“No Araysa, you know that you can’t put an eighth note where a half note should be!” Dr. Vanceburg scolded.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’m trying so hard to get this right, but I just can’t.” I said with desperation.

“Never say you can’t, because I know that you can.”

As a senior in college I was getting ready for my senior recital, which included an almost impossible Mozart violin solo. I had been playing violin for 15 years, ever since I was in fifth grade. It was my entire life, and all I ever wanted to do was to play my violin in front of huge audiences with a recording artist. I was not the norm at my university. Most people wanted jobs with prestigious orchestras or chamber ensembles. Not me, I wanted to somehow get my face on MTV playing my violin. I was getting so frustrated with Mozart that I started to break into a rendition of the Backstreet Boys’ “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart).”

“What in the hell is that?!?!?” Dr. Vanceburg boomed.

“Sorry, it just slipped out.” I said back.

“No, I want to know what music could be more important than your senior recital repertoire?”

“Ummm…it…was…a…Back…street…Boys…song.” I stammered out.

“Backstreet Boys huh? How many times have I told you to give up this pop music dream of yours. There is no place for a violin in Top 40 music.”

“Dr. Vanceburg that’s where you are wrong. I’m going to be a pop violinist. You just wait and see.” I said as I angrily slammed my violin case shut.

“You do what you want, but I can only take you so far before I no longer can accept your career choice. You are far too good to waste your time on phony pre-manufactured music.” Dr. Vanceburg said while shutting his studio door.

Dr. Vanceburg didn’t know what he was talking about. There is room for a violin in pop music. I had just seen an orchestra playing behind Metallica on VH1 for crying out loud!! I just needed to get my foot in the door somehow. Luckily that connection would be coming faster than I had originally thought.

*********

It was a week after my blow-up with Dr. Vanceburg. I was once again in his studio hashing out the impossible Mozart. Dr. Vanceburg came in the room and threw a paper on my lap.

“You want a chance at your pop music dream, well here it is.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked with skepticism.

“Right there at the top of the page. The ad, read it.” Dr. Vanceburg said pointing to the top of the page in front of me.

It read…

Looking for a violinist Jive Records Orlando, FL Pop music background Preferred Call if interested

I couldn’t believe it. This was my chance. Not only was Jive Records a huge pop music record company but it was also the record company of none other than the BACKSTREET BOYS!!! I knew that BSB was getting ready to go on tour pretty soon so I was getting a really good feeling that this was not just another studio musician position.

“Call the number if you are so inclined. You can do it from here if you want.” Dr. Vanceburg said as he handed me his phone.

“Are you sure? You really are going to give me permission to follow my pop music dreams?” I said with a mocking tone.

“Just call, before I change my mind.” Dr. Vanceburg said.

I dialed the number with a shaking hand. My pulse started to race as the phone started to ring. After three rings I heard a click and then the sound of a pleasant receptionist.

“Jive Records Orlando, can I help you?” she said.

“Um, yea, my name is Araysa Ashmore and I’m inquiring about your ad for a violinist in this month’s issue of ‘Orchestra Monthly’.” I said with confidence.

“Oh yes, Araysa, we’ve heard great things about you and your violin playing from a Dr. Saul Vanceburg.” She said back to me.

“What are you serious?” I said stealing a relieved look at Dr. Vanceburg.

Dr. Vanceburg obviously knew what I was talking about with the receptionist because he had a big grin on his face.

“Yes, we’ve received an audio sample of yours from recent recitals and a recording session you did a few months ago. We were most impressed with that. I think the most impressed was Kevin Richardson.”

“You mean Backstreet Boys Kevin Richardson?” I said disbelieving.

“Yes, that would be the one.” The lady said with a laugh. “We would like you to come down to Florida for an interview and a mini-recording session with the Backstreet Band just see how you mesh. As you probably can guess this will be a permanent position with the Backstreet Band for the upcoming tour and album.”

My mouth dropped. I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me. Here I was 21 years old and I would be going down to Florida to audition for the career opportunity of a lifetime. A million things were running through my head, but the one thing that stuck out was that I was going to be playing for not only the Backstreet Boys but the love my life was a part of this group, the blond hottie Nick Carter. Just then my mind snapped back to whom I was talking to.

“Did you get all that?” the lady asked.

“No, I’m sorry I’m just so shocked. I can’t listen straight.” I said with embarrassment.

“I understand this must be truly overwhelming. Don’t worry everything will be fine. The guys in the group and the band are amazing to work with. I don’t know if you are a fan or not but I’m sure after working with them for a while you will become a fan.”

“Actually, I’m a really big fan. I hope that doesn’t scare anybody away.” I said.

“No, I don’t think it will. It will make it much easier for you to appreciate the music. Okay, your travel plans will be arriving very soon and we look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. I hope this gives you enough time to square things away with school. You graduate in two weeks correct?”

“Yes, I do. I will graduate with honors. I will have a Bachelor of Arts in Music performance with a string emphasis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Business.” I said with pride.

“Excellent, I’ll note that down in your file. We really look forward to seeing you. My name is Shelia, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to call.” Shelia said.

“Okay, thank you so much for this opportunity. You don’t know how grateful I am.” I said.

“No problem, thank you for being so young and talented. I will talk to you later.” Shelia said.

“Bye, bye.” I said as I hung up.

“So what’s the story?” Dr. Vanceburg asked.

“I’m going to Florida right after graduation.” I said with a big grin.

“You’re welcome.”

“Thank you so much Dr. Vanceburg. It never would’ve happened without you.” I said as I gave him a hug.

“You’re welcome again, now get out of here and call you parents.” Dr. Vanceburg said as he shooed me out of his studio.

