Chapter 49: Crushing It

[Chapter 49: Crushing It]

"I've met Scooter a few times in L.A. He's Jewish, but somehow he manages to get along with those black folks. That's why he's highly regarded by some top executives," Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records, said over the phone. Ryan tried to ask for the names of the executives, but Borchetta kept his lips sealed, revealing nothing.

However, his words confirmed Ryan's suspicions, and Ryan finally made a decision...

...

"This is Mr. Jesse Schaudies from Wisconsin. He's the special legal advisor for this contract signing," Ryan introduced.

The white-bearded man in casual clothes handed his business card to Scooter. Compared to Scooter's sharply dressed legal team, this man looked incredibly relaxed.

Scooter, his secretary, and his lawyer sat across the table. When Scooter saw the title "Global Vice President of Front Office and Strategic Relations at Manpower Group" on the elegant business card, his eyebrows shot up, and he nearly dropped the card.

Manpower Group is a Nasdaq-listed multinational corporation and one of the top three human resources companies in the world.

Seeing Scooter's reaction, Ryan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. When he first met this friend of Taylor's father yesterday, he had been equally shocked. He knew Taylor's father was a big shot, but he hadn't realized just how big. It was sheer luck that this "Global Vice President" was on vacation and had come to catch up with Taylor's father, conveniently helping Ryan out in the process.

Just this one business card caused Scooter and his team to exchange over twenty glances.

"Shall we begin?" Taylor's father, who had come with Ryan, checked his watch.

Aside from the two older white men, Trey was also present. Taylor couldn't make it due to work commitments.

"This is the draft copy of the contract. Based on the details previously negotiated between Braun and Rivers, we've made some revisions to the template," Scooter's lawyer opened a folder and slid it over to the polo-shirt-wearing older white man next to Ryan.

Ryan could clearly see that the draft was several hundred pages long.

Taylor's father's friend put on his glasses and flipped through a few pages before suddenly stopping.

"Clause Four, Production and Recording Costs, Section Three: 'Includes but is not limited to expenses related to recording, production, and mixing, all of which are classified as production costs.' This is too vague. If the record company assigns a third party to handle the mixing, would all expenses incurred by this third party also need to be covered by Party B?"

This single question stumped the opposing lawyer, who immediately looked at Scooter.

"That does need clarification. The relevant budget will be communicated to Ryan in advance, and the expenses will only be incurred with his consent," Scooter said.

"What do you mean by 'his consent'? This is an exclusive agreement. Should the production costs of a third party be classified as Party B's production costs? That contradicts the exclusivity outlined in Clause One," Jesse countered.

"Uh, perhaps that section needs revision," Scooter forced a smile.

"Give me a pen, please," Jesse said, writing down his revisions in the corresponding section of the draft.

"Clause Five, Advance Payments and Royalties, Section Six: Royalties from streaming should not be conflated with physical sales royalties, nor should they be prioritized to cover the costs of physical sales. I suggest revising Section Fifteen to separate physical sales royalties, digital sales royalties, and streaming royalties for individual calculation. Any objections?"

"Not... for now," Scooter shook his head, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Clause Six, Promotion and Marketing, according to Section Nine, a supplementary note should be added. If Party B faces objective limitations, including force majeure, weather, personal illness, accidents, etc., they can refuse Party A's promotional demands. Without explicit subjective refusal, this does not constitute a breach of contract..."

"Clause Seven, Tours and Live Performances. I understand that Ryan already performs in various locations, which predates this contract. Similar situations may arise after signing. Why isn't this mentioned in the contract?"

"Clause Eight, Contract Termination and Breach. I suggest rewriting this entire section."

"Clause Nine, Creative Control..."

"Clause Ten, Other Income Distribution..."

Jesse was sharp and methodical, questioning each clause and jotting down revisions.

It was partly Scooter's inexperience in signing artists and his relatively unknown legal team that left the contract riddled with loopholes, which Jesse expertly exploited.

"First, address the issues I've raised. Then we'll proceed to a second round of review. Which law firm are you from?" Jesse asked the opposing lawyer.

The lawyer named his firm.

"No wonder," Jesse chuckled. "Next time I see your firm's partners, I'll have a good chat with them."

...

The negotiations dragged on until evening, and it was clear they would need at least another full day. However, the core issues had mostly been resolved, and the "landmines" in the contract that could have negatively impacted Ryan had been mostly defused by Jesse.

Ryan's anxiety had eased significantly, feeling that Taylor's father's friend had been a tremendous help.

"I'm on vacation, so this is just a small favor for Scott," Jesse said with a kind smile as they left the office, a stark contrast to his earlier stern demeanor.

Meanwhile, Ryan noticed Scott taking a phone call.

...

After a while, Scott returned and said to Jesse, "I might have to head home for dinner tonight. Andrea asked me to pick up my daughter from the studio. She has to go to school."

Jesse looked troubled and mentioned a local restaurant he had visited with Taylor's father years ago.

Ryan caught on immediately and offered to pick up Taylor himself, allowing the two older men to catch up at their old haunt.

"That works," Scott scratched his head, not noticing anything amiss.

"Let's go. I don't get to visit Nashville often," Jesse urged.

The four parted ways at the door. Jesse and Taylor's father went to dinner, Trey headed home, and Ryan drove to Blackbird Studio.

...

"How did the contract signing go?"

As soon as Ryan entered Studio C, Taylor, who was chatting with a woman, looked up and asked.

Hearing Ryan recount the events, Taylor couldn't help but laugh. "I told you, Uncle Jesse is a professional."

"Let me introduce you. This is Colbie Caillat, a country music singer. Her song Bubbly inspired me, and I've decided to collaborate with her on a new song," Taylor introduced.

Then she turned to Colbie. "This is..."

For a moment, Taylor wasn't sure how to introduce Ryan.

"A friend," Ryan nodded.

"Right, a friend," Taylor chuckled.

Colbie didn't press further.

Unlike last time, Taylor wasn't recording today. She seemed to be stuck on something, discussing lyrics with the singer.

Ryan sat at the back of the studio, observing producer Nathan Chapman, a sound engineer, and two assistant engineers. Joel had already moved to another studio that Taylor collaborated with.

...

♫I see your face in my mind as I drive away, 'Cause none of us thought it was gonna end that way...♫ Taylor scratched her head. Even she could get stuck on songwriting.

The wait was longer than expected. Just as Ryan was starting to feel bored, his phone rang.

It was Abigail, who hadn't contacted him in days. Ryan stepped out of the studio into the hallway to take the call.

"I have good news!"

They both said the same thing simultaneously as the call connected.

*****

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