the guitar in his hands protectively, “Well, Len, let’s pay for my new lady here.”
Len slaps Seth on the back, “Let’s do it. I think you two have a lot to get to. Didn’t you say you’re writing for some new young band?
As Seth follows him to the counter in the back, he sighs, “Yeah, I’m supposed to be. I’m having some problems coming up with anything.”
Len presses the total button on the old cash register. As the total pops up on the display, Len asks, “Really? I’ve never known you to have issues writing. You’re the golden boy in Nashville these days.”
Seth snickers, “Yeah, well, unless something starts flowing, I’m gonna be the laughing stock of Nashville.”
Len laughs, “Well, with this baby, I don’t doubt at all you’re gonna write your best music yet!”
Seth smiles appreciatively, “Thanks for the confidence, man. I needed to hear that right now.”
Len nods, “All true…no doubt.”
Seth nods and gulps, a bit overwhelmed at his friend’s belief in him. Len announces, “Here’s the damage. I cut some off the price for ya.”
Seth looks at the display which shows $9,650. His eyes dart to Len, “Man, that’s almost two grand off the price. That’s too much.”
Len shakes his head, “Nah, it’s all good. I feel like this might be the most important sale I make this year. I can’t wait to see what magic you two make together!”
Len grins at him, his well-worn face scrunching up, resulting in a plethora of creases. Seth shakes his head in defeat and hands him his credit card and receipt, “I can’t thank you enough, man.”
Len laughs, “Just mention the shop when you win that Grammy.”
Seth chortles, “Deal…”
They finish the transaction, “You need a gig bag to get her home?”
Seth shakes his head, “Nope, got one in the car.”
Len grins, “All right, brother!”
Seth looks at his friend, who brushes back a strand of his coarse salt and pepper hair that has fallen in his face. He smiles sincerely and hugs Len with his right arm, carefully holding his new purchase in his left hand, “Thanks again, Len.”
Len slaps his back, “Take care, brother. See you soon!”
As Seth drives home, the sun nearing the horizon at his back, he grins to himself. The old girl is mine! He turns up the radio to hear one of his own songs being played back at him. This one is a country tune, a ballad that could easily be a crossover tune.
Smiling to himself, he sighs contentedly. He turns up the radio and sings along loudly as he drives. There is still something surreal about hearing an artist singing your words and music. Right now, as he sings the song, Seth remembers the process of those words coming to him.
This particular song was a product of listening to The Million Dollar Quartet’s version of “Softly and Tenderly.” Man, talk about an epic union. An impromptu jam session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins can only be described as epic! Those four men had more talent than should be allowed in one room and their joint creativity made their session one of the most defining musical moments in the 1950s. Hell, maybe of all time!
Seth listens to his song, remembering the moment that the chorus hit him like a ton of bricks as he washed his hair in the shower. He knew it, too. He scrambled out of the shower, buck naked, soap in his hair, slipping on the bathroom floor repeatedly as he tried to race to his piano. After about 20 minutes of naked, soapy songwriting, the chorus was done.
Seth laughs as he recalls finally getting back to the bathroom, only to realize the shower had been running this entire time, using all of the hot water. Rinsing his hair in that needle-like cold shower was not something he’d like to repeat anytime soon.
It’s funny how things hit you at strange times. There have been times that he’s woken from a dead sleep to write down lyrics or had to jump up to record a melody. Other times, the most mundane thing can prompt something beautiful to form, like seeing a dog looking up at his master with eyes filled with unconditional love.
Of course, there are the inopportune times, like taking care of your business and having to write lyrics on toilet paper. But art is art, no matter where or when it happens. It’s an extension of you…it’s part of your soul. Sharing this part of you with the world is daunting, but when you hear a fan share that something you wrote touched them deeply or prompted them to take a difficult step in their life, baring your soul is totally worth the risk.
The young woman from the night before pops into his mind. She was so beautiful, but why the hell had he been so stupid and didn’t ask for her number? He just stood there like an ass as she ran off.
Oh well, he doesn’t have time for love right now anyway, he’s got songs to write. And besides, he’s got a new lady in his life. He snickers at the thought of the acoustic in the passenger seat riding home with him. She’s got to be the answer to this dry spell!
Chapter 5
Back home, Seth opens his gig bag and sets the Gibson gingerly in an empty stand in the den. He steps back and stares at it. Len believes it’s a rare 1928 Nick Lucas Special. Her body is an antique sunburst, the area around the sound hole looking like an explosion of light. The dark, mahogany of the outer areas is in stark contrast to the bright center.
She’s such a beautiful piece of work.
It’s strange, he’s never had an experience with an instrument before like he’s had with this one.
As he thinks back on the first time he played her at the store, the same cold sensation rushes through his body again, forcing an instinctive shiver.
He shakes his head to clear it as a satisfied smile slowly creeps across his face. He sighs and mumbles, “May as well get this over with.”
He picks up his cell phone and selects a contact.
After a few rings, the phone is answered and Seth says, “Hey, dude! What’re you up to?”
Jason Rivers grins into the phone, “Hey, man! Not much, just thinking about some dinner. How ‘bout you?”
Seth replies, “Feel like coming over? We can order in.”
Jason’s brow furrows, wondering why the sudden invite, “Sure. Sounds good! Be there in fifteen.”
