It Could Be Magic!

I’ve experienced what’s known as “Barry moments”, those times when out of the blue one of his songs plays on the radio, someone mentions him or an interview pops up, etc. The funny part is it usually happens just when I need a pick-me-up or a stress buster of sorts.

I’d heard about this from die-hard fans in the early days of my Manilow admiration and gradually came to recognize the fun coincidence.

Tuesday night I had one of those moments. We decided to spend middle sons last night in California eating his favorite food and watching a movie. “Paul Blart Mall Cop” was the choice. As much as my son can drive me crazy at times, I love him to pieces and was feeling down over his leaving the next day.

Mall cop, Paul Blart (Kevin James) is not lucky in love. Bemoaning the loss of a girl he’s smitten by he goes to his room to sulk after Thanksgiving dinner and pops a tape into a cassette player. By the third note, I’m grinning and my boys are looking at me waiting for the reaction (they know the songs well). Barry’s singing ‘Weekend in New England’, one of his most beautiful songs and one of my favorites.

I know Barry’s music has been in quite a few movies, “Foul Play” has “Ready to Take a Chance Again”; “Night at the Museum” has a muzak version of “Mandy”; “Hellboy2” has a very drunk Hellboy and his buddy singing along to “Can’t Smile Without You” and the list goes on. I’d never heard his music was in this one.

Funny thing is, I heard the song, my mood lifted and the rest of the evening was lovely. Small thing to cheer me up? Yes, but fun and still reminds how much good Barry’s music does for my psyche.

Another friend I met at a Barry Manilow show, Nancy, created a video with photos she took during a recent trip from Canada to see Barry at the Paris in Las Vegas. The music is ‘Best Seat in the house”.

Nancy says it all in the quote below:

This video is a collection of photos taken by myself and my friends while in Vegas to see Barry Manilow.
I dedicate this to my dear friends who make my world a better place for being in it .. and to Barry Manilow who’s music brought us all together.
I always have the best seat in the house when you are beside me … xox

Thanks for sharing Nancy and company and thanks Barry for causing all of this!

Barry Manilow has done more than shared his expertise as a musician extraordinaire. Thanks to a mutual appreciation of Barry many lasting friendships have forged and continue for years. Not just an acquaintance; but the sort of friend you can laugh and cry with, share your secrets and know they’ll be kept, the one who’s in for the long haul. One such friend is Janet in France. She’s a quiet, intelligent lady, with a dry sense of British humor. She cuts to the chase, wouldn’t hurt a soul, won’t dish the dirt, and tells it like it is. My kids think of her as part of the family.

We met after a show in Vegas at Tempo in the Las Vegas Hilton about three years ago. She’s been through the ups, downs and major changes in my life (I owe her many listening hours). She introduced me to Barry’s beautiful song “Sandra” which brought me to tearful moments but helped my decision in what needed to be done. She is a rare breed and I cherish the gift of her trusted friendship.

Last weekend she gathered with friends for their own annual ‘Barry convention’ in France. What follows is description of a wonderful weekend.

Barry thank you for the people you’ve brought into our lives…

                                      Mini-Convention Number 3

                        (or- Making Friends Thanks to Barry Manilow)   

When one is no longer in the first flush of youth (!) it is not easy to make new friends. People already have their circle of friends and acquaintances, and don’t feel the same need to acquire new ones as they did when they were young and starting out in life.

This has sometimes bothered me. I love the friends I have and would not be without them but I also love meeting new people and developing new friendships. Whatever your age, life can’t just stand still. I want to carry on having different experiences, seeing other countries and making new friends. I didn’t realize that I would obtain exactly that when I joined the BMIFC four years ago and made the first of many visits to Las Vegas!

 Barry Manilow’s music has been present in my life since Mandy but, for various reasons, I was never a fan club member and didn’t go to shows.

As I said, all that changed 4 years ago. As did my life. I am in contact with people all over the world, be it in the USA, the UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany. A number of these contacts have developed into deep and lasting friendships. What started out with an exchange of emails a couple of times a month has turned into meetings, (whenever we can) and weekly phone calls.

The great majority of Barry’s fans are kind, generous, passionate, INTERESTING human beings. Like he is!

