AT 29 (74 page)

“Yes, George. Don't look back.” They shook hands and then he was gone down the ramp onto the plane.

A day later, Miles studied the check Jimmy slid across his desk. His anger at his star's unexpected disappearance for two weeks was temporarily stalled. “It means this much to you?” he asked, hiding his surprise.

“To him and to me.”

“No strings. Just get the album out?”

“You'll make enough to pay me back later.”

Miles dropped his charade. “Fifty thousand dollars is a big risk.”

“We both know
Yarra
will be a hit.”

“Does he know?”

“No. I want this to be between you and me.”

“What do I tell everyone? I mean I've cried poor mouth already.”

“Just say you found the money, got a loan, sold some valuables, whatever.”

The executive laid the check down on the desk. “This is quite a gesture. And, you have another song to add?”

“Yes. He said he wants one more for the album. I'll test it with him today.”

“Okay. I'll get to work on this.”

“I think I have a drummer, too. His name is Travis. He worked my tour in Australia.” Jimmy got up to leave. “I'll tell Nigel and see what he wants to do.”

“You have a lot on your plate over the next few weeks.”

“It's better than wondering if I'll ever work again.”

Whitehurst liked the song instantly. They went into Studio B for three days recording and re-recording dozens of times until Nigel decided he needed Jimmy's vocals in the background. Late in the afternoon of the third day they summoned Cindy to the control booth and cut a duet, Nigel leading with his fiddle, Jimmy backing his play on the keyboards. For lack of a better name, they called it
Number Twelve
and had Cindy add it to the end of the masters.

Yarra
was released two weeks later. Mike Winfield got an advance copy and immediately began hyping it on his syndicated morning show. Loren Phillips taped a week's worth of interviews with the new Australian singer, making sure they were broadcast twice daily on WAGZ. In two weeks the album made the Top 100 and began its steady rise.

Travis arrived from Melbourne and immediately went into Studio B with Nigel and the rest of his group, assembled from exhaustive auditions supervised first, by Cindy then taken over by Nigel when he could no longer stand someone else being in charge. Cindy took no offense. After hearing
Yarra
for the first time, everyone respected Whitehurst's need to do things his way.

Jimmy went into Studio A to rehearse with his team. The layoff since Christmas showed. This would be live television. He didn't want any flubs. At night he and Les talked for hours on the phone. He knew the bills would be astronomical. She reminded him of this everytime their conversations extended into the wee hours on the east coast. It was afternoon on her end. Occasionally, she worried that she might be neglecting her duties at the orphanage, but she found it too hard to end the conversations.

The brain trust met weekly on Tuesday mornings. Ellis dominated with ideas for the national tour.

“We need to be out the door fast, right after the Grammys. No matter what happens, Jimmy's going to be red hot. Rebellion will be in demand, too, especially if Kate gets an award.” He licked his lips looking at Miles. “We have to figure Whitehurst into the mix.”

Miles returned his look. “He warms the crowd for Jimmy. That's what I've decided.”

“
Yarra
's already on the charts. If it really takes off it'll take away from
Back and Blue
and Jimmy's star power.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I don't know yet. Weak Knees might be a better fit for Whitehurst. That's all I'm saying. Jimmy will be strong enough to carry full houses everywhere he goes. Maybe put MacGregor with him.”

McCabe noticed when Cindy nodded. “You agree with Ellis?”

“The Riland Brothers need more time. We can't wait.”

“So who goes out with Rebellion?”

Jimmy cut in looking at Cindy. “What's wrong with the Riland Brothers?”

“Hit a wall, just like the Brits.”

“Can I help?”

“You don't have the time,” Miles protested. “You have too much riding on a good performance at the awards.”

Jimmy ignored his boss. “Serious problems or just some tweaking like before?”

“Sibling rivalry, Jeff and Randy can't agree on anything.”

Jimmy turned to Miles. “You should read them the riot act like you did to me.”

