Manilow Forever and a Day

Submitted August 18, 2009, by Karen P., Arlington, VA (no reprints without permssion)....MY ACCOUNT OF "A CAPITOL FOURTH" DRESS REHERSAL,"  JULY 3, 2009, WASHINGTON, DC.........Arrived at he Capitol West Lawn area around 1:30 pm on Friday, July 3, 2009.  I hung around and talked to different people.....Around 2:30 or 2:45 pm, we went through the security check point and I made my way to the lawn.  I ended up behind a group of new found friends.  I was dead denter!!!  VIP's had the chairs nearest the stage.....At 7:30 pm, they started.  Aretha Franklin sang the  National Anthem.  Jimmy Smits was our host for the night.  He announced Barry as our opening performer.  He came onstage in all black with white jacket; and, his back-up singers were there, too.  He sang "Somewhere in the Night," "It's A Miracle," "Copa," This One's For You," and "Daybreak."  ...During "Copa," he danced with a girl or two from the audience.  I saw this on the jumbo-tron (screens) on each side of the stage.....After Barry finished, we were treated to Muppets/Sesame Street Characters.  Big Bird conducted the NSO.  It was very cute, and I'm sure the children in the audience enjoyed it.  Natasha Bedingfield sang with the Sesame Street gang a couple of times.....We had the guys from "Jersey Boys," and they sang a variety of songs from the musical.  The musical is based on Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons......Then, Natasha Bedingfield did her songs on a flat platform not far from where my new friends and I sat.....We heard "Rhapsody in Blue" (Gershwin) done by Andrew Von Oeyun (classical pianist) and Michael Feinstein.....Then, cmae Aretha Franklin with an R&B song.  Before Aretha came on, they had a medium-size piano sitting on the platform not far from us; and, to my surprise, Barry ended up sitting there to start "Let Freedom Ring.".....Rewind:  Aretha Franklin is doing her thing onstage.  Next thing, I see Barry and posse (security detail) walking right in front of us to the flat platform......They were all in black and blended in with the night.  Barry got on the platform and was jiving with Aretha.  As she was finishing her song, Barry then sat down at the piano and started to sing, "Let Freedom Ring."  Of course, a lot of us were snapping pictures when he was on that platform......He finished the song down on the main stage with the Washington Chorus and NSO.  What a nice ending to a glorious night of great entertainment.....Note:  In Platinum on May 29th, Barry asked if I was coming to "A Capitol Fourth."  I said, 'Yes, the rehersal (full dress);"  so, I know he knew I was there.....K.P.  

Submitted August 5, 2009, by Linda Kloeppner (Denver, CO)......LAS VEGAS HILTON......MAY 28, 29, (30), 2009..............Del and I had front row center balcony seats for all Barry's shows.  The BMIFC Convention was held the week before, but we were unable to attend .  During the Convention, Barry debuted a number of songs from his "Here at the Mayflower" album.  We could hardly wait to experience this!!!!    Both May 28th and 29th were sensational!!!!!  Barry was FABULOUS, and completely out did himself.  Friday night, the 28th, his voice was so strong and clear, but I detected a hint of raspiness when he spoke.  Barry poured his heart into every segment and song, but the "Mayflower" segment was "OVER THE TOP!!!!"  It was fantastic theatre!!!!  Everyone left the theatre just raving about this show/concert!!!!.........Friday, May 29th, Barry was very ill.  He said his throat was dry, and asked continuously for water.  His voice was strong and clear.  Barry was a real trooper--he gets a gold star for his performance and personality!!!!!!..........Saturday, May 30th,  the show was cancelled.  We were told it was due to Barry being ill (I wasn't surprised); but, we also heard that Kye's (Barry's backup singer) brother died.  Kye, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. And, Barry---feel better soon!!!  Thoughts and prayers are with both of you......................NOTE:  Friday, May 29th, our friend, and Fan Club member, Karen P. (VA),and her friend (and our new friend and Fan Club member), Tanya V. (VA) had their Platinum Experience, and met Barry!!!!!!  WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!    

