be heard.
What was important to me was closing out each show, leaving the crowd begging for more. Ending every event with my music, with my performance, with what I had to say. Not ’cuz I was famous, or had the top connections, or the hugest following. It was simply ’cuz I was the best at what I did.
Trust me, this wasn’t me being cocky by any means.
This was purely me knowing I was damn fuckin’ good at what I was born to do.
I’d be the biggest name in the lineup.
The most fans in the crowd.
Screaming, “Cash! Cash! Cash!” loud and clear.
“Yo!” Travis interrupted my thoughts, yanking me back to the present. “Stop daydreaming and help us unload the van.”
“Fuck you,” I joked, reaching for my guitar.
When a lady with bright pink hair approached us, asking, “Who are you?”
“First Verse,” Travis responded, lighting up a cigarette.
She nodded, checking us off the list on her clipboard. “Where are your roadies?”
“You’re lookin’ at ’em,” I remarked.
“Alright. Follow me.”
The music only got louder and louder with each step we took. Once we approached the side of the stage, we quickly took the ramp on the right to another open area where roadies were moving equipment around and artists were tuning their instruments. Prepping for their turn to take the stage.
Masses of cables, cords, and wires were gaft taped into place assuring no one would trip. Acting like the yellow brick road to my land of Oz.
Center fuckin’ stage.
Hundreds of people were rushing forward to secure their spot close to the stage. Jamming out to the opening act, jumping around with their arms up in the air, banging their heads to the beat. Sweat glistening, dripping down their bodies from the hot Oak Island sun.
My breath hitched, and my heart raced, spiking my adrenaline to soar sky high to the point of pain.
“By the way, my name’s Tanya,” the chick we followed introduced herself. “Here are your passes and guest passes. You guys can set up here, and if you need anything else, please let me know.”
I nodded, grabbing mine. “I’ll be right back,” I assured, needing a few minutes to soak it all in.
Unable to hold back any longer, I made my way toward the crowd. Making sure to remember where I just came from, so I could make my way back.
We were at Rockfest.
I was at Rockfest.
Without anyone’s help. I made it this far with just my God given talent, and I was damn fuckin’ proud of that. Breathing out a heavy, deep sigh, I closed my eyes once I stood in the middle of the audience. Not hesitating for one more second, I got lost in the moment. Allowing myself to truly feel this, to let it all sink in.
This was years in the making. I spent hours upon hours coming up with sounds, lyrics, and vocals. Purged my feelings, my thoughts, my strengths and weaknesses.
Loud, hard beats pounded into my chest, down to the tips of my toes. There wasn’t a place in my body the music didn’t move.
Not then.
Not now.
Not ever.
“Cash! Cash!” I heard someone screaming. Instantly recognizing the voice, I spun to see Harley trying to part through the crowd, running up to me.
“Surprise!” she shouted, jumping into my arms. “Oh my God! I’m so proud of you! Do you see this crowd? All these people? Holy shit, Cash! This is the big league! You made it to the big leagues! You’re gonna get signed today! I just know it! Cash Motherfuckin’ McGraw is gonna get signed today!”
Pulling away first, I mirrored her expression, smiling, looking at her. Shocked as shit she was even there.
“Oh, come on! Don’t look at me like that. How could I not come and support my best friend? The whole family is here.”
I jerked back, and my rapidly beating heart halted. “My dad’s here?”
“Oh. Ummm...” She shook her head, gazing at the ground before peering back up at me. “No, he’s not here.”
The disappointment must have been evident on my face ’cuz she quickly recovered, adding, “But your mom and sisters are. Come on!” Grabbing my hand, she led the way to where they were set up under a tent.
“Cash!” Journey celebrated, her face lighting up as soon as she saw me.
“When I told Jackson I was comin’ to see you today,” Harley explained, “Journey jumped in my car. She was not takin’ no for an answer.”
I grinned, crouching down to her eye level. “Well, lookie here, Little Miss Thang. I guess today’s the