Over here in France, Barry is not generally well-known. He has fans just as he does everywhere, but there are not a lot of us. When I joined the Barrynet, I posted a message, asking fans in France to get in touch. Several did, and 2 in particular have become close friends. These are people I would never have met if it weren’t for our shared admiration and passion for Mr. Manilow and his music.

Three years ago we met for the first time. At Laurence’s house on the west coast of France. We called it our mini-convention! We had a wonderful weekend, listening to Barry’s music, watching videos and DVDs, swapping stories, getting to really know each other. Last year, we met at Katherina’s house in south-eastern France and this year it was my turn to be hostess.

Last weekend we held mini-convention number 3 at my house in Alsace, in the north- east. It’s a special time for all of us. Not only because we have so much fun together, but because it’s so nice to be able to listen to Barry’s music with other people who love it! I have no-one among my friends here that I can do that with. The only problem was that a weekend is short. We packed in as much as we could. We selected CDS to listen to in the car as we travelled the Route du Vin (the Wine Road!!) Alsace is famed for its white wine!!Barry’s music accompanied us as we drove from one picturesque village to another, stopping off to sample the local speciality. !!

A wine cellar in the village of  Blienschwiller!!

The town of Ribeauvillé

The  Gingerbread House!

  We had chosen CDs containing many of the wonderful songs Barry has recorded but which he rarely sings live . If only he would!!(Barry if by any wild chance you read this, please take note!!)

The day became known as “Oh God I love this one day”. As in:   opening notes of Don’t Fall In Love With Me->Laurence, with a groan “Oh God I love this one” opening notes of Marry Me a Little- Katherina  with a groan->Oh God I love this one” ,opening notes of … well you get the general idea.

We listen to Even Now in Spanish ( Hasta Hoy – a duet with Valerie Lynch)) We adore it. But do we like it as much? more than? Barry’s solo version  in English?

We listen to two different recordings of Somewhere in the Night. The arrangement is not exactly the same. There are some piano chords in one which are not in the other. I love those piano chords. ( Oh God…)

 We sing along to Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? Cars overtaking us see these three crazy middle-aged women singing and swaying but do we care??

Back home, with a bottle of wine opened, I show them pictures of the show at Paris as they have yet to see it. We decide that Barry should definitely sing more than one song in his tux! Such a shame to go to all that trouble and to look so drop dead gorgeous for only one song!!!.

Our vote goes to Sweet Heaven (three birds with one stone: a beautiful, beautiful song, one he  hasn’t sung live in a while AND the tux!)

Talking about Sweet Heaven naturally leads us to put on Close-Up!! My DVD practically starts by itself at I’m Your Man! We sing and sway again.

Unfortunately Kat has to leave us on Sunday afternoon. Laurence and I have supper and then go through my DVDs and videos to find something she hasn’t already seen. We hit on a videotape of the A&E request show broadcast in 1996. Someone in the US sent me this and I am ashamed to say I can’t remember who! If you read this, whoever you are, accept once again my grateful thanks.

The show is wonderful.  Barry looks great, His voice is spectacular, he is funny and sometimes touching, interacting with the callers and with the audience. Who spend a lot of their time on their feet.

It’s now 2010 and nothing has changed! Except that he is even better today!

Kat called our weekend “a breath of fresh air” and said she would be able to face work in a more positive spirit. Which is exactly how I feel after seeing Barry in Vegas!

Thanks for coming ladies. And thanks Barry for bringing them and so many others, into my life.

Janet.( Helen, see you at the end of August!!!)

Barry Manilow will be leaving the hot desert for a rare East Coast appearance on August 14th at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall for a spectacular concert with The New York Pops Orchestra.

For all of us who were fortunate enough to attend Barry’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl last October, you know what an amazing show this will be. If you weren’t there, this is your chance. Barry, his band and his music with a full orchestra defies description, but it is a breathtaking experience you will never forget.

My youngest son saw Barry live for the first time at this concert; its the first time I saw my then 12 year old blown away!

To make the evening even sweeter, special packages for this concert will help support the Manilow Music Project and the public school music programs of the Atlantic City, NJ school district. Barry’s Bowl concert assisted LAUSD - Los Angeles School District - and raised over $100,000 for instruments and scholarships. I’m not positive there are any tickets left, however if there are and you can get to this show, trust me, you don’t want to miss it. If I suddenly hit a windfall and can make it to the East Coast no doubt I will be there!

