Page 1 of Mason Wilder
“Welcome back.” The pretty talk show host smiled into the camera. “With one platinum single, two sitting in the top 10 slot, and a gold debut album, Prodigy is America’s fastest rising new rock band. They’re at the tail end of a successful North American tour that has been selling out venues across America. All this after bursting onto the music scene only one year ago.”
The host announced them from left to right. “Tessa Blade Garcia on vocals and bass guitar. Lucas Blade on lead guitar. Sindy Cavanaugh on rhythm guitar.”The talk show host paused when she got to Mason and beamed at him for a moment. “He’s someone who needs no introduction, world-renowned drummer extraordinaire, Mason Wilder.”
Mason flashed his signature million-dollar smile which rivaled the studio lights and sent the audience, male and female alike, into a wave of thunderous applause and whistles. Mason chuckled softly at the reception, modesty causing him to put his hand over his heart and bow his head in appreciation.
“It’s no coincidence that we have some very famous last names on the stage today,” the host continued. “Aptly named, Prodigy is the next generation of rock stars produced by Immortal Angel’s Angel Garcia, Tommy Blade and Jimmy Wilder.” Another round ofapplause rose from the audience at the mention of Immortal Angel.
The host straightened several note cards in her hand and turned her attention back to the band. “Welcome to Celebrity Today. It’s an honor having you with us. Tell me, how has growing up under the tutelage of your famous families shaped Prodigy as a whole?”
Tessa knew that her brother would take this question, and Lucas leaned forward to address the host. “It was a privilege growing up with Tommy Blade as one of my dads.” A girl in the audience let out a scream when Lucas mentioned their iconic father, and the host put on a broad smile. “I feel the same way,” she said in the direction of the exclamation, and a rumble of laughter followed.
“Naturally, Immortal Angel was a big influence on us,” Lucas continued. “Mason, Tessa and I were on the road touring with them most of our lives.But Prodigy is its own band. We wanted that clear from the start. We weren’t going to capitalize on our parents’ fame. We wanted to be recognized on our own merit and started at the bottom just like everyone else. We played the indie circuit for years while Tessa and I finished college.”
“Education was important in your family. Is that correct?”
Tessa found the microphone in her face. “Yes. My dad, Tommy Blade, was adamant that we both get a college degree before embarking on a career in music. My mom, Jessi Blade, and my other dad, Angel Garcia, not so much.”
The audience laughed again.
“Sindy Cavanaugh, you’re the new face in Prodigy. Tell me, how did it feel to infiltrate this trio who had already established a presence as a band? Was it an easy transition?”
Sindy let out a small laugh. “No. Not really. Tessa and I became best friends right away. Mason, well, what’s not to love about Mason? He’s the most easygoing person I know.”
A cheer rose up from the audience in agreement.
”It was Lucas who I had a problem with.” Sindy smirked at him playfully before wrapping her arm around him and giving him a side hug. “He drove me crazy. I honestly couldn’t stand him. He spent hours upon hours trying to teach me music theory, and all I wanted to do was play.”
“It looks like you two worked out your differences,” the host prompted.
“Yeah,” Sindy replied. “He’s a pain, but I fell in love with him anyway.”
Lucas smiled at her and nudged her with his shoulder.
The host stepped in front of Mason and displayed a wide grin. “Mason Wilder.” She paused while the audience roared at finally hearing from the most famous member of the band. “I’ve been waiting a long time to interview you.”
Mason’s dimples continued to dominate his face while he slowly blinked, sealing his eyes for a moment longer than necessary. His humility was a rare gem. “What do you want to know? My life is an open book.”
“First, I want to congratulate you on your amazing career. You wowed the world when you first stepped in front of the camera at age 10 and you’ve dominated the music industry ever since. At 29, you’re a legend. As a third-generation drummer, music was your destiny. You’ve won numerous awards and toured with countless internationally-acclaimed bands. You could have taken a permanent seat with any one of them, but you held out and waited for your rightful place in Prodigy.”
“I’ve had an amazing career doing what I love,” Mason replied. “Now I get to do it with my best friends. I’m a lucky guy. Prodigy has been twenty years in the making. I’ve watched Lucas pick up his first guitar, and I saw Tessa shock everyone with her vocal ability. I think she sang before she could talk. Then it was a stroke of luck that we found Sindy. She adds an entirely new energy and dynamic to the band.”
Tessa watched him as he spoke. His words were effortless, his stature carefree and uninhibited. He leaned back in the director-style chair, an ankle crossed over his knee, one elbow on the arm of the chair, dimples on display.
“I understand you found Sindy playing for tips in a coffee shop,” the host stated. “Would you care to elaborate on that?”
“One of the girls could probably tell it better than I could,” Mason replied.
Everyone turned to Tessa. She usually monopolized interviews, but she wanted to leave this one for Sindy to explain. “Go ahead,” she told her best friend.
“It’s truly a Cinderella story,” Sindy explained. “I was struggling financially. Waiting tables and playing for tips. I was never much of a singer, but I can play my heart out on the guitar. One afternoon when I was performing a set at a local coffee house, I stumbled through the lyrics ofWelcome to the Jungle,and the next thing I knew, Tessa was belting out the song. The entire coffee shop gathered around to watch and listen.” Sindy turned toward Tessa, gratitude clear in her expression. “We became instant friends. Now we’re like sisters.”
“I never wanted a rhythm guitarist in the band,” Tessa stated. “I never thought we’d find anyone who could match Lucas’ talent on the guitar, but after I heard Sindy play, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much she would rival his performance.” Tessa leaned forward to give Lucas a teasing smile. “Sometimes my brother needs his ego taken down a notch.”
Lucas chuckled at the lighthearted jab, while Sindy nodded in agreement.
“Anyway,” Tessa continued. “I’m glad I stopped for coffee that day, otherwise, I never would have met Sindy.”
“I think we all feel the same way,” the host added. “Now, back to Mason and the question on everyone’s mind. “You’re one of the most sought-after drummers in the world, and just recently,” she held up a magazine with a picture of Mason on the cover, “you can add Most Eligible Rock Star to your long list of accolades.”
Tessa sprung forward to get a better look at the magazine while the audience exploded with cheers. Mason, with his panty-melting smile and insatiable dimples, stared at the world from the cover of the magazine. Print asked the question, “What Does it Take to Snag this Unattainable Hunk?”
Suddenly bashful, Mason touched his forehead, shielding his face with his hand for a few seconds in order to hide his reddened cheeks.
“Please tell us,” the host asked. “What does a girl have to do in order for Mason Wilder to put a ring on it?”
Tessa raised her antennas, but Mason just smiled, shook his head and spread his arms to the side. “I don’t know what to say, man. I’m in love with my music. I’ve dated, but no one compares to my one true love.”
The host turned to the camera. “You heard it here, ladies. It takes a rare jewel to capture the heart of Mason Wilder. You can catch Prodigy tomorrow night at the U.S. Bank Arena for the final show of their North American tour. In the meantime, the world is left wondering, is there a girl out there for Mason Wilder?”
Yes. There is. Tessa smiled.I’m sitting right here.
