After talking with Donna Langley, Charles seemed to have forgotten about the record industry. Capet Pictures itself produced several movies every year, and releasing movie soundtracks was essential.
Immediately, Charles directly established Capet Records to self-release movie soundtracks and sign singers to release albums.
In Burbank, Los Angeles, Rihanna's first album, released this year, was playing in Charles's office.
"Missing out on 17-year-old Rihanna, Taylor Swift should still be in Nashville writing songs and waiting to release her first album!" Charles mused from his chair, relying on his memory.
Charles also needed to slowly find out where Lady Gaga and Katy Perry were now, as he was somewhat familiar with their songs.
A moment later, Donna Williams knocked and entered the office. "Boss, there is indeed a Big Machine Records in Nashville, a small company specializing in country music."
"Hmm, that's it. Buy it directly!" Charles said, turning off the music.
"But Big Machine Records was only established in September this year, with fewer than 10 employees, and only one 16-year-old signed singer, a talented Lady who loves country music, but isn't it a bit too..." Donna Williams found it hard to finish her sentence.
Too much of a game?
"I've heard that Lady's demo, she absolutely has great potential. Send someone directly to acquire Big Machine Records to be a dedicated country music label under Capet Music in the future," Charles absolutely could not miss this opportunity. That Lady was Taylor Swift.
"Oh, Big Machine Records' boss, Scott Borchetta, was previously the head of Universal Music Group's Nashville branch. He left Universal Music Group, founded Big Machine Records, and then signed that Lady!"
"So?" Charles countered.
"So, Scott Borchetta might not want to sell Big Machine Records!"
"Pfft, Donna, what I'm interested in is that Lady at Big Machine Records. If Scott Borchetta is willing to sell the company, then Big Machine Records will still be managed by him afterward," Charles chuckled disdainfully.
"If he's unwilling to sell, then Nashville will have another Small Machine, Good Machine, or Bad Machine Records!"
What's so difficult about that? Taylor Swift hasn't even released an album yet. A new independent record production company?
Can it compare to Capet Records, which was born with a silver spoon, established by Charles? Compare what, financial resources or human resources?
Even if Taylor Swift recorded an album, that small company wouldn't have any resources to advertise! Cape Records could directly broadcast to various radio and television stations, and hold various promotional events, etc.
Donna Williams understood. The boss was interested in that Lady artist signed by Big Machine Records.
"Okay, then I'll send someone to Nashville to acquire Big Machine Records as soon as possible!" Since the boss had already said so, Big Machine Records couldn't escape.
After Donna left, Charles remembered Michael Jackson's 50% stake in Sony, co-owned with Sony.
That was a goose that laid golden eggs. In the 1980s, Michael Jackson spent over 40 million US dollars in cash to purchase the ATV Music Publishing catalog. What foresight! It contained the copyrights to over 250 Beatles songs.
However, the decline of traditional records was an undeniable fact. Charles had to focus on online music streaming services.
Warner Music Group also went public independently on NASDAQ this year; among Hollywood media groups, only Sony Entertainment still operated a record group.
Charles didn't intend to put too much effort into Capet Records himself; its main purpose was to provide firepower for his own film and television works.
However, he definitely couldn't miss out on a phenomenal singer like Taylor Swift.
In the evening, Charles drove Britney Spears to Capet Manor in Beverly Hills.
In the manor's parking lot, Charles leaned back in the seat of his cayenne, enjoying Britney Spears's service.
"Phew," after an unknown amount of time, Britney Spears looked up, glanced at Charles, and wiped her mouth, asking, "What's wrong? You seem a bit distracted tonight?"
"Distracted?" Charles smiled. Did she mean the time wasn't long enough?
"No, when does my contract with Jive Records, a Sony subsidiary, expire?"
"In 2007, but we're already discussing contract renewal. Why?" Britney Spears responded.
Charles frowned and said, "Capet Records has officially opened. I want to sign a recording contract with you for three to four albums!"
Of course, Britney Spears was the American pop queen now, and her record contract wouldn't be cheap.
Capet Records was a young music company. To sign an album contract with a singer of this caliber, the signing fee certainly couldn't be low.
"Okay, though I signed with Jive when I debuted, and our cooperation has been good, I'd rather work with your company!" Britney Spears was a bit carefree, but she had a management team to consider these things for her.
Charles nodded. With Britney Spears and Taylor Swift, Cape Records' reputation should quickly soar!
"Don't worry, I'll give you a very generous signing contract then, it won't be lower than Jive Records' terms," Charles smiled, and then reached out to stroke the Lady's blonde hair.
"Hmm, I'll listen to you. You can discuss it directly with Ms. Capet. I trust you too!"
"Alright, let's get out of the car," Charles felt fully capable of fooling Britney Spears to the point her own mother wouldn't recognize her.
After the two got out of the car, Charles put his arm around the Lady's shoulder and walked into the house. "Do you want to go on vacation to Colorado for Christmas? My mom bought a big ranch there, where we can ski!"
"Sounds good, let's go see it."
Evelyn Capet bought a large ranch spanning many acres, with rivers, valleys, ski resorts, and forests, as well as a large villa of square feet.
It was purchased under the name of the Capet Charity Foundation as a ranch investment. It could raise at least 3,500 cattle and 3,500 sheep, and also offer entertainment activities like hunting and skiing.
It cost almost 30 million US dollars. Charles had wanted to find an opportunity to visit it. Hunting, such a beneficial activity for mind and body, must be tried!