Cindy nodded. “They're immature. It's like herding cats.”

“Any weaknesses in their play?”

“No.” She brightened. “Musically sound. Just a lot of shouting.”

“Put them with me. That is, if Miles raises hell and puts them on a tight leash.”

Ellis shook his head. “I don't know, Jimmy.”

Miles listened silently as the debate continued. He had new respect for Jimmy and fully recognized that his star moneymaker's offer to take on the kids from California was one more nod toward making Blossom Records successful. He was proving to be a team player. Miles wanted to return the favor. He raised his hand to quiet the conversation.

“I'll talk to them.”

***

Mike Winfield accepted Miles invitation to meet at his office in Millburn. The timing was good. He had an idea for Jimmy's tour, but he intended to fulfill the executive's request first. That might give him the leverage to get his ideas a hearing.

“What's my role?” he asked, as they waited for the Riland brothers to arrive.

“I'll do the talking. You be visible so they know I mean business.”

“What's the issue?”

“Two kids acting stupid when they're on the verge of a little success.”

Jeff and Randy bounded into the office, trailing an older man. They were dressed in jeans and tee shirts and immediately plopped onto the couch without so much as a nod in Miles' direction. The older man, their agent, Jeremy White, remained standing, studying the back of Mike Winfield with interest as if assessing the purpose of the meeting. Then he nodded to Miles and took the upholstered chair nearest to his clients.

“So why are we here?” Jeff demanded, impetuously.

“Yeah, what's up boss?” mimicked Randy.

Miles didn't answer. Instead, he turned to his credenza, retrieved a portable tape player and brought it onto his desk. Then he looked up at the boys, Randy twenty, Jeff twenty-two. He stared at each of them for a moment then turned his attention to Jeremy White.

“How much do you know about me?” he asked.

White seemed taken aback by this unexpected question. “Your new to the business, but learning fast and showing real success. I told the boys they're fortunate.”

Miles twitched in satisfaction. “That's a good start.”

Then he turned to Jeff who was the bolder of the two young rockers. “You two are having a hard time working together.”

Jeff gave his younger brother a look. “We can handle it.”

“By March when the tour starts?”

All three of the visitors sat up in their seats. “We're going on tour?” Jeff asked.

“That depends on your attitudes.”

“What do you mean, Miles?” White leaned forward cupping his hands.

“Ask your clients.”

“Jeff, Randy? What's he talking about?”

“Me and Jeff are having our disagreements,” Randy answered. “He's playing the big-shot.”

“You don't know a thing about music!” Jeff shot back.

“The band belongs to both of us,” Randy emphasized.

“Your album is three weeks behind schedule.” Miles held up a sheaf of papers. “I've got four groups and a single that need the studios and you two delinquents are holding things up.”

“These things take time.” White glanced at Winfield, who remained quiet with his back to the young musicians.

“My reports say there's nothing wrong with the musicianship or the material. Just a couple of wise guys who can't get along gumming things up.”

“What's this about a tour?” Jeff asked, impatiently.

Miles ignored him and turned to Jeremy White again. “Do these stupid clients of yours have a good lawyer?”

Sensing the direction of the conversation, White held up his palms. “I don't think we need to get into that. What do you want?”

“I want these two punks to get into the studio, work together and get their album done.”

“Hey, you can't talk to us like that!” Jeff stood up.

“Sit down!” Miles shouted loud enough to make everyone jump. “You work for me!” Jeff slowly sat back down, shaken. “I don't care if you two like each other. I care about one thing only, how much money you can make for my label. Now, what Mr. White may or may not know is I love a fight. I pick them all the time. Whatever is going on between you two is nothing compared to the kind of trouble I can make. Right now I've got six lawsuits working through the system. All six involve wise guys who didn't fulfill their commitments to Blossom Records. I'm very happy to add a seventh.”

“Good for you,” Jeff said, quietly looking away.

“Bad for everyone.”

