Stars on Broadway - Morgan Wallen

Chapter 5 - On Stage and In the Spotlight

Georgie paced backstage, the familiar buzz of pre-show jitters settling deep in her stomach. She had done this countless times before—stood under the bright lights, guitar in hand, pouring her heart out in front of a crowd. But tonight was different. Tonight, the stakes were higher. Somewhere out there, hidden among the regular bar-goers and country music fans, were the label executives she had met just days before. They had come to see if Georgie Day could command a stage, connect with an audience, and most importantly, if she was worth the investment.

She tightened her grip on her guitar, glancing over at her band. They were more than just her support—they were her backbone. Every one of them had been there for her since the beginning, through all the small gigs, the bar crowds, and the never-ending grind of Nashville. And tonight, they were going to make sure everything went perfectly.

"You ready for this, G?" Jesse, her drummer, asked with a grin, his sticks already spinning in his hands. He had the kind of easy confidence that made the rest of the band relax, and Georgie was grateful for it.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, her nerves showing in the tightness of her voice.

She looked out past the side of the stage. The crowd was filling in, the low hum of conversations rising as people settled into their seats or grabbed drinks from the bar. There was a palpable energy tonight—something electric in the air—and Georgie could feel it in her bones. The crowd had no idea who was watching from the shadows, and for the first time in a long time, Georgie wished she didn't know either.

But there was no turning back now. She had chosen her setlist carefully—songs that showed off her versatility, songs that felt true to who she was. And right in the middle of it was the one she hoped would stick in everyone's head long after the night was over.
As the stage lights dimmed, the familiar opening riff of her first song hummed through the air. She adjusted her guitar strap and gave her band a nod. They knew what to do. They always did.

"Let's do this," she whispered to herself as she stepped out onto the stage.

The lights hit her full force as she approached the microphone. The crowd cheered, and she could feel the adrenaline kick in, pushing her nerves aside. This was her place—on stage, in front of people who came to hear her story. Tonight, more than ever, she had to make sure her story reached the right ears.

"Evenin', y'all," Georgie said, her voice steady as it echoed through the room. "I'm Georgie Day, and I'm here to play you some songs I wrote about love, life, and all the good stuff in between. Hope y'all enjoy."

The crowd cheered again, and she smiled, her fingers already dancing over the strings of her guitar. The first song was a slower, introspective ballad, one that showcased her vocal control and depth. It was the kind of song that pulled people in, and by the time she hit the chorus, the crowd was quiet, hanging on every word.

But Georgie knew the real test was coming with the next song—the one she had written specifically for nights like this. It was upbeat, infectious, the kind of tune that would get stuck in your head and have you humming it for days. It was a gamble, but she knew it had the potential to be a hit. And tonight, she needed a hit.

As the final notes of her first song faded, she turned to her band, giving them the cue to start the next track. The opening chords were lively, with a driving beat that immediately had heads nodding and feet tapping.

"All right, y'all," Georgie said, her voice full of energy now. "This next one's about that kind of love that makes you feel like you're ridin' high, even when you're down low. It's called Ridin' Shotgun, and I hope you're ready to sing along."

The band kicked into high gear, and Georgie launched into the first verse. The lyrics came naturally, the kind that rolled off the tongue, blending storytelling with a melody that begged to be sung out loud.