One of the things I love about attending Barry Manilow’s shows - besides of course seeing Barry Manilow - is witnessing the profound joy and happiness he brings to so many people. Most with memories going back further in years than mine. To the early days of ‘Mandy’ when they and Barry were younger, just starting out on the road of life. Over the thirty-five plus years Barry has remained a constant for them and he has remained constant in his talent of creating exceptional music, inspiration and feeling to those who take the time to hear him, really hear with heart and ear.
Most nights during ‘Can’t Smile Without You’, Barry will lean down from the stage, choose an audience member and with mic in hand allow them to sing a few bars. I love the expression on Barry’s face as he does this in a somewhat uncomfortable position - I’m such a klutz I’d undoubtedly fall head first off the stage - he looks at the person he’s chosen, full attention on them as they sing. I hope Barry knows the joy its gives the one chosen, the memory they take and keep for a very long time. The amount of gratitude they send to him for this gesture.
On August 21st I met one of these life long fans. Joyce, a lovely lady who’d traveled from Ohio to see Barry’s show at the Paris in Las Vegas. I learned later she and a group of friends were celebrating her birthday. I was fortunate to have a front row seat, just a few away from her. She was chosen to sing along. I snapped a quick photo. Of course she was beyond ecstatic over singing with Barry and delighted her moment had been caught by a few people.
She liked my photo as you can see Barry holding her hand as she sang. She shared with me seeing the photo brought her to tears of joy. I asked her to write a few words to include with the photo on this blog. As we both agree, once you start talking about Barry Manilow a few words are not enough. Its true for me after only three and half years; I can’t imagine being brief about Barry after decades.
What follows is the photo and her thoughts. I hope you enjoy her comments as much as I did, and again I hope Barry knows just how much he is loved and appreciated.
Barry Manilow and Joyce singing ‘Can’t Smile Without You’ August 2010
“I’ve been a fan since the first time I heard Mandy all those years ago. I had a friend who was a DJ and I called him to find out who was singing that beautiful song. I’ll never forget what he said to me, “It’s a new guy named Barry Manilow, he is going to be a BIG star, mark my words”! Well, his words were right on the mark, and it was love at first “note” for me. I have loved him since that day. I have seen Barry 100’s of times, and each time I see him it’s like the first time. I feel so fortunate to have met him at Meet and Greets and doing Platinum, he is everything I knew he would be, and more…as you know. The night you took my picture of Barry and I singing “CSWY”, Mary, Deanna, Bev, Leigh Anne, Kay, Linda and I were celebrating my birthday. I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect present. That’s more than a few words, but its impossible to talk about Barry without opening the flood gates.”