Pirate's Gold Read Free Page B

true. Even the most marketable hits don’t make it without the right video packaging. It really is an art, and Festival Productions has an uncanny way of molding music to story and coming up with an incredible finished product. They’re slick. Three years ago no one had even heard of Festival Productions. Today I’ve got rock stars demanding to work with that company, to the point that it’s written into their contracts. I’ve had entire recording deals balanced in Festival’s gifted hands.”
    Woods was skeptical. “What makes Festival so much better than the rest?”
    â€œHaven’t you been listening to a word I’ve said? It’s their artistry, their interpretation of the song, their ability to give the audience a brilliant, unforgettable visual story to identify with the song.”
    â€œI can’t believe they are that good.”
    Kyle nodded curtly. “Have you ever heard of the rock group Mirage?”
    Ryan drew on his cigar and squinted. “Vaguely,” he admitted in a stream of smoke. “I’m not up on all this new-wave nonsense.”
    Kyle waved off his ignorance with a quick rotation of his wrist. “It doesn’t matter. The point is, two years ago, no one had heard of them, not in the U.S. They were just one in a thousand obscure English rock groups that had never caught on, not here. They released a single and it bombed. Never broke Billboard’s top one hundred.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo the lead singer, a kid by the name of J. D. Price, was smart enough to figure that with all-day cable video music, videotapes would be the next growth phase for rock and roll. He took all the group’s money, invested in an expensive video for that same song that bombed, released the tape and presto—” Kyle’s fist pounded on the corner of the desk “—Mirage was an overnight success.” He paused for dramatic effect, but Ryan could feel what was coming. “Do you want to take a guess at the name of the firm that produced that videotape?”
    Woods smiled as he stubbed out his cigar. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Festival Productions can walk on water as far as hard rock is concerned. Now, let me convince you of something. Regardless of the pirating scheme, you’re better off producing your own videos. If Festival is so talented, hire the talent away from this Maren McClure.”
    Kyle considered the idea. “If I can,” he thought aloud. “From what I understand, she’s the one with the talent.” His lips pursed together. “It irritates the hell out of me to think that someone would steal those tapes. It just doesn’t make any sense. Festival needs me as badly as I need it.”
    â€œPeople will stoop to almost anything for a quick buck. I shouldn’t have to remind you of that.” Ryan had intended to say more but quickly decided to hold his tongue. He hadn’t meant for his remark to have been so personal and the look in Kyle’s eyes was deadly. He tried to apologize. “Don’t get me wrong.”
    Kyle ignored his friend’s attempt at amends. They’d known each other far too long to take offense at careless remarks. Besides which, Ryan was right. Kyle had been burned before, and badly. Rose had capitalized on the publicity surrounding their divorce to pad her career. He didn’t intend to make the same error twice. No one was going to profit from his mistakes! He had ignored his company, but he was determined to change that, right now. The slow smile that spread across his features didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re right, Ryan.” He settled back into the chair and reached for a ham and cheese sandwich while watching his friend. “Why don’t you tell me exactly how you think I should handle this situation.”
    Ryan was pleased. At least he’d gotten through to Kyle. He considered that a major