The Road so Far (5/?)
Title: The Road So Far (5/?)
Author: Disneymagics
Rating: T (for boy kissing/cuddling and language)
Characters: Jared/Jensen, Christian, Osric, Aldis, Misha, Chad, Jeffrey Dean, Kim Rhodes
Genre: RPF, AU Boy Band, Hurt/Comfort
Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me, mores the pity
Summary: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, CEO of Star Struck Records, decides the time is right for a new boy band. They hold auditions and select the band members they believe will meet their formula for success. This is the story of the trial and tribulations they encounter along the way to super stardom.
A/N: Hi! Thanks for reading this little boy band adventure. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am. Any suggestions will be gratefully received!
Chapter 3 continued
Tahmoh’s words struck a cord with Jared. They made a lot of sense, although the man himself seemed more like a self-help guru than a band manager, at least first-impression-wise.
Jared’s strength was his people skills, and Osric had said he had a hard time speaking to people. That meant he needed to figure out ways to help Osric develop his stage presence. Take the kid under his wing, so to speak. Yeah, he could do that.
Samantha sat forward, hands on her knees. “Okay, next let’s discuss some band business. There are decisions to be made, important ones, and you’ll need to make them together. Everyone needs to be in agreement.” She looked them each in the eye before continuing. “Disagreements between band members will tear you apart faster than you can say, ‘I used to be in a band’. Remember that.”
Jared nodded, noticing that the others did as well. That was a good sign.
“First of all, you’ll need a name for your band,” Samantha said. “The name you choose has to be one you’re all happy with.”
“Yes, so choose wisely,” Tahmoh mimed drinking from a cup.
It must have clicked with Christian mere seconds before it clicked with Jared because Christian beat him to pointing at Tahmoh and saying. “I get what you did there, man. Indian Jones and the Last Crusade. Am I right? The Holy Grail. Right?”
Tahmoh leaned back, lips quirking into a pleased smile.
“Every time,” Samantha muttered, but she was smiling, too. “If you’re done quoting movies from the eighties….Next, you’re going to have to decide what kind of music you’re going to sing. Traditionally, bands like yours sing pop. But, you could decide you want rap influences.” She looked at Taboo. “Or country influences. “She looked at Christian. Or hip-hop, or R & B, or rock. You’ll also need to decide where your music is going to come from. Will you write it yourself or will be hire someone to write it for you. Do any of you have song-writing experience?”
Taboo and Christian both raised their hands.
Samatha nodded, “I thought I remembered seeing that in your resumes. Would you like to continue writing?”
“I would,” Taboo said.
“Same here,” Christian added.
“Good, I’m always in favor of my bands developing their own music. It’s more personal that way, and the fans seem to know it. Of course, time is of the essence, and you may be too busy training to get any song writing done at first. I’m thinking we should purchase a couple songs to begin with and see how it goes from there. Would that be alright?” Samantha raised her eyebrows slightly, giving the impression that she really cared about their opinions.
“Can we think about it?” Aldis asked. “Shouldn’t we talk it over before we make any decisions?”
“Good point, Aldis. Proves you’ve been listening. That leads me to the next topic, though. If I know Mr. Jeffery Dean Morgan, and I think I do,” Tahmoh quipped. “He didn’t give you much information about your upcoming schedules.”
Jared thought back to the brief huddle with the CEO of Star Struck Records. “He said things would start moving fast.”
“Yeah, and something about radio interviews and talk shows, “Osric chimed in, sweeping a hand through his straight black hair.
“He didn’t mention anything about when you’re to start training?” Samantha asked.
They all shook their heads, and Aldis added a “Nope,” just in case there was any confusion.
Samantha sighed. “Typical.”
Tahmoh just smiled serenely. “So, here’s the deal, your singing coach and dance instructor will be here every day, starting on May 1st. Vocal lessons will start first thing in the morning, from 8:00am to noon. You’ll get an hour break for lunch, and then work with your dance instructor from 1:00pm until 6:00pm. It’s going to be grueling. You’ll have to work hard if you’re going to be ready for your first performance in two months.”
Jared’s thoughts came to a screeching halt on the words ‘two months’. Two months for a brand new band to pick a set list, learn the songs, the dance moves, put it all together? Two months! Was that even possible?
