Rock Radio - By Lisa Wainland Page 0,35

in months. Even though they were close in proximity, he never really had the time or the desire. His time out of Pinetree, free from the curse of his father, made Cody realize that the abuse he suffered as a child was partly his mother’s fault. He couldn’t reconcile in his mind why she put up with his dad’s abuse. Why she let his dad beat him up so violently. He always thought of her as the victim, but she could have left. She could have packed them up and slipped out into the night. He had no such choice.

No, Cody had no desire to go back to the small town that held such big pain.

The recording process, while grueling, was very rewarding. The band heard the playback tape and couldn’t believe how good they sounded. The next step was a photo shoot for the album cover. They carefully dressed in their “we-don’t-really-care-how-we-look” way and posed with vacant expressions on their faces. Apparently, musicians weren’t supposed to show emotion. The proofs came back two days later.

Alex, Harper, Bobby and Cody looked like rock stars.

Eric approached them with the pictures for the cover. They picked a black and white shot of the band in an alleyway. They all looked off in the distance. Cody was in the middle of the group, the center focus of the picture. His rugged good looks shone through.

“It’ll help sell albums,” Eric said.

Alex gritted his teeth.

Eric continued, explaining the layout of the cover. Beneath the band it would say The Cody Blue Experience, but they’d also start calling themselves CBE in press releases. It was catchy, Eric told them. He’d done right by them so far, so they trusted him.

Two weeks later the CDs were done and ready to go out. Eric did a mass mailing to radio stations in Florida. He felt the fact that they were a local band would help get them on the air faster. Once they had some big stations playing the song, Eric could easily shop it around elsewhere.

The CD release would be accompanied by a statewide tour.

Eric assured them they were now ready to hit Miami and hit it big.

Chapter 21

The next few weeks were hard for Dana. It was getting close to the annual WORR beginning of the year kick-off party. Last year she went with Sam and had an awesome time. She didn’t want to go this year, but she knew she had to. Attendance at the event was more of a requirement than a choice.

This year the party would be especially bad because it was taking place on a boat. She’d be trapped for four hours with no way off.

Welcome to schmoozing hell.

Jonny already promised she could hang out with Jill and him. She was grateful for the offer, but she still didn’t want to be there.

Dana found herself spending more and more time with Jonny. He was like the older brother she never had...he had become family.

Her office phone rang. She looked at the caller ID, it was Jonny.

“Hey...I was just thinking of you,” she said picking up the phone.

“That’s nice to hear. Do you have a minute?”

“Yes, in fact, I do.”

“Can you come into my office?”

“Sure.”

Two seconds later she was at his door.

“What took you so long?” Jonny tapped his watch.

“I got lost on the way. What’s up?” Dana plopped down in the red beanbag chair in the corner of his office.

“Oh, make yourself comfortable first.”

“Thanks, I will.” She crossed her legs Indian style. “Now cut with the pleasantries, what’s the emergency?”

“Listen to this.” Jonny hit play on his CD player. A strong raw voice came through the speakers. “All you were is all I was...”

“They’re good,” Dana said, leaning forward. “Who are they?”

“The Cody Blue Experience.” Jonny threw the CD jewel case to Dana, who caught it with one hand. “Good catch.”

Dana studied the cover. “Wow, cute.”

“Now Dana, is that all you care about?” Jonny teased.

Dana stuck her tongue out at him. “They sound awesome, but you know that already. I can comment, professionally of course, on the appearance and presentation of the band.”

“They’re from Gainesville.”

“Really? They’re local?”

“I know I was surprised, too. The notes say they’ve been together for years.”

“So why haven’t we ever head of them?”

“Wish I knew, but I’ll tell you this. I want to add them to the playlist.”

“Really,” Dana said surprised. “You must be impressed. You don’t want to try them out in the local show first...gauge the response?” The local show was from eleven to midnight on