That's right, I said it. It's time for a much needed REALITY CHECK for some of these "feeling" fans. It's all I can do these days to read some of the reviews, the posts on Twitter and Facebook, the Manilow Network and the old Barrynet.
Reality Check #1-He is NOT singing to you, and only you. If you think otherwise, you are delusional. The music and the delivery is meant to make you feel, NOT send you into a fantasy world that makes you believe he cares for you.
Reality Check #2-Sucking up to the band, the back up singers, his staff, or any other person close to him will NOT get you into his inner circle. If you think it's not obvious that you are doing this for the sole purpose of getting close to him, you are delusional. Everyone around him knows to keep an eye out for this type of fan.
Reality Check #3-Using social media to contact him or score points is absolutely delusional. If you think he's the man behind the Twitter account, think again. If you think he reads your personal messages, knows that you care, and knows when you are at his shows, you've fallen off the limb of fandom.
Reality Check #4-You are NOT solely responsible for defending him in the media, with non-fans, or with anyone who posts a negative commentary related to him or his music. He wouldn't have survived this long in the business if he hadn't learned to take it with the grain of salt and ignore most of the attacks. The more you stir up the pot, the more negative the publicity becomes. Put a lid on it.
Reality Check #5-If you are at every single show, every single media event, every single public appearance, it's time to step back and ask yourself if this "fandom" has gone too far. Even if you have all the money in the world and nothing else to do with your time, it's not healthy to eat, sleep and breathe Manilow. He would be the first to tell you so. Get a life!
Barry has said in interviews, even recently on The Talk, that all he has ever wanted to do was "make people feel." The extent to which these crazed fans presume to take those feelings cannot be blamed on him or his music. Those fans who have become all-consumed with the delusion that he cares for them (other than as a fan) have only themselves to blame. It's clear how Barry feels about this type of adoration in the song he included on his new album 15 Minutes (Letter From a Fan/So Heavy, So High). He doesn't think it's healthy, and neither should we.
Ok...now you can throw the tomatoes,
Texas Fan
Posts
14 comments:
Zing! I agree all you've said. I see various posts on various sites and I have begun to feel uncomfortable. I enjoy his music but I have a life. I also like other artists. I doubt that I will ever meet him and I'm ok with that. To any "star" we are just another fan. The good "stars" appreciate their fan base, but the also have their own lives to lead and fans aren't in it. I've got some lettuce...want a salad with those tomatoes?
Jill, so far, no tomatoes...but if I get them, I'll take the lettuce and make a salad. I'm sure most won't comment. But...it had to be said.
No tomatoes from me! I only applaud
what you posted. Well done!
moon :)
Hey there Moon...it's been awhile. Hope you are doing well..and thanks for the kudos.
YAY-what a great post! Too bad those 'fans' you are talking about just do not seem to realize how ridculous they are. Its comical at this point..and pathetic.
I totally agree with everyone's comments!!! Can't wait to hear Letter from a Fan..notice that one track isn't talked about much amongst the fan world!!
Ok Suzanne, now you've got me going. I almost don't know what to say except you were spot on but it's sad that some of these fans don't understand they are being laughed at. Even if they Twitter or Facebook with the upedy-ups, it's because business people need to be courteous to those who are paying your bills and nothing more and nothing less. At first this whole fandom thingy was fun, adventurous and somewhat childish but certainly innocent until it got too deep and too serious for me. I consider myself a good fan, a fan that Barry would be proud of. Even Barry has said a few times for some fans to "get a life" and not devote their lives to him but to just enjoy his music. I could go on but I won't. I think you understand where I'm going with this.
Jude
Boston
Jude, I completely understand. It's easy to get sucked in though. I've been close to crossing that line myself. But thank heavens I recognized it and pulled back. As YBA said in her review about that fan song, sometimes you don't realize how bad it is until it stares you in the face. But with some, you could hit them over the head with a sledge hammer and they still wouldn't get it.
All I can say is BRAVO! These are words that needed to be spoken but sadly will fall on deaf ears and those blind to the truth.
THANK YOU!!!!!! I was watching the Piers Morgan interview today and he made the Anthony Wiener joke about Wiener whipping out... well his wiener. and the audience was laughing hysterically!
I admit it was funny, i chuckled but some people in the audience were laughing like it was the funniest thing they ever heard. Especially one lady! I'd be surprised if she didn't pass out!
Like come on, love the guy all you want but don't embarrass your self!
I love barry but some fans just really get on my nerves!
Catching up and just wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth of HELL, YEAH! Barry has an entourage to filter out these people but those of us who have to sit next to them in the audience - well we have to deal with it full-on. Not fun.
Reality won't hurt, I swear....
YBA, you're 100 percent correct. The fans that have to deal with these fans are the real losers here. Been there, done that, don't EVER want to do that again.
Alert the media, the Bnet us down! What in the world will some of these fans do with their time and how will they make sure HE knows how much they adore him? Sorry but can't some of these fans realize the appreciation he wants is for his music and that is where it stops?
The Bnet? I haven't visited that site in months. I figured since his appearance on Facebook they would have all jumped ship for that destination.
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