Osric began coughing as though he’d just swallowed his tongue.
“What the fuck do you mean May 1st!” Taboo snarled. “That’s only ten days away. I have a job in LA, several actually. How do you expect me to get all my stuff packed up, give notice at the clubs, and move here in only ten days?”
Jared dismissed any of that as a problem for himself. He didn’t have that much stuff in his tiny apartment in Orlando, and as for REI, he wouldn’t feel bad about giving them less than two weeks notice after all the times they’d cut his hours or called him in at the last minute to work a weekend shift.
“Hol’ up a minute,” Aldis said in his deep, resonant voice. “Did I just hear you say we had to be ready to perform in two months.”
“Yeah, that,” Jared pointed at Aldis. How can we be ready in two months when we don’t even have a name for our band yet?”
Reaching around Tahmoh to pat Osric, who hadn’t stopped coughing yet, on the back, Samantha said, “I know. It’s a crappy way to start you boys off. But the studio execs have their reasons.”
Christian sat forward, elbows braced on his knees. “Yeah, and just what might those be?”
Samantha pursed her lips at his tone, but let it slide. “They think they have to strike while the iron is hot. You’ll get some media attention from the live stream of the results show today, but you’ll be forgotten quickly if you don’t get out there with more content. That’s why they started booking gigs for you before they even knew who ‘you’ were.”
“You mean, they want us back in the public eye as soon as possible, while people still remember who we are. That’s why we already have radio and talk show interviews lined up and a gig booked. They did all that before they even picked who was going to be in the band.” Christian said.
“Bingo!” Tahmoh’s smile was gone as soon as it appeared. “Now, I’m going to tell you guys something as your manager. It’s in your best interests to do everything you can to give a stellar performance in two months. Work hard. Work until you don’t think you can possibly sing another note or take another step, and then work ever harder. Because whether you take off as a band or fizzle out before you even get started could all depend on this first show. It comes down to how much you want it. Do you have the grit it takes to succeed? From here on out, it’s all up to you.”
As far as pep talks went, it was a pretty good one. Any misgivings Jared felt were replaced by a steely determination. He’d never been put off by hard work. And he liked a challenge. This felt like the mother of all challenges. Challenge accepted. He looked around and saw an answering resolve in the other boys’ eyes.
Samantha gave Osric’s back a final pat. “Right. I think you boys have got enough to think about for now. Let’s take a break from all the talking and I’ll show you around the house.”
They all stood up. Jared stretched until his back gave a satisfying pop.
“Let’s start on the first floor and work our way up”, suggested Samantha as she ushered them all back down the grandiose staircase which had a wide, polished wooden railing that Jared immediately thought would be perfect for sliding down. He ran his hand along the varnished surface, admiring the silky smooth feeling of it.
Once they had all trooped down the stairs, she continued. “As I told you before, this is where the practice rooms are.” A hallway led straight back from the front door, two doors on the right, two on the left, and one all the way at the end. Samantha opened the first door on the right. Inside, there were some chairs, a couple music stands, a podium, and not much else. “This room is where you’ll have vocal instruction.” There were some nods from among the group, but seeing as how the room was sparsely furnished, they all filed past it without comment.
The first room on the left held a small assortment of gym equipment. Jared recognized a NordicTrac and a Bowflex like the ones he used at the Planet Fitness near his apartment. There were also some free weights and yoga mats stacked up against the wall. The machines had some wear and tear on them. So, obviously they wouldn’t be the first to use them.
“Sweet!” said Aldis as he walked all the way into the room and turned around three hundred and sixty degrees to take it all in. “Our own gym.”
Peeking in through the doorway was enough for everyone else.
“The gym is here should you decide you want an extra workout, although, I think you’ll find your daily dance instruction will be workout enough on most days.” Tahmoh said.
“Yeah, five hours a day. I’ve never worked out that long before,” Christian agreed. “Bet we’re all too sore to move after the first day.”
“Speak for yourself, old man,” Aldis teased, flexing his not inconsiderable biceps.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever dude.” Christian’s smile showed that he didn’t take offense at the ribbing, and that was a very good thing. Short tempers wouldn’t help them bond as a group.
