304-306

Chapter 304: Overflowing Joy 

Even though One Day Kings had received an incredible seven Grammy nominations, including all four of the general field categories, the one that truly sent the band into a frenzy was undoubtedly Best New Artist. 

After all, Best New Artist is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you miss it—there’s no second chance. 

And more importantly, this was likely the only category where One Day Kings stood a real chance of winning. They weren’t overly ambitious; just getting one Grammy would be enough for them. Or maybe… even hoping for one might already be asking for too much? 

But it was Best New Artist—the culmination of years of bitter hardship and fleeting happiness. After seven long years of forming the band, seven years of struggling on the road, they were finally appearing in the public eye as “newcomers.” The emotions behind it were impossible to put into words. 

And just like that, all the feelings came pouring out. 

“BEST! NEW! ARTIST! AAAAAHHHHH!” Maxim’s wild scream shattered his usual "refined prince" image. He was bouncing, flailing around, totally unconcerned about how ridiculous he looked. 

In the midst of the chaotic celebration, Ollie was frozen. His eyes flicked back and forth between the newspaper and Ronan, a watery glaze building in his eyes. 

“...Ronan? Ronan? Is this real? Huh? Did we actually get nominated? They really saw us? Really?” 

His voice was fragile, almost breakable. Rather than joy, he seemed more overwhelmed by fear—as if this was a joke or a dream that would dissolve any second, leaving behind nothing but devastation. 

What made this even more meaningful for Ollie was that My Demon, the song that earned them the Grammy attention, had been co-written by him and Ronan. After being crushed by the harsh words of Scooter Bryan, this was the first time he truly felt recognized— 

Recognized by the Grammys. 

Ronan looked at him, smiling softly, eyes steady and sincere. “Yeah, Ollie. It’s real.” 

“Oh Jesus Christ,” Ollie gasped, like his heart had just skipped a beat. 

“Hah.” Ronan couldn’t help laughing at Ollie’s stunned reaction. “Ollie, we got a Grammy nomination. And we’re also on page six of the L.A. Times.” 

“God! They’ve lost their minds. They’ve definitely lost their minds,” Ollie blurted out again, still too stunned to believe it. 

Ronan chuckled, eyes full of warmth. “The Grammys and the L.A. Times going crazy together? That’s a pretty low probability, my dear Ollie.” 

Ollie’s eyes widened, staring straight into Ronan’s. He searched Ronan’s gaze for any hint of truth—and found nothing but certainty reflected back. Slowly, hesitantly, he began to believe it, pressing both palms against his cheeks as he whispered again in disbelief, “So it’s real?” 

Over and over again. Again and again. He kept checking, terrified it was all just a dream. And Ronan, patient as ever, just kept nodding. 

“Yes!” Ollie finally clenched his fists, jumping into the air. Joy erupted at last. 

“Hahaha!” Ronan laughed along with him, but then from the corner of his eye, he noticed Alice, eyes brimming with tears. He quickly stood up and rushed over. “What’s wrong? Alice, what’s wrong?” 

Alice… was overwhelmed. Watching Ollie’s fragile disbelief, Maxim’s unfiltered joy, Cliff’s stunned confusion, and Ronan’s radiant smile—it was all too much. They had waited far, far too long. 

In just five months of managing them, Alice had already experienced so many bumps in the road. She couldn’t even imagine what the full seven years before that had been like. But she could feel the weight of the journey they’d survived. It wasn’t something that could be summed up in a few words. 

Looking at Ollie’s tearful, trembling face, her own vision blurred. She hadn’t even realized she was crying until it was too late. 

“I’m fine… I’m fine…” Alice quickly waved her hands, trying to reassure Ronan. But the tears kept falling like pearls from a snapped necklace, completely uncontrollable. 

So Ronan stepped forward and gently pulled her into an embrace. 

Alice tried to resist, “Ronan, I said I’m fine.” 

“I know, I know.” He nodded softly, but he still hugged her close. And Alice buried her head in his chest, shamelessly wiping away her tears and snot with his shirt—as if getting revenge for something. 

Ronan glanced down at his now-ruined shirt and gave a helpless smile. What else could he say? 

