by N. Kognytao
The younger people in the room could not stop their jaws from dropping.
“He was the manager through 4Ever disbanding?” Aaron hissed.
Jay nodded. “I’m just a little surprised that Tim agreed to bring him back as a manager.”
“Is he not a good manager?” Carson asked nervously.
“No, he’s an amazing manager. He was able to keep 4U under control and focused for the first two years of his solo career, which is no small feat, believe me.” Jay tapped his fingers against the armrests on his chair. “But it shows that Tim sees an enormous amount of potential in Leah. In all of you, really.”
While there was a sense of pride at hearing the words, the four musicians looked at one another, feeling added pressure fall over them.
* * *
Alex was instructing Leah to take her hair out of the pony-tail and come through it with her fingers, looking over her outfit as they went to the elevator and began the descent to the main floor of the RM Entertainment building. Leah continued to shoot small glares at him as she followed the instructions, though the manager seemed unconcerned with her annoyance.
“Alright, listen, there are a few things we need to talk about before this interview,” the manager said strongly. “Tim assigned me to you because he trusts me. Your situation with his brother-in-law could be a lot of trouble for everyone if the wrong person gets their hands on that information.”
“Oh, you just…jump right in, don’t you?” Leah noted, surprised by the sudden change in the direction of the conversation.
“Well, we have limited time before you are in the interview, and there is no point in beating around the bush on this one,” Alex said. “I’m a firm believer in being unable to help who you fall in love with, so if you are happy with Mr. Kirkwood, I’m happy for you. But it would be best if you never mention him in any interview.”
“I wasn’t planning on it. He seems like a private person and I don’t want to cause RM any trouble.”
“Then you already understand that many would question Tim’s decision to promote you if you’re dating a member of his family, so I don’t need to explain that to you. However, it could also reflect very badly on Mr. Kirkwood. It might make him look like he’s manipulating RM Entertainment and we could have a lot of angry fans and angry artists after him.”
Leah had never considered that angle before.
“Very good point. Okay, no talk of him.”
“Well, now, don’t be too hasty,” Alex corrected, lifting a finger as they stepped into the elevator. “You will always be asked about your relationship status in interviews, particularly if you put out love songs, which…everyone does.”
“Well, I could just lie and say I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“You could,” the manager agreed as the elevator doors closed, “as a woman, it’s about the image you want to portray. You could act as a hard-core, needs-no-man singer, or you could let people know you’re in a relationship so that you don’t get fanboys constantly trying to get you to date them. Unfortunately, as a woman, you’re relationship status will be heavily scrutinized. If you say that you’re fiercely single, if your relationship is ever discovered, some of your fans might feel as though you haven’t been genuine. My advice, if you get asked this question, is to not answer directly. Find a way to say that you’re in a relationship without saying you’re in a relationship.”
“Oh…okay…” Leah said slowly, not sure what he meant. “What kind of things are they even going to be asking me today, though? I’ve only done the opening for Glaring Nights.”
“That’s enough.” Alex looked over Leah’s clothes, making a face. “We need to discuss things with a stylist…” he murmured, pulling out his phone to make a note of which stylist to call.
“Hey, now, I did not know I was going to be interviewed today,” Leah said, pulling at her loose t-shirt. She had to admit, she probably should have gotten rid of the shirt years ago.
“Well, change that attitude,” Alex ordered. “Assume from here on out that you will always have an interview, or a photoshoot, or some sort of promotional activity, because RM is putting a lot of money behind you, so you better give it your all.”
“Does that mean full makeup every day?”
“Your choice, but I would recommend it,” he murmured, texting.
“Um, that’s great and all, and I’m up for that, but…you know I still need to write songs…”
“This is where time management comes in,” the manager said. “You’ll also want to start a gym schedule.”
“What?!”
“The stronger your body and the better you eat, the better you’ll be able to handle the hectic schedule coming your way.”
“But I’m already resilient.”
“Believe me, you’ve never done anything like this.”
“Is that why you’re so…” Leah rolled her shoulders forward and flexed her arms, making a face. “You’re at the gym all the time? Running around with artists?”
Alex rolled his eyes and ushered Leah out of the elevator.
“This interview will be talking mostly about you as a new artists in the label,” the manager continued. “So, try and say as many nice things about the company as you can. RM’s reputation is still hurting after 4Ever’s nasty breakup, so it can use all the good publicity it can get. She’ll probably ask about your inspiration, or your family, or your background. Try to give good, truthful answers, but don’t get too personal. Let her see who you are, it will help her write a favorable editorial and get people interested. But just like with your relationship status, they’re going to ask about your family.”
“That’s fine,” Leah assured.
“Are you sure?” Alex asked strongly, walking through the hallways by memory as he looked at his new client. “It will put them in the spotlight, too. If you get really famous, they’re going to need all sorts of protection to keep the rabid fans away from them.”