Further down the hall on the left was a room with recording equipment. Not enough for a full on studio, but enough to get a feel for how a song would sound once it was all put together with the vocals and instrumentals.
Taboo’s eyes lit up. “Now we’re talking!” he said.
“I thought you might like this room. You and Christian. And anyone else who wants to take a stab at writing or producing music.” Samantha gave Taboo a lingering look.
“Hell yeah.” Taboo’s voice was quieter than his normal speaking volume, almost reverent.
The second door on the right was a bathroom. Nothing special of note in there.
But the final room, the one at the end of the hall, was enormous. The floor was hard wood, just like the rest of the house. A set of speakers and some sound equipment sat against the wall near the door. Other than that, though, the room was empty.
“The dance room,” Tahmoh stated the obvious.
They all walked in and looked around. Jared imagined his new band mates were thinking the same thing he was; there was enough room in here to practice some truly epic choreography. “Wow.”
“You took the words, or rather, the word right out of my mouth, son” Christian said.
“Hey, I’m not that much younger than you.” Jared mock pouted.
“Yeah, I know. But I figure as long as I’m the oldest, I might as well play it up. Maybe it’ll get me a little extra respect.”
“You keep dreamin’, old timer,” Aldis smirked.
Christian jabbed him in the ribs good-naturedly and Aldis pretended to double over.
“Boys will be boys,” Samantha sighed. “Come on you two. You can rough house later. Let’s finish the tour. We still have the upper two floors to go.”
As they climbed the stairs back to the second floor, Jared noticed Osric lagging behind. Maybe this was a good opportunity to connect with the younger band member. Jared slowed his pace until they were side by side. “Hey, so you’re eighteen, huh? That makes you the youngest.”
Osric looked up at him, expression wary. “Yeah, guess so.”
Jared grinned. “That’s cool. I always wanted a younger brother. And ya know, youngest siblings always get away with murder. Play your cards right and you’ll have us all wrapped around your little finger in no time. Especially Christian. He strikes me as a real softie.”
“I heard that,” Christian called over his shoulder.
“I wanted you to,” Jared called back, winking at Osric and lowering his voice. “Just wait and see.”
The tentative grin Osric sent him warmed his heart. “I’m an only child, so…having brothers will be…nice.
At the top of the stairs, Tahmoh said, “As you’ve already seen, this is the living area. There’s a kitchen and a table where you can eat if you want. You’ll be responsible for making your own meals. The TV is connected to wi-fi and gets all the channels you could ever possibly want.”
“I’ve never, uh, I don’t know how to cook,” Osric said in a sheepish voice.
Christian shrugged, “I love cooking. It’s a hobby of mine. I’ll show you. It’s easy. Or you could just have some of whatever I cook. I always make way more than I can eat by myself.”
Jared leaned over and whispered into Osric’s ear, “See, I told you.”
Now, if he could just get Christian to cook for him too, he’d be golden.
An alcove that Jared hadn’t noticed before sat off to the right of the living room area. In it was a bathroom, and another staircase, much less grand than the one connecting the first and second floors, that led to the third floor. They had to go up it single file because it was so narrow.
The uppermost floor held two suites of rooms, one with two beds and one with three beds. The implications were clear.
“Wait, we’re sharing rooms?” Taboo asked. He didn’t sound at all happy.
Tahmoh nodded. “Yes, the house is big, but not big enough to accommodate five separate bedrooms. Not and also have space for the training rooms on the first floor. It hasn’t been a problem for the other boy bands that have lived here. You’ll be living out of each other’s pockets when you start touring anyway. Might as well get used to it now.”
That brought up a point Jared had been wondering about earlier. “How many other bands have lived here?”
“Many, throughout the years, I imagine,” Tahmoh answered. “Star Struck has used this house for other bands they signed. They also lease it out when they don’t have any new bands under contract.”
“Did any of those other bands make it?”
“Do you mean did their names become household words?”
Jared nodded.
Tahmoh’s gaze locked onto his, more serious than he had yet seen his new manager. “No. Some of them enjoyed moderate success, for a while. But none of them rose to the level of success that you probably mean. Not every young band has what it takes.”
