149 Prior to Primetime Emmy

As the days passed, Lucas's album sales began to surpass expectations, surprising even Big Machine Records, the label that had signed him. Initially, they had high hopes, but the reality exceeded their forecasts. Thanks to their strategic marketing efforts and the authentic, grassroots promotions by Lucas's dedicated fans, the album's popularity soared. The record label, analyzing trends and feedback, estimated that the sales were not just a flash in the pan but could continue to surge, riding the wave of genuine enthusiasm and word-of-mouth recommendations.

The head of Artist and Repertoire (A&R) at Big Machine Records, who had been instrumental in signing Lucas, was both pleasantly surprised and delighted by the unexpected success of Lucas's "Knight" Album. Initially, the label had anticipated modest success, buoyed by the viral clip of Lucas singing "Perfect" as Dylan. Yet, signing an actor primarily known for his on-screen work was still considered a risk. However, the album's performance far exceeded the label's cautious expectations.

Seated in their office, encircled by charts and sales reports, the A&R Director couldn't suppress a growing sense of pride and satisfaction. The numbers were telling a story far beyond what they had dared to hope.

In fact, even with just the initial sales of Lucas's album and his songs gaining traction on various social media platforms, there was already a buzz among the folks at Big Machine Records. They started speculating that if Lucas's album continued to climb in popularity and achieve greater heights, perhaps even making its way onto the Billboard charts, he could potentially rival the music industry's top stars, like Bruno Mars or even Taylor Swift, who was also part of the Big Machine Records family.

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The Primetime Emmy event was drawing closer, and in the interim, Lucas wrapped up his period of rest and travel. He returned to New York to engage in contract negotiations with his agent, Vincent, regarding his guest appearances on the show "Modern Family" with ABC Network.

As the Primetime Emmy Awards approached, Lucas wrapped up his restful vacation and returned to New York. He was there to engage in crucial contract negotiations with his agent, Vincent, regarding his guest appearances on the show "Modern Family" for ABC Network.

During their meeting, Lucas spent some time discussing not only the contract details but also revisiting a business idea he had previously suggested to Vincent. He outlined his vision and the potential it held, urging Vincent to consider the proposal seriously.

Vincent, recognizing the gravity of the proposal and the trust Lucas placed in him, pondered deeply over the idea. After considering all angles and the potential for success, he committed to investing $100,000 in Lucas's business concept.

Understanding the initial financial hurdles Uber faced, Lucas leveraged his future knowledge to draft comprehensive documents aimed at mitigating early financial losses. By doing so, he hoped to make the significant investment work in their favor, turning the innovative concept into a viable business while avoiding the pitfalls that had initially plagued Uber.

After wrapping up their business discussion, Lucas and Vincent moved on to review the contract offer from ABC Network. Lucas agreed to a significant increase in his pay rate, now set at $75,000 per episode—a substantial jump from his Season 1 earnings. 

This spike in compensation wasn't entirely unexpected, as Lucas's industry value was anticipated to climb, especially with the upcoming release of other projects he was involved in. Additionally, his rendition of "Perfect" in the fourth episode of "Modern Family" Season 1 had significantly boosted the show's popularity.

In essence, even though Lucas was only making guest appearances on the show, his presence had become a major draw. His involvement was enough to reignite interest and encourage viewers to tune in again, regardless of his sporadic presence in the episodes.

As the Primetime Emmy Awards approached in late August, Lucas's contributions to the show, especially his song, were set to be highlighted once more. His nomination alone served as a testament to his value, signaling to the network just how impactful his presence on "Modern Family" had been.

The prospect of the Emmy event meant that Lucas would have the chance to reconnect with the cast of "Modern Family," a thought that brought a warm smile to his face.

Signing the contract with ABC Network, Lucas realized that this would likely mean returning to the set and collaborating once again with the cast members he hadn't seen in some time. The anticipation of reuniting with his colleagues and stepping back into that familiar environment filled him with a sense of excitement and nostalgia.

Lucas's nomination for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series" might have seemed unlikely to win, considering his limited impact on "Modern Family," except for the memorable performance of "Perfect" in Season 1, Episode 4. Yet, this single episode was enough to turn heads within the industry towards him.

This recognition led to other opportunities for Lucas, such as offers for advertisements and endorsements. While his prospects for winning the Emmy were modest, his talents were recognized far beyond the realm of television comedy. Industry insiders were already familiar with Lucas's compelling performance in the indie film "127 Hours." They saw in him potential that transcended the boundaries of just the Primetime Emmys.

To many, Lucas was primarily a film actor, not just a television star. His impressive film debut had set the stage for what many believed would inevitably lead to Oscar nominations. In essence, while the Primetime Emmys were an acknowledgment, those in the know understood that Lucas's journey and capabilities stretched much further, with the film industry offering him a broader and more suitable platform for his talents.

The idea of Lucas potentially being nominated for a Grammy wasn't far-fetched either. His album had already racked up thousands in sales and caught the attention of music enthusiasts far and wide. This growing popularity among the music-loving community highlighted not just his versatility as an artist but also the genuine appeal of his work.