After the first tour they meet at the mansion to record another album. Chris/Izzy says he has written songs. Did he really think they would record them?
Perhaps record one or maybe break them in on tour?
I am filling in my own gaps here but the reception he got was really cold, like he or the band never bothered to bond together at all. You would think they would have been a lot kinder and also that Cole would have approached Cuddy in private which would have been smarter. In front of everyone like that was like challenging the boss in front of the whole office.
shareHe never understood that he was a hired gun and one that was hired because he could imitate their original singer. Steel Dragon had been around for a while and were at the point their careers where they weren't willing to take risks. Most bands are like that they have a leader, a songwriter or songwriting team. Bands aren't democracies.
Chris should have been more sneaky about it and just let them "catch" him playing some of his songs and perhaps they may have been more open about it. Or they may have just ripped him off.