Chapter 45 #2
But, ever the professional, he gave her a wide smile. “Well, I’m obviously thankful to the Academy for the acknowledgement, and very grateful to my fans for embracing my music.”
Jenna hummed in approval. “And Colton, everyone knows the story of your MVP award. Are you happy you can attend tonight with your boyfriend?”
Colton smiled and leaned into the microphone. “Absolutely. I’m thrilled to be here tonight and can’t wait to see his performance. It’s gonna be epic!”
Jenna quickly checked her notecard and returned to Dean.
“Yesterday, you appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and sang a rendition of ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen. It was an amazing performance, and anyone who’s listened to your music knows you have an incredible voice.
So I’ve gotta ask, why not move into pop music or rock music, where there are surely more opportunities for success? ”
Once again, Dean gave her a smile, but then looked directly into the camera.
“That’s a great question, Jenna. My first internship was in a music studio in Atlanta.
And it was pure dumb luck that I was able to work with the legendary dance music producer Lyle Rodgers.
He taught me a great deal, and I fell in love with dance music.
The dance community embraced and accepted me when no one else would.
Quite literally, dance music saved my life by giving me a voice and a purpose.
” He turned his gaze back to Jenna. “I know I could probably make a lot more money moving into pop or rock, and maybe one day I’ll give it a try, but it’s not all about the money.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the dance community, and I will always be rooted there. ”
Jenna took a breath, seeming to be genuinely moved by Dean’s answer. “Okay, I have one more question, one that I’m sure you’ve heard far too many times, but I must hear it directly from you. That kiss, onstage during your show in San Francisco…was it planned?”
Dean and Colton both looked at one another with big grins. Dean gave a little nod toward Colton. “Do you want to take this one?”
Colton chuckled and turned back to Jenna.
“Actually no, it wasn’t planned. I was watching with my family across the field in a private box.
We had planned to make an official announcement the next day, but I had a huge argument with my mother during the concert.
I was really upset and had to see him.” He tilted his head toward Dean.
“I ran all the way around the stadium and demanded to see Dean in the middle of his show. We decided then to make the announcement on stage. So, it was kind of a last-minute defiant act towards my mother.” Colton laughed.
“But everything is good now, with his mom. We’ve all talked it out and kissed and made up,” Dean clarified.
“That’s quite a story. And I’m glad everything worked out. Thank you for your time, and good luck tonight!”
They gave one last wave to the camera and stepped away from Jenna.
Colton bumped his shoulder as they walked away. “Well, that was interesting!”
Dean snickered. “Yeah, she’s a lot, bless her heart.”
Colton barked out a laugh. “Okay, I’ve been around you long enough to know that is not a compliment.”
Dean kissed his temple as they passed through the theater doors. “Nope. The classic southern diss. But forget about her, let’s enjoy our evening.”
Dean and Colton were shown to their seats, near the front of the auditorium and very close to the stage. Heavy hitters of the music industry were seated all around them…Beyoncé, Madonna, Taylor, Billie, Ariana, Chappel Roan, and all the biggest producers from every genre.
Taylor, seated just one row over, rushed over and hugged them both. “Oh my God! I’m so glad you’re both here!”
Dean hugged her back. “Thank you!” He looked around at all the biggest stars in the industry around him. “And now I’m starting to get really nervous!”
Taylor swatted his arm. “Bitch, please! You have nothing to be worried about.” She kissed both their cheeks and sashayed back to her seat.
Dean’s performance was scheduled for the second half of the show.
Because they had close to ninety minutes before their performance, the dancers could watch the first half of the show from the balcony.
He rushed up to the balcony to check on his crew.
They all brimmed with excitement and were thrilled that Dean came to check on them.
Satisfied that his team was properly cared for, Dean went back down and settled in his seat just as the show began.
“And the Grammy goes to…DJ DVLN.”
The audience erupted in cheers and applause, Dean kissed Colton as the camera panned in close. He stood with a huge smile, stepped onto the stage, and received his statue.
Dean looked at the award. He could hear his team screaming and hooting from the balcony as he leaned into the microphone, his voice shaking. “Wow. My first Grammy,”
He sputtered as a tear slid down his cheek. The audience responded with an ovation of cheers and support as he collected himself and began his speech.
