Chapter 19 "The Paper"

Aug 15th,  2000

Jonny was sitting in the studio at the piano.  Steve Schnieder would be there in about 15 to 20 minutes.  He wasn't really sure what he was doing there.  Jonny was enjoying the solitude.  He started to think about his past.  John couldn't believe that, less than three years ago he was sitting in a classroom, studying to be a music technician.  He smiled as he remembered the look on Tany's face, when she sang "Because the Night" for the first time in the microphone.  She was so nervous and now you would never know she hadn't done this that long.  Now sometimes, she would stop recording because a note would be just a little off or something wouldn't sound right.  She wanted it to be perfect. Jonny was a little jealous of her, on how easy it was for her to be able to woo the crowd like she could.  She was very comfortable in front of crowds.  Jonny started to think about the previous year.  Jonny was married and had tried to start a life with Cheryl, but ended up becoming an addict.  What he wouldn't give to get a joint right now.  Anything to take this edge off.  This album had to be a hit or they could be out.  Although Eric was giving them until the next album, Jonny was starting to feel the pressure. He hit a few chords, just messing around.

When the melody came into his mind.  He started to play it, Steve, carrying his guitar, walked in.  Jonny stopped playing, "No man keep playing that."

Jonny continued to play as Steve played his guitar. "Do you have any words?" 
"Yeah just a few."  Jonny started to sing the words he had, Steve looked at him,  "Man, I think you have a hit."

The washing machine was finishing it's last spin cycle.  Tany was sitting on the couch waiting for it to end.  Scott and Tany found an apartment, it was small but it worked. Scott was out auditioning.  Tany was trying to be domesticated but was failing miserably.  She was playing house and this just wasn't were she belonged.

Tany flipped the page of the magazine she was reading, Scott walked in.  "Hey, babe."  "Hey, well, any luck?"  "One potential, and four no's."  "I'm so sorry." 

Scott saw what she was doing, and wondered, "What are you doing?" 
"I am reading a magazine and waiting for the washing machine to quit so I can put the load in the dryer." 
"Wow, you are completely bored." 
"Yes, I am."  "
Why don't you call Sabrina, you haven't gotten to spend time with her in awhile, oh I know we could set her and Johnson up." 
"I will call her, but um, Johnson is dating that country singer." 
"Which country singer?" 
"That one with that stupid color song." 
"Oh, yeah Deanne Mines, I think is her name." 
"I will call Sabrina."

Scott sat down next to her.  "Ok, I am going to take a shower and then I am going to.... I don't know what I am going to do."  "Put the clothes in the dryer," Tany said kissing Scott on the head.

 Tany and Sabrina were sitting at a table, both drinking iced-teas.  "So...." 

"So?" 
"Sabz are you going to tell me or do I have to beat it out of you."

 "Let's just say it didn't work out." 
"Dang Sabz, I am so sorry."
"I am not."  Tany and Sabrina started to talk about the release of "Reason" the next single. 

"So do you think this will be a hit." 
Tany thinking about that, "You, know Sabz, I don't know.  I wrote it because I so mad at my brother." 
"I know." 
"He is so selfish and he doesn't get it. That is what I wrote it about, but Eric liked it and said we shou......" 
"Hey you"  Johnson bent down and kissed Tany on the cheek.

Johnson was holding the "Variety" magazine.  "Hey, what are you doing?" 
"I am taking a break for lunch and then I am going to be heading back to the auditioning."  Johnson had left "Nights of our Deaths" because he was hoping to pursue a movie career. 
"Not going so well is it?" Sabrina chimed in. 
"I think I might get a call back, on one of them."  Tany happened to see, The Connors' name, "What do you have there?" 
"Oh, this is that Variety, you know that entertainment daily paper?"  Johnson said knowing what Tany saw.  He had actually read the article, but was hoping she wouldn't ask.  Yeah right, Tany Connors not ask, who did he think he was fooling. 
"Can I see it?" 
"Tany, you won't like it." 
"I don't care, I want to see it."  Johnson was holding above her head so she had to reach for it.  "Johnson, let me see it." 
"Ok, but I warned you."  He gave her the paper.  She turned to the small article, this is what it said:


