Music of My Heart
Written by Jess Dallow (mousie962) and Lexi (JNDocRock)


It had been the biggest year ever for the band members of Black Hawk. It started eleven months ago, a small town band was at a night club in Chicago, Illinois, when their manager got a phone call.

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"Vince Black?" the man from the other line asked.

"Speaking" he answered, as he took a sip of his beer, and went back to count his bands proceeds for the night.

"Mr. Black, my name is Steve Hall, I am the manager of Aerosmith, and I heard your band is coming up on the charts, so that's why I am calling. You see, I have a bit of a proposition for you."

Vince took another swig from his brew, and wiped his mouth, "I'm listening" he said not really interested yet.

"Well," he began "my band is on a nationwide tour, and Johnny Lang is our opening act. Turns out, he has a bad case of the flu, and weneed a replacement. I was hoping your band was free, and if so, how would they like to open up for Aerosmith?" Vince's mouth dropped open, as he set everything he was doing aside, to think of the press, and more importantly compensation.

"Mr. Hall, I think you've got yourself a deal. Just name the time and place, and we *will* be there."

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Now, not even a year later, they were wrapping up their own nationwide tour right where it all began, Chicago Illinois. There first self-titled album went double platinum, and they were going to enjoy the next 4 months they had off until they released the first single off their new album the night of the Grammy's.

"Look," John Black said as he plopped down on the couch of the noisy night club with the rest of his band mates. "I said I'd have the first single for our new album by the awards, and I will. I have just been a little blocked lately, but have I ever let you guys down?" The members of the band nodded their heads no in unison. For the three years they had been together, he'd never let them down. He'd been their foundation as lead singer, guitar player, and song writer. Following in the footsteps of his father, Vince, he was becoming one of the greatest musicians of his time.

"Great" Vince said clapping his hands "I know you can do it Johnny, ya got my blood in ya. So now that that's settled, what do you boys say we celebrate our first successful year at the top?"

"I'm there!" Bo Brady, the keyboardist said as he wrapped his arm around his managers neck.

"Count me in, pop" Derek, the base player, and John's little brother said as he wrapped his arm around his dad's neck on the opposite side of Bo.

"I know you'd two never turn down a party, but how about you guys?".

"No thanks, I am meeting Lexi tonight, but you guys have fun," Abe Carver, the drummer said as he got up and said good-bye to his friends. "Oh well, we can manage without him, how bout you son, not gonna let your old man down are ya?" John smiled

"Have I ever turned down booze or the ladies, not to mention fun with my friends?" he said getting up, and putting his sports jacket over his fabulously fit body.

"That's my boy!" Vince said smiling "Never let it be said, we didn't go out with a bang!"

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John Black was woken up by the sounds of his ringing phone, and ringing head from the previous night's partying. "Hello?" he asked in a groggy, and painful sounding voice.

"Johnny, it's Tom" the familiar voice of his publicity manager echoed from the other line. "You have a interview with Rolling Stone magazine in half an hour. Do not be late, they are going to ask all about your next album, and you better be fresh and on top of things, got it kid?" John rolled his eyes, as he reached over the night stand to grab two aspirins from the drawer

"Gotcha Tom, see ya in the lobby in twenty." He said as he hung up the phone, simultaneously popping the two aspirin in his mouth, and then reaching back to the table to pour himself a glass of water, when a small piece of paper caught his eye. "Dear Johnny, last night was great, giveme a ring (371) 555-4329 Love, Shelly"

"Shelly, that's what her name was?" he said as he sat up, and picked his boxers off the floor, as he stood up and put them on, throwing the note into the garbage can. "Sorry babe, combatant just ain't my style" He said smirking as he headed towards the bathroom.

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"Ms. Evans, he shouldn't be much longer, he was on his way when I called." Tom Horton pleaded on John's behalf to Marlena Evans, the new music columnist for Rolling Stone who was set to do a spread on a half an hour late, John Black, and his band.

"Mr. Horton, I am sure he is very nice, and that he will give me a lot of valuable information for this month's spread, but I know what kind of life a musician lives, and I hate to have to schedule my work around their recoveries from hangovers." She said as she got her stuff in order, and began to leave, not paying attention. "Oh my!" she said, as she walked into a man entering the restaurant "I am so sorry'" she said as she fell to the floor and tried to pick up her papers.

"Actually" the man began as he reached down to help her. "I should apologize."

To Be Continued....

Chapter 2

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