Chapter 27: Musical Activities

As the next day comes in, the pack and several campers were in for a good music day as they headed for their musical activities at camp. The first activity of the day is just rocking out to any form of music with their instruments and some of the counselors called in Marcus, Kendall, Ryan, Mike and Seth as they brought in their guitars so they can make a cool cover of whatever song that's the most popular on the radio and turn it into their own. One counselor played a bubblegum-pop song as a sample and already most of them were sickened by the pop song and they knew that they need to bring in some high-octane, pure in your face power to it so once the song stopped, Marcus, Seth and Kendall used their electric guitars and did a punk rock version in it as Ryan and Mike came in with the bass guitar and made a rocking cover in just 60 seconds.

The crowd was cheering like crazy as they walked off the stage and then it was Slade, Casey, Mana, Jojo and Zeke's turn to do their take on a hip-hop song and as they heard a few samples of a hip-hop song, they got their guitars and drum machine as they did their rock-rap cover of it. For Jojo, it was like an entirely different field to do hip-hop, but he figured that he'll turn it into a real version of it with rock guitars and both Casey and Slade spit out some verses, but with different forms of rhymes different than the original version. Marcus and Seth were bobbing their heads to the beat and each of them were getting into this new arrangement and more better when Slade and Casey are rapping.

"You know, I think I found a new respect for rapping." Seth added.

"I've been having a respect for rap...just the real rapping where you can say whatever you want and not that stupid pop stuff they put out nowadays." Marcus agreed.

"I think if we formed a band, it would be both punk rock-rap thrown in together." Seth stated.

Marcus loved the idea for rock-rap band idea and he said, "We oughta give it a try."

After that, everyone clapped as Slade, Casey, Mana, Jojo and Zeke left the stage and then it was Koa, Brutus, Diego, Cody and Noah's turn to turn a country song into a full-fledged metal version and once the counselor played that country song, they knew that they will turn it into a punk metal version of it and when it stopped, they completely made their own rendition of it and it became like a flawless metal version of a country classic...which shows the campers that they can take something amazing the first time around and turn it completely over its head.

"I don't even like country music and that version of the song is so much cooler." Slade added.

After that activity, it was onto the next one; songwriting. Some of the counselors explain to the campers what songwriting is all about by figuring out music and lyrics and how it'll be astract to hit the same impact anyone else would if they listen. Most of the campers were taking into the whole thing with open eyes, ears and hearts. Ryan took many aspects of songwriting to heart because he's got a million and one stories in his head and most of those come from a deep personal place in his life and he knew that it might be the major release from his subconscious mind in terms of dealing with insecurity, anxiety, fear and sorrow.

Once the campers began thinking of certain events that they or someone else they knew went through, the writing juices were flowing as most of them strummed their guitars or played on the keyboard to give their own perspectives. Kendall sat next to Ryan and sees Ryan writing so much that he couldn't help but take a peek at it and Kendall started finishing what he first wrote before sitting next to Ryan.

Slade and Casey were also writing as well and they could tell that their sense of originality is seeping through their heads when it comes to getting all the lyrics out and after a couple of minutes of songwriting practice, they put their original lyrics in their bag and head onto the stage to do some practice for the talent show by the end of camp. Ryan became really nervous about the fact that he must perform in front of people and once Kendall senses Ryan's anxiety, he knows that he's gonna help him overcome this fear he has.

As most of the pack practice for the talent show, Ryan bit his lip nervously knowing that he'll get called any minute when it's his turn and Kendall comes over to comfort him and said, "Don't be nervous. When they call you, just pretend that it's just you and me...like we're the only ones here."

"How can I when there's people staring at me?" asked Ryan.

"Just look directly at me in the eyes. It'll help you, I promise." Kendall said, with a hint of encouragement.

Soon after, it's Ryan's turn and he took a deep breath as he walks to the stage with Kendall behind him, holding his guitar and as soon as Ryan got to the mic, he just felt so scared that his fear may take over him, but he looks up at Kendall as he stands up and once he started playing his guitar, Ryan just stared at Kendall in the eye and as he sang, he could just feel the utmost strongest when he sings and as he looked at Kendall more, his confidence began rising up a little bit.

Most of the campers and counselors as well as the pack were completely amazed by Ryan's singing and they also know that he needs some help with stage presence when it comes to overcoming stage fright and the more Ryan sang, the more comfortable he feels despite the fact that people are watching him.

After he was done, the crowd started cheering for him and Ryan just looked at Kendall and he just felt less nervous and Kendall smiled and said, "It always helps, Ry."

"Thanks, Kendall." Ryan replied.

"I think it's time we head to the cabin for a little rest before lunch." one of the counselors added.