Stars on Broadway - Morgan Wallen

Chapter 9 - A Bigger Stage

Georgie stared at the notification on her phone, her heart pounding as the screen filled with comments, likes, and new followers. Every time she refreshed her feed, the numbers climbed higher, her social media blowing up faster than she had ever imagined. Her gig at Kid Rock's bar had gone viral, thanks to clips posted by both her fans and the label's social media team. People from all over were tagging her, sharing videos of her performance, and talking about her music. It was exhilarating—but it was also overwhelming.

Sitting at her kitchen table, Georgie scrolled through the messages, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Her following had skyrocketed overnight, with thousands of new fans flocking to her accounts. It wasn't just about numbers anymore; people were beginning to recognize her face, her voice, and her story. The attention was growing, and with it came a new kind of pressure—the pressure to live up to the hype.

She had always dreamed of this moment, but now that it was here, the reality of it felt heavy. Everything was happening so fast. Just a few months ago, she had been playing small gigs, barely scraping by. Now, she was fielding requests from media outlets, playlist features, and even inquiries about upcoming events.

The sound of her phone ringing snapped her out of her thoughts.
She looked down to see Pete's name flashing across the screen.

"Hey, Pete," she answered, trying to steady her voice.

"Georgie, you won't believe this," Pete said, excitement buzzing in his tone. "The label just called. They've lined up a huge opportunity for you."

Georgie felt her stomach flip. "What is it?"

"They want you to perform at the Country Music Awards pre-show," Pete said, his voice almost breathless. "You'll be part of the rising stars showcase, performing alongside some of the biggest up-and-coming names in country music. It's televised, Georgie. This is a huge deal."

The words hit her like a wave. The Country Music Awards? A televised performance? It was beyond anything she had imagined happening this soon.

"Wait, are you serious?" she asked, her mind struggling to catch up with the news.

"Dead serious," Pete replied. "This is the kind of exposure that takes artists to the next level. You're already buzzing on social media, and now, this? You're going to blow up."

Georgie leaned back in her chair, trying to process it all. This was what she had been working for, but now that it was happening, the weight of it felt enormous.

"Wow," she breathed. "I don't even know what to say."

"Say yes," Pete said with a laugh. "I already told them you're in."

Georgie let out a nervous laugh. "I guess I'm in, then."

"You've got this, Georgie," Pete said, his tone reassuring. "Just stay focused. The label's behind you, and we're going to make sure everything goes smoothly."

After she hung up, Georgie sat in silence, her mind racing. She had been performing for years, but this? This was another level. The thought of standing on a stage that big, with cameras and thousands of eyes on her, made her heart race.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her back into the present. This time, it was a message from Morgan.

Morgan: Heard the news. Big congrats! You ready for the big leagues?

Georgie smiled, feeling a little of the pressure ease as she read his message.

Georgie: Honestly? I'm kind of freaking out.

A few seconds later, Morgan's reply popped up.

Morgan: Don't freak out. You've got this. Trust me. Want to chat about it? I've been there.