Joy and gratitude surged in his chest. The band’s persistence had finally paid off. They were being acknowledged, truly acknowledged. Their dreams weren’t just pipe dreams. Their efforts had meant something. Someone had finally seen them. 

But even more than the Grammy nomination, Ronan’s mind was spinning with one thought: 

Does this mean they might actually perform on the Grammy stage? Could they really share a stage with the world’s top artists, play live in front of millions of viewers across the globe, and show the world what One Day Kings could do? 

Just imagining it sent a swarm of butterflies fluttering wildly through his chest. 

“Alice,” he called softly. 

“Hm?” she murmured from the safety of his embrace, still hiding her tear-stained face. 

“Thank you.” Ronan’s voice was earnest. If it weren’t for Alice helping them launch their YouTube channel, if she hadn’t stepped in as their part-time manager, maybe they’d still be wandering in the dark. 

Alice’s body tensed for a second. Then she growled, “You better give me a raise. Or I’ll tell Max you’re bullying me.” 

“Okay,” Ronan agreed immediately, without hesitation. 

That just made Alice grumble even louder. “You said that way too easily. Sounds guilty to me. Ugh. Fine, I’m gonna really ask for a ridiculous raise.” 

Ronan burst into laughter again. In retaliation, Alice gave him a sharp kick to the shin—though it didn’t really hurt, the threat behind it was clear. 

“I’m trying to complain, so stop laughing so loudly!” she snapped. 

Ronan quickly zipped his mouth shut and sat still like a good student, pretending to listen intently. 

Finally, Alice was satisfied. 

The southern winter sunlight spilled gently over their shoulders like golden thread, casting a soft glow. Warm, brilliant, and full of promise. 

Today was a good day. 

Chapter 305 – Sharing the Joy 

"Best New Artist! Hahaha!" 

Maxim and Cliff had gone from being rivals to comrades-in-arms. The two of them were now like cheerleaders from a hot-blooded manga, shouting with unrestrained excitement. They were using every bit of energy to make as much noise as possible—probably loud enough to wake everyone within ten miles. Hotel guests were already being roused from their sleep. 

"Best New Artist! Hohoho!" 

Shouts and cheers also erupted from the hotel lobby, echoing like a mountain valley's roar. Maxim and Cliff immediately turned to look—and saw Wesley charging toward them like a madman, arms out like a glider as he dashed straight at them. 

Behind Wesley were the other members of The Luminaries— 

Wesley and Jeremiah were the founding members and the core of the band. Two years ago, they met cellist Neyla Pekarek, and together the trio released their breakout hit “Ho Hey”, a track that cemented The Luminaries’ distinctive folk-rock style. 

This year, they’d added two more members: Stelth Ulvang, who played piano, mandolin, and guitar; and Ben Wahamaki, who handled the bass. The band now had five members, and even from the lineup, it was clear they had a unique approach to using folk instruments. 

In the just-announced nominations for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, The Luminaries, like King for a Day, had received quite a bit of attention. 

Among the five nominees for Best New Artist, The Luminaries had secured a spot. And honestly, their journey had been even more challenging than King for a Day’s—their music leaned into folk rock, a genre that had been in decline since the 2000s. It had been fourteen years since folk had last earned a major Grammy nomination. 

Back in 1997, Bob Dylan’s album Time Out of Mind won Album of the Year. Since then, the Grammys had even scrapped the folk category, lumping it into a broader “Regional Music” field, which now included Best Americana Album, Best Bluegrass Album, Best Blues Album, Best Folk Album, and Best Regional Roots Music Album. The decline of genre-specific recognition was obvious. 

Because of that, The Luminaries had only received two nominations: Best New Artist and Best Americana Album. 

Oddly enough, they weren’t even nominated for Best Folk Album. Meanwhile, bands like Fun and Maroon 5 had been categorized under Pop instead of Rock. So it wasn’t surprising that The Luminaries were missing from the folk category entirely—just another quirk of the Grammys. 

Still, earning a Best New Artist nomination with a folk rock album in such a competitive year? That was a huge accomplishment. 

While King for a Day was celebrating their Grammy nods, The Luminaries were equally ecstatic about their breakthrough. 

So, naturally, the two bands collided in the hotel like a crazy campfire dance party—jumping around with strange moves and howling wildly. 

