Chapter 7 #2
“Do you want to know the truth? I’m here because it looks good.
I have a new book out, in case you didn’t know, and I want to make sure it gets as much good publicity as possible.
I’m sure to someone like you it probably seems cynical but,” and here he shrugged, “sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.”
He half expected Luke to get up right then and storm out but, to his surprise, he actually looked at him with something close to respect.
“Okay, at least we’re being honest with each other,” Luke said. “For my part, I’m doing this because I think it’ll help me get back into the music world. It probably won’t work, but it’s at least worth a try.”
“Great!” Mikey said with forced cheer.
“So,” Luke said, “here’s what I was thinkin’.
We could do some of our greatest hits–maybe, say, half a dozen from each of us–and we could add in two or three new songs.
Maybe do a couple of covers of, like, Hank Williams or even Brad Paisley, since he’s super local.
We could even do some Vince Gill for you, since he suits your higher range.
I think we should really lean into the traditional angle.
Go for the real thick country vibe. That’s always been NACA’s strength, and it’s what the people around here are gonna be looking for. ”
Luke was speaking so quickly, and with such passion, Mikey couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
“Well,” he said, when Luke took a breath, “I think you’re right about the greatest hits. I actually wrote a couple of songs for the Heartthrobs, so we could definitely do those, and I’d like to do some of your songs, too. You had some good stuff, Luke.”
Luke preened, which made Mikey hopeful he wouldn’t balk at what he was about to say.
“But, I don’t think we should just do country songs, and I definitely don’t think we should lean so hard into the traditional angle.
I did some research on musical trends here in the Ohio Valley–or, well, my assistant did–and there’s been a shift here to some more contemporary pop music.
I think we should lean into it, maybe write some songs with a Justin Bieber or Charlie Puth vibe, or maybe solo Justin Timberlake.
We need to make sure we’re reaching the younger crowd, especially if we want the concert to be more than a flash in the pan.
So, we need to do what’s popular right now, not what was popular ten or twenty years ago. ”
Luke wasn’t having any of it.
“That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
This was predictable Luke Carter behavior. His brows were drawn down, and his mouth was set in the firm line Mikey knew too well. It was just the kind of expression he got when he was certain he was right and wasn’t going to let anyone tell him otherwise.
Fortunately for Mikey, he knew exactly how to get around Luke’s stubbornness. Or, at least, he had.
“Trust me, Luke. I know what I’m talking about. We need to really emphasize love songs and stuff with good rhythms. Don’t get me wrong. We can do the stuff that made us famous, but we can’t let ourselves be chained to the past. We have to change, and so does West Virginia.”
Mikey could tell at once he’d taken exactly the wrong tack. Luke was even more stubborn than he’d been dreading, and nothing Mikey was saying was getting through.
Let’s try a compromise.
“Okay, look. Maybe we write, say, two or three songs. One can be a traditional one like you’re talking about–you know, guitars and talking about trucks and all of the country stuff you liked when you were young and which you probably still like–and then a more current one, something a little pop and a little adult contemporary.
And then one we both work on. Then we do some of our greatest hits.
And then we do some covers. It’s a good compromise, I think. Don’t you?”
For a split second he almost thought Luke was going to go along with it. He had a gleam in his eye, and his face had softened a little. Then, just as suddenly, the hard look was back.
“So I get to write one song that’s ‘all the country stuff I used to like,’ and you get to set the rest of the agenda, huh?
Sounds about right.” He snorted rudely. “Balance. Doesn’t sound like much balance to me.
This is just like I figured. You haven’t changed a bit.
This,” he gestured at the two of them, “this whole conversation was just more Mikey Smiles bullshit.” He leaned forward again.
“Look. I get you wanna do things your own way, and I get you wanna make a splash so this whole thing is worth it for you. But this is my hometown. I’m the one who’s been here my whole life, and I didn’t run off the first chance I got.
So yeah. I think of the two of us I probably have a better idea of what this community wants and needs. ”
Mikey wanted to argue with him, but he was just too tired.
“You know what? Maybe the concert was a mistake. Maybe I should’ve just stayed in California, since I’m clearly not wanted here.”
“Yeah, maybe you should’ve. Because yeah, Mikey Smiles. You’re not wanted here.”
Mikey had had enough. He took out a couple of twenties and threw them on the table, even though he knew doing so would make Luke feel like he couldn’t pay for his own meal.
Good. Let him be offended, since he’s so good at it, anyway, he thought, and then got to his feet.
“Look, if you’re just going to be an asshole about this, fine. I’ll call Brenda and let her know the whole concert idea is off. You can explain to her why, though. I hope you’re happy with yourself.”
And before Luke could say or do anything other than look quite stupefied–which Mikey found very satisfying–he stormed out of Bob’s Lunch.
Good job, he thought as soon as he was outside. You really fucked up.
As he walked back to the hotel, he couldn’t help but think of a decade ago, when things seemed so much simpler.
Or was I just more naive?
The fact he didn’t know how to answer the question was just one more frustrating thing on top of a pile of frustrating things.
What am I going to do? He wondered.
There was no answer to that, either.