Rock Radio by Lisa Wainland Page B

before the lunch.
    “Dude, we’re not going to, but he’s the only way we can really break into the business,” Bobby said, frustrated at Alex’s downer attitude.  “It’s not like other record companies are knocking down our door.”
    “I’m not saying he can’t do a lot for us, I just think we should be cautious.”
    “We will be,” Cody interrupted, “Now let’s go to the meeting before we’re late and lose the deal.”
    They met Eric Wayne at a small café.  Eric was all business.  He pulled the contract from his briefcase.  A large red circle with a black music note in the center, his company’s logo, was emblazoned across the top.  That was the only simple thing about the contract.  Under the logo were two pages of the smallest type any of the boys had ever seen.
    “I know it looks scary,” Eric admitted, “but, it’s all basic and customary kinda stuff.  It just ensures I get my cut, a small cut I promise.”
    Cody skimmed the contract with his eyes, overwhelmed, by the legalese.  “Can you give us a moment?” he asked Eric.
    “Yeah, sure, take your time.”  Eric walked away from the table, stepping outside to smoke a cigarette.
    “We should probably have a lawyer look at this,” Cody said.
    “We should.”  For once Alex agreed with him.
    “Okay, nice thought,” Harper countered, “but who can afford one?”
    “We can’t,” Bobby answered the rhetorical.
    Cody leaned back, “So what do we do?”
    Alex thought aloud.  “Well, Circle Records is legit, we know that.  I mean they launched the careers of those other Florida bands...Fearless Five and...and what was the other one?”
    “Linus,” Harper answered.  “Fearless Five hit it big, Linus only had that one song that did okay.”
    “Well, in many respects we control that part of our destiny.  Linus didn’t really have any other great songs,” Alex rationalized.
    Cody looked the contract over again.  He kind of understood it.  “Look we either go with it or we lose this chance.”  He paused.  “I say we do it.”
    “I agree,” Bobby said.
    “Me too,” Harper chimed in.
    They all looked at Alex.  “Who am I to disagree?” he said.
    They called Eric back in and signed the contract.
    “Okay,” Eric said, “now that you’re with me, we can talk honestly.  First, we need to discuss the name.  I know you’re creating buzz with Red Lawn, but the name is a bit dry.  The name doesn’t say much about you.”
    The guys looked at each other in shock.  They were Red Lawn.
    “Well, won’t people not know us anymore?” Cody asked.
    “That’s a fair question, but consider this.  Most bands change their original names because they’re not catchy enough.  If the music is good, which yours is, people are gonna to come see you regardless.  And they’ll learn the new name.  We do that whole formerly Red Lawn thing when we advertise a show.  But when we hit nationally, we want a name that says who you are, that generates buzz.  Red Lawn says nothing to me.  There’s no intrigue.”
    “So what do you suggest?”
    “I did some research on you guys and I think I have the perfect name.”  He sat back and put his hands in the air as if to frame a marquee.  “The Cody Blue Experience.”
    “No fuckin’ way!” Alex shouted rising to his feet.
    “Chill out, man.”  Bobby put his hand on Alex’s arm, preventing him from leaving.
    “No,” Alex shouted, “This band is not all about Cody.  For Christ sakes he was the last one to join us!  I am not playing back-up to him!”
    Cody sat silent, not wanting to be any more the target of anger.
    Eric looked Alex right in the eyes and spoke firmly.  “Listen Alex, this name is not about you.  It’s about the band.”
    “I think it sounds cool,” Harper said, just happy to have a record deal.  To him the name was secondary, what Eric could do for them came first.  He wasn’t going to ignore his advice.
    “I’m not opposed to it,” Bobby