There was that challenge again. The one that Jared fully intended to meet.
Author: Disneymagics
Rating: T (for boy kissing/cuddling and language)
Characters: Jared/Jensen, Christian, Osric, Aldis, Misha, Chad, Jeffrey Dean, Kim Rhodes
Genre: RPF, AU Boy Band, Hurt/Comfort
Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me, mores the pity
Summary: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, CEO of Star Struck Records, decides the time is right for a new boy band. They hold auditions and select the band members they believe will meet their formula for success. This is the story of the trial and tribulations they encounter along the way to super stardom.
A/N: Hi! Thanks for reading this little boy band adventure. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am. Any suggestions will be gratefully received!
Chapter 3 continued
Tahmoh’s words struck a cord with Jared. They made a lot of sense, although the man himself seemed more like a self-help guru than a band manager, at least first-impression-wise.
Jared’s strength was his people skills, and Osric had said he had a hard time speaking to people. That meant he needed to figure out ways to help Osric develop his stage presence. Take the kid under his wing, so to speak. Yeah, he could do that.
Samantha sat forward, hands on her knees. “Okay, next let’s discuss some band business. There are decisions to be made, important ones, and you’ll need to make them together. Everyone needs to be in agreement.” She looked them each in the eye before continuing. “Disagreements between band members will tear you apart faster than you can say, ‘I used to be in a band’. Remember that.”
Jared nodded, noticing that the others did as well. That was a good sign.
“First of all, you’ll need a name for your band,” Samantha said. “The name you choose has to be one you’re all happy with.”
“Yes, so choose wisely,” Tahmoh mimed drinking from a cup.
It must have clicked with Christian mere seconds before it clicked with Jared because Christian beat him to pointing at Tahmoh and saying. “I get what you did there, man. Indian Jones and the Last Crusade. Am I right? The Holy Grail. Right?”
Tahmoh leaned back, lips quirking into a pleased smile.
“Every time,” Samantha muttered, but she was smiling, too. “If you’re done quoting movies from the eighties….Next, you’re going to have to decide what kind of music you’re going to sing. Traditionally, bands like yours sing pop. But, you could decide you want rap influences.” She looked at Taboo. “Or country influences. “She looked at Christian. Or hip-hop, or R & B, or rock. You’ll also need to decide where your music is going to come from. Will you write it yourself or will be hire someone to write it for you. Do any of you have song-writing experience?”
Taboo and Christian both raised their hands.
Samatha nodded, “I thought I remembered seeing that in your resumes. Would you like to continue writing?”
“I would,” Taboo said.
“Same here,” Christian added.
“Good, I’m always in favor of my bands developing their own music. It’s more personal that way, and the fans seem to know it. Of course, time is of the essence, and you may be too busy training to get any song writing done at first. I’m thinking we should purchase a couple songs to begin with and see how it goes from there. Would that be alright?” Samantha raised her eyebrows slightly, giving the impression that she really cared about their opinions.
“Can we think about it?” Aldis asked. “Shouldn’t we talk it over before we make any decisions?”
“Good point, Aldis. Proves you’ve been listening. That leads me to the next topic, though. If I know Mr. Jeffery Dean Morgan, and I think I do,” Tahmoh quipped. “He didn’t give you much information about your upcoming schedules.”
Jared thought back to the brief huddle with the CEO of Star Struck Records. “He said things would start moving fast.”
“Yeah, and something about radio interviews and talk shows, “Osric chimed in, sweeping a hand through his straight black hair.
“He didn’t mention anything about when you’re to start training?” Samantha asked.
They all shook their heads, and Aldis added a “Nope,” just in case there was any confusion.
Samantha sighed. “Typical.”
Tahmoh just smiled serenely. “So, here’s the deal, your singing coach and dance instructor will be here every day, starting on May 1st. Vocal lessons will start first thing in the morning, from 8:00am to noon. You’ll get an hour break for lunch, and then work with your dance instructor from 1:00pm until 6:00pm. It’s going to be grueling. You’ll have to work hard if you’re going to be ready for your first performance in two months.”
Jared’s thoughts came to a screeching halt on the words ‘two months’. Two months for a brand new band to pick a set list, learn the songs, the dance moves, put it all together? Two months! Was that even possible?
