Chapter 29: Setting Final Jam Off

Previously:

All of a sudden fire lit the front of the stage. Connect 3 burst into song one last time.

The drum beat kicked in as Shane's voice filled the auditorium, Connect 3s newest single debuted, but the fans didn't know how important this song would end up being for them.

Driving down the boulevard

Solo

She pulls up in her daddy's car

Top down

Says you've got friends

And I've got mine

And I've got nothing on my mind

Rocking out to my favourite song

Is all I really need

But it'd be better if you roll with me

We got the words

If you've got the money

We got the time

If you've got the place to be

And we're not gonna to stop

Til we set it off

We got tonight to make every memory

Ready or not

Cos we're gonna make you see

That we're not gonna stop

We're gonna set this party off

The girls watched as their boys ruled the stage they started their careers on, proving, as they always did, just why they deserved the successes they'd had.

We're gonna set this party off

She looked at me like I was so

Crazy

But I could tell she was in cos she didn't say no

Right away

She told me she would think about it

Girls like that they gotta keep you guessing

And then she blasted her favourite song

But I still heard her scream

Baby you could come with me

We've got the words

If you've got the money

We've got the time

If you've got the place to be

And we're not gonna stop

Til we set it off

We've got tonight to make every memory

Ready or not cos we're gonna make you see

That we're not going to stop

Til we set this party off

All I need is my favourite song

But it sounds better when you

Sing a long

Sing along

We've got the words

If you've got the money

We've got the time

If you've got the place to be

And we're not gonna stop

Until we set it off

We got tonight

To make every memory

Ready or not cos we're gonna make you see

That we're not gonna stop

We're gonna set this party off

We got the words if you've got the money

Woah woah

We got the time

If you've got the place to be

We're gonna set this party off

We got tonight to make every memory

Woah woah

No we're not gonna stop

Til we set this party off.

The song drew to a close, the audience were on their feet cheering. Shane took a deep breath then stepped forward. Show set off, it was time to make their announcement. He'd lost the game of rock, paper, scissors earlier in the day and as a result was responsible for breaking the news.

"Good evening everyone, and welcome to Final Jam! We've got a fantastic show lined up for you, filled with this summer's greatest talent, as well as some very special guest performances." He paused, waiting for the cheers to die down. "But first, there is something we must tell you."

As Jason stood watching his brother make the announcement, he felt guilty. He was the one who caused this decision to be made; he should be taking the blame. So, without thinking, Jason stepped forward, placing a hand on Shane's shoulder, indicating that he'd take it from that point. Their fans deserved a proper explanation, not just a label created lie.

"From the end of tonight Connect 3 will be taking a break." There were shocked gasps from all around. "Firstly we'd like to thank all our fans for the support you have given us."

At the back of the auditorium the girls were wondering what had led to the change in spokes person.

"What's Jason doing?" Mitchie asked the others.

"He'd taking control of his life," Marie spoke up, "like they all promised to do in New York." When she saw him step forward she felt proud. He was finally speaking out against everything that had caused him difficulties and was giving his fans the truth, something she was sure the label would have discouraged.

"Secondly, and in some ways more importantly, we feel that after supporting us for so long, our fans deserve to know the truth about our break."

Eliza scanned the audience, looking for the two people whose reactions she was most interested in. She hadn't had a confirmation from Denise about her and Paul's attendance at the show but as she scanned row by row her eyes eventually landed on the two of them, sat in the middle. What surprised her even more was that they were sat beside her own parents, and seemed completely calm.

"I have fully enjoyed the past few years, being able to entertain all of you, especially recently when you all accepted us for our own sound, but for now that spark that I once had for performing has gone out. There is a lot of fantastic talent out there, which tonight's show will prove to you. Sometimes for there to be room for new talent, old talent has to step aside for a while." From beside his brother, Nate was stunned by the speech Jason was giving. As far as he was aware, Jason hadn't prepared anything before hand. It was the most grown up he had ever heard his brother be and in that moment Jason really seemed his twenty one years of age.

"So tonight we say goodbye, but we are not turning our backs on you and this is not the last you will see of us." He glanced behind to his brothers who stepped forward, the three of them linking hands. "Any of us." As one they bowed, as they had done at the end of every show they had ever performed together.

Then they walked off the stage to a standing ovation, leaving Brown to take their place.

"Well said Jase." Nate said, patting his brother on the back before disappearing to rapidly get changed, knowing his uncle would be announcing his position on the judges table in a few minutes.

"Impressive speech bro." Shane commented as they walked toward their seats to join the girls, "I could have handled it though."

"I know, but you didn't deserve to. You've had the press blame you for enough already. I thought it was my turn." Jason admitted before they took their seats, Shane by Mitchie, Jason between Eliza and Marie.

"Let's hear it one last time for Connect 3!" Brown called into the microphone, proud of how mature his nephews had acted. As the cheers died down it was time to start the competitive aspect of tonight. "I know that all the campers here, and the instructors too, have been excitedly awaiting the announcement of the guest judges this year." They had made every effort to keep it a secret since the decision was made. "Before I introduce you to them, let me remind you of this year's prize which our campers are competing for." He was delaying the announcement to allow Nate more time to prepare.

"This year the winner of Final Jam will not only be given the opportunity to record their winning song in a professional studio with top producers aiding them," that alone raised a huge cheer, but Brown knew the second half of the prize, which had only been a rumour until now, would create more excitement, "they will also be given the opportunity to create their own music video, guest starring Andy Green."

The crowd went wild at the mere mention of his name and from beside the stage, changed and ready to go, Andy Green stood terrified that, by the end of the night, the reaction to his name may be less enthusiastic. He'd wondered so many times whether he was making the right choice, or whether it would ruin all the work he'd put in to making a separate name for himself. He wondered whether his songs would still be given a fair chance once the public knew the true voice behind them.

"Without any further ado, let me introduce you to our judging panel. First up we have the head of Certified Records, responsible for the careers of all our celebrity instructors as well as many other hit artists; Roger Woods." He walked on stage, shook hands with Brown then took a seat at the table right in front of the stage.

"We also have top vocal coach Dionne Wilson." Again she walked on stage briefly before taking a seat at the other end of the table, leaving a gap in the middle. Nate stepped towards the edge of the stage. He took a deep breath, knowing there was no going back now.

"And finally our very special top secret guest tonight is..." There was a drum roll, provided by one of the campers. "Andy Green." Screams filled the auditorium as he took to the stage, appearing as his alter ego for the first time. He did as the other judges had and soon was in his seat, knowing all eyes were focussed on him.

"Nice job with the outfit Liza." Mitchie whispered to her friend, "Somehow, even though I know it's him, I would never have guessed." Andy was wearing dark blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a leather jackets, a rather different look to Nate's normal smart attire. On his head he wore a black fedora hat, carefully positioned to cover his hair and face. He wanted to look different as Andy Green, to ensure fans were aware he wasn't going to be the same as the Nate Grey they had come to know in Connect 3.

The lights dimmed again as Baron and Sander kicked off the competition section of the evening. After only a few acts the audience realised that the talent this year was bigger and better than ever.

AN: Hope you guys liked this chapter, we are fast approaching the end. However, I am moving back to uni today and may be without internet for a week. I will put up another chapter once I'm back online!