Have the fans gotten out of control?

Last night I got a phone call from a friend of mine who hadn't seen the new show and hadn't been to see Mr. Manilow since April of last year. She was sitting next to a nice British lady who hadn't been since 2005 and shared her absolute shock. What was she shocked about? Big surprise here...the behavior of the crazy fans. She proceeded to tell me how out of control the women were and how one woman in particular was making a huge scene about sitting on the front row and not being dressed appropriately. She was loud and brash and stirring all the other fans into a frenzy. This phone call was prior to the start of the show.

In about two hours I received another phone call from her swearing that all sense of decorum and reason had left the theater last night. It's her theory that it's a "gang mentality". I rather agree with her. There is strength in numbers. And the more of them there are the more out of control they become. Apparently last night one of them charged the stage, only to be intercepted by security as Barry gave one of his "I'm not pleased with this" looks. You can tell when he's not happy with the fan behavior. We've all seen it too many times recently. And true to form, there was no fan interaction again last night on either side of the stage.

So here's my question: have the fans gotten out of control? I think they most definitely have. I think the easy access and the frequent shows have created a rare form of fan. I don't think these existed in the days prior to his Vegas run. Why? Most of the fans were confined to local fan clubs. They received their news via these clubs and the fans were a close knit group that lived within driving distance of each other and saw one another often and the "frenzy" was contained in living rooms and fan club get-togethers in basements.

Since the widespread use of the internet, the fan base has changed. While it's brought people together that might not have met otherwise, it's also created a much larger "club" that only sees each other in Vegas. The hype and excitement over the shows, the friends and the Tempo visits has created a different type of fan. One that obsesses over much more than the music. One that lives and breathes bamms, ass shakes, hip lunges and the like. One that wants to sit on the front row every show just on the off chance that they will get a handshake. One that can't wait to get a glimpse of him as he enters Tempo and leaves, and one that follows him into the theater area as he exits. This type of fan keeps score and considers it a competition of sorts with notches in her belt as to the number of hugs, handshakes, dances, smiles, looks, and photo ops, meet and greets, and Platinums they have either received or experienced.

All this hype has almost obliterated the shear pleasure of enjoying the music at the shows. When you can't hear the music over the talking that goes on or the yelling that comes at the most inappropriate times by overzealous fans, it's out of control. When there is always someone behind you singing so loud you can't even hear Barry, it's out of control. When you have a woman literally knock you over on the stage trying to get a handshake, it's out of control. When he can't have any interaction with the fans on the stage (mind you--those seats were created for that specific purpose), it's out of control. When security has to sit in the corners of the theater and run across the front at the end of the show to protect him, it's out of control. When fans are at the Hilton so much they might as well take up residence there, it's out of control.

One has to wonder how much is too much? Because right now, I've reached my limit. And honestly, I can't help but wonder if Barry has too. No wonder he stays in the shadows.

Wishing for the "good ole days",
Texas Fan

Some Thoughts

I was sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze this afternoon, reading a magazine. I've been in an introspective mode today so I thought I'd post two quotes, and a third that I thought we could ponder on this Veteran's Day because today is about freedom and the price we pay to have it.

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Voltaire

A government big enough to give you what you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.
Gerald Ford

I believe that we are who we choose to be. Nobody is going to come and save you. You've got to save yourself. Nobody is going to give you anything. You've got to go out and fight for it. Nobody knows what you want except you, and nobody will be as sorry as you if you don't get it. So don't give up your dreams.
Barry Manilow in "Sweet Life"

Pensive,
Texas Fan

The Memories of our life

Tonight my daughter and I went to the late night showing of Mamma Mia at the dollar cinema. She hadn't seen it yet and since we saw the play together I wanted to see the movie with her as well.

On the way home we were listening to her new favorite radio station--the oldies. They play Barry, Johnny Mathis, Abba, the Carpenters and many others. The people she car pools with every day cant understand why someone her age listens to this music. She told me tonight its the music she grew up with and all her best childhood memories are tied to those songs. It's the music of her life. Every song has a memory...a moment she can recall a feeling.

Tonight they played 'Knock Three Times' and she reminded me of our recent trip to Vegas and walking along the strip singing that song together one night on the way back to our hotel. From now on, that song will remind her of our wonderful trip together and all the great memories.

Tonight the muisc made a memory again,
Texas Fan

Give Us a King

Straying off topic for tonight...some somber words:

I Samuel 8:4-10, 19-21
So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up over Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king...But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."