Barry Manilow Hollywood Bowl October 24th, 2009

Having been criticized for TMI – too much information – about my life in a recent blog and heeding the gentle warning from a dear friend that I might share a bit too much, this post almost didn’t go beyond my thoughts. But sharing my thoughts help me unravel my feelings. Besides this blog has primarily been my perception, from the heart, of the music of Barry Manilow be it originals or covers on cd or live, and the significance to whatever might be going on in my life, good or bad. So here goes, I’ll risk the critique. 

This past weekend I was miserable. I knew if I listened to happy love songs or songs of love lost I’d be a sniffling heap. I’d already processed the lyrical association of “Life will go on”; “I let myself believe” “Some good things never last” and “Somewhere down the road” with a hefty dose of “Some Kind of Friend” for the anger I was feeling. I put on “Showstoppers” a collection of songs from Broadway musicals; I thought it would be pretty harmless and uplifting until I heard a song that reminded me of a time when the relationship began whose demise was now the cause of my miserable state. I turned the music off.

Today, in a slightly better mood, I detest wallowing in a sad state, I hit play. By coincidence of a meant to be moment the song in queue “But the World Goes Round” was one I’d not heard in ages. The lyrics struck me like a brick; I actually started to laugh, a bittersweet sort of feeling set in at the truth of the words I was hearing. “Sometimes your dreams get broken in pieces but that doesn’t alter a thing take it from me, there’s still gonna be a summer, a winter, a fall and a spring. And sometimes a friend starts treating you bad but the world goes ‘round and sometimes your heart breaks with a deafening sound” (John Kander/Fred Ebb) Yep the world was still going round; I’d merely hit another speed bump of living.

To help this post makes sense (or merely to vent) I’ll share what might be deemed TMI. Right before I relocated to California I met someone at work. It was one of those glance across a room, love at first sight moments that only happen in fiction. I was sixteen again with a major crush, and to my happy, guilty, confused surprise the attraction was mutual. To my dismay but giddy thrill the energy of the connection was felt by those around us even though we were nothing more than casual co-workers.

We were both on the brink of major change, he was going through a very messy divorce, he has three adolescent sons, and he too was starting over. I was tenuous about my feelings, afraid and careful. But it was exhilarating and delightful to feel the way I hadn’t in years, calming my fear that I’d never feel that way again.

With countless hours on the phone, in spite of miles and time, friendship grew and became much more over the subsequent nearly two years. There was an unspoken trust, sharing the deepest confidences of life.  I knew him well or so I thought.

I’d always tried to be supportive during his trials and calamities, but when my life turned upside down a couple months ago he seemed to withdraw. I chose to ignore the signs and make excuses - he was busy with a new job, his kids, adjusting to life on his own - and gratefully accepted what little support he offered.

Then as suddenly as it all began, communication ceased. I worried something might be terribly wrong, but in my heart I knew all that was wrong was my denial of the truth. I couldn’t let it go, couldn’t believe apparently none of what had been was genuine.

I’d mentioned last week seeing Barry sing “Best of Me” in Vegas had me an emotional mess. It was the lyrics “You were my one more chance I never thought I’d find you were the one romance I’ve always known in my mind”  that reminded me of how often I’d felt this way about the relationship which was slowly fading.

It’s not the end that breaks my heart. I can deal with that, people and feelings change, sad but true. It’s the disillusionment knowing he wasn’t the man I thought he was, its betrayal. He didn’t have the integrity to be kind, honest, and gracious ending what we started as responsible adults. I’m angry at myself for trusting, for being so vulnerable in believing he cared as much as I did. I may never know what happened or why and I guess it really doesn’t matter, it is what it is!

I’d like to say I’ll never do it again, but I will and I want to! I still believe in romance, true love and happy endings. To not believe would make me cold, harsh and what a sad, empty life that would lead to. I want to feel it all. Without the intense pain that life and love can sometimes bring, I could never appreciate the pure joy and beauty life and love also offers.

So once more I remember life goes on and I’ll begin again (seems I’ve been doing a lot of starting over lately). Broken hearts heal; shattered dreams eventually are tucked away leaving a lovely memory of what was and what might have been. And the world with all its ups and downs does go round.

Thanks Barry for the music that makes it all so much more bearable!

