Page 30 of Broken Melody
My attorney and I, a client of Britt’s that agreed to help me out, are sitting in a large conference room waiting for my meeting with Rick to start. The phone call that felt like I waited a lifetime to receive finally came yesterday morning. Rick said he had an offer and asked if we could meet as soon as possible, and I agreed to meet with him the next day. After the shock wore off, I realized I had no idea what to expect when it comes to signing this contract, or looking out for myself. I said as much to Britt, and with a gleam in her eyes, she made a phone call. I swear she knows someone that can help with any damn thing. What a network! Need your car looked at? She knows a guy. Looking for a great dentist? She’s got one for you. How about a great handyman recommendation? Ask Britt. She’ll call someone for you. I told her she should start charging for the information. It can come in handy, that’s for sure.
Now, with Leslie sitting beside me, I feel more confident and prepared than I would have if I had ventured into this alone.
“Thank you for doing this for me.”
“How many times are you going to thank me?” She asks with a bright smile coupled with exasperation. “I said I’m happy to help and I mean it. Besides, any friend of Britt’s is a friend of mine.” Britt says Leslie loves her because she’s the only hairdresser she’s ever had that can get her hair the exact shade of blonde she prefers. Britt said Leslie happily agreed to attend the meeting and to look over the contract to make sure there’s nothing unexpected in it, pro bono, on one condition. She asked if we could procure her concert tickets at some point, and I happily agreed. I’m sure that shouldn’t be a problem – I’ll even buy them myself.
When Rick finally breezes into the room, his assistant Bethany is at his side, and he’s sporting a big smile. “Sailor, it’s wonderful to see you again,” he says and walks over to me as I stand to greet him. Holding my hand out to shake his, he shakes his head and pulls me into a hug instead. I hesitate for a moment, but then give him a quick hug in return. Looking into his eyes, there’s nothing but kindness there, and seeing it makes the knots in my stomach loosen. “No handshakes for an amazing singer that’s about to become part of my family,” he tells me with a smile that I find myself easily returning.
“Hi Rick.” Turning to Leslie, I introduce them. “This is my attorney, Leslie. She’s here to look over the contract with me and help with any questions or concerns.”
“Great!” He holds his hand out and shakes Leslie’s as they each say hello. “Now, some people use their attorneys as their agents. Will that be the case here too?” Rick asks.
Unprepared for the question and feeling just a tad less confident than I did a few minutes prior, I answer truthfully. “We’ve not actually explored that. Leslie will assist me with this discussion and we will go from here.” I’m feeling a bit proud to have mustered that response – one that I think saved face and showed respect for Leslie.
“Actually,” Leslie offers, giving me a slight wink, “should Sailor elect to sign with you – meaning she either finds your offer and the written contract to her satisfaction or we are able to reach a mutually agreeable agreement– I would likely recommend an agent friend of mine, Daniel Austin. I think you’ve probably heard of him. He’s an expert in this industry and I’m sure he’d be happy to represent her. I’ll just serve in any needed legal capacity.”
I’m momentarily stunned and silently thanking both Leslie and Britt. Daniel Austin is one of the biggest agent names in the music industry. I had no idea Leslie knew him. He has his own reputation; one that Rick may or may not find appealing. We had not discussed this but she can obviously think quite well on her feet – this is obviously not her first rodeo.
“Oh, okay.” Rick sort of mumbles.
I don’t know Rick, of course, but I’m guessing he was prepared to handle an amateur this morning. Not that I’m anticipating he has any intention of being dishonest or would offer me any less than what I could be entitled, but now I’m even more confident that this negotiation will be handled expertly. I find myself exhaling air that I had not realized I was holding, as I add, “Though, if the offer is satisfactory, I could always consider using Jace though he and I have not discussed it, just to keep things simple. But again, we’ll figure that out after today.” Rick nods in acknowledgement. I’m not entirely certain where that came from, but Leslie offers a smile, letting me know she’s pleased with this early part of the discussion. The fact that there is a business to this as well, and it’s not merely about singing and touring, once again impresses me. I make a mental note and promise myself that I will have the right people at the table to represent me and support me in all facets of this business if I sign this contract.
Once he’s sitting across from me, Bethany slides two manila envelopes to him. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” he begins and I nod as slight worry once again makes me clench my hands together in my lap. “I said it before and I’ll say it again, I think you’re a phenomenal singer. The band picked you immediately after meeting you, and I’ll be honest, I tried to get them to pick someone else instead.”
His words contradict themselves and I’m confused, “Why?”
