Songbird: The Rise and Fall of Jimmy B. Chapter III

CHAPTER III: The Rise

Jimmy B’s knee bounced nervously. He swallowed and swallowed again. His mouth felt dry. How was he going to sing with a dry mouth?

His new manager was looking over some forms and sat next to him on the couch. “Son, you need to stop that thing from shaking. I’m trying to read our agreement here. I need to focus.”

Jimmy put his hand on his knee to get it to stop moving but it didn’t work.

“Jimmy,” his mother said, “why don’t you get yourself some water?”

He nodded and stood up.

The manager, Pete Skerrit nodded in appreciation. Although he didn’t really like having his new client’s mother around so much, he had to admit she was handy at times. Most of the time though, she was a pain. She was nothing but a southern-over-protective mother who would not cut the apron strings. Jimmy B – James Bernard’s stage name – was a grown man, after all. Pete had never seen a 25-year-old man that still relied so much on his mama but here they all were. In the dressing room of the biggest venue Jimmy B had ever performed in. The arena held 20,000 seats and it was sold out.

To be fair, the feeling was mutual between the Peternellis and Pete. Neither Peternelli wanted to part ways with Billy Lowery but Billy insisted Jimmy’s act had outgrown him as a manager. Billy was a small-time manager and enjoyed being small time. He worked with them for over five years and diligently helped Jimmy fine tune his persona. After countless bars and small venues, Jimmy was finally getting airtime on the radio. A lot of airtime. Jimmy B’s popularity demanded a manager that could navigate the big-time. Pete Skerrit was just that man.

Jimmy poured him some water from the sink and drank from the paper cup. He tossed it in the garbage and tried to calm himself. Truth is, singing no longer calmed him as it did before. He used to be able to start singing and forget about the small crowd in the bars. Most of the audience never paid attention to him anyway. But lately, it took about 5 or 6 songs before he could start to relax. Then there was this particular performance. How could he ignore 20,000 people?

He had called Billy earlier in the day to get some advice since Billy was good at that sort of thing. Pete also offered advice but his was less helpful. Jimmy doubted he was going to be able to “suck it up and do it anyway.” So, Jimmy called Billy. Billy calmly listened and told him with all the lights pointed at Jimmy he wouldn’t even be able to see the crowd. It was actually going to be easier to forget about the crowd because he won’t be able to see them. After the phone call, Jimmy felt better until the sound check. He saw just what 20,000 seats looked like and those seats were going to be filled with people.

“Jimmy,” his mother said watching him. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. If you’re not ready for this, just say the word.”

For the first time, Pete lowered what he was reading and tossed it aside. What was she doing? “Well, actually,” he said forcing his voice to remain calm. He had been around the two Peternellis enough to know that if Jimmy felt like his mother was being attacked in any way, he would shut down completely. “That is true. You never have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

Lucy looked at Pete. There was something she did not trust about the man and she knew he was about to come at an angle to get what he wanted.

“You just say the word and we pack it up and go home.”

Lucy waited for the ‘but.’

Pete paused a moment and looked at Lucy then back at Jimmy and smiled. “But, you know, there are 20,000 fans sitting in the arena waiting for you to come out and sing. That’s a lot of people. Do you know what will happen if you don’t go out and sing to all those people?”

Jimmy nodded. “They’ll be mad?”

“Oh, you are darn right they will be mad. They will be beyond mad, I predict. See, everyone out there in those seats spent their hard-earned money to come see you. To listen to you. It’s like a promise, see? They spend their money on a ticket and in return, you promise to give them what they want. Which is you.”

Lucy started to say something but he held up his hand.

“They will hate you if you disappoint them. But, by all means, if you are not up to this we can cancel.”

“Jimmy,” Lucy said. “It will be okay. If you are not up to this, it will be okay.”

“It will be okay,” Pete said in an agreeable tone. “But you will be in breach of contract and that will cost you.” He looked at Lucy and his eyes narrowed. “It will cost both of you.”

Jimmy followed Pete’s stare to his mother.

“That pretty little house you bought your mother? That will be gone. All those other gifts and perks that you like so much? Gone. All gone.”

Pete sat back in the couch. Even though his heart was racing he forced his voice to remain calm. He fought back every instinct to yell at this trouble making woman and throw her out of the room. In order to get what he wanted – what the moment needed – he needed to remain calm.

“But go ahead and cancel. Just know, not only will this venue sue you but I will as well. Our partnership will be done. I won’t manage a singer who won’t sing.”

Jimmy sighed. “I’ll sing.”

Pete let out a long breath and Lucy started to speak again.

“Mrs. Peternelli,” he said and forced his warmest smile. It made her sick. “Mrs. Peternelli, the show is about to start. Why don’t you go find your seat down in front and get ready for the show?”

“It’s okay, mama,” Jimmy said. “It was just nerves. I’m okay now. I’m ready to do this.”

She nodded slowly and gave her son a kiss on the cheek. “You’ll do great,” she said and reluctantly walked out of the dressing room.

With Lucy out of the way, Pete was able to slip into full-on manager mode. “You’ll do great, son,” he said standing up fixing Jimmy’s jacket. “The band is behind you. Everyone is here to see you.”

Jimmy wondered if he should tell Pete that was not helpful but decided not to speak up.

“I know you are nervous so I had my doctor send me some extra pills. I take these to help me feel calm. I need you to feel calm right now. This will help you get out there and do your job.” He took a small bottle out from his jacket pocket and shook out one pill. “Now, I take a few of these but I’m thinking just one will help you do the trick.”

Jimmy doubted one little pill would help him but he was wrong. Five minutes after swallowing the pill he walked out on stage. By the time he started singing his first song he had to admit, he felt less nervous. It was what singing used to do for him but the effect was much quicker. Jimmy sang his heart out and the reviews of his first big venue performance were kind. The critics all said Jimmy B was the next hot act and no one should miss it.

The songbird had become a bona fide star.