"Best New Artist! Aaaaah!" 

"Best New Artist! Aaaaah!" 

Ronan and Alice stood dumbfounded, watching the chaos unfold. Even Ollie had joined Wesley, and to their amazement, the usually cool and composed Neyla Pekarek had also gotten pulled into the madness. Alice was so shocked she forgot she’d been crying. 

"Neyla?" Alice could barely believe her eyes. 

Neyla mouthed, “Help me,” in Alice’s direction, but both her hands were being held—Wesley on one side, Maxim on the other—so she had no way to escape. She could only keep spinning in circles with the group, her face full of helplessness. But even she couldn’t stop laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, sending Alice a playful plea for rescue. 

Pfft! Alice couldn’t hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing, bending over with giggles. Her first instinct was to cover her stomach— 

Her abs were about to pop out. 

"Alice! Alice!" 

"Ronan!" 

Voices called out one after the other as Wesley led the crew in a chaotic run toward them. They grabbed hands and started running in circles around Ronan and Alice like kindergarteners playing “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Laughter rang out, bright and carefree. 

"Best New Artist! Aaaaah!" 

Eventually, Ronan stood in the center too, raising both hands high and joining the chants, making Alice roll her eyes—this was definitely a group of lunatics. 

Finally, the noise started to settle down. The dancing slowed, and the group began exchanging hugs—congratulating each other, celebrating their mutual success. For both bands, this moment was worth every bit of the excitement. Sharing Grammy nominations was something no one could have expected. 

It was a beautiful day. 

"Hey, what do you think about teaming up for a performance at the Grammys?" Ronan asked, his mind still buzzing with ideas for a live show. 

The Grammy stage—this was the ultimate platform of his two lifetimes. It was where artists showcased their talent through music and performance, where real communication happened through song. Just imagining it gave Ronan goosebumps. This was what truly got his blood pumping. 

So when he saw The Luminaries, his first thought was crystal clear: a joint performance. 

"Ah!" Wesley's eyes lit up, clapping like a seal in excitement. "Yes, yes, that would be amazing!" 

He started bouncing in place, pumped up. “What should we perform? A mash-up of ‘Ho Hey’ and ‘My Demon’? Let’s make it legendary! Blow everyone away! Show them what we’ve got!” 

“Whoa, hold on. Hold on!” Jeremiah quickly stepped in before things got out of hand. “Let’s not get too carried away.” He looked at both Ronan and Wesley seriously. “Remember—we don’t have a say in this. It’s the Grammys. We don’t get to decide anything. We’re not even guaranteed a spot to perform. There are tons of nominees.” 

He wasn’t wrong. 

The Grammys were always jam-packed with superstars and nominees. Live performances were tightly scheduled—after all, more than 30 million viewers in the U.S. and over 100 million worldwide tuned in. For any artist, it was the biggest stage out there. 

While it seemed fair that nominees should get performance slots, that wasn’t always the case. This year alone, there were nine acts nominated for the four major awards. Add in other nominees and A-list stars, and with only a four-hour show—plus time needed for award presentations, memorial tributes, and special segments—it was impossible to give everyone stage time. 

So yeah… even getting to perform was up in the air. A collaborative performance? That was wishful thinking at best. 

306 Stage Setup 

"Not allowed?" 

"Not allowed!" 

"Seriously not allowed?" 

"Even if you ask me ten more times, the answer’s still the same. And besides, it’s not my decision to make. Not even the company can change this—The Grammys have their own standards. Who do you think you are, expecting the Grammys to accommodate you?" Curtis Dean, as always, fired back with his sharp, no-nonsense tone, mercilessly tearing into the conversation. 

But Ronan didn’t seem bothered. He responded just as confidently, “But we’re just trying to put on a better performance. It’s not like—” 

He didn’t even get to finish before Curtis cut him off bluntly, “A better performance? Compared to what? The Grammy stage is never short on star power. Every artist gives their all out there. What makes you think you’re better than the rest?” 

His words were harsh, but Curtis didn’t seem to care. He continued, “If you want a collaborative performance that badly, it’s simple—pull off an epic stage this time. Shock the entire crowd. Blow the roof off. Then maybe next time, you’ll get your wish.” 

