What I Did for Love...

It has to be said. In his Vegas show, when Barry is talking about his song "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" he says you will hear today, "love rocks, or love sucks". The question is: does love suck?

My friend's son just had a horrible break up. After four years, his first and only girlfriend walked away. He is of course, devastated. Words of consolation can't help his broken heart right now. For him, love does indeed suck. But I know that once "sorrow has it's day, and when its done, life will go on."

What we do for love is definitely one of the greatest of our life's pursuit. Without love, our hearts are hollow. Our hopes are empty. And without love we have missed out on one of the greatest gifts that God gave us. Love is worth every heartache, every pain, every tear...and on the upside every joy, every triumph, every celebration and every moment shared. So I guess sometimes love rocks, and sometimes it sucks. But...a life without it, is no life at all.

To quote a song from Chorus Line..."Won't forget, can't regret... What I did for love"!

Feeling the love tonight,
Texas Fanilow

An Act of Random Kindness

It's Saturday here and I took the time to sit down this morning and watch a movie that I rented: Evan Almighty. First of all, I'm not a fan of those types of movies that take biblical stories and use them as a comedy backdrop. Call me old fashioned. Call me sensitive. It's just not my thing. But, I sat down with my coffee this morning and got involved in it. In the beginning I began analyzing the "biblical" inferences and criticizing the "interpretation" of the story in Genesis. But I have to say, when the movie was over, I was left with a few gems of truth.

First of all, that God wants the best for us. That He cares about us and loves us. I liked that. Second, that He's all about bringing people together. Third, that when we pray for certain things, like patience, courage, strength, God gives us situations so that we can see those things come out in our lives. Truly liked that lesson.

But the overwhelming lesson in this film is one that Barry has been saying all along and that for the most part is evident in the Barry community. If you want to change the world, you can do it simply by performing random acts of kindness, one person at a time. Here in Manilowland, its as simple as sharing your photos, buying a CD for someone who can't find one in their area, taping a personal appearance they can't watch, or even sending them a song via email that wouldn't download. It's those random acts of kindness that can make someone smile, brighten their day, or even change the course of their lives. Just one act a time...

So I'm thinking, if...we all did just one act, could we change this country, and the world? Barry says our one voice, added to those of others will make a difference. I tend to believe him.

There are lessons for our lives everywhere. Even, at the movies.
Texas Fanilow

Where I Want to Be

Where I want to be is not where I am right now. This has been a retrospective week for me. Partly because of some events that happened that blew my world upside down and caused me to hang on for dear life. Partly because its approaching the holidays and I miss my mother every Christmas. And partly because of the music I have been listening to in my car. I have one CD in my shared vehicle (One Voice) and when I get in the car, I switch it from the radio to the CD player. I’ve been listening to this one CD for weeks now and lately only one song. I get stuck on those single songs sometimes…listening to the words and thinking about what the song really means. This song has been cutting into my heart because where I am, is not where I want to be.

It’s predominantly a love song, but if you take a closer look its about choices. Choices that we make in our lives that define who we are and where we are going. Sometimes we make choices out of obligation, or because we feel pressured or pushed into a corner. Sometimes we make choices because we don’t have any and there is only one choice at the time for survival. Sometimes we make choices that seem right at the time but circumstances change and we feel trapped. But whatever choices we have made in our lives, should not keep us drowning in mediocrity and spending the rest of our lives in regret. We can’t settle for anything less than the dream that God has given us. Anything short of that makes our lives miserable and meaningless.

I’m looking forward to the day when I can claim these words as my own:

“I know my way is free…knowing I’m where I want to be’s the way I live, and now days are always new….”

If you're not where you want to be right now, all you have to do is walk through those “doors to new worlds” and know that once and for all your “way is free”. It takes courage, but its worth all the blessings you will find in the future.

Wishing I were there right now,
Texas Fanilow

I won't be the one to let go...

I'll be there anytime you need me
You'll know where I am
And everywhere anytime you're lost just turn around
And take my hand
And I will be your light in the night
And I promise that even when it seems that everything is going wrong
This I swear I won't be the one to let go."

Don't ever forget the words to this song...

They will carry you through times of doubt and despair. They have carried me through some hard ones myself. I hope you have a friend in your life that does that for you. Because some days...it's all you can do to hang on, and that friend will be there and they "won't be the one to let go."

Hanging on for dear life,
Texas Fanilow

Will the "real" Barry Manilow please stand up...

Year's ago there used to be a TV show called "What's My Line"...I know this is dating me. Anyway, the show would have three guests who claimed to be specific professions: astrounauts, actors, politicians, circus clowns, etc. The panel would have to guess which of the three guests seemed to answer the questions and be knowledgeable enough to be who they claimed to be. After they made their guesses, the host would say, "will the real ..... please stand up."

A few weeks ago I was in Vegas at a week of shows. I have to say, I saw two completely different people walk out on that stage. I've been pondering it for weeks and I can't get it out of my mind. What happened between the Friday night show and the Saturday night show that brought a different person out on that stage? Where was the Barry we all saw at Philadelphia and Boston and at the shows earlier in the week? Where had he gone? And why did he feel the need to leave and come out as BARRY MANILOW and not just Barry?

I have to say...I missed him. Don't get me wrong. The show on Saturday was flawless. The performance was amazing. The songs were on pitch and the numbers flowed seamlessly. He was the consummate performer. But I just felt the connection gone. The openess and the vulnerability that we saw in the previous shows over the last few months was not there. It was like the "shadowman" came back again and "Barry" disappeared.

