Jerry was downstairs at the hotel, and Billy had his head bowed like a child. Jerry's stant scolding had been going on for two hours, and Billy's shame alpable, feeling utterly ridiculous.
-Do you know why it's so bad frowing kids to e alcoholic drinks? - Jerry questioned again.
-Yes, sir, I'm sorry, and I won't drink or ence others to get drunk, - Billy said, clearly chastened by Jerry.
-Good, rest up, and go to bed early. I'll take you to visit Chicago, and we'll have a barbecue with the band. We also check out a pizza joint; they say the best pizza is made in Chicago, - Jerry said to the fifteen-year-old boy. He easily saw Billy as a grandson, but he treated him like a sergeant. Jerry's strict demeanor was just his experience showing that kids like Billy ough love to learn how to behave at all times, so they could evolve into respectable members of society.
-Thank you, Mr. Jerry, - Billy said.
-I promised your mother I'd look after you, and that's what I have to do. It may sound like an old man's words, but I don't want you pig up bad habits that will lead you into troubles you 't bear ter on, - Jerry said.
The few minutes passed as they ate, while the band sat a little apart, with or keeping pany with Sauce, and Spencer grading exams at a separate table with what seemed to be a sandwich. He looked serious, but the truth was he was pletely ecstatic about the uping cert as if it were almost an imaginary event he had never been able to fathom.
***
Oreets of Chicago, there articurly long lio enter a cert, which was initially pnned as a light festival due to the cold and fever happening in the eastern US localities.
-Well, I think Radiohead's test album is good, but Kid A, released in October, is a true masterpiece. They annou st minute, but after their national tour, I thought I could only see them in cert, - Dover, a young rothusiast, said to his group of friends, who even had a backyard band and sang some songs in their free time.
The album Kid A, Radiohead's test album, tained incredible songs such as -Everything in its Right Pce," "Kid A," and "The National Anthem. - However, Billy Carson's winning streak didn't go unnoticed; the ticket was worth it after learning about the three singing groups.
The date was exteo two dates due to the sold-out number of tickets a week before; the period doubled, and now eveickets for the sed date were about to run out.
-There's nothing like the first album, which represents Radiohead's identity. Thom Yorke himself mentiohe beginning of their career and the importance of their first album as a band, - Bobby Son, a friend of Dover and a staunch fan of the band, replied.
-You sound like a newbie; everyone likes that album for 'You' and 'Creep,' but the artistic quality of OK puter and Kid A has greatly improved the band's plexity, - Jack said in the middle, while his girlfriend, holding his hand with a hat on her head, nodded in agreement.
The line began to move, and everyoarted to feel happier; the cert was about to begin, and the spirits of all were in line, as the cert they had been eagerly awaiting was finally starting.
.***
Billy was calmer, after a long time. At Spencer's request, Scott had taught him some breathing teiques and mao hahe stage more fidently. He was like a protective father figure.
-Remember, kid, you always o stay calm. The key to singing is breathing. Once you get the rhythm, singing a song won't cause many problems. Try to take your time and have a sip of water after each song; it help you at the cert's end, Scott Lucas said.
-It sucks to lose your voice, - Billy muttered, having experiehat mishap some time ago. For five days, he couldn't speak or do strenuous exercises; eveing caused disfort.
-Tell me about it. During my first tour, towards the end, my vocal strength wasn't enough. My vocal cords were vibrating so much during that tour that we had to postpohe cert for three days for me to recover. You know, take it easy, - Scott Lucas ented with a nostalgia unbeing of his age.
Billy was now opening the cert, followed by Local H, and closed by Radiohead, switg each date, which paid homage to tradition. Only when the gap was te or the band was very proud, they chose the pce to perform.
A security guard arrived, holding an agenda in his hand and pointing at the clock. They had ten minutes left, a stant struggle because everyone repared. Billy felt the audience's excitement, while the tration of people was on standby, an evident pleasure for everyone.
