Page 30 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)

H olt held Annaleigh’s hand as they made their way into Paisley’s backyard.

It was filled with adults and children. It was strange to attend with Aiden as well, but everyone knew Holt attended this party every year.

If Annaleigh’s stalker was anyone in the industry, he would know that too and know Annaleigh might be vulnerable here.

The Keeneston chat had grown to include Annaleigh the second Holt sent out the picture of her signing the contract with Sebastian. Congratulations from his town had flooded their phones and Annaleigh’s eyes were still shining from the happy tears she got reading the texts.

“Annaleigh!” Paisley called out the second they came around the side of the house. “I’m so glad you could join us.” Paisley hugged a somewhat surprised Annaleigh and then grabbed her hand. “Holt, go hang with the guys. I have people to introduce Annaleigh to.”

Aiden snagged a burger and walked around the perimeter of the party, his eyes constantly scanning the area, which made Holt feel safe to step away to take a phone call from Morgan.

“Hey. What’s up?” Holt asked. He was seeing Morgan tomorrow at the awards so he was surprised she was calling now.

“Your record company won’t negotiate on using AI to write, produce, or even sing for you,” Morgan said, getting right to the point.

“I’ve talked to several other labels and it’s becoming standard to put in the AI clause.

Some we could fight to remove it, but it’ll cost you a significant portion of your royalties.

It comes down to this: is this a hill you’re willing to die on? ”

Holt didn’t even have to think. “It is. I won’t sign over the rights to my own voice.”

“Good,” Morgan said, surprising him. He could tell by the slight uptick in her voice that she had a plan and was probably smiling into the phone. “I got you a distribution deal.”

“What does that mean?” Holt asked, stepping inside Paisley’s kitchen to get more privacy.

“I got in touch with the company that makes the physical records and CDs for you on behalf of your soon-to-be former label. They won’t make the physical copies for you, but the woman I talked to turned me down by saying, ‘Who do you think we are, Prospective Distribution?’ Then she laughed and hung up on me. ”

“Why do you sound happy about being hung up?” Holt asked Morgan as her excitement grew.

“Because, I then looked up Prospective Distribution and found they make physical copies of records, CDs, DVDs and more for independent artists. Now, it’s up to your agent to get you into the stores, but the stores will carry you since you’re the hottest name in country music right now.

It also means you will keep one hundred percent of your digital rights.

You can record at Sebastian’s studio that you toured today, and own your own label.

I’m ready to incorporate your own music company so you own all the music you put out and all the songs you write and sell.

As for touring, we’d have to hire someone to manage it, but you can still do it.

It’ll just be more work on your end. You’ll be doing what your label does for you now—setting up distribution deals, working with media companies, setting up tours, publicity, and so on.

However, since you own your music, you won’t have to kill yourself touring since that’s the only real way for most artists to make money.

You can choose mini-residencies to sing for smaller audiences or you can still do stadiums. It comes down to what you want.

Same for your music. You want to drop a single and not bother with an album, done with a simple push of a button.

I already found someone who can set that all up on the backend for you right now. ”

Holt’s fingers tapped on his thigh as he paced the kitchen. His heart was beating in tempo with his fingers. “Where do I find someone to manage all of that for me?”

“It is more than I can do, especially since you know I’m trying to retire.

However, I bet I can find someone if you give me a week.

I already have calls into several rappers’ agents.

I know this is a lot to process, but your label thinks they have you over a barrel and gave you two hours to decide or they’ll publicly ditch you the day after the awards show.

They’re also declaring they have a right to the music you’ve already recorded for your fifth album.

I took care of that and got it in writing that since the deal was not agreed upon, they have no rights to it.

You will have to pay them back for recording expenditures though, like studio time. ”

Holt snorted at their dramatics. “Done. I’ll send payment to the production studio immediately upon receiving an invoice from both the label and the studio.

I want to make sure they aren’t trying to screw me.

Get it from them now, before we tell them about our contract.

Get that price just to see what we’re dealing with.

You know how to phrase it. Get it, wire the money, then send a letter declining their deal.

Have fun with it, Morgan. Don’t just burn that bridge. Blow it up.”

Morgan cackled and it sent shivers up his back. He’d just let her loose and she was going to rip that label a new one. He almost felt bad for them. Almost.

“Just tell me your new music company’s name. The second the invoice is paid and the letter is received, I’ll file the paperwork.”

“Everett Entertainment. It’s my company and I want to wear that proudly.”

“Plus, if you go into movies like your mother you’ll be covered. Good call. I’ll have everything done and official by four this afternoon. Stay close to the phone. I might need you to sign and scan some documents.”

“This is scary, isn’t it?” Holt asked, suddenly understanding what Annaleigh was talking to Henry and Aiden about.

“Yeah, but so exhilarating. You can do whatever you want now, Holt. Write a song, sing it, and release it all in the same day if you want. You won’t have to get approval for any songs you want to sing or collabs you want to do. You’ll have complete artistic freedom.”