White spoke up. “Nobody wants that, but if you persist you could lose.”

“Maybe a few bucks, but your clients will lose everything.”

“There are plenty of labels who'd be happy to take their contract.”

“I thought you might say that. That's why I asked Mike to join us today.”

“Mr. Winfield hardly has a role in this.”

Miles turned to the brothers. “How's your friend Toby Maine doing these days?”

“Bad.” Jeff answered, uncertainly.

“Super depressed,” Randy piped in.

“What's your point?” Jeremy White was getting uncomfortable.

Miles pressed a button on the tape recorder. An excerpt of Winfield's notorious interview filled the office. It was the most embarrassing part when Maine was revealed as a fraud. After the key message Miles pressed another button, silencing the tape. The
Riland brothers looked nervously at each other. A trace of a smile crossed Winfield's lips.

“My point is that there is more than one way to get what I want from your clients. I don't necessarily need to win in court.”

“We aren't like him. We can play.” Jeff touched his brother's arm.

“Jeff is right, McCabe. They aren't like Toby Maine. Neither you nor Mr. Winfield will find anything like Maine in the Riland boys background.” Miles didn't answer. He merely stared at the two young brothers, waiting. “Are you saying you'd smear my clients in the media?” Miles continued to keep silent for a moment then turned to the agent.

“Jim Buckman is willing to take your boys on his upcoming tour.”

“So that's what you're saying!” Jeff exclaimed, excitedly.

Miles turned back to Jeff and Randy. “Not so fast. I won't let my world-class talent go on the road with a pair of idiots. I won't take that risk without a few conditions. First, I want your album finished by the end of the week. I don't care if you have to work twenty-four hours a day. It better be finished and it better be good. Second, you better get along. I'll tolerate no disruptions in the studio or anywhere else. From this second on you two are on probation. Get your act together and rehearse. By Grammy night I expect you to be professional and ready. You get one audition in front of Jimmy. If it's good you go out with him on his national tour.”

Miles borrowed Cindy's car and drove Winfield into town for lunch. Over their meals Winfield brought him up to date on the preparations for the Grammy Awards.

“Two nice tables up front. I pulled a few strings so you can bask in the glory.”

“Thanks. But you didn't have to do…”

Winfield waved him off. “I get something out of it. The network wants me to be a presenter. I packaged the whole thing.”

Miles looked up with interest. “Presenting what?”

“Song of the year.
Peg
, if my sources are right.” He waited for a reaction.

Miles made no attempt to hide his excitement. “Jimmy's going to win?”

“That's the word.”

Miles smiled triumphantly. “That would make everything come together.”

“Finances?”

“Yes, and the tour.”

“By the way, that was quite a show you just put on for those two kids. You play hard and I like your style. But, I don't want you to think …”

Miles raised his hand. “Just a bluff. I used your Maine interview to scare them a little bit. I won't involve you beyond that.”

“Do you think it will work?”

“I hope so. I don't have much leverage. Cindy says they can play. Despite what I told them, I'm not interested in any more lawsuits and having them go out with Jimmy meshes well with what I want to do.”

“Glad you brought up the tour. I want to handle it for you. I'll go out on the road with him, interviews, remote broadcasts, the whole package. And, I'll deal with the promoters, handle the negotiations and make sure you get the maximum.”

“Broadcasts would be good and the interviews. I've got Ellis for the rest.”

“Ellis never did a big-time national tour. He's out of his league on this one. I've done a dozen of them for the biggest names in the business. You need me. I know everyone. With me you get the best venues and the most money. Your guy doesn't know the people I know.”

“He'll balk.”

“From what I've seen that isn't a big deal to you.”

“I'm loyal.”

“Then you're screwed. Let him handle the Brits' shows.”

“He's Jimmy's agent, too.”

“So? That doesn't have to change. He still gets his cut.”

“Which brings me to what's in it for you?”

“I want a piece of Blossom.”