Reborn in America

Chapter 32: Carpenter Records

October 3, 1950, was a very ordinary day.

For Alex, as usual, he wakes up to eat breakfast, then goes to school, and goes out to perform on stage in the evening. It was just that when he returned home from school, he found excited expressions on the faces of his parents.

"Alex, I have cancelled your performance tonight." Bart said with a smile.

Alex looked at Richard and found that the other person's expression had not changed, which meant that his brother had known it a long time ago.

Bart patted Alex on the shoulder and said happily: "Do you know how much our records have been sold? 150,000! 150,000 records have been sold, and this number is still increasing. It is said that it is expected to exceed 300,000 copies!"

Before the record weekly sales volume was counted, Rudy kept laughing at some of the statistics. In ecstasy, Rudy called Bart and told him about the sales.

"So much!" Alex was prepared, but he was still taken aback.

Angel hugged his daughter Karen and said, "I knew you would succeed! I just didn't expect it to come so soon!"

"Alex, when are you planning to release the second record?" Bart said excitedly. He thought to himself that if they could release 10 records a year, each of which would sell so well, they would soon become millionaires.

Richard also happily said: "Let's start recording the second record right away!"

Alex shook his head and said calmly: "It's not time yet, we should talk to Rudy about the record company."

Bart's heart suddenly sank, and he said with some doubts: "Do you still want to take over Rudy's company?"

Alex nodded. When he learned that his record sales were so good, he had already decided to do it like this.

Angel did not think much, she said encouragingly: "Alex, do what you want to do. We will always support you."

Bart looked at his eldest son Alex and then at his second son Richard, who was full of hope, and suddenly felt that he couldn't keep up. He thought for a while and felt that the biggest problem in it was whether the next record could sell so many copies.

"Alex, do you have plans for your new record?" Bart looked into Alex's eyes and asked seriously.

Alex said confidently: "Don't worry, I've already thought about it! It will definitely be much better than the first one."

Richard also echoed: "Yes, Dad! We are already ready."

Seeing the confident eyes of his sons, Bart's heart suddenly warmed. He remembered that in the past he had had such confidence and look in his eyes.

"That's good! Let's go to New York to find Rudy right away!" Bart finally said with a final decision. This is the most important decision in his life, and it is also the most critical decision. Years later, he was still grateful for the decision he made at the time. If it were not for this step, it would take them ten years before they could get rid of the exploitation of record companies.

Angel wants to stay at home with the children, she can't follow. After Bart gave Rudy a call, the three of them, father and son, hurriedly found a car and rushed to New York.

Coming to New York for the second time, Alex found that the buildings in the city had become more and taller. There seems to be more people in New York, and the streets are more crowded. Only the air still smells so bad, Richard still can't adapt.

The place where the "Tian Lai" company is located is an industrial area, the place is dilapidated, the streets are bad, and there are vagrants everywhere.

Alex didn't know if the rest of New York was the same as here, if he were to come to New York, he would definitely not move to this area to live in.

When they saw Rudy, they found that the other party's hair had been neatly organized, wearing a gray suit, and his chin was bare. It was obvious that he had just shaved and he became more energetic. They almost didn't recognize it, thinking they had found the wrong person.

"Hey! My friend, welcome you to my company!" Rudy opened his arms and tried to embrace them.

Both Bart and Richard seemed to be shocked by Rudy's momentum. They originally thought that after coming to New York, Rudy would cry and cried out to transfer the company to Carpenter's family. Unexpectedly, the other party became so energetic and confident.

Even if Alex has never eaten pork, he has seen pigs running away. He understands that Rudy is creating a favorable atmosphere for him, fortunately, he has an advantage in the next negotiation.

Sure enough, Rudy's conditions have been improved. He asked to retain 60% of the company's shares and use 40% of the shares in exchange for the Carpenter Brothers' 10 record contracts. At the same time, the record division was changed to 64, the company got 60%, and the Carpenter brothers got 40%. He no longer insists that the Carpenters sign into his company, as long as he can sign a record agency contract is enough.

Bart was very angry at this practice of sitting on the ground and raising prices. He felt that he had been deceived. So I decided not to talk about it, and went back home.

Rudy didn’t look good, he wanted to talk about it, and he quickly gave in: “Then I have to keep at least 40% of the company’s shares, and the record share is maintained at four to six, the same as before. However, you get 1 million US dollars to buy the shares. The money can be deducted from the record share."

Of course Bart still refused. He originally thought he could pick up a company for nothing. Never intending to spend money to buy it, he shook his head and said: "Mr. Rudy, we cannot accept this condition. You should slowly figure out a way to pay off your debt. Otherwise, just wait for the bank to come after the company goes bankrupt. Take over."

