Cantrell: The Middle Years

Predawn Sound Check, a Cantrell: The Middle Years, Update-5

Erik threw the covers off of himself and sat up. For a moment he was dazed, unable to fully see, let alone recognize the room. Disoriented.  He did spy the flickering of the fire on the grate. The information rushed over him in the next nano-second. Gazing at the clock on his phone, he quickly realized he only thought he has set the alarm. “Kayleigh, honey, I’ve got to get up and go. I’m late!” He gently took her shoulder and tried to rock her awake.  “Come on, honey, you’ve got to be up and about before the kids are. I can’t be here to help out. I have got to go. Now. I should be gone already. I’m late.”

Stumbling into the hallway he took a quick left turn into the rather spacious bathroom. Taking only a moment to stoke the fire in the old-time Franklin-type stove, it was frigid in here. His bare feet complained, pressed against the icy stone flooring. He saw to his normal morning routine with all due alacrity, pulled on some clothes and then all but flew down the broad staircase. This is why they think I’m untrustworthy.

The still-dark sky was cloudy and overcast. The strains of light not yet tugging on the charcoal gray skies.  Cold. It was decidedly cold. He sprang up the short steps and took to the stage. “Hi, sorry, Guys. I’m here. Bit of jetlag. Too much partying with the family. I overslept. Let’s get to this,” he said, grabbing the microphone.

As Erik sang a few lines of a song, the technicians adjusted. Slowly, the gray gave way to a much lighter shade, as dawn approached.

Simply speaking into the mic, next, Erik said, “You know I’m still puzzling over the hour this was set for? In all of my years and even during my two previous World Tours, a Sound Check normally takes place just a couple of hours before the concert. Why so early? I just flew in. I do hope that’s pastries and coffee over there on the table. I’m famished.”

“Concert’s at ten this morning.”
“Wow, I must have been sleeping when I looked over the Itinerary. Thanks, for saving my bacon. I thought it was tonight.” Scrolling through his phone, “Oh, look at that. It’s an ‘A’ not a ‘P’. Time for another eye checkup. Will you still love me if I go blind?” 

The technicians, and the reporters allowed into the stadium, chuckled at his off-the-cuff remarks. Problem is, Erik wasn’t joking. He really was quite hungry this morning. Borderline hangry. In his exhausted state, his eyes refused to awaken and focus, too. Well, at least I play my instruments by feel. When given a moment to relax, Erik made his way over to the table, poured himself some coffee and plucked a raspberry Streusel from the tray. To die for. How could I forget how incredibly delicious these are? 

He washed down the pastry with the coffee and returned to the stage, just after he texted Kayleigh with the proper time for the concert.
Several minutes later, his beautiful bride of six years arrived with all five children in tow.

“Oh, don’t cry Baby Girl. It’s much too cold to put you on the ground. You’ll freeze.”

“Okay, People, that’s a wrap for now. Be back here in two hours for the Show.”

“Dad,” Jamison asked. “Do you always rehearse like that before a concert? Doesn’t it wear you out?”
“Yes, this is what’s known as a Sound Check. You notice I really didn’t sing an entire song. This was to allow the technicians to set the sound so there’s no mishaps during the concert.”
“Ahhh, I wondered where the audience was,” Andrew said. “You do get an audience, right?”

“Do we get to go to any of your concerts?” Andrew said. “No offense, but sound checks are kinda boring.” Erik couldn’t help but wonder if the boy was in doubt as to whether his father could even draw an audience.
“The ones during the daytime. The nighttime ones start and run pretty late.”
“In the meantime, we’ve got to get back and celebrate Melodie’s birthday.”

“That’s today? Oh, man, I was hoping we could play in the snow.”

*~~*~~~*~

Erik went straight into the kitchen and began baking up a nice hamburger cake.  

In record time, a birthday cake had been made. Erik placed it on the island counter and called his family forward. Jamison was quick to answer the call.

“Okay, let’s do this. I have less than an hour to go give the concert of my life.” 

Picking up Melodie, he helped her blow out the candles.

“Wow, I’m actually tall,” Melodie exclaimed. “This was the best birthday ever.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Despite the difficulty in wrangling five small children, including an infant, who hated to be held, the Cantrell’s made it back to Music In Summer Park Stadium.
Several seats were filled already with a long line of concertgoers extending through the gates onto both sides of the narrow road. As per the weather, all were sporting heavy coats and or jackets. The air was crisp.

Erik, himself, was glad he wore a different coat for today’s concert. He liked the long coat, for its style, but it was slightly prohibitive when it came to movement. Erik was never one to stand still for long while on stage.

He took the microphone and addressed the crowd, right off. “Good morning. So glad you could join me on this frosty, cold day. Don’t breathe too deep.” Then he proceeded to Hype Up the Crowd.

Immediately, he launched into the planned set for the day. With the wave of his hand, the audience roared.  Jamison and Andrew exchanged glances. “He really is a big deal,” Andrew said.
“Told you. You don’t listen.”

“Daddy sings pretty,” Harmony said, clapping her chubby little hands together. Leaning towards her, Kayleigh put a long finger over her lips. “Sh, don’t disturb the rest of the audience. We don’t want to spoil their experience.”

The audience was more than generous. Erik could feel their presence, something he really enjoyed in these more intimate settings. It spurred him on, and he let loose, giving the crowd a reason for a large reaction. 

The more he played with them, the more they responded. In the end he received a standing ovation. Circling around, he made certain he faced every side as he placed a hand over his heart and bowed to them. “Thank you, thank you. You’re much too kind. Thank you.” Joyfully, Erik gathered up his wife and family and together they beamed back to Castle Dragonheart, otherwise known as Home Base. 

“Wow, Dad,” Andrew said. “You’re kinda like a Rock Star or something.”
“Why thank you, son. That’s exactly what my job descriptions says.”
“You have a cool job,” Jamison said. “Wait, you mean you get paid to do this? Heck, I’d do it for nothing. It looks like fun.”
“Nothing doesn’t pay the bills, son. This is my profession. I write, play and record music. I do concerts to share my music. And when I’m lucky my songs are even played on the radio.”

“Told you that was Dad,” Jamison said to which Andrew shrugged his shoulders.
“Okay, so I was wrong.” he said.
“Gosh, I’m light-headed like I’m going to pass out or something. Cataclysmic, you admitting you were wrong. There is hope for this world, yet.”

“Okay, you two, let’s get inside and out of the cold.”

All for now. Thanks for reading.