Feeling a bit tenebrous tonight,
Texas Fan

Why I'm Proud to be a Barry Manilow Fan

On February 14th, Barry is doing a concert in NYC at Nassau Coliseum:

The proceeds from the concert will be donated by Stand Up for a Cure to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded by Evelyn Lauder in 1993. The foundation is credited for creating the infamous “pink ribbon.”

This cause, hits home for me. Why? My mother died from breast cancer in 1986. And in 1997 I found a stage 2 lump in my breast. It's been 11 years in September and every day I feel blessed that I was a survivor. I'm hoping and praying they find a cure for it for my daughter's sake and for every woman who wakes up one morning and finds her life turned upside down. So many have battled it and lost their lives. But all the recent medical advancements and the detection techniques funded by these charities have made a huge difference in the mortality rate.

Barry just gives and gives. He doesn't have to give any of his hard-earned money or his valuable time away. But he does. He doesn't have to care about cancer victims, but he does. He doesn't have to care about people with cystic fibrosis. But he does. He doesn't have to care about aids victims, but he does. He doesn't have to care about students who need instruments, but he does. He sets the bar high for all of us to give our time, our support and our money to those who need our help.

And that, is why I'm proud to be a Barry Manilow fan.

Grateful,
Texas Fan

Footnote: You've got to read YBA's blog on this...the medical perspective!

The 80's Album

I've just spent the last few minutes listening to "Islands in the Stream". Boy, did that bring back some great memories from the shows I attended last month. That song just makes you smile ear to ear and you can't help but get excited toward the end of it. Barry outdid himself with this one. He took a country song and amped it up 1000 percent to give us a rocking rendition that keeps running around in your head weeks after you have heard it. I think seeing Barry do it with the girls just made it even more special and now when I listen to it I can't help but remember all the fun they were having with this song; along with audience who couldn't possibly stay seated during the performance.

The other song he sang in the show was "Never Gonna Give You Up". It was tons of fun as well. Uptempo and true to the Manilow magic, the arrangement made you want to stand up and sing along. He used that song on several nights for the "fan interaction" and it seemed to be the perfect moment to insert a little snuggle during the song.

When I heard "Open Arms" in June, it moved me beyond belief. I know it wasn't polished but even in its raw state it gave me goosebumps. When I listen to that performance now it takes me back to that night in June and I remember every emotion I had when I heard the first few chords of that song. The arrangement of it leading to the crescendo at the end shows that Barry knows how to build a song and deliver at the end. I've watched Journey's version online and it can't compare to Barry's in my opinion.

I've heard three songs live from this new album. And I have to say if the rest are that good he's going to have another hit--maybe his biggest decade album yet! I truly can't wait for the release of this one.

Waiting for the 80's,
Texas Fan

Photo Slideshows of "Ultimate Manilow-The Hits"

"ULTIMATE MANILOW"-My Review

After seeing four shows last week from absolutely fabulous seats I have only one word to describe the new show: FANTABULOUS! Each and every night was more exciting than the next to end the week on Saturday with a rip-roaring performance from Barry and everyone involved in the show. Of course, the crowds play an integral part in the performances and Saturday night's crowd was exceptionally pumped up and on their feet for a huge portion of the show.


The "new" opening
I was a bit hesitant because I LOVED the "right here-right now" opening. It always got me pumped up for the show. The YMCA song is gone as well. However, the new opening fits the new show. The titles of his songs flash on the screen after Ultimate Manilow circles and then the silhouettes of the musicians playing jazzy upbeat music setting up the entrance of Monica, Melanie and Keely singing a somewhat jazzy version of "It's a Miracle" (as best I could tell). When he steps out on stage out of the "M" and the fog it's always a dramatic, much-anticipated entrance.


The "decade" segment
This part of the show happens almost immediately after the opening. I have to say, after all four nights, I love this portion. The snippets of each of the songs tend to crescendo into the 70's and set up the finale song from the new 80's album-"Islands in the Stream". This song is a showstopper. Barry and the backups LOVE singing this song together. They have as much fun with it as the audience allows. And the more into it the audience gets, the more into it Barry gets. It's an absolute heartpumping, handclapping, sing-along moment and for me, this time, the highlight of the show all 4 nights.

The "fan" interaction
Since the dance has been removed for obvious reasons, Barry has attempted to add some sort of fan interaction on the side stage. He has completely stayed away from the right side of the stage (those of you who have read my previous blogs know why) and has moved to the left side where he's sitting on the railing singing briefly to someone. Of course, as always, some overzealous fan had to yank and pull at him one night, so the next night it was gone. Thankfully, he reinstated it on Saturday and my friend Tammy was the welcome recipient. (Kim, however, was treated to a very nice dance with him during the Copa segment on Friday night). I was happy to receive a few handshakes!