He smiles, “Because I’d prefer to sign you as a solo artist.” My mouth drops open in surprise and his smile widens, “There was no way, regardless of what they chose, that I was going to let talent like you walk away if I could help it.”
“Wow. I-I don’t know what to say,” I tell him genuinely surprised, and stumbling over my words. I feel Leslie’s hand touch mine and apply a bit of pressure and I take that as a sign not to be too eager. So I again try to sit back in my chair and listen.
“Well, I’ve decided the best thing to do is to give you a choice. But, I want to make my intentions very clear as well,” he pauses and I nod. “You can either join the band like we discussed. Or you can sign a contract for a solo career.” Despite the secret language from Leslie, I feel my eyes widen and my heart skipping a beat. This isn’t at all what I expected.
“I want to give you full disclosure here. Truth is, I think there are pro’s and con’s to both decisions. And I’m sure Leslie or any agent would agree. I want you to choose the one that makes you the most comfortable, and the one you think will allow you to be the most successful.” He opens a folder and fidgets with the paperwork, shuffling the pages, “Now, as I’m sure you’ve seen, the band has gotten some publicity lately that has been less than desirable,” he says blandly and I nod. “My objective is to add a woman to the band to give them a fresh sound, a different direction, and to add some positivity to a great band. They’ve had some hits already, have gathered their own following and bottom line, Sailor, they have potential in spades - they just need to get back on the right track. Truth is, with the latest antics, their sales have taken a dive – nothing that can’t be fixed by any means – but before the negative trajectory continued or it got to the point of no return, I decided it was time to make a change.” He pauses and looks at Leslie and I – likely wondering if we have any questions. We both simply nod, so he continues. “We really need someone that aside from a dynamic voice, has the drive to succeed, will be willing to put in the work to do so, and frankly, has zero drama. So, please, tell me now if you’ve ever murdered someone or have some horrible skeleton in your closet that could be exposed, because god knows, that’s the last thing we need.”
He laughs at his lame attempt at a joke and I give him a courtesy laugh, my stomach souring. “No, don’t worry, I’ve never murdered anyone.”
“Thank god,” he says and wipes his brow as a joke to display his relief.
“So tell me,” I begin, “how does the band feel about adding someone?” I ask boldly. I’ve heard from them a little bit about how they feel about it. After our lunch, I felt that we all got along great and maybe their feelings had changed, but I figure it doesn’t hurt to ask and hear Rick’s opinion on the matter. And perhaps it’s a bit of an integrity test. I want to know if he’ll tell me the truth.
He sits back and scratches his head, looking at the table before he returns my gaze.
“Well, as you can imagine, they have mixed feelings. It’s only been the four of them from the beginning and they are very protective and possessive of what they’ve accomplished so far.”
“As they should be,” I reply thankful for his honesty.
“However, from the moment they heard you, doubt and disagreement while not completely nullified suddenly turned into excitement and potential. So, I want to make it clear, while I may be forcing them to add someone for the time being, they are now on board much more than they were before.”
“Okay…” I say hesitantly not sure what he means by the words ‘time being’ and simultaneously noticing that Leslie has also captured that phrase on a notepad in front of her.
“The deal, as far as the band goes is this. The contract is a temporary one. Limited in inception. A probationary period, if you will. The contract states you will join the band for rehearsals, a new album recording, and the planned or revised summer tour. Currently it is scheduled to be a six-city tour. While I don’t expect that to change, we always leave some flexibility. Something unforeseeable could arise to alter the specificity. I think you understand. Regardless, the contract expires one month after your final tour date – after that, we will all decide the next step. Either stay with the band and make it a permanent thing, or not. The band would all have to agree to keep you on – then of course you decide yes or no. Of course, I have controlling authority – final decision-making authority if you will, but if you have been a success and accomplished our goals, and are in agreement, I can’t imagine not wanting to go along.”
“Okay,” I respond listening intently. I see that Leslie is writing a few more notes.
“Now, I want you to understand what this probationary period means. It’s not only for them - it’s for you as well. Immerse yourself in the business, get your toes wet, get to know the guys, determine if you work well together – we already know you sound great – but there’s more to a successful band than just that. Then, like I said, at the end of the contract term we’ll meet and make a decision. And know that if they decide they’d like you to stay on, it’s okay if you determine that is not in your best interest. This probationary period, if you will, is for the benefit of all, not just them. You are under no obligation once the contract has been fulfilled to do anything further should you choose. Understand so far?”
“Yes,” I nod.
