*****062:

The questions were mundane and easy. Shepard's group was polite, functional and professional. All our plans, projects and tours were discussed in detail, and if we'd recently worked with any other major stars--- our opinions were asked for. It wasn't that bad. Aubrey stayed by my side, my fingers hooked in the knit of her dress. It was okay--- comfortable. Not that I was ever uncomfortable with the press.

Draft Jam did excellently, media savvy as they weren't, they still managed to pull off the bad boy rockers image they thought was cool.

It was when I was in with them that Aubrey said she had an idea and she wriggled out of my hold. There were far too many people in the huge facility now, so I stayed with Axis and Draft Jam, and the lobby.

The half hour turned predictably into an hour, with many a later appointment made for private interviews and promotions. I was very familiar with how these worked. I watched with envy as Aubrey sidled through the crowds and then I lost sight of her as I gave one random predictable answer after the other.

******

Aubrey

I hadn't bothered to check and see who else was recording at Rosewood. Rafe had been right--- a number of other LDS artists, or artists whose back up included an LDS element often sought out Rosewood, knowing it would be private, host big name and smaller groups and artists, and there would be plenty of collaborating if that was what was wanted. Parker and Zack were well known for putting things together.

I saw Fallon was there as well. His honey colored mop peered in the side of a door down the hall where several reporters were congregating. He saw me and put up and arm. "Hey, baby sister, how's the recording going? Parker says they are well into the tenth track."

"It's going good. I've gotta get back up to the kids, but I was wondering who you're working with?"

"This group--- Almighty Paragon. They're predominantly LDS, and do predominantly Christian Rock, some country. This is their second studio album. They go home tomorrow. Nothing as big as Axis. Your man's dope here."

"Is your group an all guy group?"

"Yeah." He seemed distracted, but my questions were vaguely networking and he could do that in his sleep.

"Do they--- any of them have any sisters?"

His eyes narrowed at me. "What?"

"Think Fallon. Why am I looking for girls?"

"You need girls to compliment your all boy band?"

"I need member girls."

His eyes opened wide. "Now don't go playing matchmaker, angel. It will just get you in trouble. See that guy there? The one with the heavy facial hair? He's got a real active sister in the industry. She's a sound tech of something. She tours with bigger name bands, so she's good. I hear your guys are doing Walk of Disaster soon."

I nodded and asked for the guy's name. Then I went in and asked--- since he didn't know who I was at all—or if I was a reporter--- I asked him for his's sister's number as a sound tech of course. Then I asked if he knew any other LDS gals in the entertainment field. He didn't seem the least bit concerned as he gave me the names of two or three other very active gals---one a solo artist--- doing songs for Disney characters, and two were backup singers and musicians.

There was more than one way to skin a cat.

Then squeezing through the crowd, I made my way to a smaller room--- near our sound room, and I called Fallon's lead singer's sister, the sound tech, Antonia Synne Naess.

"Hey, is this Antonia?"

"Yes, who is this?"

We got the preliminaries out of the way and then I told her I represented Axis, we were going on tour in five weeks and were in studio till then. I was interviewing for sound tech, and wondered if she was available. It was that simple.

By the end of the next twenty minutes I had five such interviews set up--- all here, and all in person in the next two days. I was no dummy. I'd get these guys a regular parade of eligible females through here. There'd be no excuse when I was done with them.

*****