PRT 356- “The Break Up Part 2”
“Our next performer is most
recognized at the other half of The Wreakers or the bassist for my own band, however she’s recently been in the spotlight for her
own music. She’s a great artist with a big heart and I think she’s going to
completely blow up the country music scene. Please, help me welcome Serena
Shields!” I said as Serena came on-stage and took the mic from me.
“Thanks for coming out everyone. I
have to say, I was scared to death to go solo, but the response has been
completely overwhelming and welcoming. I don’t really want to address the
Starlight power struggle as my label mates have. I am friends with both Mina
and Michelle and I’m sure that in the end everything will work out for the
best. They are both smart and savvy business women that know what they are
doing. I really just want to get to the music. My album will be out this summer
and it’s called ‘A Woman Needs’. This song is the first single from that album
and it’s called ‘Boy Like Me’. Hope you like it.”
Serena said as she started her song.
I was pleased with how Serena
handled her intro. I felt better by the time she finished her song and was
happy when I went on stage to intro our last performer.
“Starlight is always looking for
talent from all genres of music and we are pleased to welcome a close friend
and amazing New Age artist to our line up. She’s known the world over for her
amazing melodies, emotive instrumentation, and magical vocals. From
instrumental pieces to vocalized songs this artist is second to none. Please,
help me in welcoming Ms. Michele Waters.”
Michele walked on stage with her
violin.
“Thank you Michelle. My transition
from my old record label into the Starlight family has been quite a ride,
including tonight’s surprise announcement. Regarding the transition in the
Starlight family, I’m sure we will come through this. Above all I am honored to
be a part of this label and to have the chance to continue to share my art with
all of my beloved fans. Thank you so much for the support. Tonight I’d like to
share a piece with you from one of my early albums. It’s called “Caribbean
Blue” and I think it’s the perfect piece to get into summer with.” Michele said
as she started her song.
“Everything seems to be going
well.” RJ said as he walked over to me.
“Yeah, so far…but we haven’t
gotten to the press conference yet. I’m nervous about that…especially with
Raye’s big mouth.” I said.
“You can’t silence her. It won’t
look good. In fact letting her speak her mind might actually make you look more
caring.”
“Hmm, you’re right. You’re getting
good at this RJ.”
“I have had a good teacher MJ.”
After Michele’s performance we all
went on stage for our press conference.
“Again, I want to thank everyone
for coming tonight and once more I want to introduce each of our artists. We
have
“Michelle, can you tell us what
your disagreement with Mina was about?”
“I would really rather not. It’s
personal and I think it’s best we keep it between us.”
I replied.
“Raye, you’ve shown
dissatisfaction with the changes in Starlight Records. Will you be leaving the
label?”
Raye shook her head, “I have a
contract I intend to honor.”
“Michele…Waters, what made you
leave your long time record label and join Starlight Records?”
“I’ve been friends with Michelle
and the others for many, many years and so when my contract was up it seemed
like a natural move. I have no ill will towards my old label,
I simply felt it was time for a change and that Starlight was the next step.”
Michele said.
“
“Of course. The thing with the last album was that it had a really
strong lead single and that helped the album a lot. The lead single off this
one just wasn’t as strong, but that is nobody’s fault but my own. I chose the
single and chose to pursue promotion other than filming a video. That is one of
the things I love about Starlight Records. Michelle makes suggestions but at
the end of the day the artist gets to make their own call. I made a few bad
calls and the album suffered. But we’re only on the first single and the album
did go into the top 20, which is nothing to sneeze at.”
“Serena, your new single continues
to climb the charts. It’s also a rare song that wasn’t written by a member of
the Starlight family. What drew you to the song?”
“It’s catchy. The first time I
heard it I knew I wanted to record it. It’s not who I am at all but that’s part
of why I like it. It’s fun, it’s a great song. I have other songs on my album I
did write that represent me, as a person, much more…but this song is just so
fun.” Serena said.
“
“Maybe when the
time is right.” Raye replied.
“Michelle, a woman claiming to be
your sister has been in the press recently. Is she your sister and if so do you
plan to accept her into your family?”
“Yes, it’s true that a woman named
Miranda Kyle is claiming to be my ½ sister. I have agreed to a DNA test we’re
waiting for the results of. If she is indeed my sister then I want to get to
know her as I did when I found out Tommy and David were
my brothers.” I replied.
“Raye, before you sang just a
moment ago, you were very outspoken about your dissatisfaction in the split of
Michelle and Mina. Do you have anything else to add on the matter?”
“Not really. I said it all
already. I think it’s a mistake. I think they are being childish. In the end
the company will suffer. The worst part is their ending a friendship over petty
power plays and childish antics. As I told Michelle a while ago, I don’t blame
just one of them nor am I more upset at one than the other. There is enough
anger to go around and I think they are both to blame.”
“Michelle, will Raye’s outspokenness
affect her contract with Starlight?”