Osric began coughing as though he’d just swallowed his tongue.
“What the fuck do you mean May 1st!” Taboo snarled. “That’s only ten days away. I have a job in LA, several actually. How do you expect me to get all my stuff packed up, give notice at the clubs, and move here in only ten days?”
Jared dismissed any of that as a problem for himself. He didn’t have that much stuff in his tiny apartment in Orlando, and as for REI, he wouldn’t feel bad about giving them less than two weeks notice after all the times they’d cut his hours or called him in at the last minute to work a weekend shift.
“Hol’ up a minute,” Aldis said in his deep, resonant voice. “Did I just hear you say we had to be ready to perform in two months.”
“Yeah, that,” Jared pointed at Aldis. How can we be ready in two months when we don’t even have a name for our band yet?”
Reaching around Tahmoh to pat Osric, who hadn’t stopped coughing yet, on the back, Samantha said, “I know. It’s a crappy way to start you boys off. But the studio execs have their reasons.”
Christian sat forward, elbows braced on his knees. “Yeah, and just what might those be?”
Samantha pursed her lips at his tone, but let it slide. “They think they have to strike while the iron is hot. You’ll get some media attention from the live stream of the results show today, but you’ll be forgotten quickly if you don’t get out there with more content. That’s why they started booking gigs for you before they even knew who ‘you’ were.”
“You mean, they want us back in the public eye as soon as possible, while people still remember who we are. That’s why we already have radio and talk show interviews lined up and a gig booked. They did all that before they even picked who was going to be in the band.” Christian said.
“Bingo!” Tahmoh’s smile was gone as soon as it appeared. “Now, I’m going to tell you guys something as your manager. It’s in your best interests to do everything you can to give a stellar performance in two months. Work hard. Work until you don’t think you can possibly sing another note or take another step, and then work ever harder. Because whether you take off as a band or fizzle out before you even get started could all depend on this first show. It comes down to how much you want it. Do you have the grit it takes to succeed? From here on out, it’s all up to you.”
As far as pep talks went, it was a pretty good one. Any misgivings Jared felt were replaced by a steely determination. He’d never been put off by hard work. And he liked a challenge. This felt like the mother of all challenges. Challenge accepted. He looked around and saw an answering resolve in the other boys’ eyes.
Samantha gave Osric’s back a final pat. “Right. I think you boys have got enough to think about for now. Let’s take a break from all the talking and I’ll show you around the house.”
They all stood up. Jared stretched until his back gave a satisfying pop.
“Let’s start on the first floor and work our way up”, suggested Samantha as she ushered them all back down the grandiose staircase which had a wide, polished wooden railing that Jared immediately thought would be perfect for sliding down. He ran his hand along the varnished surface, admiring the silky smooth feeling of it.
Once they had all trooped down the stairs, she continued. “As I told you before, this is where the practice rooms are.” A hallway led straight back from the front door, two doors on the right, two on the left, and one all the way at the end. Samantha opened the first door on the right. Inside, there were some chairs, a couple music stands, a podium, and not much else. “This room is where you’ll have vocal instruction.” There were some nods from among the group, but seeing as how the room was sparsely furnished, they all filed past it without comment.
The first room on the left held a small assortment of gym equipment. Jared recognized a NordicTrac and a Bowflex like the ones he used at the Planet Fitness near his apartment. There were also some free weights and yoga mats stacked up against the wall. The machines had some wear and tear on them. So, obviously they wouldn’t be the first to use them.
“Sweet!” said Aldis as he walked all the way into the room and turned around three hundred and sixty degrees to take it all in. “Our own gym.”
Peeking in through the doorway was enough for everyone else.
“The gym is here should you decide you want an extra workout, although, I think you’ll find your daily dance instruction will be workout enough on most days.” Tahmoh said.
“Yeah, five hours a day. I’ve never worked out that long before,” Christian agreed. “Bet we’re all too sore to move after the first day.”
“Speak for yourself, old man,” Aldis teased, flexing his not inconsiderable biceps.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever dude.” Christian’s smile showed that he didn’t take offense at the ribbing, and that was a very good thing. Short tempers wouldn’t help them bond as a group.