When my children are in sync with me, excel in areas of interest to me, its easy to take credit, comfortable to say “yep he got that from me”. But when they resist, do it their way, send me out of my comfort zone and create negative feelings I need to remember they also got that from me. Which is why when I hear the lyrics to Barry Manilow’s touching song ‘I am your child’ (written by Barry and Marty Panzer) I especially think of my middle son, “whatever I know, I learn from you, whatever I do, you taught me to do”

Today is his 16^th birthday. My curly headed, killer smile baby is tall, attractive young man on his way to life. He’s always marched to the beat of his own drum, always kept me on my toes. In spite of induced labor he decided when he’d enter the world. The child who refused to speak until he was three, causing parental concern and countless hours of speech therapy he insists now he didn’t speak because he didn’t want to. He’s the only one who’s had a run in with the law, a minor infraction, but reason for more gray hairs to sprout.

As a toddler he never wanted to cuddle, but always wanted me near. He is the epitome of middle child, fighting to be different than his brothers. His passion in life, his ambition for the future is to be a professional Paintball player. Hating school but passing easily with flying colors. He’ll swear like a sailor and grunt in response to a simple question. Yet amaze me with deep philosophical thoughts about God and life.

With the stubbornness of his father and my determination he can bring me to a brink of angry frustration the likes of which I’ve never known yet two days later have me rolling with hysterical laughter by his dry wit and humor.

He’ll point out my faults without missing a beat but still defend me. Complaining that I listen to Barry way too much, he sang along – complete with harmony – to ‘Stay’ while driving home from Las Vegas. He can be difficult at times, yet the difficulties make him who he is, create his uniqueness.

When I moved to California nearly two years ago he came along. Six months into life here he hated it and chose to move back to Ohio with his father. I told myself it was best for him and my sanity; yet I hate having him gone and miss him constantly. Often I think I should move back to Ohio just so not to miss these years with him. But if I’m miserable living in a place I detest will I be doing him a disservice in the long run? It’s a difficult choice to make, one I grapple with daily.

He’s visiting the place I and his little brother call home for 11 short days. I want to savor every second, understand and memorize the walk, talk and actions of this boy soon to be a man. I’m spending as much time as possible with him, cooking his favorite foods, watching shows I’d never put on without him here. I swallow the moments he gets on my nerves knowing he’ll soon be back on a plane headed to his home, his life, his friends.

The child I worry about the most, torture myself with guilt over and wish I could go back and do many things differently with. He’s the one I’m afraid I’ll lose but in my heart I know he’ll always be there. I hope he’ll be okay spending these years with a mom two thousand miles away. I want him to know I’m always unconditionally here for him. I hope he believes he’ll always be one of the three greatest wonders of my world which I’ll be grateful for until my last breath, Love you Zach and happy birthday!

I knew Barry would have an extra bounce for the shows during the BMIFC convention and I was right! Sunday’s show was phenomenal! He looked fabulous; his voice perfect. He was on fire – that was the opinion of everyone leaving the theater!

Knowing fans were the majority of the audience he could have kicked back basking in the glory, after all they’re going to love him anyway, but did he? Not on your life. If anything he went above and beyond his normal 110%. Fully in the moment he owns the stage. I often think there could be an earthquake and I’d barely notice; he’s that dynamic. I’ve yet to find words that appropriately describe the emotion, the gratitude, the love he keeps on giving back to us.

I enjoyed my seat stage left. It’s a different perspective watching his hands glide with ease over the piano. I think we sometimes forget the talented pianist he is, watching him play is breathtaking. The intensity of his focus as he leaves and enters the stage is also fascinating. The man takes what he does seriously. It doesn’t go unnoticed, at least not to me.

I had the pleasure of sitting next to and behind gentleman who had brought their elderly moms to the show. One of them told me he’d uprooted his life in the mid-west in order to move to Vegas and care for his mom Beverly who’s a big fan of Barry’s music. I hope one day I’ll be as fortunate, knowing my boys I think I will be.