It's a Miracle Alright
New bands tend to come and go, some even have one hit and disappear forever.  The Connors are in this writers opinion a one hit wonder.  You can argue that they had two hits but unfortunately that was all.  The Connors are a "family" band made up of Jon S. and Tany.  Their music is a mix between dance and pop. In July of 1998 they released their first single, "Because the Night," A cover of Patti Smith's.  It did nothing but climb to number 2 and stayed there. "Miracle" which was their second single did climb the charts this time landing in the number 1 for four weeks, before it too fell into oblivion. "Piece of Heaven" was and would be their final single.  This one stayed on the charts longer but it too died a slow death. The Connors have yet to release another.  They are the children of actor/director John Connors. They released their album entitled "Miracle" in April of 1999. Unfortunately Jon S. was in the hospital during the release party, due to a drug overdose.  Their brother Alberto had to take over as piano player. Since they are John's children it does make one wonder, if they made the album on their own merit or by Daddy's. I would hope option A, but with so many I tend to lean towards the latter.  Jon S. and Cheryl Kaiman filed for divorce earlier this year.  Wonder what happened there?, I know you put two druggies together you get... two druggies.  Jon S. has apparently been dealing with both drug addiction and alcoholism for a while now.  He doesn't seem to be taking being in the limelight well.  Tany on the other hand seems to be thriving from it.  Now dating one of Hollywood's notorious "Bad Boys", Scott A. Wright.  Tany is trying to prove that she is the girl next door.  By wearing clothes that cover just about every inch of her body and wearing cowboy boots.  Yes, they are from Texas but come on, cowboy boots are old fashion and nobody wears them, except cowboys.  Which neither are.  We can't even compare you to other sibling bands like "The Carpenters" or "Donnie and Marie"  at least they made it.  Unfortunately, Tany and Jon S.  you are not.  So to close this little rant, maybe if Jon S. would stop drinking and taking drugs, and Tany show a little skin, this writer might change her mind.

Tany threw the paper down on to the table.  She pulled out her phone and dialed Al's number.  She waited for him to pick up, "Hello."

It was Beth.  "Hey Beth, is my brother around?"  "Yep hold on."  Tany looked over at Johnson.  She could hear someone  coming to the phone.

"Hey, what's up?" 
"Well, have you read Variety today?"  Tany almost shouted into the phone. 
"Yes, I have and I agree with some of the things she was saying but......" Tany was steaming like the tea kettle she uses in her kitchen. 
"Alberto, I don't think she had any right to say any of that st.............."  He had to interrupt her, "Mouth, shut up a second and let me tell you my thoughts." 
He waited for her to respond, "Fine". She let out a long sigh.  Sabrina and Johnson laughed a little.  Both knew why she was doing it.

"Ok, first off you are right she had no right calling you a one hit wonder.  But she is right about Jonny and his addiction, I am sorry but he is suffering from it."  "That's true."  she was starting to calm down a little bit.  "And she was right about you."  "How so, Al she...."  "Tany you have to start showing a little skin, I am not saying show your boobs or you butt, but you have to show something."  "Al, you know I don't feel comfortable wearing things like that."  "I know, and believe me, I don't want you to as your brother, but you are the lead singer and well......"  "Fine, so what you are saying is I need to go a little bad."  "Well.............Yes."

Tany turned to Sabrina, "Do you know anyone who can help me with my clothes?"  Before Sabrina could say anything Johnson spoke up, "I do." 
"Ok can you have them call Sabz and we will schedule something?"  Johnson nodded, "Look, I better go, are you ok?"  Tany just nodded.


*****Please feel free to leave a comment,  I will take the good, the bad and the ugly.  I also promise to take it with a grain of salt.*****