“I’ll help you out. We’ll talk about the scene, you’ll advise me on who to look at. Then when you start school, you can take business classes to learn the other side of this. What do you think? Will youhelpme?”
Zoey was floored. Working in A&R sounded like a dream come true. Immediately, her mind raced through all the LA bands she knew as she tried to think of one that was perfect for him to back as his first labelartist.
“I can’t come up with anything. Every band I know has a pretty big problem. Take Tan Lines tonight at The Whiskey. They’re a great band, but their drummer just has no life to him. It’s like he’s just going through the motions, and it really affects their music. They’ve done great so far, but without changing him, I don’t see how they’d get anyfurther.”
“You see, that’s what I’m talking about. How many people do you think realized that tonight? I’ll tell you, maybe a handful tops. And I also think you’re right about the scene, which is why I have another idea. I’m putting a new bandtogether.”
“What do you mean? Like a boy band? Just no freaking way. I can’t help youthere.”
Richard laughed. “No, a rock band. There was this band up in Seattle which was amazing. Unfortunately, they had some problems and lost their singer to heroin. Eventually they decided it was too much for them to consider finding a new vocalist, so they gave up and called it quits. I don’t know if you ever heard of the band Mother, but that's who I'm talkingabout.”
“Actually, I have. Some of the guys I know have seen them in concert and told me how they kick ass. That’s a shame they split up though. What are you goingtodo?”
“I spoke with two of their members, Matt and Stone Murdock, their guitarist and bassist. They're brothers. They’re on board with forming a new band, so now I only need a singer and drums, but those two slots are so important that if I don't find the right two people, this will never take off. I’m pretty sure I can convince Cade to leave Tan Lines for this new band. I’ve seen him perform a lot lately, he’s bored and I think hewantsmore.”
Zoey thought about her brief talk with Cade about Richard Black and could tell he was ready to give anythingatry.
“So that leaves me with drums. If I can’t find the right guy, then the whole thing is a bust. Do you know of any drummers who can really play?” Richardasked.
She didn’t need any time to think. “Yes, I actually do. I just heard him a few nights ago. Cade even wanted him to join TanLines.”
“Who is he? Do I know the bandhe’swith?”
“No, they’re a small band and he’s the only one worth anything in it," she said. “He’s really talented though. His name is JudeMorrison.”
