Barry's Legacy of Music

I decided tonight to catch up on an HBO series that I watch and the family is sitting around in the living room. The oldest son is sitting at the piano playing a song while the they are all talking. I think...wait a minute...I know that intro...and low and behold, it was Copacabana! He played the entire song. It reminded me of Barry's original version on the box set...the one where he's working on the melody along with the lyrics.

It made me smile and think...he's so much a part of our lives. Every moment of every day something happens to remind us of him and make us smile. How is it possible that one person can do that for so many people? He really is everywhere, in restaurants, the movies, the mall, the grocery store...his music will live on for years and years to come. What a legacy...made me wish I had a legacy...something that when I'm gone people would smile or sigh and say, "wow, she really touched my life".

We all should have some legacy we leave behind. Barry has found his and it will bless the lives of future generations...I wonder what mine could be?

Searching for my legacy,
Texas Fanilow

Kelly Clarkson...my new hero!

Here's an article that expresses my sentiments EXACTLY....

Clarkson Vs Old Fart Davis
07/13/07 .(antiMusic)
What to do when a dinosaur with an overblown opinion of himself tells you that you need more cheese for your album? If you're Kelly Clarkson you tell him where to put his cheese.

We are talking about the great war between Kelly Clarkson and RCA label head, Clive Davis. Davis, whose biggest claims to fame are inheriting Barry Manilow when he took over a label after being fired from CBS under a cloud of embezzlement allegations and later taking credit for an employee's discovery of Whitney Houston, didn't care for Clarkson wanting to be a legitimate artist and recording her own material. Instead, he wanted the standard cheese factory to manufacture some hits for her. Clarkson did the unthinkable, she stood her ground against the geriatric label head.

Clarkson breaks her silence about the showdown with Davis in the August edition of Blender. When Davis approached her to drop her songs in favor of cheese factory "hits," Clarkson tells the magazine that she responded, "I don't know you very well, and I am not a bull-sh*ter. I get you don't like the album. You're 80. You're not supposed to like my album."

Davis, who prides himself as a record man that knows what manufactured musical "product" the public wants to buy, then told Clarkson that her songs "wouldn't sell more than 600,000 copies." So far her new album has sold a little over 400,000 copies within two weeks of release, so unless sales really tank or stop all together from now on, Davis will be proven wrong.

According to an AOL report , Clarkson further said that 'she doesn't like "working with people at the label" because they lie, and that she's not going to be a "pushover"'. So our hero of the year award goes to Clarkson for standing her ground!

Rushing out to buy Kelly Clarkson's new CD,
(Hoping to PROVE Davis WRONG at last!!!!)
Texas Fanilow

You know what they say.....

Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one. And boy, are they not afraid of expressing them!

The internet blogs, Bnet, message boards, and MySpace have all been abuzz about the new 70's CD. Opinions on the cover photo to the song list choices, to the Rosie duet abound. Now don't get me wrong, I like a good discussion just like the next person. And I'll be the first to admit that at first glance, there are few songs that I would not have chosen myself. Honestly, I only cared about one song: My Eyes Adored You. As far as I'm concerned, that sealed the purchase of the CD for me.
About the other songs...I will reserve judgment until I hear them. Why? Because when I first heard that he was recording Unchained Melody I balked. It became one of my favorite songs from the 50's CD. When I heard he was doing You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, I once again balked. Upon hearing his version, I have forgotten the original. Several songs on the 60's CD blew me away, literally. So, I'm willing to wait and listen.

However, since I am like everyone and I have an opinion, I would like to say that someone (whoever that may be) forgot Marketing 101. A good friend of mine suggested this: make the 2nd CD ALL originally unrecorded songs of Barry's from the 70's; announce that there are a limited number of them available for sale; then watch them FLY off the shelves. An added bonus of this would be that the "public" would be exposed to Barry's original music and BEG for more!

Something to ponder for TPTB,
Expressing my opinion and patiently waiting to hear "the man" work his magic again,
Texas Fanilow

Viva Las Vegas

After a month of traveling all around, it's good to be home. At the end of May, I decided to hop on a plane to Las Vegas with my Barry buddy. I had a ticket to one show and was going to stay two nights and hop on the red eye back to Texas after the show.

