What makes one fan more "special" than another fan?
Is it the number of shows they attend?
Is it how many times they have sung CSWY, danced with him or put on his jacket?
Is it the size of the collection of music and memorabilia?
Is it who they know or think they know on the "inside"?
Is it measured by the amount of money they spend on tickets, fan items, conventions and the like?
Is it the amount of photographs they take and share?
Is it the number of Platinums or Meet and Greets they have had?
Is it the number of times Barry has shook their hand or made eye contact during a show?
Does the world of fandom come with a price?
If you get too involved with the fans do you risk your anonymity, and at what price?
And once you do, is it still possible to have that magical concert experience?
Once your eyes are open does it cause your view of the "man" and the music to be jaded?
Can you still enjoy the concerts if you can't escape the fanatics?
Is it possible to know the true level of fanaticism when the only contact you have had with other fans is online?
How does someone remain a fan for over 30 years in spite of all the drama, backstabbing, and vindictive comments?
Does Barry really have the "best seat in the house" or is he completely disgusted by what goes on with his fans?
I wonder....
Texas Fan
Posts
4 comments:
I believe what makes you a fan, keeps you a fan or at least it does for me when it comes to Barry.
The tickets bought, the collection of items stamped with his name, the people you know because of him have nothing to do with being a fan.
Barry sings and performs from his heart and soul and as you listen and watch you see and feel that. When you truly connect emotionally to this man and his music there is no return.
I do believe he has the best seat in the house because on the whole he sees and feels the hearts and souls reflecting back to him from his audience.
We too have the best seat in the house. For me anyway I disconnect from the world around me when Barry is on his stage and just hear and feel the magic projected from that stage in front of me.
Anything bad is outweighed by the good when it comes to being a Barry fan.
I have been in the Manilow World for 33 years now, and the music always brings me back. The fan world has always been tested, but in the recent years I think it is at it’s worst. After all of the years, just a few months ago I about made the biggest mistake of my life. Luckily, I caught on to things in time. Those material things like shows, platinums, watches, shirts isn’t what matters and I don’t think it does to Barry either. When he talks to someone, he doesn’t ask, “How many shirts do you have of mine”? or “How many shows of mine have you attended”? He might get a real scary answer with that question with some. I don’t know what the right interpretation of being a Manilow Fan would be(there are many unfortunately I'm sure), but I see it as those who have supported Barry through the years. Rather it is just 2 or 20. Some think it is all material, but it’s not. It’s feelings. How Barry makes you FEEL with his music.
I always thought the meaning of a fan, was somebody who appreciated the artist for their music and how it made them feel, Unfortunately lately I have come to realise there are a lot of fanatics out there. These fanatics don't appreciate the artist, they are in it to see what they can get out of it. They can be quite vindictive to others who don't share their opinions and have the courage to speak out to these fanatics. I find this so very sad. To me these people are not fans, they are fanatics, whose lives are obessed with the artist, they have lost the true meaning for which the artist stands for.
JMHO
Kim
Do not dare let anyone steal your joy.
The fan world is crazy, fanatical, and a lot of other things, but the common thread with everyone is Barry. I don't think being a fan should be defined by the number of shows, or how much money one has spent. Someone that has gone to 100 shows, does not necessarily have more love or get more enjoyment from Barry than someone that has never gone to a show. It is all subjective and oftentimes, the opinions that we hear are the ones that scream the loudness.
I can go on and on, but in nutshell - enjoy the man, enjoy the music, and surround yourself with grounded and SANE people. As in life, you have to be just as selective with online friends as you do in real time. There is instability in both places, moreso in the internet world because here - the anonymity gives people a voice that in person just disappears.
Will things ever change? Hopefully because the fan world was once a nice place to be - until then just sit back and watch (like I do), a one-sided dialogue will only go on for so long.
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