Further down the hall on the left was a room with recording equipment. Not enough for a full on studio, but enough to get a feel for how a song would sound once it was all put together with the vocals and instrumentals.
Taboo’s eyes lit up. “Now we’re talking!” he said.
“I thought you might like this room. You and Christian. And anyone else who wants to take a stab at writing or producing music.” Samantha gave Taboo a lingering look.
“Hell yeah.” Taboo’s voice was quieter than his normal speaking volume, almost reverent.
The second door on the right was a bathroom. Nothing special of note in there.
But the final room, the one at the end of the hall, was enormous. The floor was hard wood, just like the rest of the house. A set of speakers and some sound equipment sat against the wall near the door. Other than that, though, the room was empty.
“The dance room,” Tahmoh stated the obvious.
They all walked in and looked around. Jared imagined his new band mates were thinking the same thing he was; there was enough room in here to practice some truly epic choreography. “Wow.”
“You took the words, or rather, the word right out of my mouth, son” Christian said.
“Hey, I’m not that much younger than you.” Jared mock pouted.
“Yeah, I know. But I figure as long as I’m the oldest, I might as well play it up. Maybe it’ll get me a little extra respect.”
“You keep dreamin’, old timer,” Aldis smirked.
Christian jabbed him in the ribs good-naturedly and Aldis pretended to double over.
“Boys will be boys,” Samantha sighed. “Come on you two. You can rough house later. Let’s finish the tour. We still have the upper two floors to go.”
As they climbed the stairs back to the second floor, Jared noticed Osric lagging behind. Maybe this was a good opportunity to connect with the younger band member. Jared slowed his pace until they were side by side. “Hey, so you’re eighteen, huh? That makes you the youngest.”
Osric looked up at him, expression wary. “Yeah, guess so.”
Jared grinned. “That’s cool. I always wanted a younger brother. And ya know, youngest siblings always get away with murder. Play your cards right and you’ll have us all wrapped around your little finger in no time. Especially Christian. He strikes me as a real softie.”
“I heard that,” Christian called over his shoulder.
“I wanted you to,” Jared called back, winking at Osric and lowering his voice. “Just wait and see.”
The tentative grin Osric sent him warmed his heart. “I’m an only child, so…having brothers will be…nice.
At the top of the stairs, Tahmoh said, “As you’ve already seen, this is the living area. There’s a kitchen and a table where you can eat if you want. You’ll be responsible for making your own meals. The TV is connected to wi-fi and gets all the channels you could ever possibly want.”
“I’ve never, uh, I don’t know how to cook,” Osric said in a sheepish voice.
Christian shrugged, “I love cooking. It’s a hobby of mine. I’ll show you. It’s easy. Or you could just have some of whatever I cook. I always make way more than I can eat by myself.”
Jared leaned over and whispered into Osric’s ear, “See, I told you.”
Now, if he could just get Christian to cook for him too, he’d be golden.
An alcove that Jared hadn’t noticed before sat off to the right of the living room area. In it was a bathroom, and another staircase, much less grand than the one connecting the first and second floors, that led to the third floor. They had to go up it single file because it was so narrow.
The uppermost floor held two suites of rooms, one with two beds and one with three beds. The implications were clear.
“Wait, we’re sharing rooms?” Taboo asked. He didn’t sound at all happy.
Tahmoh nodded. “Yes, the house is big, but not big enough to accommodate five separate bedrooms. Not and also have space for the training rooms on the first floor. It hasn’t been a problem for the other boy bands that have lived here. You’ll be living out of each other’s pockets when you start touring anyway. Might as well get used to it now.”
That brought up a point Jared had been wondering about earlier. “How many other bands have lived here?”
“Many, throughout the years, I imagine,” Tahmoh answered. “Star Struck has used this house for other bands they signed. They also lease it out when they don’t have any new bands under contract.”
“Did any of those other bands make it?”
“Do you mean did their names become household words?”
Jared nodded.
Tahmoh’s gaze locked onto his, more serious than he had yet seen his new manager. “No. Some of them enjoyed moderate success, for a while. But none of them rose to the level of success that you probably mean. Not every young band has what it takes.”
There was that challenge again. The one that Jared fully intended to meet.