I ran home as fast as I could so I could tell my roommate and call my parents. I got into the house and my roommate Mandy was sitting on the living room couch studying and watching Total Request Live.

“Damn-it, BSB are number two today.” Mandy yelled as she threw a cheeto at the screen.

“Don’t be so hard on Carson. He can’t help it.” I said laughing.

“I know, so what’s up? Why do you have that big grin on your face.” Mandy asked.

“Guess where I’m going right after graduation for a job?” I said.

“Where?” Mandy asked.

“Florida, to audition for a job with the Backstreet Band.” I said beaming.

“WHAT??? You are lying!!!” Mandy yelled as she got up to go to the kitchen.

“I’m serious, there was an ad in this orchestra magazine for a violinist to work at Jive Records. I called the number and it turned out Dr. Vanceburg had already called them and told them about me. He even sent them audio samples and that CD that I recorded with all Backstreet Boys songs on it. The receptionist Sheila said that Kevin Richardson was most impressed with the CD.” I said.

“No shit, I can’t believe this. So you really going to be a pop violinist, just like you always said you would be. Congratulations. I’m sure you’ll have tons of fun while I’m in North Dakota.” Mandy said with a frown.

My smile turned upside down. I had forgot about our plans for after graduation. Mandy was going to pharmacy school in North Dakota and I already had a job with the symphony orchestra in Fargo where her pharmacy school was. I just couldn’t give up this BSB gig though. I knew that Mandy wasn’t expecting me to either.

“I know Mandy, I’m sorry I’m messing all of our plans up with this. You could come and visit me in Florida over the summer and then when we are on tour I will make sure that they go to North Dakota so I can see you. I will make sure to introduce you to Brian.” I said trying to make her feel better.

“Don’t bother, he’s married now remember.” Mandy said.

“Oh Mandy, you are still hung up on that? Are you 22 or 2?” I asked with a laugh.

“I’m 22, I know I’m not really hung up on it, I just had to say it. So you’re finally going to be able to meet Nick. How are you going to get Willa off of his back?” Mandy asked.

“I have no intention of ruining his relationship with her. I will just sit back do my job and let him come to me.” I said with a smile.

“That’s the attitude. Oh Araysa, I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to come visit you down there. You are going to have so much fun you know that.”

“I know we had so much fun going to their concerts I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like actually being apart of their concert.”

“Hey, have you called your parents?” Mandy asked.

“No, I haven’t. I’m going to do that right now. Excuse me while I drop the news to them that I’m now going to be about two days away from them and not 12 hours.”

“Good luck, I’m sure they’ll be happy for you.”

“Just wait who I tell them who the job is with. I know my mother is going to think that this is some weird scheme to travel around to the concerts.” I said as I dialed my parents’ number.

“Hello.” My mom said.

“Hey mom, how’s it going?” I asked.

“Oh hello Araysa, I’m good how are you?”

“I’m really good. I have something to tell you.” I said.

“What, is everything okay.” My mom asked worried.

“Everything is fine. Here’s the deal. I’m not going to be going to North Dakota. Right after graduation I’m going to Florida to be a part of the Backstreet Band.” I said.

“The Backstreet Band? I don’t get it. Why aren’t going to North Dakota?”

“You know the Backstreet Band Mom, as the Backstreet Boys.”

“Araysa, this isn’t one of your let’s travel around to meet the Backstreet Boys again is it. I mean are you telling me the truth about this job.” My mom asked.

I covered the phone and yelled to Mandy.

“She asked if this was a scheme. I knew that she would.”

Mandy laughed and returned to watching MTV.

“Mom, this isn’t a scheme I can send you the ad in the magazine if you want. I’m leaving for Florida right after graduation. They are sending me travel plans in a few days.” I said.

“Well, when we come to for graduation you can show us all the stuff. If this is a legitimate job than I guess I can only say congratulations. I’m assuming that this will pay better than the Fargo job. You are going to be their concertmaster you know. I think that you should go down to Florida see what it’s about and then make a decision. Don’t rush into anything.” My mom said to be concerned.

“I know Mom, I will check everything out. If it’s not for me I’ll take the concertmaster job.” I said to relieve her.

“Good, I’m glad that you are going to use some sense although you know and I know that you aren’t going to take that Fargo job. You are going to go to Florida fall in love with the music business and we’ll never see you again.” My mom said with a laugh.

“You’re probably right.” I said with a laugh back.

“Good bye Araysa, I’ll talk to you next week. Love you.” My mom said.

“Bye Mom, I love you too. Don’t worry everything will be fine. I will never forget about you. You guys are going to be in the front row when we come to Minneapolis. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Fabulous. I’m sure your father will be most thrilled to attend a Backstreet Boys concert.”

“He will be, he’ll get to see me play something other than classical music, which makes him fall asleep.”

“Yes, I know he’ll be proud. I will be too. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye mom.” I said as I hung up the phone.

“How’d she take it?” Mandy asked.

“Good, I think.”

“That’s good. Hey did you stop and think what’s going to happen to you in two weeks?” Mandy asked me.

“I’M GOING TO BE WORKING FOR THE BACKSTREET BOYS!!!” I screamed.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!” Mandy and I screamed as we jumped up and down.

“I believe that this calls for a little celebration. Let’s get hooched up and go to the clubs.” Mandy suggested.

“You got it girl!!” I said giving Mandy a high five.

I’ve always been told that the college years are the best years of your life, but I think that I have just become the exception. The best times of life were yet to come, starting in about two weeks I would be living it up in sunny Florida. I couldn’t wait.

Chapter Two
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