chapter 13
Cody finally had it all...a blossoming rock career, a relationship and great friends. He had everything except time. The band’s performance was such a hit at Chloe’s that Andy, the owner, booked them for the rest of the month. Other clubs heard about them and people were calling for gigs other nights of the week as well. Between the shows and practice and Laura, Cody had little time for school. His grades were slipping and his scholarship was in jeopardy. His mother Jane was not pleased.
“Cody, this music career could disappear tomorrow, your education will last you forever.”
Cody knew she was right, but being on stage gave him the greatest high he’d ever known. He’d never been so happy and couldn’t imagine doing anything else with his life. So he made a concerted effort to find more time to study.
It was nearly impossible.
Red Lawn was a hit and the word was spreading. They’d started getting calls from clubs in Orlando to perform. The momentum was growing.
Cody realized he had two choices: the band or school. His future hung in the balance of security and a dream. His whole life was spent living for others. He never had dreams of his own. He decided school could wait. The chance Red Lawn was getting might never come around again. Cody went to the dean’s office and requested to take a leave of absence. His excellent record helped to make his case. The benevolent dean agreed. Cody could take a year off without jeopardizing his scholarship and then return to school. Cody was incredibly grateful. It wasn’t an easy decision, it really was a sacrifice for him...he was just one semester shy of his degree, but he had to try.
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 f*ckin’ 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.”