“Absolutely not. We have always encouraged our artists to be themselves and
speak their minds regardless of my own personal feelings. Raye is free to say
what she feels. There are no consequences for that.” I said.
“Michele…and Michelle…when can we
expect a new album from either of you?”
I laughed, “You can answer this
first.”
Michele nodded, “I just released
an album late last year. What do you people want?” She laughed, “I’m always
working on my music and anyone that has followed my career knows that my albums
come out when they come out. As an artist of many forms, I do whatever I feel
at the time, be it my music, painting, or something else entirely. Recently
I’ve focused on my painting but I am always working on my music. Hopefully I’ll
have a new album out in the next year or two. Until then I look forward to
sharing my paintings and current music in live performances.”
“And as for me, I am actually in
the process of recording a new album right now. Of course my band has their own
projects going on so it’s a bit of a process getting it together, but I do hope
to have the album out late this year or sometime next year.” I said.
“Serena and
Raye, why are you each doing solo albums as opposed to another Wreakers album?”
“You want to take this?” Serena
asked.
“You can.” Raye said.
Serena nodded, “It was the right
thing to so. We each had our own ideas that were coming together creatively and
so we decided to each do an album.”
“That doesn’t mean we’ll never do
another Wreakers album. That project was amazing and I can totally see us doing
a follow up, but right now doing solo albums feels
right.” Raye said.
“And while we’re on that subject I
want to thank all the Wreakers fans for being so completely supportive of both
of our solo projects.” Serena added.
Raye nodded, “Oh absolutely. Our
fans are the best around and they have been nothing but supportive. We really
can’t thank you enough for that.”
“
“That brings me to a question.
Michelle, Lita Stevens is in your band and the only member of your band never
offered a recording contract with Starlight Records. Why is that?”
“It’s not that she wasn’t offered, it’s that she’s not interested. Lita is my drummer and
she’s done a few acting roles, but for the most part she’s happy to run her
bakery out of the spotlight. I respect that and am glad she’s happy. If she
ever changes her mind and wants to record an album she has an open invitation
to do so.” I replied.
“Anyone can answer this question.
Does Mina selling her half of Starlight mean she no longer has a record deal?
And also, who will play guitar on Michelle’s album now?”
“Care to answer Michelle?” Raye snarked.
I sighed, “Yes, that does mean
Mina has no affiliation with Starlight, including a record deal. As for the new
guitarist, there isn’t one yet. All of this just happened. In the next few days
I will know more about her replacement in the band.”
“Michelle, you’ve been in the
press a lot lately with rumors of infidelity and your ex-husband writing a
book. Do you have any comments on either of those issues?”
“I have nothing more to say about
the rumors. I love my husband and he knows that. Anything else I say will just
be misconstrued or not believed. People will believe what they want regardless
of what I say on the matter. As for Jon’s book, I’ve been promised that he will
show me the same respect I showed him when I wrote my book and I trust him so
I’m really not concerned about it.” I said.
“
“It’s more like what brought me
back to country. I was raised in a small town where country music was the music
of the people. When I grew up and left home I rebelled against everything that
reminded me of home, including the music. I got into rock music and thought I
wanted to be a rock star. I completely failed and ended up at Raye’s
Grandfather’s
“And that will conclude the Q
&A part of the evening. Thank you for the wonderful questions and I want to
personally thank each of our artists here tonight. Please continue to help
yourselves to the buffet and enjoy the rest of the evening.” I said.
“Good job everyone.” I said when
we were backstage.
“Yeah,
whatever.” Raye said.
“Come on Raye, let’s go get some
food.” Serena said.
Raye made a face, “Fine.”
“Don’t worry Michelle,
I’m sure she’ll come around.”
I sighed, “We’ll see.”
“I’m going to go up front.”
“Yeah, of
course. Have fun.”
When it was just Michele and I she
put her hand on my shoulder.
“It will work out.” She said.
“You really think so?” I asked.
“Of course. It always does. Besides, you have a wonderful husband and
your friends.”
“You’re right. Thanks.”
“Any time. Are you going to be ok? I want to find Amara.”
I nodded, “Yeah, go.”
I went and sat down. I didn’t feel
like mingling with people right now. I sat against a wall and pulled my knees
to my chest then rested my forehead on my knees. I didn’t like this but it was
for the best. I was pulled from my thoughts when I felt an arm around me. I
lifted my head and saw RJ.
“Hey MJ, you ok?” he asked.
I nodded and leaned against him,
“Yeah, I will be.”
“Good.”
“You know I love right? I love you
more than anything in the world.”
“I love you too.”
“Do you think I made a mistake?”
“No, I don’t. I think you did what
you felt you had to do at the time.”
“RJ, you are the best.”
“I do what I can. You should go
back up there.”
“In a minute. Just hold me for a second.”
“You got it.” RJ said as he
wrapped his arms around me tighter. In that moment I realized again how lucky I
was. I was so in love with a man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and
I did have friends to support me. I’d get past the drama like I always did and
everything would be alright.