Submitted July 13, 2009, by Linda Kochvar (PA).......MELLON ARENA SHOW, JULY 6, 2009.....(Pittsburgh, PA).............The show started a little after 7:30 PM with Brian Culbertson.  Brian had his band along with saxophone player Michael Lington.  Brian did some songs off his new funky album.  Then, because the keyboard player had spent time with Earth, Wind, and Fire we got a medley of their songs.  Brian then played a song he wrote for his first dance with his wife after they got married.  He talked about where he was from and his being the music teacher at his high school.......Twenty minute intermission.......On to the main event....Manilow Time.  Intro song right before Barry came out was a Madonna song.  Barry came down the stairs singing "It's A Miracle."  Then, we got "Daybreak," Somewhere In The Night," "This One's For You," "Ready To Take A Chance Again" with a fan getting to dance with him, "Weekend In New England," "Tryin' To Get The Feelin'/Even Now," "Memory," "I Made It Through The Rain" with the Grandpa Joe segment, "Looks Like We Made It" done sexy style, "Somewhere Down The Road," "Brooklyn Blues" with Brian and Michael playing during the song, "New York City Rhythm" with the piano tag, "Mandy" with Barry on the Midnight Special on the circular video screen, "I Write The Songs," and "Copacabana."  Then, as a special treat or encore we got "Let Freedom Ring."  Barry mentioned the arenas having unusual names like the Civiv Arena.  Now, they're all named after banks, etc.  Mellon Arena.  He then said he did a commercial; so, he started singing the Band Aid jingle.  He also talked about playing his first Pittsburgh venue, the Syria Mosque.  Then, the Civic Arena where the Showtime Special was taped.  We also got "Can't Smile Without You."..........The fashion Barry wore the usual black pants, shirt, and shoes.  He came out with those on and an ice blue jacket and matching tie.  Then, we got a black jacket, the white one with the embossed design on it, the orange and yellow waist jacket and a slate gray jacket.  The backups came out in red dresses for the girls, red shit and black pants for Kye.  Then, they changed into black sequined jump suits for the girls and black sequined suit jacket and black pants and white shirt for Kye.  The girls later changed into black with white lapels, short jacket dresses.  Then, during "Copa," the girls came out in their showgirl outfits..........Barry was the Energizer Bunny last night.  He was all over the stage.  Plus, his voice sounded silky and clear.  Zero raspiness.......Linda.

Submitted February 19,2009, by Linda K......."BARRY MUSIC AT THE MOVIES!!"............I bought my grandson "Madagascar 2" for Valentine's Day.  While watching it with him this week,  suddenly a familiar sound came from the screen----it was Barry's "Copacabana!!"   My grandchildren heard it right away, and looked for Barry's name in the credits at the end of the movie---they found it!!  LOL  :0)

Submitted February 7, 2009, by Linda k.......During dinner, on my Birthday (Jan. 27th), The satellite station at the restaurant played Barry's beautiful  "Where or When," from his "Showstoppers" and "Beautiful Ballads and Love Songs" albums.  I asked my hubby and son to stop talking long enough so I could listen.  What a great Birthday---spent with my hubby, my children and grandchildren, and to hear Barry, too!!!  Couldn't ask for more!!!!!  :0) 

Submitted February 7, 2009, by Linda K........The BMIFC  2008  HOLIDAY BASH (December 19-21, 2008)  was  GREAT!!!  It was the first for Del and me, and we had such a wonderful time.  The food was fabulous, and we were treated to a showing of Barry's UK concerts the forst part of December!!!  Barry came to the BASH dance after his show on the 19th, but stayed only long enough to walk in and walk out----he was mobbed!!!!!  His shows were "over the top!!!"  Just fabulous!!!   AND....it was wonderful seeing  my friends, and making new ones!!!!  :0) 

Submitted November 28, 2008, by Linda K. for Lana Graham.............On September 1, 2008, Lana visited Red Rocks amphitheatre, located in the foothills just west of Denver, CO.  It was the 35th anniversary of her first seeing Barry, and she saw him at Red Rocks.  He was the musical director for Bette Midler, and performed a 20 minute segment during Bette's intermission. And, the rest is history.

Submitted by Linda K., on November 28, 2008........"Barry Moment at the Gas Station".........My husband, Del, was pumping gas in our car a couple weeks ago, when a man at the adjacent pump said, "I saw him in Vegas, and he was wonderful!"  Mu husband, said, "What?" and the other man sais, "I see the sign in your window (I have a Fan Club sign).  I saw Barry Manilow in Vegas, and He was wonderful!!!  I saw Celine Dion, too---she was more expensive, and Barry is three times better than she is."   (We knew that already, but it's always good to hear!!) -----He also saw my license tag frame.  :0)