The first stop of the tour was back in L.A. Mom and Dad came down to the radio station with Matt’s parents to listen to their kids perform. Because I thought it would be fun for them to see behind the scenes of the radio station, I got them passes to join us inside the conference room where we were playing.
I texted Anna for support a few minutes before we played the first single off the new album. Anna had stayed home with the girls. Promotional tours were even more chaotic than regular tours, and with her about to pop in a couple months, I felt it was best for her to stay home. Anna was fine with it, she had a job that she loved to keep her busy. Gibson was pissed though. I’d never seen a true tantrum from her until the day I’d told her she couldn’t go on tour with me. Needless to say, I’d given my word that she could come on the regular tour with us when it started this summer.
Anna texted me back the encouragement I’d needed to hear, and just seeing her words made me feel calmer. You have nothing to worry about. The song kicks ass! It’s the best song the band has ever done…and it’s all because of you. I wasn’t sure about that last part, but it felt good to hear it.
Before we played the new single, the DJs asked us some questions. Surprisingly, most of them were directed at me. “So, why did you leave the band and what made you return?”
It seemed like that should be an easy question, but it really wasn’t. There were so many factors. I decided to simplify it though. “I left because I was an effing idiot. I came back because I…well, I think I grew up.”
The DJs laughed while Matt nodded like he agreed with me. Then one of the DJs said, “You technically didn’t win the right to join the band. How did it feel to lose to your brother?”
Again, a complicated question. Again, I answered as simply as possible. “I’d never expected to win, and my brother kicked ass during the competition, so I had no regrets over him winning. He earned it.”
Liam grinned at me and I fist-bumped him. The DJs shifted their questions to the guys after that. “What made you guys decide to take him back and expand the band?”
Matt, Evan, and Kellan all looked at each other, then Kellan pointed at Matt. “Go ahead. You take this one.”
Matt looked down, then up at me. “We saw Griffin’s growth and his potential.” He smiled at me, then shifted his eyes to the DJs. “We could have gone on without him, but it would have felt incomplete.” Smirking, he added, “The D-Bags just aren’t the same without their biggest D.”
The DJs laughed again, then we set up to play our new song. I was so nervous, I was shaking. But as soon as the intro started, the familiarity of playing hit me and all my nerves evaporated. It was just like we were back at rehearsal—no pressure, no one but us listening, nothing but good times and good music.
Our new song was extra special to me; I’d helped Kellan write it. We’d been talking one night about everything I’d gone through, all the ups and downs, and he’d said my story, my struggles, would make an awesome song. It was about having it all, then losing it, and trying to work your way back. It was probably the first D-Bags song that actually meant something to me…plus, I got to rap in it, which was freaking awesome.
Evan and Liam started us off with a mellow intro, then Kellan came in real quiet. But just one line. After that, I started my rhythmic rap. The DJs clearly weren’t expecting that, and seeing that I’d caught them off guard almost made me smile. I would have, if I wasn’t concentrating so hard. This beginning part was all me; in essence, Kellan was just singing backup. As the song started building to the first chorus, I swear I could feel the entire world listening. It was intense. Kellan killed it on the chorus, and all of us played full bore. Then it quieted down to another mellower rapping section, where I poured out my heart, my fear, and my sins. It was odd to be singing about something so personal, but it made me feel cleansed too, and I suddenly began to wonder if all the songs the D-Bags sang were personal for someone in the band. Probably.
After the second chorus, the instruments mellowed again, but instead of me rapping, Kellan came in with a smooth solo. Listening to him made me appreciate his talent. He really was incredibly fucking good at this. The instruments kicked in again and Kellan took his voice up a notch—it gave me goose bumps. We rode out the song on a high note, and when it was over, all I wanted to do was play it again.
Everyone in the room clapped when we were done, and Mom even wiped some tears from her eyes. The texts and messages the station received were all positive, but I really wasn’t sure what the fans thought of the song until we stepped outside. The crowd had been listening to the radio station’s outdoor speakers, and the screams and cheers they let out when they saw us was damn near deafening. I immediately texted Anna. They loved it!
Her response was instant. Of course they did! I’m so proud of you, baby. She included a kissy face after that, and I suddenly wished I was home with her and the girls. All of this meant nothing without them.
We went back home after the promotional tour ended. The tour was a mammoth success, and the album debuted at number one. I was excited that the fans were eager for our new bigger and better sound, but I was even happier to be home in Anna’s arms again.
Denny and Abby threw a private party for the band at Pete’s the following week. It was a huge event, and anyone who had ever supported the band was there—Holeshot, Avoiding Redemption, Poetic Bliss, my family, Matt’s family, Evan’s family, and even Kellan’s family. Plus all of our friends and all the current and former staff of Pete’s were there.