Rock Radio - By Lisa Wainland Page 0,39
me,” Jill said, noticing it too.
“I only see you babe,” Jonny said, pulling her close. “Only you.” He wrapped his arms around her trying not to mind the slight roll of fat he felt on her hip.
Things were not going well for Dana either. Three watered down mai tais and too many phony conversations later, she was really ready to leave. Unfortunately, things only got worse.
General Manager, Bill Fox, approached the stage and took the microphone from the singer. It squeaked with feedback, getting everyone’s attention.
Bill tapped the mic, “Is this working?” Several nods confirmed it, so he continued. “I just wanted to thank you all for coming and for the awesome job you did last year!” The crowd applauded appropriately.
“This kick-off is meant to start this year off right and I know we will!” Again, applause. “And in an effort to inspire you...we want to give you something as a little bonus...a sign of our appreciation to inspire you for greatness this year!”
The crowd let out a shocked gasp. A gift was rare, a bonus unheard of.
“We’ve got you all these fantastic WORR paperweights!” Bill held up a clear Lucite ball. “The message of this gift is for you to not let work weigh you down because we’ve taken the weight on for you!” Weak golf applause followed. Dana exchanged knowing glances with Jonny. Were they really supposed to be excited about this?
Bill continued overenthusiastically, “So thanks again, enjoy the rest of the party and don’t forget to pick up your awesome paperweights on the way out! Good night everyone! Here’s to another great year!” He smiled and held the paperweight up in the air in triumph looking like a monument to absurdity.
Dana approached Jonny and Jill. “Okay, now I’m ready to go.”
The boat was approaching the port. “Looks like you got your wish.”
Dana, Jonny and Jill were among the first to leave.
“Hey, don’t forget your awesome paperweight,” Dana joked.
“Oh, wouldn’t dream of it,” Jonny said with mock sincerity as they crossed the parking lot to their car. “Ready to go to Luna?”
“I think you know the answer to that,” Dana said, opening her compact to check her appearance.
“You still look great Dana.”
“Thanks Jill.”
They zipped down to South Beach only to get stuck in the familiar crawl on Collins Avenue.
“Parking is going to be a nightmare!” Jill exclaimed.
“I think they have valet,” Jonny answered.
“Yeah, they do,” Dana confirmed.
“Good,” Jill replied, “I’m ready to get out of this car. I feel like I’ve been confined all night...on the boat...in this car...”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Dana sighed.
Finally they arrived at Luna, Miami’s new hot spot. A long line of people wrapped around the stark white structure bathed in purple light. Models and model wannabes craned their necks to measure their progress to entry.
Dana, Jonny and Jill walked past the crowd up to the red velvet rope. The doorman stopped them. Jonny loved this part.
“Jonny Rock from WORR.” Jonny gave him his driver’s license, prepared for the usual formality.
The doorman looked down at his list. “Jonny Rock, plus one.” He crossed his name off.
“That’s Dana Drew with us.”
“Hey.” Dana handed the doorman her ID.
“Gotcha,” he released the clip on the rope and let them through. “Have a good night.”
They slipped through the club weaving their way through a packed crowd. The far back wall was lined with white beds ensconced with sheer white gauze. Girls in tiny dresses lounged with men twice their age laughing for no reason. The center of the club was all dance floor. Cages with go-go dancers in silver sequined bikinis hung from the ceiling. People moved rhythmically to the pulsing beat. It was a challenge, but they made it to the backstage door. Jonny had set up a meet and greet with The Cody Blue Experience through the band’s manager, Eric. He told them to meet him at the stage door when they arrived.
Jonny knocked three times. Seconds later Eric appeared.
“Yes?”
“It’s Jonny Rock and Dana Drew from WORR.”
The door swung open. “Hi, Eric Wayne. Nice to meet you.” He shook their hands. “C’mon, the guys are looking forward to meeting you too.” Eric knew the power a radio disc jockey had. For a new band, the jock was more important than pretty much anyone else in their career. If a deejay liked your band, he’d talk you up, make you sound cool and push to have your song played. Only when huge fame hit did the roles reverse. Then the radio stations needed the bands to do