Imagine a man who has been walking alone through the desert for a month, suddenly stumbling upon an oasis and discovering that he isn't alone there. After a month of silence, isolation, and talking only to himself, he can finally speak to someone else. That, precisely, was how Hugo felt at this moment.
He had once left home to chase his musical dreams—ten long years of wandering. Ten years of performing in small venues, struggling for his ideals, and tirelessly improving himself. Those ten years, in a life only twenty-five years long, had taken up nearly half his time. Before his rebirth, Glory Or Death had spent a decade fighting to finally earn a spot at the Midi Rock Festival and even received a nomination for Best Live Rock Performance of the Year. It was their moment of glory—the turning point for the entire band, whether they ultimately won or not.
But at that very turning point, Hugo crossed over into another world and became Hugo Lancaster—an actor standing onstage to receive a Golden Raspberry Award. Anyone who remembered the tears he shed at that ceremony would understand: Hugo had thought he was accepting Best Live Rock Performance of the Year. It turned out to be a humiliating misunderstanding.
And now, after all that, Hugo was finally being recognized—by Rolling Stone and Spin alike. They acknowledged both his songwriting and his performance. Gratitude surged through his chest, making his nose sting and his eyes turn red. Overwhelmed, he couldn't say a word. He just kept flipping through the newspapers and magazines before him, hiding his trembling behind the motion of turning pages. The black ink on the paper began to blur through the mist in his eyes, yet he refused to stop—reading one after another, unable to let go of the moment.
The Los Angeles Times review wasn't written by Nicholas—this was a music piece, written by another critic:
"A perfect melody, perfect lyrics, perfect performance. Hugo Lancaster delivered a flawless show on The Oprah Winfrey Show, proving the brilliance of his talent beyond acting."
The Times had every reason to be pleased. After McClaren's earlier exclusive interview, they had already run an extensive feature on Hugo's musical potential. Still, at that time, public opinion remained skeptical. After all, prodigies like Barbra Streisand don't come along often and Hugo wasn't even considered a top-tier actor yet, let alone a musician.
But now, after his breathtaking performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Hugo had silenced every doubt. He'd shown the world that his musical talent was dazzling—perhaps even brighter than his acting.
The professional music magazine Billboard focused on another angle:
"Oh, God. Jesus Christ. My Lord… Hugo Lancaster just gave a performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show that left us speechless. Even more shocking—seven steps. Lancaster wrote Sunburn in just seven steps! Do you realize what that means? That's the distance from the entrance of a McDonald's to the counter and he created a masterpiece! It's terrifying—terrifyingly brilliant!"
Meanwhile, The New York Times commented with admiration:
"After revitalizing his career with Scent of a Woman and A Few Good Men, Hugo Lancaster has once again revealed his secret weapon—an astonishing gift for songwriting. When a handsome man meets a guitar, and writes a song live on air, not even Oprah Winfrey herself—nor any woman—can resist. With one performance of Sunburn, Hugo shattered the hearts of eleven and a half million women."
Beyond these renowned publications, Hollywood's two most respected industry magazines—Variety and The Hollywood Reporter—also joined the chorus of praise.
Variety maintained its signature seriousness:
"In just seven steps, Hugo Lancaster composed a miracle on five guitar strings. His song Sunburn is fresh, melancholy, clear, and profoundly moving—a work impossible to ignore. Beyond his progress as an actor, Lancaster continues to advance with tireless dedication."
The Hollywood Reporter took a more playful tone:
"Record label executives, music managers—here's your next big chance to make money and win awards. Hugo Lancaster is waiting for his first record deal, and out of the 23 million people who watched The Oprah Winfrey Show, how many are waiting to buy his debut single Sunburn? Count me among them."
Surrounded by such overwhelming praise, Hugo's vision grew misty again but he didn't want tears to spoil this perfect moment. Instead, a full, radiant smile finally spread across his face, his tears sliding silently down his cheeks and sinking into his heart.
Though Hugo had never released an album nor joined the cutthroat war of record sales, a battlefield as fierce as the North American box office—his heart was full of warmth. Every word of praise confirmed that his persistence had not been in vain, that those ten years with Glory Or Death had not been wasted. Whether or not he would ever record an album, or whether it would sell, didn't matter anymore. His musical talent had been acknowledged, and that was the greatest comfort he could ask for.
"So," Troy said beside him with a light chuckle, "when are you planning to release your first album?"
He carefully ignored the tears glistening in Hugo's eyes, asking nothing further. He understood—this was something deeply personal, something Hugo might not want anyone to touch.
Hugo's smile widened completely. He set down The Hollywood Reporter and replied, "No plans for now. Releasing an album isn't that simple."
After ten years in the underground rock scene, Hugo knew well that countless talented musicians might never get their break. Even those lucky enough to release an album weren't guaranteed success.
Musical talent was one thing.
The record industry was another entirely.
To succeed in the music industry, talent is certainly a factor, but it isn't the decisive one—sales appeal is. Of course, a singer with exceptional talent, paired with the right marketing strategy, can reach the pinnacle of the world stage. Take The Beatles or Michael Jackson, for example. Their talent shone so brightly that it overshadowed every other marketing tactic, making audiences focus solely on their natural gifts.
This was especially evident in the 1990s. Talent was an essential selling point. Divas like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston had unparalleled commercial pull during that decade; their extraordinary vocal abilities were the highlight of every album.
But entering the twenty-first century, the blueprint changed. Diva-type singers gradually disappeared, and market-driven selling points became dominant. Lady Gaga is a prime example. It's not that she lacks talent, but the focus on her marketable image often overshadows her actual abilities, becoming the center of attention.
Of course, during the 1990s—a golden era of musical diversity—there were countless talented musicians, yet very few managed to truly make a mark. Talent did not automatically translate to sales, and that is reality.
Hugo understood this very clearly. He wasn't the type to dream of selling tens of millions of albums overnight; ten years in the underground rock scene had already taught him the harsh truth. Having dreams is one thing; daydreaming is another entirely.
"Oh, come on. At the very least, you should release Sunburn as a single. I really want it," Troy said, sounding genuinely surprised. He had assumed Hugo already had an album in the works. The Oprah Winfrey Show performance had only been a trial. "Not just me—many of my friends said they'd buy your single. It's for real."
Hugo chuckled at Troy's insistence. "Of course, of course. If I ever have the chance to release an album, I'd absolutely take it—it's my dream." In the past, whenever someone mentioned the idea of an album, Hugo had felt uncertain. But today, the words came naturally, reflecting the confidence he had gradually built through years of practice and live performances. "But you know, the record industry isn't that simple. Labels don't have unlimited money to throw around."
"Trust me," Troy said firmly, "if they miss out on you, that's the label's loss. I think you should call Joseph—by now, his phone is probably smoking, trying to reach you about recording an album." Seeing Hugo's skeptical smile, Troy added, "Just watch TV. The show has already been rebroadcast countless times, and they keep airing it because the audience response has been overwhelming."
Hugo's tears had now transformed into a smile. "That's exactly how it should be. I've been waiting for the day I get into a recording studio."
At that moment, Hugo realized his own mindset had shifted. If a record label were willing to produce his album right now, he would accept without hesitation. Not just for his personal musical dreams, but also to fulfill the unrealized dreams of Glory Or Death. Thinking of that, Hugo murmured quietly, wishing the original band members were here with him.
Sadly, it was a dream without hope.
...
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