Page 49 of Broken Melody
We all look at each other nervously, like kids being called into the principal’s office – and I momentarily wonder when I will realize that Rick needs us as much as we need him and can forego these reactions. Aware that we are all a bit leery of what new expectation he has up his sleeve, I answer for all us attempting to exude a confidence I’m not fully feeling. “Okay, what’s up?”
“As you know it’s my hope that by adding Sailor to the band the tarnish that’s been in the press about the group will be wiped clean.”
“God, help us,” Henley mutters or maybe prays under his breath next to me and I find that I’m seconding the sentiment.
“No offense, Rick, but how long are we going to need to continue to hear about the stain on our group that I’ve caused? I’ve apologized, I’ve promised to change and I have, and I’ve said I’d do whatever I need to in order to get us in a great place. What else can I do?” I ask feeling frustrated.
“Well, Maddox, I’m glad you asked because while what I have to say applies to all of you, in candor it’s especially targeted at you and Sailor,” he replies and Sailor and I raise our brows at his words.
“What do you mean? What are you talking about?” Sailor asks.
Rick hesitates, looks at Jace who looks at me, then back at Rick and nods. What the fuck is going on? “I expect that news of Sailor joining the band will go over well. I’ve heard the whispers in the industry of those that have seen her presence around you lately wondering what’s transpiring. I, myself, released a leak about her potentially joining the group to see how it would be received and it’s been nothing but positive so far, which is great. But, I think that there is something we can do that will draw even more attention to you, and your music. Something that will help put you quickly back on top because curiosity will be at an all-time high.”
We all have no idea what he’s alluding to and while he looks at each of us, maybe expecting a guess, we simply stare back at him having no clue what he’s getting at.
“I’m just going to cut to the chase. It’s my opinion that a perceived relationship between Maddox and Sailor will bring more attention to you and your music.” He turns to Sailor, “I know this is not what you were expecting, and you’re new to this business and frankly I’m going out on a limb even asking this of you, but it would only be temporary and it would be nothing more than looking like a couple when you know the press is watching, and for the photo shoot for the album cover. After the album releases we will discontinue the ‘relationship’.”
“And what? We just have an amicable break up and we won’t lose fans when that happens? What about all the followers who like the idea that we’re all single?” I ask.
“I don’t believe they’ll be an issue. There has been enough evidence of how this has catapulted performers and entertainers as long as it’s handled appropriately. We’ll come out with a press release that states you realized it’s best to call it quits and you’re better off friends, have mutual respect for one another and want to concentrate on your music. Or we don’t say anything at all. We don’t owe anyone anything. You would only be doing this in order to draw attention to the new album. Again, we’ll figure out the details closer to the break-up.” It seems he is almost a bit too giddy and happy with himself for having conceived this great scheme.
Admittedly, I am quickly trying to process the pros and cons given my developing thoughts about her.
“And you believe that sales will go up because of a perceived relationship?” Rocco asks.
“Yes. There are statistics I can share with you if needed showing this to be the case,” Rick replies.
“This is ridiculous,” Nixon says. “We shouldn’t have to resort to something like this to get sales.”
“I agree. Why can’t we let our music speak for itself? People will hear our sound and be drawn in by that,” Henley adds.
“Or they could ignore you completely because they’re fed up with the shit they’ve been reading in the press,” Jace says making me flinch.
“Come on, I get that it hasn’t been gravy in the press about us, but doesn’t bad press also bring curiosity and therefore sales? It’s been a while since the worst garbage has been published,” Rocco asks.
Rick picks up his briefcase from the floor which I didn’t even see until now. Opening it, he takes out some papers and passes one to each of us. Glancing at it, I see several questions and answers, and a burning sensation starts moving from the top of my head to my stomach when I realize what I’m holding. “A survey,” I practically whisper.
“Yes. I hired a third party company to conduct a telephone survey of individuals that purchased your downloads or CDs via various means from our online distributor.”
“When? When did you do this?”
“It took eight days to conduct and was concluded a couple weeks ago,” Jace answers for Rick not meeting any of our eyes.
Rick continues, “We asked a variety of questions. But imbedded in the survey were specific questions to help elicit their overall and specific opinions of Graffiti and the individual band members. We also asked about the likelihood to purchase future music or recommend your music to others,” Rick answers.
“Fuck,” Henley says and folds his paper in half so he doesn’t have to look at it further.
“Are these percentages accurate?” Rocco asks, horror clear on his face.
“Of the people that filled out the survey, yes,” Rick says. Unsolicited, he proceeds to go over the numbers with us. He relates the number of people that were called versus the number that answered the questions. He tells us the percentages for each question, and our spirits sink further and further. Me? I wish I could vanish. I knew that there had been stories in the news of course, I knew that people were gossiping and I’ve heard the insults thrown out at me by the press, but for some reason it never occurred to me that our band could sink over this. The facts confuse me immensely. Some people who had previously purchased our music responded as though they had never heard of us. Others clearly were not inclined to consider us as a major draw. While some were still aligned, the percentages were much lower than any of us would have expected. When ranked against other bands in order of who they were either looking forward to hearing in concerts or felt worthy to spend dollars on for concerts, music or other paraphernalia, we ranked much lower than groups we knew we outperformed. Sensing our feelings of failure and dismay, Rick attempted to offer rationale and a glimmer of hope, “I think part of the problem is that while you’ve been signed with me, it merely hasn’t been long enough and you haven’t toured enough for you to really get a captured and committed fanbase. As you see, large numbers aren’t holding their breaths for your next releases or to attend your concerts, though there is a groundswell of interest that we can build upon. So, we need to give them a reason to be curious, to be eager, to be willing to spend their dollars and while we are sure your music and sound will speak volumes and provide its own enticement, we are simply not confident that it will be enough. That’s why I’ve come up with this idea.”
“And you think this will really help sales?” Sailor asks, her eyes still glued to the study findings, making me feel significant embarrassment. I bet she’s regretting having joined us and given up her chance to be a solo sensation.
“I do,” Rick replies at the same time Nixon says, “You don’t have to do this,” to Sailor.
“Our music is really great for this album. I say we take the chance and let it speak for itself,” I tell everyone.
“No,” Sailor says abruptly while still looking down at her paper. “No,” she says again now looking at Rick. “I’ll do it. If Maddox will,” she says quickly glancing at me before looking away again. “then I will too.”