“Oh…I hadn’t thought about that…”
“Particularly considering your sister’s past and the hardship your family has gone through, if you do talk about them, be sure you tell every interviewer that you do not want your family bothered in any way. Never give the first names. Just be vague about a lot of their information, but still answer the question as much as you feel comfortable with.”
“Okay…” Leah was suddenly more nervous about the interview than she had been in the elevator.
Alex stopped outside one of the conference rooms where a blonde woman was mulling over the planner set out on the table. “This is Megan Reis. She’s interviewed a lot of new talent from RM, so she’ll be a good first interview for you.” He raised an eyebrow. “Ready?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
“Then I’m ready.”
Alex opened the door and motioned Leah in.
“Mrs. Reis,” Alex greeted, walking in after Leah, “this is Leah Dillon. Leah, this is Megan Reis.”
Leah extended her hand, smiling broadly, nervous, but also excited for her first real interview.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Reis.”
“You as well, Leah.” She motioned her over to the table. “Is it alright if I call you Leah? Or do you prefer Miss Dillon?”
“Leah is fine,” she assured, sitting across from the interviewer. Alex stood diligently near the door, watching the singer like a hawk.
“First of all, congratulations on making it into RM, and as well as a very successful opening for Glaring Nights.”
“Thank you.”
“This is going to be a really easy interview. It won’t take long, it’s just a few basic questions so I can get to know you better and write something that will help your audience get to know you better.” She lifted her phone. “Mind if I take a few pictures for the editorial?”
“No, that’s fine.”
Leah smiled as Megan took a few photos with her phone, suddenly feeling very self-conscious about her ol
d t-shirt and almost-bare face.
“How old are you, Leah?”
“Just turned twenty-three.”
She sat back in her seat and flicked through her phone a bit before looking up at Leah once more.
“Let’s start the interview,” she said. “I’m going to record all of this so I can listen to it when I’m writing just in case there’s something I want to quote directly.”
Leah nodded, smiling to hide her nerves. She threw one anxious look at her new manager, her brain still struggling to process that, not only was she doing her first interview, but she had a manager that would now haul her around to many subsequent interviews.
Megan smiled as she set her phone down on the table.
“So, if it’s alright with you, we’re just going to have a conversation. I’ll go through the recording later and write up a piece.”
“Okay.”
“I would like to start with asking you, first, about the audition. What caused you to try out at RM Entertainment at the last open audition?”
“Well…” Leah started slowly, trying to think about how she should answer considering all the things Alex had warned her about, “I have always wanted to sing. I think I’ve been singing since I could talk, maybe even before that,” she laughed. “I used to put on these little shows in our living room for my parents. I think being a performer was something I was born to do.”
“RM has a training program for young individuals who have an interest in performing, which, clearly, it sounded as though you were performing for your family for quite some time. Did you ever want to be a part of that program?”
“Absolutely,” Leah said enthusiastically. “When I was younger, 4Ever and 4U were my biggest inspirations. I used to watch their performances and wish that I could be at RM Entertainment as well. In a way, I feel like I’m fortunate to have come to the company when I did because now my boss is one of the former members of the group that inspired me. It’s another moment for me where I feel like it is meant to be.”
“You’re not intimidated by that fact? That one of the song writers and producers for 4Ever is your CEO?”
“Not yet,” Leah said with a broad smile. “I think, as an artist, he understands what it means to foster the creative spirit. He’s been very supportive and is helping to guide me through this process.”
“That’s a very nice thing to say,” Megan said, smiling as well. “But you know it’s okay not to praise the boss too much.”
Leah laughed. “Well, I’ll try to keep my fan enthusiasm to a minimum.”
“I have to ask, Leah, you are older than most of the new talents coming into RM. Do you ever feel threatened by the younger artists?”
“I can’t say that I have, yet,” she laughed. “But I’ve only been here for a short time. But I do not think that artists, whether it’s musicians, or actors, or any of the other creative people in the RM Entertainment group should be in competition. We’re all here to create our art. We’re here because it’s our passion and our dream. I know there are plenty of people in this label and all over the world really who have more talent than I could ever hope for, and I think we should always support each other as artists rather than see one another as competitors.”
“Hmm, beautiful, humble, and talented,” Megan listed, smiling. “No wonder Mr. Gracie is focusing so much attention on you.” She glanced back at her planner. “Is there a reason you waited so long to audition? While we’re on the subject of your age.”
Leah threw a glance at Alex to the side of the table who raised an eyebrow in silent reminder of his previous warnings. The singer took a deep breath.
“The truth is, I wanted to audition for the training program with my friend, Aaron, who is currently my guitarist. However, I was unable to audition.” She shifted in her seat. “My younger sister was diagnosed with cancer when she was only eight years old, and I could not focus on anything other than helping her as much as I could, and my family as well.”
“I am so sorry to hear that,” Megan gasped. “Is your sister…”
“She beat cancer,” Leah answered the silent question. “But for years, it was really tough to watch her struggle through the hardships that no one that age should ever have to endure. I used to sing to her to try and comfort her, but that was the extent of my music pursuit at that time.”
“You were by her side through it all.”
