Page 60 of Christmas Trees & Weak Knees

“Nothing solid yet.”

I’ve been so busy focusing on getting through the demo, I hadn’t really spent much time making plans for after it was done. I guess I kind of figured Paisley and I would finally have time to just hang out, with Christmas tree season over and my demo turned in.

“Wanna play the Live, from Nashville! New Year’s Eve Ball? It’ll be part of a countrywide broadcast for the Country Music Network. There have been some scheduling snafus, so they’re looking for local musicians. Won’t have any set times for at least another week or two, but it would be a good opportunity.”

It feels like I’ve been launched in a rocket ship headed to the moon, and I grab hold of the chair to make sure I don’t fall out because holy crap. This is a huge opportunity. “Yeah, it sounds great,” I manage, because I am basically stunned in the upper atmosphere at this point.

“So, you in?”

“Yes,” I say, giving Paisley a goofy grin. I can’t wait to tell her the good news.

“Love to hear it. Another thing.” Barry clears his throat.

A moment ago, it felt like I was launched into space, but now the ground is rushing up at me.

“The original headliner dropped out, and the producers for Live, from Nashville! are looking for a replacement. Exit 12S would like to throw your name into the hat. But…” Barry’s pause has me holding my breath.

“What’s the catch?” I ask, sitting back in the chair. If Barry dangled a carrot that’s about to be yanked away, I’m going to be pissed.

“To be considered for that spot, you’ll need to submit an all-original song by December eighteenth.”

That doesn’t give us much time. Maybe one of the songs we’ve already written will work.

“Decisions will be made the following week so the house band will have time to learn it. The theme is ‘A Boot Scootin’ New Year,’ so they’re looking for some songs that’ll make people want to get up and dance,” Barry says.

Maybe not.

So far, Paisley and I have written three country-rock songs and a country ballad, none of which have that “get up and dance” quality Barry’s talking about. We still haven’t got “In the Blink of an Eye” figured out, but there’s definitely not a country dance song hiding anywhere in that one.

Another day, another impossible task.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. What is with all these tight deadlines? I willfully ignore the fact that I brought some of them upon myself.

“So, kid, what do you say? Think you can send me a contender?”

How could I possibly say no?

Track 21