He nodded at her. “I like the executive producer credit on your single. I’ll happily take that Grammy come February thank you very much.”
Her eyes widened. “What? I’m not sure the single will be eligible, Lew.”
He laughed loudly. “Ok. You can believe whatever you want, Kitten. I told you earlier that we’ve got retailers that want your single, which means that when we release you’ve got the sales. It’s the most requested song in two major markets nationally. Put the two together and you’re eligible, very eligible.”
She grinned and shook her head. “And you said my drop date is Tuesday?”
He smiled at her like a co-conspirator. “Tuesday, September twenty-ninth.”
She giggled. “The day before the cut off for Grammy submissions. Wow, Lew. You never cease to amaze me.”
He erupted into a jolly belly laugh. “Too bad you didn’t come up with this months ago or we’d be positioning your album for a Grammy too. Oh well, next year. It’s been over a decade since I’ve had a Grammy, Kitten. Haven’t been doing too much producing or development on the music side. Wasn’t inspired to until you came along. And by the way, I wouldn’t doubt if this song got a nod. I’m being serious.”
She frowned and shook her head. “Not for the single. Maybe next year if I work my ass off on my album.” She then thought about it for a minute. “You really think the single will make it for ’94? It’s only eligible if it’s submitted, released on a label, charting and making sales. Tight deadline on the production end.”
He chuckled. “All true. We put a rush on it. Production and disty are on high alert and they’re expecting the master first thing tomorrow, hence you going into the studio after our meeting here to do your vocals on your B-side. A-Dub and his team will work through the night to get it done. It’ll get pressed and be ready for Tuesday’s release. You’re good to go, kid. No doubt you’ll close in on gold on the first day. I predict platinum by the springtime at least, especially if you have any kind of Grammy buzz attached to it.”
She nodded, still taking in what he said. “Ok.”
He grinned, seeing her apprehension. “It’ll all work out, Kitten. At the end of the day, it’s just a single.”
She squinted. “Hold up. I didn’t sign one piece of paper on this single. There was no contract, nothing. I’m not an artist of Diamond.”
He grinned and nodded. “Oh yeah you were. For one single. Verbal agreement between us. You accepted that agreement and your delivery of the single fulfilled that. Don’t think it’s legit? Then sue me. I’ll win and my attorneys will have you tied up in legal nightmares for months and months. Remember, you used to be my chief counsel years ago. You know how we roll. You’ve got their number. Accept it, Kit.” He smiled wide.
She chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. He did have a point. “This is crazy.”
He pointed at her. “No. This is your new life, Kit-Kat!” He looked around, fidgeting for a moment. “Ugh, how I would love to smoke a cigar right now to celebrate. Oh well. Call everyone else in. I gotta clue in your brother and Alexa about the best positioning for you.” He winked as Kit continued to shake her head in astonishment.
She had been outmaneuvered by the best in the business. She felt like she had as a seven-year-old girl competing in chess matches—her father’s idea, not hers. She was undefeated in her class, for the state of Illinois, until she went up against a ten-year-old boy from San Francisco in a national tournament who seemingly pulled the rug out from under her before she could notice.
It wasn’t often that others could do that with her. She could usually see strategies coming a mile away, but not with Lew. He was the ultimate strategy master of the music industry. He had rendered her speechless and fully compliant.
They met for another hour to start laying the foundation for the single, the album and the positioning for the board meeting. There was still work to do, but Sherri suggested they all call it a night so Lew could get some rest.
Before the meeting had concluded, Jonathan had a signed million-dollar recording contract one album deal with an insanely tight deadline in his hand and Kit had managed to gain a nice advance plus full control of her master recordings without a 360 deal.
As Alexa and Spencer were gathering their things to leave, Kit said her goodbyes to Sherri and Jonathan. She then approached Lew and grinned.
He looked at her. “Can I take one more minute of your time before you head out?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Lew looked at Alexa and Spencer. “We’ll be a second.” Lew led Kit back to the study where they had their earlier conversation.
She walked in and looked around. “Sit or stand?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you’d like, kid. This won’t take long.”
He stood before her and took his hands in hers. He looked deeply into her eyes. “Stand your ground, Kitten. Regardless of whether it’s the CEO thing, your new career as recording artist Kit-Kat, or your marriage with Sully, stand strong. For you. This is your time to shine. Don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of that. Not even me.”
He nodded and continued. “No matter what happens in our recording sessions tomorrow morning, or the board meeting tomorrow afternoon, know that you’ll always have my full support. The doubts may come along the way. When they do, kick ‘em to the curb. You’ve got my blessing whatever you decide to do.”
He grinned but it was fleeting. His face became serious and his eyes stared deeply into