The stage was once agai, and there Billy stood in front of the 7,000 people, extending with a curiosity beyond, all clearly uanding that, on many occasions, the ce to face a collective group required strength. Unwaveringly, Billy recalled some mog from novice singers about his devastating performances, something that o be uood only by the act of doing it.
-Don't be afraid, kid, and good luck, - Scott said alongside Billy, Local H had also gained many things in the following days.
-How fortunate I am. I just have to give it my best in singing, - Billy thought.
The mainteaff was anizing the equipment, while Jack Sauce had a big smile on his face, Spencer tinued pying with his guitar, and or warmed up his drumsticks, while Billy observed everything from the darkness, already having a pn. First, they would liven up the atmosphere with "Jimmy in the Middle," followed by "Seven Nation Army," "Teenager," and "Somewhere Only We Know" as the st song.
The lights turned on, revealing a small stage of perhaps two meters, atop aner stage. Billy moved across the space with a microphoaking his steps throughout the vehere he saw his mother, just as she had told him on the call, with a red wool coat, extending her arms nearby, front aer. Seeing her rejuvenated his thoughts; he almost wao ge the order of the songs so his mother could hear other songs, but it didn't matter now; he had to focus on what he was about to do.
-Good evening, the first song is called 'Jimmy in the Middle,' - the band began to adjust, and Billy firmly grasped the microphone as the band members gave their approval.
The electric guitar started, and or's drums wreaked havoc; everyone was stunned by the incredible chords that were so catchy. The world was desperate for the fmboyant start. Billy began his routine, opening his arms with plete arrogance, as if the audience beloo him and no one else. With such force, he only opened his arms, while the people around him were stunned. He imagined himself as the best singer in the world, not rejeg himself, passing over the sculpted individuals trying to lead him to something he wasn't. Everyone wao push him into something he didn't want to be, while he pursued a single goal, as if time passed, embodying pride, strength, and resilien his songs.
...
????
Hey, don't write yourself off yetIt's only in your head, you feel left outOr looked down on
Just try your bestTry everything you d don't you worry about what they tell themselvesWhen you're away
It just takes some timeLittle girl, you're in the middle of the rideEverything, everything'll be just fihing, everything'll be alright, alright
Hey, you know they're all the sameYou know you're doier on your own (on your own)So don't buy in
????
...
People listened with total madness; this was a rock song. Even his miving him side gnces, oint of light shaking her head, while Billy tio imprint strength in his singing. Everything was in his element; the song tinued as the musiiche entered Billy. The force of his body moved from side to side, while people began to be ied by his as, as Billy only carried a fg of joy in his notes as if everything, he said was a dogma that had to be fulfilled. The sky was bck, just as he had imagined.
...
????Live right nowYeah, just be yourselfIt doesn't matter if it's good enough (good enough)For someone else
It just takes some timeLittle girl, you're in the middle of the rideEverything, everything'll be just fihing, everything'll be alright, alright
It just takes some timeLittle girl, you're in the middle of the rideEverything, everything'll be just fihing, everything'll be alright, alright
Hey, don't write yourself off yetIt's only in your head, you feel left out (feel left out)Or looked down on
????
...
Spencer's guitar solo drove the crowd crazy, while Billy hopped on one foot like a goat, filled with happiness. Everything Spencer did was incredible; he was a genius without rancor. His guitar was like a festival of madhat incited people to move their necks as if abandoned. His every a screamed a differey.
Music could always lead him to happiness with such pride; it was just incredible.
...
????
Just do your best (just do your best)Do everything you (do everything you )And don't you worry what their bitter hearts (bitter hearts)Are gonna say
It just takes some timeLittle girl, you're in the middle of the rideEverything, everything'll be just fihing, everything'll be alright, alright
It just takes some timeLittle girl, you're in the middle of the rideEverything, everything'll be just fihing, everything'll be alright
????
...