Surrendering (Surrender 1)

All the guys in the band come over to hug me. Apparently, Declan told them our good news already. Nate throws me over his shoulder, threatening to kidnap me so I can come to my senses.

New Year’s Eve at The Steamroom is more of an event than a show. The owners bumped the cover up to twenty-five dollars a head. The price includes party favors, champagne at midnight, and entertainment. I feel bad because our fifty dollars contribution did nothing to cover all of my friends’ heads. Declan assures me that management doesn’t care because the place is expected to bring in over ten thousand dollars in cover charges and probably more than that in liquor sales. All the TV’s are showing New Year’s Eve in Times Square so we can keep up with the countdown. Our group gets our normal table, but I spend most of the night on the dance floor with my friends. Sayge’s popularity is obviously growing because people are shouting requests for some of their newer songs.

Five minutes to midnight, the band takes a break for the countdown. Instead of going the back way, they jump down off the stage and head to our table where the champagne is already waiting. All the couples have paired up. There are a few new girls at our table standing next to Tripp, Robbie, Finn, and Gabe. Blake walks directly up to Charlie and pulls her against his chest. She runs the tips of her fingers over his Mohawk. Finally! The tension between these two over the last few months has been exhausting. Declan looks around and sees what I do. He smiles at his friend.

At midnight, the place erupts in cheers. Declan kisses me passionately, grabbing my ass and holding me as close as he can. We separate, but he doesn’t let me go. He sways with me as “Auld Lang Syne” plays over the speakers.

“Do you have any idea what I want to do right now? If I wasn’t so scared of some psycho running ar

ound with a secret recorder, we’d be in the back against the wall.”

“Well, is it a onetime offer? Can’t you show me when we get to my place tonight?”

He nods his head provocatively and I reach up to run my tongue over his ring. I kiss his cut tenderly and feel the ointment on it.

The band heads back to the stage for one last set. I get dirty looks from several girls when they see the ring on my finger. We don’t get home until early in the morning and decide to watch the sunrise. It’s the perfect end to the holidays.

Chapter 34

Social Media

The third week of January, Jay called and asked the band for a meeting. Declan arranged it to be at his house. He asked me to come over too and stay the night. This might be a good opportunity to talk to the band about a project for my business class that I need their help with. They all need to agree in order for my group to get started.

On Sunday afternoon, Jay arrives carrying his laptop and numerous files. We sit down and wait for him to start.

“Okay guys, things have progressed significantly since New Year’s Eve. You’ve gotten the attention of a few key people and I’ve been working to get your name on some lists for upcoming shows. I’m working with the organizers for the Main Street Festival in Franklin, but I’ll come back to that. I got a phone call from a small team that is organizing an Indie Performance Stage at Bonnaroo in June. Even though it’s Indie, it’s not geared towards just indie rock; it’s for all new and unknown acts. Apparently, Ryan from Knight’s Dream mentioned Sayge and the organizing committee sent a representative to some of your shows at The Steamroom. They like what they saw and want to offer you a three hour spot somewhere on the schedule.”

“Holy shit! Fucking Bonnaroo? Are you fucking with us, Jay?” Cooper yells. “This is the chance of a fucking lifetime.”

The guys start throwing questions back and forth, not waiting for answers. Declan pulls me into his lap and I squeal with excitement. I’m not an expert, but even I know this is a huge deal. Even if the stage is a small set up and they play at 3:00 in the morning, there will still be artists from all over the world there representing all types of musical genres. This type of exposure is huge.

After a few minutes, the chatter dies down and Jay continues.

“I think it’s about time you guys find someone new to represent you. I enjoy working with you like this, but it’s about to get out of my area of expertise. My company has some great people I can recommend for your band.”

Declan and Cooper exchange a look and Declan shakes his head. “Jay, man, we don’t want anyone else right now. I know your position isn’t exactly set up to manage us, but maybe we could come up with an arrangement where Cooper and I handle the stuff we know how to do, and you keep on with your work? You sure as fuck know what you’re doing.”

Jay looks around at the guys to confirm that everyone feels the same way and they all nod.

“Well, I guess we can see if it’ll work. But we have to have an honest relationship, guys. I’m ready for the promotion, but my company doesn’t see it that way. If you ever feel I’m not steering you in the right direction, let me know.”

“Deal.”

“Okay, now to the other issues at hand. I’m working on your behalf to complete applications for more festivals. I’ve pulled apps from Florida to Kentucky. The initial paperwork isn’t the problem, your existence is.”

“What does that mean?” Declan sounds offended.

“It means if you want to start to gain recognition, we need to jump on board with marketing. I think you should get some studio time in the next month and record something for your fans to buy. Like I said before, it won’t be sponsored as a recording deal, but there are plenty of people around the city that take on bands in your shoes that would be willing to lay some tracks for you. Also, we need a website with some footage of your shows.”

“Shit, man, this seems like a lot of stuff I know nothing about. I’m in unchartered territory here. You got people to do this?”

“I have a few people I can put you in touch with. This is a critical piece to the puzzle and you need to make sure you pick someone you trust.”

This is the perfect time for me to speak up. “Um, guys, can I break in?” All heads turn to me.

“I was going to talk to you about this later after Jay left, but he gave me the perfect segue. I’m in a new business class and my group project is to present evidence about the effects Social Media has on business. Webpages, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Online Marketing tools, etc. So I’ve been thinking how to come up with a presentation and I thought of Sayge. You absolutely fall into the entertainment business category. What I’m offering is to completely create your social media presence. My whole group would participate in getting you on the internet. It won’t be anything like a professional marketing team, but I think we could put something together that would help get your band noticed. You can accept or reject any of our ideas. Our goal is to prove that the presence of social media is a critical tool in today’s operational objectives.”

It’s so quiet; I get nervous. All five pairs of eyes are staring at me. Nate stands up and kneels in front of me. He lifts my left hand and holds it to his lips. “Raven, you have officially become the love of my life. Give this tool back his ring and I’ll replace it with one twice its size. You and I will get married and have beautiful and brilliant little babies. You are the most perfect girl in the world.” He starts to kiss my hand, but Declan kicks him in the stomach.