I had a ticket to the Tuesday night show and let me just say his voice was as strong as I have heard it in quite awhile. Which is strange because he was getting sick. He belted out I Am Your Child and Even Now with gusto and as I listened I was reminded that it really is the music that brings me back time after time. I don't think there is another performer that can interpret the music with such passion and emotional depth.

You leave his shows saying, "wow...he did it again". And your feet carry you to the box office the next day to see if a good seat is available, just to experience another night of inspiration from the the man who connects with every emotion we have ever felt.

Thanks Barry for once again reminding me that there is nothing like a Manilow moment.

Looking forward to the next trip,
Texas Fanilow

Some kind of fans you turned out to be...

I've been thinking and have come up with a theory: there are TWO subcultures of Manilow fans:

Subculture #1-The fanatics
These are the women that live, eat, breath, sleep, talk, chat, post all things Manilow and meddle into every other fan's business. These women (and yes, it's the women) send hateful emails to people, report them to the BMIFC, harass fans if they even have an opinion contrary to theirs, and can't fathom that other people actually have lives apart from Barryland. They are irrational, out of control and obnoxious. They seem to be the majority...until you come in contact with....

Subculture #2-The balanced fans
These are fans (men and women) that have lives. They enjoy the music of Manilow. They are inspired by his life principles. They support his charities. And they attend his concerts when possible. They don't obcess about leather, about this fan or that fan, about who posted what negative comment on the message board or who knows TPTB. As a matter of fact, they rarely even post. These fans live in blogland and outside the realm of the barrynet. These are the fans that make up the vast majority of the Manilow community.

...and they are NORMAL.

Happy to be a part of subculture #2,
Texas Fanilow

Putting Power in Perspective...Always be for something

Another fan and a friend of mine, shared this the other day and I thought it was worth highlighting, viewing the current tone on the message boards that mirrors the tone in our country. See if you agree...

As human beings, we cannot help but be subject to our preferences. However, we do have control over the manner in which these manifest themselves in our lives. Every value we hold dear is an expression of either support or opposition, and it is our perspective that determines whether we are FOR something or AGAINST it. As an example of a situation we are all familiar at this time, we can direct our energy and intentions into activities that promote peace rather than using our resources to speak out in opposition of war. On the surface, these appear to be two interchangeable methods of expressing one virtue, yet being FOR something is a vastly more potent means of inspiring change because it carries with it the power of constructive intent.

When you support a cause, whether your support is active or passive, you contribute to the optimism that fuels all affirmative change. Optimistic thoughts energize people, giving them hope and inspiring them to work diligently on behalf of what they believe in. Being FOR something creates a positive shift in the universe, which means that neither you nor those who share your vision will have any trouble believing that transformation on a grand scale is indeed possible. To be AGAINST something is typically easy, as you need only speak out in opposition to it. Standing up FOR something is often more challenging, because you may be introducing an idea to people that may scare them on a soul level.

Throughout your life, you have likely been told that the actions of one person will seldom have a measurable impact on the world. Yet your willingness to stand up for what you believe in instead of decrying what you oppose can turn the tides of fate. The thoughts you project when you choose to adopt a positive perspective will provide you with a means to actively promote your values and, eventually, foster lasting change.

It's easy to criticize, but so much harder to be FOR something. Barry is a perfect example for this and he shows us how the actions of one person--"one voice"--can indeed make a difference.

Adding my voice to his and being FOR PEACE,

Texas Fanilow

(thanks Carole for sharing this principle)

What are we? Back in high school?

This post is personally related. So bear with me...

I feel like I'm back in high school. I'm the live and let live kind of person usually. But lately, someone has stirred up that "competition" feeling inside of me. So it's here that I'm venting hoping that once I say it, it will leave me forever!

Every time I post on the Bnet about the fan club website that I am the website designer of, someone else has to one up me. And to top it off...they copied my format almost verbatim on their fan club website. I know...imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but seriously, this person is annoying the CRAP out of me. I'm trying to contain myself and be polite, but it's all I can do to stop from blasting her.

