Hey all. Here's another installment. Hope you're all still with me. I should have more next week.
Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Kadence
Disclaimer: Camp Rock and its characters are the property of the Disney Channel. I own nothing…I merely borrow for my amusement, as well as yours.
Chapter 14
Because Idol aired live on the east coast, taping would begin at 5 PM Pacific time. Since it would be an early night, Caitlyn, Brown and the Greys, who would be watching Sky, would also be in attendance, and everyone planned on a quiet dinner at Jerry's Famous Deli, and some bowling in the attached alley, Pinz.
At just after one o'clock, the limo, sent over by Idol, arrived and drove everyone over to the Kodak Theater for the event.
Upon arrival, Mitchie and the boys were immediately ushered backstage to get ready for sound check. Caitlyn, Brown, Frankie and Mr. and Mrs. Grey sat in their seats and Denise gave Sky a bottle.
"You look terrified," Jack Taylor, the boys' musical director and guitarist, said to Mitchie, while Jason and Nate got their guitars and Shane got a bottle of water.
"I've watched Idol for years," Mitchie said. "And I've seen Simon show his dislike for even the celebrity musicians. What if he hates me?"
"He won't," Jack tried to assure her.
"But even if he likes my regular stuff, or the boys', this is different for both of us," Mitchie said. "We could totally crash and burn here."
"Hey. You are amazing. And the song is amazing. And powerful," Jack said. "That's what tonight's about. That's the message."
"Thanks," Mitchie said.
"Alright, they're ready for us," Nate said.
Jason started the song with a slow guitar solo, joined by Nate and then Jack Taylor. They ran through the song flawlessly, and when it was over, Ronny Jackson walked onstage applauding.
"Wow, I heard Lava records had found another musical prodigy, but that was amazing," he said.
"Thank you," Mitchie said.
"You were an exceptional find. I almost wish you'd found your way to Idol," Ronny said.
"Almost?" Mitchie questioned.
"A talent like yours needs the freedom that I know Lava is giving you, and the partnership with the Grey' that will create amazing music," Ronny said. "And what you just played is a prime example."
"You don't think it's too dark?" Mitchie asked.
"No. It's different, yes. But successful versatility is the mark of a true musician. Not that creating another persona crap a la Beyonce, a.k.a. Sasha Fierce," Ronny said.
"Thank you," Mitchie said.
"No problem dawg," Ronny said. "Knock 'em dead tonight."
Ronny headed backstage and Shane, Nate and Jason and the band all burst out laughing.
"What about that was funny? That was amazing," Mitchie said.
"We had a bet that he'd get through that whole exchange without saying 'dawg' and he almost did," Shane said. "Almost."
"Who won?" Mitchie said, shaking her head.
"We're having an issue with the spotlighting," a stagehand said. "Can you just run that once more so we can make sure no one's singing in the dark?"
**********
Two hours later…
Mitchie, Caitlyn and Sky were in the dressing room with the Grey's and Mitchie was changing Sky's diaper. There was a knock at the door and a woman wearing a headset poked her head in.
"Thirty minutes until show time," a producer said. "We need you in wardrobe, hair and makeup please."
Denise took Sky from Mitchie and Mitchie followed Jason, Shane and Nate to wardrobe.
By the time the four got back to the dressing room, Denise, with Sky, Jason, Sr., Frankie and Caitlyn had already been brought to their seats for the start of the show.
"Is everyone clear on out script?" Jason asked.
"Yeah. We do that after we perform right?" Shane asked.
"Yes. It's after the song. Ron brings us to commercial and then we lead in after the break," Nate said.
The group went next door, to where their band was, and they all warmed up their voices together. Thirty minutes later, it was time to perform.
**********
The group had opted for no lead in from Ron Oceancrest. After showing footage of Ron and Simon's visit to Africa, the stage was dark. As Jason began the opening guitar line, a single spotlight appeared on him. As Nate, and then Jack Taylor joined, a spotlight appeared on each of them.
One more spotlight appeared on Mitchie as she began to sing.
Fight the fight alone
When the world is full of victims
Dims a fading light
In our souls
When Shane joined her, a fifth spotlight appeared on stage.
