My final round is with Genelle and, just like Raleigh mentioned, she has a determined look on her face and a full camera crew with her. Deciding not to be intimidated by the only thought-provoking questions of the evening, I put on a smile and greet her with as much enthusiasm as I can.
“Ms. Cienski,” I begin. “I’m so happy to see you here tonight. I thought you got moved out to LA.”
“I’m just following the hottest story,” Genelle says innocently. Offering her signature Cheshire cat grin, she senses the gamewe’re about to play. I can practically feel Raleigh’s steely gaze on us.
Genelle skips the rest of the pleasantries and hops right into her first question, “At this point, Mae, it’s no secret that you and Wyatt Lucas are together. I don’t see him here tonight. Is everything going alright between the two of you?”
I look straight into the camera, wishing Wyatt was in front of me so I could tell him my truth as well. “Wyatt isn’t here tonight because he’s preparing for a very important game, but of course I wish he could be here tonight. He’s a big Midland fan, growing up in Texas and all that. I was hoping to introduce him, but I’m sure there will be time for that in the future.”
“Well, I’m sure he’s tuning in from California tonight.” Genelle’s fake grin shrinks as she goes into her next question about tonight’s performance. “We know that you are on the performance list tonight. A lot of people suspect you’ll be singing something from your latest album, ‘Let It All Burn,’ but we’ve heard the rumors that you’re singing something completely new. Can you speak to that?”
I smile into the camera again and shrug my shoulders. “My lips are sealed,” I joke.
“But it’s about him?” Genelle asks, her eyes growing wide in wonder.
I laugh in response, “I’ll leave the speculation up to my fans. I’ll just say that I hope everyone, no matter what stage of life they are in, can get something out of my performance.”
“How intriguing,” Genelle says into the camera before turning back to me.
“I do have one more thing to ask you about, Mae. If it’s too personal, you don’t have to go into it.” I squirm, but try not to let my veil of confidence crack. “Recently, the story of your upbringing was brought back into the spotlight after your mother was admitted into a rehab facility. Our team at theNashville Reporter wants to know your side of the story. We haven’t seen you make a statement.”
Beyond Genelle’s cameraman, Raleigh stares at me, waving her arms and shaking her head, but it’s something I’ve never been ashamed to speak on. “Listen, my upbringing is no secret. If you listen to my debut album, the whole story is in the music. As for what happened in Baton Rouge a few weeks ago, I’m just proud that my mother is finally taking a step toward healing. I will always be open to having a relationship with her and, again, I’m just proud of her.”
Something flicks inside Genelle, and a true, genuine smile that I didn’t know she was capable of appears. “And we are so truly happy for you, Mae. It has been an honor watching your career and your life blossom these past few years. Thank you for speaking with us this evening and good luck.”
We depart with a slight embrace, and I’m left with a different perspective on the crackshot journalist from the Nashville Reporter.
***
The first half of the night goes perfectly. I’ve been able to reconnect with a few friends and sing along with them to their songs and those of our peers. I sat through an uncomfortable Trenton Travis performance of his new single. A song that is so obviously about me that I could feel the stares of others in the room during his segment. I had to repeatedly tell myself it was fine; it’s his life, his art, and he can do what he damn well pleases. I made it through without crying and only minimal nail biting.
As the host, Trenton’s been presenting multiple awards but thankfully none that I’ve won. If I winVocalist of the Year,I will have to face him, but I will cross that bridge when I get there.
My good friend Kelsea handed me the award forSingle of the YearandSong of the Year,and I had the honor of presenting Theresa withInstrumentalist of the Year. I think I was more happy for her than for my own awards.
Now, as I look over at my champion fiddle player, I take in the brief minute of calm before the performance. As the band and I wait in our places behind a large, moveable wall, I take a moment to give them all a supportive nod. The song itself is nothing crazy production-wise; it needs the piano and the lyrics need to breathe. Still, I couldn’t imagine not having my band up here for this moment, so we added a few more guitars, some violin, and a light percussion backbeat. I’m excited to release the studio version alongside a piano version at the end of the night.
From beyond, I hear Trenton introduce us and, though I hate to hear his voice, I’m thankful I don’t have to see him. “For the first time, ladies and gentlemen, this is Mae Evans performing her new song, ‘Flickers of Light.’”
I push my in-ears into place, and the audience’s applause drowns out as I make the count and press my fingers down on the keys. Soon there’s nothing but my band, my piano, and my voice. I get so lost in the sensation of performing this song for the first time that I don’t even feel it come to an end until Theresa breaks me from my trance by pulling me from the bench to take our signature bows. In the unexpected movement, my right in-ear falls to my shoulder. The resounding crash of the audience is abrupt and, quite frankly, shocking.
I feel my mouth drop open as I focus on the crowd and notice everyone standing.
A standing ovation.
A standing ovation at theCountry Music City Awards.
I don’t think this has ever happened.
The applause seeps over our slot, so they cut to commercial. We all wrap ourselves around each other and half-cry, half-scream in victory. I can tell this meant as much to the group as it did to me and that’s what the song is all about.
As we break apart, the person I’ve been trying my hardest to avoid for months appears. Awaiting the queue for the end of the commercial, an assistant holds a straw up to his lips while he checks his phone. Unfortunately for me, he notices me looking. An overwhelming grin appears, and he leaves his assistant without saying so much as a thank you. I feel my drummer, Joe, stiffen beside me as he moves to step in front of me.
“Down boy!” Trenton says, laughing. He turns to me immediately, and I want to melt to the floor and never stand in his presence again. “Good job out there! I’m excited to fight you on the streaming charts tonight, assuming you release your single at the end of the show like I will.”
I lose my words as the nights we spent watching the charts together come roaring back to me. “I… it will be out.”
Trenton just keeps smiling at me, looking me up and down. He lost that privilege a long time ago so I turn to leave, but he grabs my arm, gluing me to the spot. Everyone in my party is shocked by this – so shocked that nobody makes a move.
