Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
The curtain lifts, and Priscilla is right on cue with the first note. I watch as her drumstick taps the snare, and then Wynonna comes in on bass. Justine steps up to the mic and, for one brief moment, I wonder if she’s going to freeze. Her fingers strum the guitar strings, she opens her mouth, and the melody comes out.
Justine sings “Last Day”—Plum’s hit song. It’s the one Quinn and I heard her sing when we saw her at Trixie’s. As soon as the girls signed their contract, I had Justine record an acoustic version as a bonus track on Plum’s EP. It’s a heartbreaking song about how you can lose everything but come out smiling at the end. The more I listen, the more I come to realize Justine is singing about her own experience, and while the song is sad, there isn’t anything sad about her life now. Plum is going to go places.
Plum nailed the musical version of “Last Day” I put on all the streaming platforms. Within a day, they had over a million downloads and radio stations lit up my phone line for interviews. The media tour the girls are embarking on is very similar to the one Sinful Distraction did when they first started. Only, I have a bit more experience this time, and I’m not afraid to ask for more when it comes to my bands.
Justine ends the song. Everyone in the audience is on their feet, clapping. Helen walks over to Justine, places her arm around her shoulders and tells the cameras the name of the song Plum played and where to find their music. As soon as they go to commercial break, Helen heads toward me.
“I know it’s not planned, but I’d like to interview the girls. I have a pre-recorded segment we can cut after the commercial break if they’re willing.”
“Of course.” I lean slightly and glance at the girls, who seem extremely giddy with excitement. “They’ll love it.” Helen thanks me and as soon as she’s gone, the three girls squeal and come to me.
“Oh. My. God!” Priscilla says as her hands go to her head. “We’re going to be on TV.”
“You already were,” I point out, even though I know what she means. “Helen is going to ask you some questions. Some may get personal. You’ve seen her interviews before, so you know what to expect.”
“She’s going to ask if we have boyfriends,” Wynonna says.
“Do you?” I question.
Wynonna gives me a one shoulder shrug to match the smirk on her face. I focus on Justine, leaning in and asking, “Are you okay with the interview?”
“You’ll protect me, right?”
“Always,” I tell her. “We won’t let anything happen to you.” As soon as she turns toward the others, I pull my phone out to leave myself a note: Security for Justine. Thankfully, she’s of age, as are the sisters, but that doesn’t mean Justine’s father won’t come looking for his piece of the pie. I’ve heard stories, and most rarely turn out well.
A crew member helps the girls put their mics on and then shows them where to sit. I stay backstage where I watch the show. After the commercial break ends, the camera pans over the girls, and Justine looks nervous.
“Wow,” Helen says to her audience and the cameras. “Wow!”
The girl's giggle, and it’s heartwarming to see their innocence.
“I’m sitting here with the gals from Plum: Justine, Wynonna, and Priscilla. First, I want to start with Wynonna and Priscilla. I read your parents named you after two iconic women. Is this true?”
“Yes,” Wynonna says. “Our dad is named after Johnny Cash, and our mom is Patsy. I guess it was only fitting they’d name us something musical as well.”
The audience laughs.
“Now, your single “Last Day” went live over a week ago and went right to number one on all streaming platforms. How have things changed for you since?”
“Other than performing for you and doing interviews, our teachers are still giving us homework,” Priscilla says. “Maybe you can write a note for us?”
Everyone laughs this time. “I’ll see what I can do,” Helen says.
“What’s it like writing your own music?”
“Cathartic,” Justine says. “To transform your thoughts into a song and add a melody to them—it’s the best feeling in the world.”
“Well, your fans definitely agree.” Helen has a screen behind her that shows Plum's cover. The three girls stand on the street, with a car behind them. The photographer laid down on the ground to capture the image. It gives the sweetest girls I know, edge.
Helen sends her show to commercial break and the girls exit the stage. I wait for them in the hall, and we all go to the green room. It’s a quick decompress session, and then we’re heading out the door and into the stretch Escalade.