Stars on Broadway - Morgan Wallen

Chapter 60 - Behind the Scenes and Buzzing Headlines

The rehearsals for Georgie's tribute concert had officially begun. As she walked into the large rehearsal space, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in her stomach. This wasn't just another show—this was the tribute concert for her father. The weight of it was pressing down on her, but she was determined to make it something unforgettable.

Her band had already arrived, setting up their instruments and tuning guitars. The stage wasn't elaborate yet, just a mock setup of what would be a massive stadium stage in a few short weeks. Seeing it, even in its bare-bones form, reminded Georgie of the magnitude of what she was about to do.

"Alright, you ready to run through this setlist?" her bandleader asked, glancing at her with a grin.

Georgie smiled, though her nerves were still present. "Let's do it."

The first song they ran through was Daddy's Love, the heart of the tribute. As Georgie strummed the opening chords, the familiar warmth of the melody calmed her. She closed her eyes and let the music wash over her, trying to channel the emotions she knew would flood in on the night of the concert.

The band played with quiet reverence, fully understanding the importance of this song and what it meant to her. When Georgie finished, the room was still for a moment, as if everyone needed a second to process the weight of the song.

"You nailed it, Georgie," the drummer said, breaking the silence.

Georgie nodded, grateful but still feeling the pressure. "Thanks. I just want to make sure it feels... right."

The next few hours were spent running through the setlist, one song after another. As they practiced Goodbye, Daddy and In My Heart, Georgie couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to perform these songs in front of thousands of people, all there to honor her father. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Midway through the day, Cooper Alan arrived for his rehearsal. Georgie had been looking forward to working with him, as Never Not Remember You was one of her father's favorite songs, and she knew it would bring something special to the night.

"Hey, Georgie!" Cooper greeted her warmly as he walked in, guitar slung over his shoulder. "I'm so excited for this."

"Me too," Georgie replied, smiling. "Thanks for being part of it."

The two of them spent the next hour rehearsing their duet, running through the song until it felt seamless. By the end, Cooper grinned and clapped Georgie on the back. "This is going to be something special. Your dad's going to be so proud."

Georgie smiled, the familiar ache of loss stirring in her chest. "I hope so."

By the time Dolly Parton arrived for her rehearsal later that afternoon, Georgie could hardly believe she was in the same room as one of her biggest idols. Watching Dolly sing I Will Always Love You in such an intimate setting was surreal, and Georgie felt the gravity of the moment hit her like a wave.

Dolly turned to Georgie after finishing the first run-through and smiled kindly. "Honey, this is such a beautiful thing you're doing. Your daddy's looking down, proud as punch."

Georgie blinked back tears, nodding. "Thank you, Dolly. It means the world to have you here."

Rehearsals continued for days, with Ed Sheeran, Luke Combs, Zac Brown Band, and Zach Bryan all joining at different points to rehearse their parts. Every run-through made the concert feel more real, but it also heightened the pressure. Each artist brought something special to the show, and Georgie knew that when the night came, it would be nothing short of extraordinary.