“As much as I could be,” she affirmed. “I ended up leaving high school and getting my GED so I could work and support my family as well. The medical bills were very trying on our finances, but we’ve made it through the worst of it. And I think it can only get better from here.”
The smile on Megan’s face as she jotted down a note in her planner had Leah worried. She glanced at Alex who gave an approving nod.
“What is your sister’s name?”
“Oh, actually, if it’s alright with you…I know that people will be able to find her just because of our family name, but I would really rather she not get too much attention put on her. With the cancer, she never really got to be a kid, and I would really hate for her to miss out on being a normal teenager because her sister mentioned her in an interview.”
Megan’s hand fell flat on the table, her jaw dropping a little.
“We need more people like you,” she said, shaking her head. She glanced at Alex, motioning at Leah. “She’s amazing.”
Alex smiled and glanced at Leah.
“I’m sure she’ll go far.”
Megan took a deep breath, still smiling. “Alright, I have to ask, you seem like an absolutely amazing, talented, and just all-around great human being. So, tell me, do you have a boyfriend who appreciates how incredible you are?”
Leah could not stop the smile that came to her face, but she knew she had to be careful. Alex’s warning from the elevator were ricocheting in her head.
“I think the best way to answer that question is to say that I feel very supported as I chase after this new career,” she said with a smile and a small wink.
Megan’s own smile broadened and she jotted in her notes once more.
* * *
Alex gathered everyone in Studio Two one evening as they were about to head out for the night.
“We need to talk about your upcoming schedules,” he said, reaching into his briefcase and pulling out his planner as well as several printed schedules. Jay sat at the computer desk behind them, pretending to be working on the new songs, even though he was very curious to see what the manager had come up with for a schedule, as it would tell him how fast he needed to be working on the songs.
“I will not lie to you,” he said strongly, “this is a very ambitious schedule.”
“No kidding!” Yasmine gasped, staring at the sheer number of events on her printed schedule.
“Hear me out,” Alex said, raising his hands to get their attention. “When you got such favorable reviews after opening for Glaring Nights, RM ran a few promotional videos of the concert recording. There are a lot of people interested to see what else you can come up with. People already want more. While we do not want to show an unfinished product, meaning you and your songs, we also do not want to give people long enough to forget they’re interested in you. For the next two weeks, you’re booked for interviews. In that time, you need to finish as many songs as you can and get ready with a possible album. After two weeks, you’re performing your own show at the Jackson Club.”
Leah’s eyes shot wide.
“Um, that’s a big first venue. The Jackson Club is really popular.”
“Yes, it is,” the manager agreed strongly. “That’s why you have so many interviews in the next two weeks. That is to build as big of an audience as we can. How many songs do you have written?”
“Eleven at the moment,” Jay answered over his shoulder. “And we’ve probably got enough lyric ideas for three or four more.”
“Have you decided on a number to release for the first album?”
“I was thinking
eleven to twelve,” Jay answered.
“Whatever number you decide, add one more,” Alex said, a mysterious tone in his voice. The tone caught everyone’s attention, but Jay slowly turned around, his brows furrowed.
“Why?”
“At all the club appearances you have for the next several weeks, you have a one-hour block, which you should try to fill with as few songs as possible. This will ensure that people buy the full album when it comes out assuming they want more. But, no matter what, we need one song that you do not play at any of these shows, but that will show up on the album. Because, you will perform that song in August at the RM Entertainment Outdoor Show.”
All five musicians reacted with some form of exhilaration and disbelief. Leah leapt out of her chair, her hands on her head and her eyes wider than they had ever been before. Jay’s expression was also one of surprise.
“How did you bribe Tim to do that?!”
“It was not easy, and if he does not think you’re ready in the next month he will cut you from the show. But with 4U being on his world tour right now, he won’t be back in time to perform. So I told Tim that he should hype up his new talent to make up for missing 4U. But that is only if you perform at two-hundred percent. It’s very difficult to fill 4U’s void on stage.”
“I’ll put my all into it. I will do everything I can to put on the best show of my life!” Leah babbled loudly.
“New talent never gets put into the Outdoor Show,” Alex said strongly. “This is huge. This schedule is to get your name out there, but it will also be your rehearsals. We will have to fine-tune your stage presence, your performances, everything, so that when it comes time to perform on stage with all the other huge artists of the RM label, you measure up to them. I’m going to push you hard, but if you’ve really got what it takes, then you’ll do fine.”
Chapter Twelve
The news that they were going to perform at the RM Entertainment Outdoor Show gave the band a sense of energy despite their harrowing schedule. The Outdoor Show was an annual concert held by the musicians of the RM Entertainment label and showcased all the major musical talent of the company. It started when 4Ever held an impromptu concert for charity many years previous to donate money to the west coast, which had been devastated by a horrible earthquake. At the time, all the major musicians were guests at the 4Ever Outdoor Concert. When the turnout was twice what was expected, RM capitalized on it, and it had been a tradition ever since, with a new charity being supported each year.