Jason is a music producer…one of the best in Nashville. He and Seth met shortly after Seth moved to Nashville. Seth was a newbie at songwriting, and spent his days walking through Nashville, hitting all of the record labels and studios to give them a CD of samples of his songs.
Most places either didn’t give him the time of day, or they tossed it in a pile with a hundred other CDs with the promise they’d listen to it.
After three weeks of rejections and empty promises, he decided he’d stop at one last place on that particular day, before going home. As he entered the reception area of TN-T Studios, Jason happened to be at the counter talking with the receptionist.
As Seth stood awkwardly waiting for them to finish their conversation, Jason turned to him, “Hey, man. Can we help you?”
Seth took a deep breath and once again repeated his spiel about being a new songwriter in town and wanted to leave the CD with his song samples for someone to listen to at their leisure.
Once the spiel was done, Seth huffed a breath, preparing himself for the imminent brush off. But what happened wasn’t that at all.
Jason walked from around the desk and held his hand out to Seth, “I’m Jason Rivers, one of the producers here at TN-T Studios.”
Seth squeaked, “I’m Seth Healy. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Rivers.”
Jason laughed, “Jason…please. I’m too young and unrefined to be a mister.”
Seth laughed, allowing himself to let down his guard a bit.
Propping on the counter, Jason continued, “So, tell me about your work.”
Seth gasped in disbelief, then gathered himself and told Jason that he was from Knoxville but had studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He’d actually gotten a BS degree in finance from the University of Tennessee, but after a year of working in the corporate world, just couldn’t quell the burn of the passion he had for music.
He had been writing music and lyrics since high school and found that he could put his heart and soul into that outlet. So, stepping way out of his comfort zone, he took a chance and applied at Berklee.
He was accepted and graduated a couple of months ago with a Songwriting degree and a minor in Commercial Record Production.
Jason listened intently, actually seeming impressed, as he asked relevant questions.
After Seth had satisfactorily answered all questions, Jason stood quietly with his arms crossed across his chest as he stroked his dark brown goatee with his right hand. He paused so long that both Seth and the receptionist began to fidget.
Jason finally spoke, “Your resume is impressive, Seth Healy. I’ll take a listen to your demo and get back with you. How’s that work for ya?”
Seth gulped, “Great! That would be fabulous! Thank you, Mr. Riv…uh, Jason.”
Jason snickered, “You got it. Now get outta here, you look like the industry has whipped your ass today. Go grab a beer and some dinner and get some sleep.”
Seth nodded as he snickered, “It’s that obvious, huh?”
Jason replied, “I’ve seen it a million times. I was in your place not too long ago.”
Seth’s eyebrows rose in surprise, “You were?”
Jason nodded, “Yep. Worst fucking time of my life. These people are brutal. But, someone gave me a chance so I try to pay it forward, y’know?”
Seth gulped, so appreciative that he felt as though tears were imminent. He replied, his voice cracking, “Thank you. More than you’ll ever know, thank you.”
That night, Seth took Jason’s advice and stopped at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint downtown to have dinner and a beer or two. Full and exhausted, he walked back to his apartment, took a shower and collapsed on his bed.
That night, he slept for twelve hours straight, exhaustion and stress of the previous weeks had finally taken their toll.
The next afternoon, Seth was working in the tiny corner of his apartment that he’d set up as a makeshift studio when the telephone rang.
“Is this Seth Healy?” It was Jason Rivers.
Seth stammered, completely caught off guard, “Uh, yeah. I mean, yeah, this is Seth.”
The smooth, southern voice chuckled, “Hey, man. This is Jason Rivers, we met yesterday?”
Seth gulped, his voice squeaking as he spoke, “Of course! Hey, Jason. How you doing?”
Jason chuckled again, “Take a deep breath, Seth. This is a good phone call.”
Seth released the breath he’d been holding, “Okay. I’m good now.”
Jason got down to business, “So I checked out your tunes, and I’ve been pretty damn impressed.”
Seth’s breath snagged, “Really?”
“Really. In fact, I’m in session with a band right now that I think you need to meet as soon as possible.”
Seth was taken aback but jumped emphatically at the suggestion, “Of course! Yeah, I’d love to meet them. When and where? I’m there…”
Jason snickered again, “Cool. How about meeting me for lunch tomorrow and we can go from there?”
Seth, managed to calm himself a bit, “That sounds great!”
The men set up a time and place for lunch and ended the call.
Seth spent the rest of the night listening to the CD that he’d given Jason, wondering which song or songs might be of interest to him.
He didn’t even know what kind of band Jason was in session with. Obviously, he was too much of a dumbass on the phone to even consider asking questions.
Seth did his best to chalk his telephone etiquette or lack thereof to rookie nerves. He had to stay positive.
The next day, by the time he and Jason met for lunch, Jason had already talked with the band’s label about purchasing the song for the album they were currently recording. A week later, contracts were signed and Seth’s career began. That song put that band in the public eye, making the Billboard charts shortly after release. Seth owes Jason a ton…
The two men became fast friends, working together on many occasions. Seth has even produced a little bit for Jason. But today, he wants to see his friend to show him his new purchase.
This purchase is a huge deal for Seth.
Seth and Jason had visited Len’s shop together one day for Jason to buy a couple new cables for the studio. That was one of the many times Seth played the Gibson. Since then, Jason has continually been on his ass to buy the guitar.