Of course, I will never know what happened. But I'm interested to see if Barry comes back. I kind of liked the guy. He was just a guy. Out there...sharing his music, being real and connecting with those of us that cared to "listen".

Missing that connection,
Texas Fanilow

Welcome Home

I just returned from another trip to Manilowland for a week of shows and spending time with friends. There is something magical about walking through those doors at the Hilton, into the arms of friends and the "arms" of the one who brings all of us joy and comfort with his music and passion. "I go to a place I know, in my heart I know there's just no place like home...welcome home...to that place that's safe and warm, always a shelter from the storm...I remember when the days were stormy... home was always waiting for me."

For so many of us, our "homes" are not shelters from the storm. They are places of turmoil and distress. They are places where we feel trapped. They are places that remind us of heartache and pain. And for those of us that live our daily lives in these places, the music reminds us there is hope and to never give up on our dreams. For those of us who live in not-so-perfect places, for a few days and nights we feel "safe and warm in that shelter from the storm" in the arms of our friends and in the magic of the music that gives us comfort. It's hard walking out those doors to leave, but thankfully we know that at least for now, we can come home again and know that for those brief moments we feel safe and free.

Missing my "second home" today,

Texas Fanilow

Why Not?

I've been thinking lately about those two little words...why not? They pretty much sum up what dreaming is all about. Dreaming, wishing and hoping involve seeing things that aren't seen. Sometimes those things seem out of reach and impossible. But just for a change, ask yourself those two little words...why not? Why not move across country and start your life over? Why not take that trip that you have been putting off for years? Why not tell that person you're in love with that "the sun and moon rise in his eyes"? Why not take a step of faith and risk it all for love? Why not change your life if it's driving you in the wrong direction? And...why not "take a chance" when all you have to lose is regret?

Our days are filled with "what ifs" and "I wish I would haves". Why can't they be filled with "why nots?" When I first heard those two little words they rocked me out of my complacency and made me take a hard look at possibility. And I realized why settle for mediocrity when there is a world of "why nots" out there waiting to be explored.

Where's the Manilow tie in? Harmony of course..."was that the bridge we should have crossed, the one we burned".

Why not love? Why not dream? Why not live? Don't let fear keep you from asking "why not?"

The possibilities are endless...
Texas Fanilow

The White Shirt

Tonight, I wanted to address the issue of the "white shirt". I know...quite a deference from my usual deep thoughts of music and passion. But humor me. Anyway. I first saw it on Jimmy Kimmel the other night. And now it turns up in a publicity photo. So...I wanted to say that I'm liking the white shirt. He looks 10 years younger in it (well..it might be more than the shirt), but the shirt gives me a feeling of lightheartedness that the black just doesn't seem to do.

So tonight, I'd like to add my kudos to Barry for branching away from the norm and trying something different. Who knows. Maybe it's representative of the new joy he seems to have on stage lately. Whatever the reason, it's a home run. I'm a fan of the black myself, but I have to say...the white shirt has made a believer out of me.

Thanks Barry for strutting your stuff again,
Texas Fanilow (??Manilover??)

P.S. Congrats Barry for debuting your 70's album at #4 on the charts. Way to go!

How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?

"Please help me mend my broken heart, and let me live again..." Such powerful words. Sung powerfully and from the heart on the 70's CD. Words that ring more true today than ever before. Words that are sung from a man who has felt the pain of hurt and a heart that needed mending. You can hear it in his songs and feel it as he pours his heart out on this new CD.

Words can heal and they can certainly hurt. And the same mouth that delivers those healing words and words of encouragement, can also at times deliver hurtful words--words that break someone's heart. Sometimes we take those words lightly until we realize they have hurt someone deeply. You can't recall those words or stop the damage they did. All you can do is admit you hurt the person and hope the pain is healed by the admission and the apology.

We should all be cautious before we speak words that hurt. We should all be careful before we say something that might cause pain to another. How can we mend a broken heart? It takes unconditional love and forgiveness. Something many of us are not willing to give and those broken hearts are not willing to receive.

Feeling sorry for breaking a heart today and hoping I can mend it again,
Texas Fanilow

Forever and a Day

Listening to the 70's CD, of course, has made all of us nostalgic. It "seems like yesterday" that this journey began with our man and his music. Some things never change: the magic of Manilow, the music and the passion, and the shear joy he brings when we listen to his music and see him "live" each time. He said that recording Mandy caused him to "look back" and reflect. I think it's made all of us who have listened to it recently do the same. And I can't think of any more fitting words to express how that makes me feel:

They said we'd never last
A week, a month, a year
They shook their head
Dream on they said
Cause dreamers disappear
But here we are no matter what they say
It's you and me Forever and a Day
We knew we had it right
We knew we broke the mold
They said have fun, it's kiss and run
Then back out in the cold
I could have told them we were here to stay
To you and me Forever and a Day
Didn't we show them aren't they blown away
Cause whatever time they do our love is thru Forever
Once our hearts were full
And once we felt the flame
Such hunger then much younger then
But really we're the same
And once the music played
And once they lit the the light
And years ago we felt a glow
So very like tonight
And now I know it will always be that way
For you, for me, Forever and a Day

Thanking Barry for giving us so many years of music and passion. And looking back...what a privilege to spend my days, weeks, months and years listening to his music.

Looking back with fond memories,
Texas Fanilow

P.S. To the voice...forever and a day...from the courier.