Billy's music journeys began slowly to establish a fan base in Chicago, impressionable, but not of the range that Atlanta Records desired. The cold was one of the common congestions, so the wait was just a time for proactive work.
In the small New York building, payments were made in advance, checks for the band members. Each received $5000 for their participation—very little! But also a lot, as the record label took care of the expenses, and they only played for an audience. They may not have earned enough, but at least they seemed content with the check, which would surely help them in future difficulties.
-That's all, gentlemen. You can go, - said Jerry Wrexler, checking the time. - Your flight leaves in an hour. I hope you enjoy California as much as you can. And you, Spencer, the driver will take you to your block. Be safe, son, - he said, shaking hands with the rest of the band while Billy sat aside, playing an electric guitar.
-Thank you for the tour, - Spencer said from the side to Jerry Wexler, and Billy overheard the two elders discussing many things about the future that lay ahead for each of them.
-So what will you do? Will you go back with Spencer? - Billy asked.
Connor nodded without further ado. - I'll improve on the drums. Now I can play for six hours straight, - the boy replied with some intrigue, a challenge proposed upon seeing Billy's advancing talent was like a rocket taking off and never ceasing to cover the distance between them. Earthly talent was now even being acclaimed by Ahmet Atergun, who was initially unaware of the brute talent of the boy, considered him a good composer, secondly an average singer, and now thinks of him as a prospect for the star of the industry.
-We'll meet again soon, Connor. Try to keep up with me. Master Spencer is a great teacher, - Billy said, unsure of what else to say. The hotel was quiet again as Local H left in the morning and Roy Elffen stayed behind to sort out a few issues. Billy was now in the sights of new record labels, and the first thing they tried to investigate was the duration of the contract, the second was whether they could make a purchase. Unfortunately, Jerry Blindo tailored both the contract for Billy and the record label. Breach of contract was a ridiculous thing not worth breaking.
Only crazy thoughts ran through Billy's mind about the future that awaited him as a singer, planning a detailed plan. His next move was to continue training in music as he had done for the past few months.
The building of Atlanta Records was now in sight, and one thing that couldn't escape Billy's prodigious mind was that it was now a common norm for songs to be downloadable since the emergence of the Napster platform. The implied idea of people gathering in many places to download songs. How to combat that? It was impossible to fight against the internet, in Billy's opinion. If you can't beat them, join them. Be a part of that small place in your heart and go with the flow.
Trying to improve his guitar skills, Billy saw Jerry arrive, looking pensive. Something very normal for him, it was even fun to see the old man, annoyed by the smallest details of life.
-Is something wrong, old man? - Billy said, Jerry wanted to contradict him, but he was tired of being reminded to call him old. He sighed; it was better to save his energy for a scolding that was worth it.
-You should watch your language; we have an important meeting you need to participate in, - Jerry said.
Jerry led him to the boss of bosses, and not far behind, Roy Elffen joined them out of pure curiosity, something that was not in Jerry's plans—this he thought—couldn't be dismissed. Roy brought money, together with Ahmet, it was better that both could join, as it would only propel Billy's career. Upon entering the meeting space, he saw Michael Ocklas, an advisor, assistant, and soon-to-be producer, and unfortunately, what many would call Jerry's illegitimate son.
-Michael, was everything good? - Jerry asked.
-Fine, fine, Dad, although the gusts delayed the flights, there were no complications, - Michael Ocklas replied. He was a Jerry more similar than he expected, a living image of him in his youth, hair combed to one side, the same demeanor, the same wrinkles, the same receding hairline, and characteristic eyebrows, all from the same mold as Jerry, except for the ears.
-Don't call me 'Dad' at work, - Jerry said in a low voice. - Take a seat, Billy. We have something important to discuss. -
Billy raised an eyebrow; the body language of the old men seemed like another reprimand, but in the last 15 days, he had been a good Christian.
-Nice to meet you! I'm Michael Oclkas, who will function as your agent, representing Jerry, who prefers to focus his efforts on another area that may be more profitable, - Michael said.
-As Michael said, now what remains is the next step... defining your future. I want to define your future and see what the next steps are in your private, family, social, business, and interview practices. We need to train you to respond well to the cameras and avoid saying things that are not allowed. It's better now that you have nothing scheduled until February. However, do we wish to hear your thoughts? What do you want for your future? Do you have plans? Any other hobbies besides music? - Jerry Wrexler said, in a collective nod.
Afterward, the eyes of the four elders turned to Billy with curiosity. Roy understood that he might have been surplus to the meeting, but now he wished to get to know the boy who had been causing sensations at all the music concerts. They saw Billy take breaths; he was somewhat different, more timid than usual. Only Jerry noticed.
-Three things. I want to learn to box, just as a hobby to stay fit in a way that doesn't involve playing a team sport, but I don't see myself doing anything else. I'm not good with subjects, so I just want to finish high school with enough honors to get a diploma. I think studying music would be good, but I don't want to confine myself to academics. I think I'd like to learn to play the piano, guitar, and DJ turntables to satisfy my curiosity, and maybe create a record with electronic music. I see it as an interesting genre, - Billy said, finishing enunciating all his intimate desires. But deep down in his heart, there was another desire: to be an actor. However, realizing that his music improvement was glorious and had quickly reached most people in unrelated areas, it was fatal.
The keyword was "unrelated." He was good with languages and spoke better Spanish than before, an effect of singing in Spanish, one that he would take advantage of. Another language he could use for learning was Portuguese, French, Italian, and perhaps Japanese. After all, getting involved with the anime industry sounded fabulous. He would start with dubbing, with his powerful voice capable of imitating even some voices, it would be a piece of cake for him to do a dubbing course.
-I would like to do dubbing. I think I have what it takes for that! I speak Spanish and English perfectly, and, well, I mean, I'm good with languages, and a dubbing course could be good for my career as a future project, you know, to diversify my image, - Billy replied, with some memories of how and why he should be an actor in this life, even if he was just a vase. He didn't care to be the handsome guy, the playboy, or the one who was only there for his smile. Screw it all; if he was going to be an actor, he might as well be a commercial movie actor. In his previous life always wanted to be an actor; now he had the fame of music shortly; people like Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Selena Gomez... all were actors, even The Weeknd dabbled in that field. He could do it and be the handsome guy of Hollywood.
Billy's resolution began to be clearer as he saw his future self. He just needed to move forward and do things as he should. He could take songs in seconds and record them in seconds, no matter from what angle he did it, he could do whatever he wanted as long as they allowed him to do it.
-All are good ideas. We'll start with your tutor at home, who is already set. You'll have a piano and guitar instructor every afternoon after your private classes and on weekends. You'll take interviews like Michael. I hope you can keep up with the lifestyle. If you're polite, you can graduate in two years, and once you do, I'll enroll you in an acting course. Do you agree, son? - Jerry asked, noting down Billy's preferences and dislikes.
-Yes, sir, - said Billy.
-In June, you'll have concerts galore. I hope you can give the title you prefer, - Jerry said, enjoying a good justification for leading the young man down the right path. He was bad at studies, clear to both Agustina and himself, but a prodigy in music. They just needed to assign him a gentle teacher for his studies and a strict one for music.
-I'll sing. In six months, I'll be twice as good as I am now. However, I can take some shifts at bars. I prefer singing in front of an audience, right, - said Billy.
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