Rudy laughed and said: "I have been able to pay off the interest on the debt. As long as the company does not go bankrupt right away, I still have a chance! I don't believe that I can't find a good singer. As long as I can record another good record, I It will be able to pay off the company's debts slowly!"

Bart was speechless after listening. He didn't expect that when he hesitated at the beginning, Rudy had a chance to comeback, and this opportunity was actually given by himself.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to hire a good singer! If it were that easy, you would have been able to pay off the debt." Alex suddenly interrupted.

Rudy felt cold, knowing that Alex was right. When the company was in good condition, he didn't think of a solution, but the slightly more famous singers all had contracts, and it was difficult to find good ones among the unknown singers. Not to mention that, like the Carpenters, they have the advantage of age and strength, and can write their own songs. They are among the best in any company.

If the Carpenters didn't cooperate with Rudy, the "Teana" company would have been bankrupt. Having been a music producer for so long, Rudy certainly knows the strengths of the Carpenters. Especially Alex, he has never understood the strength of this kid, sometimes he didn't know much about music, and sometimes he was able to do stunned things.

"Let's go! Staying here is just a waste of time, meaningless." Alex said, he took Richard's hand and prepared to leave.

When Bart left, he said: "By the way, remember to pay the record for the division of the record."

Rudy opened his mouth, unable to say anything.

Bart took a look at Rudy, feeling a little pity in his heart, but the matter has reached this point, and he can't help it. Had to turn around and walked out the door.

Seeing the Carpenters go away, Rudy's expression changed. When he couldn't see the other party anymore, he finally made up his mind and ran out.

"Wait! Wait a minute!" Rudy yelled after chasing them behind.

When the Carpenters heard Rudy's shout, they all turned around and looked at each other's face.

Bart said coldly, "Is there anything else, Mr. Rudy!"

"Okay! You won, let's talk, how do you want to cooperate!" Rudy said breathlessly.

Alex said quietly: "All! We want all the shares, and we won't spend a penny!"

Rudy was so angry that he almost fell over: "That's impossible! Even if I risk bankruptcy, I won't give you all the shares!"

At the beginning, Rudy was in the quagmire of debt and couldn't help himself. His mood at that time had fallen to a trough, and after so many days, he was full of confidence again, how could he still give up all his shares!

Bart said: "Then give you up to 5% of the shares, we still don't spend a penny, the company's debts will be paid by the company. The money that the record should give us, we still have to divide!

Rudy quickly said: "20% of the shares!"

Alex refused to let go, insisting: "Impossible, up to 5% of the shares!"

"15% shares" Rudy shouted loudly.

"5% shares, do you want love!" Alex also shouted.

"10% of the shares, no matter how small, I will not do it!" Rudy's blue veins appeared on his forehead, he said hissing hard.

Bart suddenly stretched out his hand and said: "Then 10% of the shares, let's go to a lawyer to sign the contract now!"

Rudy was taken aback, and immediately reacted, and quickly shook Bart's hand and said: "Okay! Let's get things done today!"

Everyone went to their own lawyers, and after some effort, they finally got everything done at around 10 o'clock in the evening. They signed a share transfer contract. Rudy transferred 90% of the company's shares to Bart, and Bart must bear certain debt liabilities. However, the contract also stipulates that the company’s debts must be repaid with the company’s money.

After signing the contract, Alex suddenly said: "Are we going to change the company's name?"

This proposal was immediately responded by Bart and Richard, and Rudy, who had become a minority shareholder, had no right to speak at all. In the midst of everyone's controversy, it was finally decided to change the company's name to "Carpenter Records"! Who told them to have all carpenters (carpenters)!

Seeing Rudy's unhappy appearance after signing the contract, Bart went up to comfort him and said, "You don't seem to be very happy!"

"Suddenly from the boss to the wage earner, who would be happy!" Rudy said grimly.

Bart shrugged and said, "You can't think like this. You still have 10% of the shares, but the company's shareholders. Besides, you should think like this. You paid off two million debts and got 10%. Shares. Don’t you feel happy?"

Rudy thought for a while, feeling a little better: "Listening to you, it seems that it is really like that."

Alex also interrupted next to him and said: "This is not a 10% stake in an ordinary record company, but a record company share in the Carpenter Brothers! With our brothers, you are still worried about not making money?"

Alex's words caused everyone a burst of laughter, and Rudy's burden was relieved as he laughed. The relationship between everyone was re-established, and the Carpenters finally owned a company.