I think it's time for some Manilow music therapy. Maybe if I listen to Dancin' in the Aisles again..."everybody will see that we're a family, and we'll be dancin' in the aisles".

Listening to Barry and trying to "be nice".
Texas Fanilow

Barry's Motivation

I was watching a video of one of Barry's concerts at Royal Albert Hall. He was talking to a reporter backstage before the show, sitting in front of a mirror and there was a newspaper clipping of some sort taped to the top of the mirror. The headline read: YOUR JOB IS TO POUR OUT YOUR HEART...

I got to thinking and wondering if that was Barry's motivational tool. If he looked at that before his concerts and it reminded him what his job was when he got out on stage. And then I realized that is exactly what he does. He pours out his heart every time he sings one of those "slash your wrist" ballads, or he leads the audience in a chorus of "Can't Smile Without You". His music is his passion and he communicates that to anyone who will listen: radio, cd, tv, live performance.

Recently, the fans were asking each other what was it that motivated us to be a fan of this performer. What set him apart from the rest? I think that question was answered by that clipping taped to the mirror. He pours out his heart and we connect.

Our job is to spread the word.
Signing off for now,
Texas Fanilow

Shades of "early" Manilow

Last night I had the privilege of going to a piano bar at a historic hotel while on vacation. The piano player reminded me of Barry's description of himself in the Live on Broadway video. A nice suit, slim tie, very short hair...but loads of talent. As we listened I couldn't help but imagine Barry sitting at the piano himself years ago playing for and arranging music for Bette.

This young man was talented, as was the female singer that he accompanied. I had the privilege of speaking to both of them regarding Barry's music. The singer was familiar with him, however, the piano player praised his musical talent. When the show was over, we tipped the piano player and told him that Barry had told us to ALWAYS tip the piano player. His response, "Well Barry would know. He's one of the great piano players of all time." He thanked us for the applause and support and said goodnight.

I just couldn't help but feel that Barry would have smiled. And who knows...we may have met two future superstars!

Happy to support the "up and coming" superstars,
Texas Fanilow

P.S. Check out her link to the right under "Up and Coming Jazz Singer-Jodie Borle!

The 22 Most Annoying Songs Ever

WNBC.com just ranked the 22 Most Annoying songs ever. You guessed it…Barry made the list!

1. It’s A Small World After All-Disney
2. I Love You, You Love Me-by Barney and Friends
3. Mr. Roboto-by Styx
4. The Meow Mix jingle
5. Who Let the Dogs Out
6. Achy Breaky Heart-by Billy Ray Cyrus
7. The Chicken Dance
8. Copacabana-by Barry Manilow
9. Macarena
10. The theme from “Scooby Doo”
11. Y.M.C.A.-by the Village People
12. Hot in Here-by Neely
13. Mambo No. 5-by Lou Bega
14. The theme song from “I Dream of Jeannie
15. Muskrat Love-by Captain and Tennille
16. Mmmm Bop-by Hanson
17. Play That Funky Music-by Wild Cherry
18. Wannabe-by The Spice Girls
19. The theme from “Good Times”
20. Thank God I’m a Country Boy-by John Denver
21. It’s a Sunshine Day-by The Brady Bunch
22. Jump-by Kriss Kross

Sandwiched in between "The Chicken Dance" and "Macarena"...what a dubious distinction.

Say what you want about Copacabana, but that song is probably one of the most recognizable tunes of all time. And as Barry himself says, it's pure genius. In one short song, you have a full length drama. The characters meet, fall in love, a villain appears, one of them is shot and dies, the other pines after him for life.

Most "true" fans, won't admit to liking Copacabana. They balk at the people who only know this song of Barry's and beg for it at the concerts. But let's face it people, it's the highest energy song of the show and it draws the audience in like no other. The tune is catchy. The lyrics are genius rhymes. It really is a masterpiece of musicianship. Annoying? Perhaps... Catchy? For sure.... Most requested? Look at the statistics.... Showstopper? Absofreakinglutely!

Love Copacabana and not ashamed to admit it,
Texas Fanilow