The addition of “Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed” was fun.  An upbeat original written by Barry and the incomparable Marty Panzer, tells the story of a guy aware his lady is cheating and he’s wondering with who! I heard this song for the first time in 2007 at a live taping of “Greatest songs of the 70’s” for a PBS special in Brooklyn. I knew something special was coming when Barry announced the song – stating he was only doing this one for the fans not for the taping – and the audience went wild. I’ve since seen performances from days gone by when there was lots of energetic action with a mic stand and women swooning in the aisles. The energy, mic stand and swooning is still there. The slight grin on Barry’s face is priceless; yep he’s still got it.

‘Nature Boy’ and Barry sharing memories of his beloved Grandpa Joe is always touching. The songs message so profound – “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”. Later I considered his pondering how did Grandpa know the talent that lived in his four year old grandson? My theory is when you deeply love someone, you see below the surface to find a spark of something special that makes them who they are, who they will be. Sadly we’re often too busy, (especially when we’re raising our kids) to recognize and nurutre what’s deep within them. Thankfully Joseph Manilow had the wisdom to acknowledge and foster Barry’s gift. What he has can’t be taught. Honed and enhanced yes, but you need to be born with the encompassing talent Barry has been blessed with.

Extra memorable moments for me were “Even Now” and “Weekend in New England”. Always favorites but Sunday Barry crawled into the songs; seemed he was living them somewhere far from Las Vegas, the closing notes exemplary. Marvel describes the feeling as the curtain dropped, with Barry center stage ending ‘Even Now’

If you only planned to sit and watch the show, it would be impossible. I don’t know how Barry does it, but he is the master of another gift,  reaching into the soul and making you feel. For me it’s a catharsis that sends me back to life feeling revived and thoughtful as to what I need to do next without the excess baggage that weighs me down. The reaction he invokes can’t be denied; you’re senses will be stirred.

Speaking of feelings…. Normally I am not an externally emotional person when it comes to tears. I laugh easily but crying is too vulnerable, makes me too needy; far easier for me to give comfort than receive it. However one song Sunday had me in a sniveling heap.

Barry took time to acknowledge the people from around the world gathered for the BMIFC convention, thanking the attendees, the management and crew who made it all possible. He explained the personal crisis that kept him from attending an event the night before. I felt such empathy for him, would love to have given him a hug to convey I understand.

He followed this by singing “Best of Me”. And the emotional deluge began. I adore this song, for a couple of reasons. A few weeks ago I’d written if I ever marry again, I’d like this as my song. The lyrics are perfect when one discovers love the second time around; they fit a long distance relationship I was in *“so many years gone with love that was so wrong I can’t forget the way it used to be and how you changed the taste of love for me. You were my one more chance I never thought I’d find you were the one romance I’ve always known in my mind no one will ever touch me more and I only hope that in return I might have saved the best of me for you”.  Absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder, long distance is far from easy, last week, for many reasons, the relationship came to what I believe is a permanent halt.

I also love the song for how the lyrics speak of Barry’s career. He has given the best of himself to his fans. Having come to admire him later than most I can truly say I think he has saved the best for now!

Of course the entire show from ballads to dueling pianos and dueling drums was wonderful. – Watching my friend David Rozenblatt do his thing is always fun, especially when he’s right in front of me. Barry in tails for Copacabana will never get old.

It was great catching up with folks I normally meet on-line. Many of whom have input comments, photos and videos to my blog. It was evident a good time was had by all at the convention and the shows.

Again to Barry I say a heartfelt thank you for giving your all and for being the showman,  the musician and the person you are.

*”Best of Me” David Foster, Jeremy Lubbock, Richard Marx

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David Rozenblatt

David Rozenblatt

I’m so happy Barry Manilow has stayed true to his style in music and grateful radio personalities like Mark & Kristin on KOST 103.5 have stuck by him and allowed the masses to hear what a tremendous talent he is. Fads come and go, one hit wonders fade away, but great classic style lives on forever, as will the music of Manilow!

You don’t know what you’re missing if you don’t see Barry’s show at the Paris. I might have joined the party late, but I’m so glad I finally found what others have known for years!

As the earth quaked yesterday in Palm Springs, I really didn’t think I’d be giving much thought to the Barry Manilow International Fan Club Convention this weekend. In fact as the walls were shaking and the floor was rolling I wasn’t sure there’d be much to think about ever! Natives who’ve been here far longer than I, laugh when I say how horrific it was… “ya should have been here for the one in…. (fill in the blank)”.  But for this New Yorker a 5.4 or 6 or 9 (seems the jury’s still out on the exact magnitude) was enough to make me finally get prepared for the big one. Thank God yesterday was very minor in comparison to what others have suffered in earthquakes recently and for that I am grateful., I can’t begin to imagine the terror they must have felt.

