Page 62 of Legendary Rock Star
The studio heads would give me my final number soon.
“We have ten minutes, and then twenty more. I spoke to the studio executives who are friends of mine. Relax.” He stepped toward the breakfast set-up and poured himself a cup of coffee as he said, “Neither one of you looks like you slept.”
Trust. I took a breath and reminded myself to stay calm.
Phoenix grabbed two cups and poured coffee into them as he said, “We’ve been in my studio, recording.”
He handed me one, and once Mark had finished his first sip, he motioned for Phoenix and me to sit down. We sat together on the couch where I’d just crashed.
“My favorite client wanted us to meet,” said Mark. “We can easily get the released song profits cleared up for you.”
Phoenix put his coffee down untouched as I sipped mine. Then he placed his hands on his knees and said, “That’s why I invited you over. And I wanted you to meet her so you can see how talented she is.”
I vaguely remembered Phoenix’s plan last night to ask Mark here this morning.
“Well, I’m here,” Mark said. “And I’d be interested in being your agent, Maggie. If you want me.”
Phoenix spoke first, “Maggie wants to win her competition and get the stadium headline tour.”
He nodded at us and said, “My representation would be for anything outside of the show.”
Phoenix folded his hands together like everything was settled. I asked, “Can you get me more than the one album?”
Mark nodded again. “I know everyone in New York and L.A. I won’t promise you the world, but if you give me what my contacts want, they’ll listen to you because I sent you in.”
Phoenix bounced out of his seat and stood by the console, ready to hit the button to play for Mark what we’d worked on all night.
I said, “Okay. I’d like that.”
Mark smiled and handed me some papers to read.
Phoenix was right. There was a million dollars in escrow right now. I’d sign and get half a million.
People must have loved our Christmas song. I signed that contract and the representation agreement and handed them back.
Mark asked, “How’s my new stuff coming, Phoenix?”
“I’ll finish it off soon, but I wanted to get your honest opinion on this.”
“Play it,” he said.
Phoenix hit the button and took a seat next to me again. Mark closed his eyes to listen. I stilled, as I wasn’t sure what he would think of it, but Phoenix drank his coffee like all was normal.
As the song wound down, Mark said, “Oh, it’s a duet love song.”
Phoenix put his coffee down and turned off his sound system as he asked, “You think this is marketable?”
Mark glanced at me like he knew some secret and then said, “I think with your two names and voices attached, I can sell a love song. But I won’t touch this until you win.”
“Thanks,” I said quickly.
He turned to Phoenix. “I need a solo from you, too. Think magical moment, something people will want to dance to on their wedding day, and amp that up.”
Then he turned toward me again. “And for a soulstress such as yourself, the labels are going to want the first song to be pop. Once we establish you’re a team player, they’ll let you record those power ballads your talents are so suited for.”
That silly smile of his caught me off guard. I glanced at Phoenix, whose face was red, as I said for both of us, “We can swing that.”
These two clearly knew each other well, as they had some silent language going on. Mark finished his coffee and said quickly, “Perfect. See you both soon. Good luck with the show. Winning will get you higher offers, but I’m on your side no matter what happens.”