“Thank you to the Academy. Thank you to my amazing team. I couldn’t do any of this without you.
I’d like to thank the fans of dance music all over the world.
We are a culture of love and acceptance, and a good damn party.
The world of dance music doesn’t often receive the respect and attention it deserves in shows like this, so I am immensely proud to be here, to shine a spotlight on the world of dance music.
Personally, I’d like to thank my fans…you little devils.
” Dean smirked, and several sections of the audience erupted in cheers.
“I love making music for you, and I’m so humbled and touched that what I’ve created has resonated with so many of you.
” Dean found Colton in the audience. “Colton…” His voice broke a little.
“Every day, you inspire me to be a better version of myself. You pushed me to never settle for ‘good enough’, to experiment and try new methods and sounds…and this is the result. Without you, I would not be standing here. I love you so much! Thank you.”
As time approached for their performance, everyone gathered backstage and got into costume.
Dean took a moment to look at his crew. They all seemed a bit on edge. “Alright, huddle up everyone,” he announced. Yes, he’d learned from Colton the power of a good team huddle.
Everyone circled up and joined hands. Dean looked around the circle, taking time to make eye contact with each dancer. “I can tell you’re all anxious. Hell, after seeing who’s here, I’m fucking stressed too.” Everyone chuckled nervously.
“You are the most talented people I’ve ever met.
We’ve done this thousands of times. We’ve got this.
I hate to use the tired old cliché, but we’re a team…
and we have each other’s backs out there.
If someone struggles, someone else is there to help.
Yeah? Lift each other up and be there for one another.
Our rehearsals were great, you know how to do this.
So, deep breath…because bitches…we’re about to eat the Grammys! ”
“Yes!” Everyone shouted and clapped their hands and Dean immediately felt the anxiety level diminish.
Everyone remained in their little circle, waiting for showtime. Other artists, their backup crews and handlers, also milled around backstage.
Jax looked over Sean’s shoulder, his eyes wide as saucers. “Ahh!” he shrieked. “Beyoncé!”
Everyone whipped around, looking in the direction of Jax’s shriek, just as Beyoncé herself stopped and turned toward them. Dressed in her white and rhinestone cowboy chic, she paused for a beat, then smirked and walked over to Jax.
Jax, overcome with emotion, placed a hand over his heart, his chest rising and falling, his breathing fast and erratic.
“What’s your name, darlin’?” she cooed at Jax, her voice smooth as silk.
“Um, J-Jax. I-I’m a backup dancer for Dean, I mean DJ DVLN,” he stammered.
She reached out and shook Jax’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Jax. Break a leg. I’ll be watching.”
“T-Thank you, Miss…Bee. It’s nice to meet you too.”
She chuckled and lightly patted his cheek. “Relax, baby, this is the fun part.” She winked at everyone and strutted back to her crew.
Jax let out a dramatic exhale as everyone tightened around him.
“Bitch, you just met Beyoncé!” Sean shout whispered, and everyone giggled like schoolgirls.
Dean took his spot behind the deck and waited for his introduction as Taylor walked to the center stage microphone and began.
“Good evening. It is my privilege to introduce tonight’s final nominee for Song of the Year…the first of what I’m sure will be many, many nominations. He’s an insanely talented artist, one of my best friends, and the nicest person you’ll ever meet. Please welcome, DJ DVLN!”
***
Colton
The performance began with a thick beat, flashing lights, and the silhouette of Dean’s face and body on huge video screens. The lights came up on Dean behind the deck in a silver jacket.
He mixed through a series of short snippets of his biggest hits, then set the main song in motion.
Suddenly, two smokestacks spouted into the air on each side of the decks with a whoosh, and Dean flew straight up into the air, landing on stage in front of the deck amongst his dance troupe.
While the audience applauded, David and Nelly removed his jacket, which contained the aerial harness, as the remaining dancers gyrated to the beat in front.
Dean stepped forward to join his troupe and began to sing and dance.
As usual, he was a master showman…a perfect combination of Beyoncé and Mick Jagger.
Prior to the performance, Dean had been informed that he and his troupe could not perform shirtless. So, what did he do? He put them all in their signature tight black pants, no shirt, leather suspenders, and tiny little disco-ball pasties over their nipples.