Ronan didn’t get angry—in fact, he straightened his back, more determined than ever. “Then we’ll make it a legendary performance.” 

In the end, the joint performance between One Day Kings and Shining Band didn’t happen. 

Just as Curtis said, the Grammys have their own plans when it comes to performance time and format. Record labels can’t just call the shots—unless we’re talking top-tier superstars with real influence. Even then, in an event packed with A-listers, no one wants to step on too many toes. 

Clearly, One Day Kings and Shining Band weren’t at that level yet. 

The Grammy organizers had already planned their performance slots. Shining Band would perform one song—whichever they choose. They could go with their current hit “Roar, Hey!” or promote their upcoming second single. The decision was left to the band. 

They were still in discussions with their label and hadn’t made a final decision. 

Meanwhile, One Day Kings were granted a two-song set—definitely special treatment. But considering their seven nominations and being the only act up for all four major awards this year, it wasn’t surprising the Grammys gave them a chance to shine. 

They also had full say in choosing their songs, and discussions were ongoing. 

The easiest, most straightforward choice would be performing “Chasing the Light” and “My Demon”—their two charting singles and the ones that made their name. From familiarity to audience impact, those tracks were clearly the strongest picks. 

Plus, performing them on the Grammy stage would help them reach an even wider audience and boost their visibility. 

It was a similar story for Shining Band. Even though their second single was about to drop, performing it at the Grammys would give it a massive push. But after some serious thought, they were leaning toward sticking with “Roar, Hey!” 

Why? Because they were still in the early stages of building public recognition. Repeatedly performing one track helps anchor a strong image in the public’s mind. That’s just smart marketing. 

However, within One Day Kings, opinions were split. Cliff and Ollie believed it was best to go with their two singles. But Ronan and Maxim thought the priority should be putting on a memorable performance—one that really showcased the band’s uniqueness and left a lasting impression on the audience. 

The label didn’t step in. They respected the band’s decision. 

Initially, Atlantic Records wasn’t so easy to convince. But Alice took the lead, working her way up the chain of command like she was beating bosses in a video game. After three meetings, she managed to get the attention of Ahmet Eltkon. 

Ahmet hadn’t planned to get involved, but after speaking directly with Alice, he changed his mind—and the company gave the band full support. 

So how did Alice persuade him? 

“You signed One Day Kings because you believed in their ideas—about music, performance, creativity. If you just wanted another idol band to control, you could easily find thousands of teenagers ready to jump in. But that’s not who One Day Kings are.” 

“Mr. Eltkon, you need to trust Ronan. His professionalism when it comes to performance is beyond question. He knows exactly what he’s doing. No one cares more about this Grammy stage than he does. The only thing on his mind is how to deliver a show for the ages.” 

“And more importantly—you should trust your own judgment.” 

That was enough. The creative reins were handed over to One Day Kings. 

Ronan had already proven his talent for arrangement during the album’s production, so Atlantic also gave him control over the performance setup. Of course, the company wasn’t going to walk away completely—they still kept a close eye on things. 

For instance, they assigned a producer to collaborate with Ronan. 

Curtis Dean once again showed his favoritism toward Ronan and personally volunteered to be involved with the Grammy production—as Ronan’s assistant. 

Within Atlantic, Curtis made no effort to hide his opinion. “I like Ronan—not One Day Kings. I’m here because I’m curious to see what Ronan does with this stage. From arrangements to design, I’m hoping he brings something unexpected.” 

Ahmet didn’t stop him. On the contrary, he even said with a grin, “Good. Now I’m excited about the performance too. Don’t let me down.” 

It wasn’t clear whether that last part was a threat or a joke. But one thing was certain: if Ronan didn’t deliver something amazing, Curtis’s interest would vanish fast. This is a man who lives in his own world and doesn’t bother with niceties. 

Since both One Day Kings and Shining Band were still on tour and had weekly shows lined up, Ronan coordinated with Curtis via video calls and email. That way, they could prep for the performance while keeping the tour on track. 

They planned to fly into Los Angeles a week before the ceremony for rehearsals and run-throughs to make sure everything would go smoothly. 

Touring and the Grammys—handled side by side without a hitch.