The "hits"
This show is jampacked with his hits. He picks the best and pours his heart into all of them. My personal favorite, however, is "Memory". Before he sings it he stands with his back to the audience directing the orchestra. It's one of those moments when he exudes his passion for the music. It gave me goosebumps each night and the set up for the song is gorgeous. Next to that song, "Weekend in New England" always blows me away. The first night when someone responded to "when can I touch you", he responded, "my hands are kind of busy right now". The next few nights, you could tell he was into the song and not into joking around. You can tell..when someone yells, he completely ignores it. Of course he obliged the "sexual fantasy" aspect of the crowd with "Looks Like We Made It" and his provocative hand movements. The bamms were gone this week, but honestly, I can take or leave them. The intensity of the music and the passion he portrays when he sings is what brings me to the shows. "Somewhere Down the Road" and "Ships" have to be the most intensely emotional songs of the show. He crawls so deep into them at one point it seems like he disappears into another place with each song.


The ending and Copa
Not much has changed here except the fact that Barry comes down the stairs from the back of the stage and then ascends up the catwalk. YBA had a bird's eye view seat of the catwalk ending on Thursday night and got an eye full (to say the least). It's always fun when he does that gratuitous grab for the crowd. I was sitting directly below the catwalk and experienced his wave through the glass as he bent down to say hi to the crowd below. As always, that song gets the crowd pumped up.

The lighting and videos
The new lighting, set decorations and videos are amazing. The last night I spent some time watching all the spotlights, the screen presentations during the songs, and the lights all around the stage and the side of the theater. It fits him and it fits the feel of the show.


The "new" confetti and mylar
The 1-2-3 count he gives before the mylar explodes is now more of a 1-2-3 DUCK! That stuff comes out hard and hits hard as well! However, it goes along with the set and the new show and everyone seemed to love it. The confetti blowers are a great added touch as well. Seems like everyone was tangled up in it while leaving the show, stepping on each other's souvenirs so to speak and having fun with it all.

I have to say that I love this new show more than Music and Passion. I didn't think it would be possible, but I do. Even though I loved the Mayflower segment in the old show, I love how the new show flows and how we get to hear more of his signature songs. And I love the 80's songs he has added in and the decade segment is tons of fun. I can't ever remember the song sets or the order in which they come. I rarely remember the jackets he wears, although it seems there was a new one with a solid white stripe down one arm I hadn't seen before.

I'd also like to tip my hat to Kye. That man is a true professional with the choreography and stage presentation. Not to mention his singing and dancing capability. I spent a great deal of time during the show watching him on Saturday and noticing how he makes everyone look great and how he seems to be the glue that meshes the show together.

"Ultimate Manilow-The Hits" did not disappoint. If anything, he made me want to come back for more (he always seems to do that to me!)

Until the good times come again,

Texas Fan

The ULTIMATE week

Just a few observations before heading out for a day of shopping:

1. May it never be said that I can't keep up with the spring chickens
2. Grown women lose all sense of reason when they enter the Manilow zone
3. Civilians need to go to Cirque shows and NOT ruin our fun
4. Kim is the real deal and has made this trip unforgettable
5. A bitch is a bitch no matter how much money they have or how much war paint they put on
6. Barry always puts on a great show...even if he has to deal with rude, disrespectful octopii women
7. There is always someone singing louder than Barry sitting behind you
8. Friends make those unbearable moments bearable
9. Grab those barf bags when you fly because you never know when someone's behavior might make you hurl
10. You can't buy acceptance, respect or love

Heading out for some more human theater,
Texas Fan

10 Things I learned today in Vegas

Some mental notes to keep in mind:


1. Watch out for large luggage in the dark placed near the door by an unthinking daughter.
2. Don't drink four bloody marys without eating beforehand.
3. Sitting in a bar is a great place for human theater.
4. Texting is best done while sober.
5. Don't send emails in the morning before you are fully awake.
6. There is too much new merchandise in the M store for one shopping trip.
7. Time flies when you are having great conversation along with fabulous cuisine.
8. Trying to come up with just the right text message to send someone can be exhaustifying.
9. After spending the day walking the length of the strip, that wheelchair suggested by my friend looks pretty good.
10. Loud music at 2:30am is NOT appealing if you are sober.

Off to bed,
Texas Fan