Leave the peace alone
How we all are slowly changing
Dims a fading light
In our souls
As Mitchie and Shane sang the bridge into the chorus, the lights on Jason, Nate and Jack Taylor went out.
In my opinion seeing is to know
The things we hold
Are always first to go
Mitchie sang the last line alone, a single spotlight only on her, and as she said 'alone', the light went out.
And who's to say
We won't end up alone
As the group went into the chorus, the whole stage was lit up and the crowd burst into applause.
On broken wings I'm falling
And it won't be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I'm bleeding
And it won't be long
I've got to find that meaning
And I'll search for so long
Jason and Nate sang the second verse together, joined by Mitchie and Shane. Behind them, video showed additional footage of Ron and Simon's trip to Africa.
Cry ourselves to sleep
We will sleep alone forever
Will you lay me down
In the same place with all I love
Mend the broken homes
Care for them they are our brothers
Save the fading light in our souls
In my opinion seeing is to know
What you give
Will always carry you
And who's to say
We won't survive it too
On broken wings I'm falling
And it won't be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I'm bleeding
And it won't be long
I've got to find that meaning
And I'll search for so long
Set a-free all
Relying on their will
To make me all that I am
And all that I'll be
Set a-free all
Will fall between the cracks
With memories of all that I am
And all I'll be
On broken wings I'm falling
And it won't be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I'm bleeding
And it won't be long
I've got to find that meaning
And I'll search for so long
By the end, the crowd was on their feet. Mitchie, with tears in her eyes, took Shane's hand in her right, Nate's in her left, and Jason took Shane's hand. The four bowed as Ron came out onstage.
"Something a little different, written just for this evening, by Mitchie Torres and Connect Three," Ron Oceancrest. "We'll be back with them right after this commercial break."
"That was great guys," a producer's voice said. "Ninety seconds until we're back. Places please."
Nate and Jason gave the guitars to their guitar tech and joined Mitchie and Shane at stage left.
"And we're back in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1," a producer said.
"I'm here with Connect Three and Lava Records' new find Mitchie Torres," Ron said. "You just heard their exclusive single Broken Wings. The crowd in the house tonight loved it, I'm sure you at home did too. Mitchie, Jason, Shane and Nate are here to tell you about another great way you can donate to Idol Gives Back."
"Thanks Ron," Jason said. "Now you've heard some great performances tonight, and there are a few more in store. These exclusive live performances will be available from iTunes."
"That's right," Nate said. "Starting tomorrow morning, you can download the singles for $.99 or video of the performances for $1.99. All proceeds will go directly to Idol Gives Back."
"And as you heard Ron mention before the break, Broken Wings was written exclusively for this event tonight," Shane said. "Mitchie originally wrote the chorus, but when we were asked to perform hear tonight, we completed the song and thought it would be perfect for this event. In addition to tonight's performance on iTunes, we recorded a studio version of Broken Wings, which will be available next week on iTunes. Half the proceeds from that recording will go to our foundation Change for the Children and the other half will be going to a charity of Mitchie's choice."
"And since tonight is about charity, and giving back, we wanted to tell you about something very special that we are planning for our upcoming tour," Mitchie said. "As you know, I will be joining Connect Three on their World Tour, which is set to kick off two months from now. We will be donating $4 from each ticket sold to charity. $1 for each of us, from every ticket sold will be donated to charities of each of our choices."
"But it's not all about giving money," Jason said. "There are other things that you can do to give back. You can volunteer. Donate your time to an organization like Habitat for Humanity, or at a local soup kitchen."
"And you can also donate old clothes or toys that are in good condition," Nate said. "Whether it's money, or time or giving away things you no longer need, you can all make a difference. So give back."
"Give back," they all said together.
The lights on the stage dimmed and Mitchie, Jason, Shane and Nate, headed backstage to get changed. They planned to watch the rest of the show from their dressing room, knowing they couldn't join the Grey' in the audience.
Less than an hour later, they were in the limo, heading to Jerry's Famous Deli for dinner.
Song Credit: Broken Wings by Alter Bridge