“Thanks, Morgan. I don’t know what I’ll do when you retire.”

“I think you do. The answer is probably right next to you.”

Morgan hung up and Holt turned to look out the large glass doors. Annaleigh and Paisley were standing together and laughing. Holt smiled and thought about what Henry said about being able to work with the love of his life. Is that what Holt’s future could look like?

“You’re smiling a lot,” Annaleigh said as they drove to the hotel to quickly change for the festival.

“I have a lot to smile about. What about you? Henry said all the paperwork was filed for your company.” Holt parked in the private parking area and took the freight elevator to the suite to avoid the public.

“A&M Agency is official.” Annaleigh practically radiated with excitement. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet as she told him how Paisley was going to be sending a bunch of artists her way. Some new talent, some more established. But all of whom were tired of the same ol’ thing.

Holt hadn’t told Annaleigh yet about his own label.

He wanted this weekend to be about her. He’d told Paisley though and she was beyond excited for him and then asked if he could take on other artists for a small royalty once he got all the backchannels established.

Morgan had texted back that it should be no problem.

She was already working to put an experienced team in place for Everett Entertainment.

Holt’s company would establish all the contacts, and for a small percentage of royalties, upload all the music and work out a deal with the distributor.

They were on their own for tours though.

At least for now. Paisley had nodded as he spoke then told him how excited she was for him.

“Maddie asked if she could have an extra ticket for tomorrow. Do you think that could happen or will Morgan kill me for asking?” Annaleigh asked as they entered their suite.

“Just text her and see if she can make it happen. I think she got a ton of tickets.” Holt liked festivals and concerts way more than award shows.

Tonight, he could just sing and have a great time.

Tomorrow he’d be dressed up, have to sit with a perpetual smile on his face in case the camera panned to him, and he’d have to keep getting up and going to the stage to present an award, to sing, and then hopefully to give some speeches upon winning.

Tonight, though was just him and his songs.

Holt changed his jeans and pulled on a heather gray T-shirt.

He was ready to go in five minutes. He answered the door and took the package he’d ordered an hour ago while Annaleigh freshened up.

Soon they, along with Aiden, were walking down Broadway to the artists’ area behind the stage.

It was a giant tent with covered walls and they had to get through security before entering the tent.

“There’s my man. I thought you were supposed to get back in town a week ago,” Dallas said, coming up to give him a fist bump.

“Annaleigh and I decided to stay in Keeneston a little longer. This is my friend, Aiden. He’s also joining us this weekend. Big fan of country music,” Holt said with a grin.

Aiden was not, in fact, a country music fan. He was, however, a professional and smiled at Dallas.

“Sorry that things didn’t work out with Maddie and me. You both cool with that?” Dallas asked Annaleigh. “She and I are cool though. I mean, at least, she said she was.”

Annaleigh chuckled. “Yeah, she’s good with it.” Last Holt heard, Cody had been sending a lot of texts, and according to Andy and Luke, the other deputies, Cody was being very secretive about the texts. He also hadn’t taken a single Keeneston Belle to bed since meeting Maddie.

“Did y’all hear the good news?” Paisley shouted loudly as she entered the artists’ area. Annaleigh looked like a deer in headlights as Paisley winked at her. “Paperwork has been filed, hun. Nashville is still a small town, made even smaller in our circles. They’ll all know tomorrow anyway.”

“What’s the news?” Dallas asked as suddenly several top artists all moved closer.

Paisley gave Annaleigh an encouraging nod of her head and Holt reached over to squeeze Annaleigh’s hand. “Maddie Underwood and I have partnered with Sebastian Abel to start our own agency. A&M Agency will open next week in the SA Entertainment building on Music Row.”

“Really?” Dallas said with amazement. “I’ve heard rumors that Mr. Abel has some new technology for recording music.”

“He does, and he’s giving my clients the first chance to use it in his music studio on the floor beneath my offices.”

Murmurs started and more than one person stepped forward and asked for a card. “Oh, I don’t—”

“Here you go, sweetheart. I know how you hate to carry them in your purse.” Holt pulled out the cards he’d had printed up the second her deal had become official.

Annaleigh ran her fingers over the embossed card. A&M Agency was in bold while under it, in italics, was Annaleigh Astore, Owner and a phone number for the business cell phone he’d had his assistant purchase and send to the hotel along with the cards.

Annaleigh teared up as she handed her card to several people. “Thank you both. This is too much.” Annaleigh swiped at her eyes and Paisley hugged her before Holt even had the chance.

“Holt Everett? To the stage in five minutes,” a production assistant called out.

Holt gave Annaleigh a quick kiss. “You deserve it. Love you.”

“Love you too. Knock ‘em dead!” Annaleigh called out. Holt winked at her as he gathered his band together.