Sure I know all the essentials one who lives here should have in their bin, but I’ve added some more things to my list. First of all I’ll never, ever walk around in crappy clothes and no make-up, after all you want to look good while evacuating and/or being rescued. Always have a spare bottle or several of ‘Manilow’ wine on hand. If I’m trapped, at least I want to be happy. Make sure the I-Pod is fully charged and just in case it breaks, have extra batteries and the good old fashioned cd player handy. If I’m in a situation of dire panic, the music of Manilow might be the only thing between me and completely losing it. Last but not least, and most seriously, I’m reminded to live every day to the fullest, be as good a person as I can and make sure the people I care deeply about know that I do, because here in So Cal or anywhere else there are no guarantees for another chance.

On a happier note, I hear - and have already seen photo proof - that Barry’s fans are arriving at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas today in preparation of the convention this weekend. I heard some attendees were delayed at the airport until President Obama’s plane landed. Wonder if he’s going to the convention too? It could happen!

Parities are in full swing and every one is revving for the main event which of course will be Barry’s fantastic shows. There’s no doubt the audience will be on their feet giving Barry all the gratitude and love he so deserves.

As for tid-bits: During a conversation the other day, for some reason I mentioned that “Could It Be Magic” is one of my favorite songs. The gentleman I was chatting with shared what a terrific person Barry Manilow is, knowing this because he’s had the pleasure of meeting him many times, and how grateful he and an organization he’s affiliated with is to Barry for the generosity that benefited them due to his ‘Gift of Love’ concerts last December. A lady joined in agreement mentioning how grateful she is to Barry for doing so much for music in the schools reiterating how important extracurricular activities are to a child’s education.

About a month or so ago, I met a young lady who while in high school was part of a choral group who performed with Barry at a concert here in the Valley several years ago. She’d been a fan since she was a little girl, singing along with cassette of his music into a hair brush microphone. To this day it was one of her greatest honors and happiest memories.

So there you have it, the goodness of Manilow is everywhere and thankfully the music of Manilow is everywhere too… I need all I can get in case the earth starts shaking again. Can’t wait for Saturday’s show to settle my nerves, I might just add an extra show on Sunday, its been a stressful week!

Manilow fans from all over the world will converge at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Friday for the annual convention of the Barry Manilow International Fan Club (BMIFC). The fans will enjoy pool parties, formal dinners, cocktails, disco nights, and of course the shows, all the while reminiscing about the past and discussing what the music of Manilow means to them.

I’ve never attended a fan club convention. Mainly because I can’t afford to, but I’m also not a schedule-following sort of gal. I prefer to go with the flow which is why—besides being terrified of water—I’ll probably never go on a cruise.

However, last year when Barry announced that for the convention he’d be adding a special segment to his show from his original CD, Here at the Mayflower—one of my favorites—I had to see the show at least once; and I’m so happy I did. Hearing Barry sing those special songs was a moment I’d have regretted missing. Also, I thought it would be fun to get the boss’s take first-hand—he was there to promote the “Best Of” edition of Desert Magazine with Barry on the cover, to be sold in the M Store benefitting the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope. Go figure, I never saw him the whole time we were there!

I didn’t know I’d be unemployed while toying with the idea of attending this year, so I’m thankful I procrastinated—the event was sold out before I made up my mind. While I won’t be attending the events, I will be at Saturday’s show.

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As I’ve stated many times Barry gives his all at every show, be it fans or civilians in the audience. But when the crowd is primarily fans there’s an extra bounce in his step, the extra emotion can be felt. I believe its Barry’s way of saying thank you to the folks who stand by him through thick and thin. Barry I hope you know we feel it and appreciate it. How could I miss that? I can’t!

I can’t wait to head to Vegas. Of course I’ll write about what I know will be a memorable weekend. To all attending I hope you have a terrific time; but how could you not.

To Barry, hope your schedule allows you some time to have fun during your convention. Bask in the knowledge of how much joy your music brings to us, how much we admire and respect you, how you inspire us. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say a sincere and heartfelt thank you.