Are you kidding me?

I just noticed it's been awhile since I've posted. What would cause me to pull my "I'm in denial about the Manilow world" head out from under the covers and shiver in disbelief? A reality show about Manilow fans.

First of all, after watching some of those tacky "Housewives" on Bravo, this show would probably get the ratings. Silly women falling all over each other to get a handshake, a glance, an opportunity to sing with him. Not to mention the cat fights that occur within the fan world and the outrageous behavior at the shows. It might make for some really good (and sickly perverted) television watching.

Secondly, what type of fan would be interested in going on this show--knowing full well they would not be painted in the most positive light? Oh right...I forgot that we're talking about Manilow fans.

In conclusion, if this is legit (and who knows if it is), any self-respecting fan should stay far, far away from this one. If you have a desire to be on television, find another venue. There is always an opening on Wife Swap!

Back to hiding under the covers,
Texas Fan

To whom it may concern

Recently, someone affiliated with Mr. Manilow posted this tweet on Twitter:

"If you block everyone who is following you who has no life....does that make them lifeless?"

I thought it might be time to explain the whole idea of Twitter. Based on this tweet, he obviously doesn't understand how to use it. (He might want to have a chat with @BrianCulbertson for some tips).

Here are 4 reasons why he hasn't got a clue:

1. The whole idea of Twitter is to gain followers, not block them. Since he's obviously a businessman, I would assume that he would want to portray a positive image and not use it for snarky remarks like this one.
2. There's no point in using Twitter if you don't post tweets. It's rare that this gentleman posts much of anything noteworthy and even rarer that his posts are either helpful, conversational, or informational.
3. Twitter is a social networking tool. But then again it's not surprising that he doesn't understand this because he has no idea how to maintain positive customer service relationships. The key word here is "social", and obviously it's not being social when you criticize your followers for following you.
4. The people that choose to follow you do so because they are hoping you have something to say worth reading. However, it might be more appropriate for his "followers" to block HIS tweets and stop following him, because he rarely has anything worthwhile to say.
5. Twitter, is a social site to be used to promote relationships. Perhaps this is where the breakdown in communication comes from. Every one of the people who follow me do so because they are trying to promote relationships (business or personal). He should take notes from @Starzbz and @Starzbz2 (these guys know how to be social and promote relationships).
   

My recommendation: shut down your account and let the rest of us who actually care about other people enjoy the Twitterverse.

And of course, as always, this is Just My Humble Opinion,
Texas Fan

The fast paced fan world of Manilow

Gosh...get involved in real life and you miss so much in the Manilow world. It's been months since I hopped on to the MMN. And even longer since I read the alt-fan site. I can't even remember the last time I looked at the Barrynet. Can I smile without it? Absolutely!

I've come to realize how time consuming fandom can be. If you truly want to immerse yourself in the Manilow fan world it requires hours and hours a day/and or night. Time that is scarcely there for me anymore. And time that seems, for me at least, to be a waste. Because, when it comes right down to it, what have I missed? After spending about 30 minutes browsing around last night, I realized that not much has changed. Fans are still fighting with one another. Fan gangs are still exerting their bullying tactics over the poor, innocent "newbies". The chickadees are still talking about how "hot" Barry is. :::Yawn:::

I did miss: the convention (although not much was said about it--I found more information on Facebook); some crazy women in an elite group were apparently outed for their lewd posts (not surprising); there was a FREE online convention (unsanctioned by the BMIFC--wow!). Barely anything to truly peak my interest.

What does interest me? Radio interviews, articles about Barry, candid first-person stories, and pictures of him at celebrity events. The best place (and the only place as far as I'm concerned) to find this is Moonstone's blog: Shadows of Manilow. She keeps up with the news and information and these things interest me. I also enjoy reading Dana's reviews of the shows. Anything else is a yawn. And, you can have the fan drama, thank you very much!

What do I miss? The friendships. The good times. The excitement of Vegas. The music. But...I'll always have the music and the memories.

Signing off for now,
Texas Fan

P.S. The best news I've heard lately--Redcat's blog is BACK! Check it out--Redcat's Return.

When the GOOD times come again...

This week the BMIFC convention will be in full swing and hundreds of Manilow fans will be converging on Las Vegas to celebrate the music that is Manilow and the man that is the music. While I was walking this morning, one of my favorite songs came up on my Ipod and the memories came flooding back of all those "good" times I have had in Las Vegas centered around Barry and his music.

But the words of this song express exactly where I am in my Manilow journey:

Every rainbow has to have an end
A pot of gold or dreams foretold
May not be there my friend
In this high and mighty world we live in
Some times we have to break
Some times we have to bend
Until the good times come again

Hope we both survive the world out there
You'll never know what wind will blow
So don't forget I care
And don't forget the way we felt together
Sometimes we have to hold
To all the good that's been
Until the good times come again

I'll see you then
When the good times come again
When you and I have made it back
From the people and the places we have been

I'll see you then
When the good times come again
The door that we go out of
Is door that we come in
When the good times come again.

For me, this world holds many wonderful memories and has brought me into the lives of some very special people. People who have become friends and people who have come alongside me during this difficult and yet exciting time in my life. And just because I'm not able to be with them right now, it doesn't mean that there won't come a time that I will again. Knowing this, somehow, makes this time in my life more bearable. For now, I have my memories and pictures of those good times to carry with me.

I'll see you then, when the good times come again,
Texas Fan

An indepth look at the man and his music

I just read an article posted on Moonstone's blog (Up Close and Personal with Barry Manilow) that was so indepth and honest I had to sit back, wait a minute and read it again. It's been a very long time since I've read anything about Barry that was so incredibly open and vulnerable.

Take some time and read it if you haven't already. My favorite quote came at the end of the piece:

I’d like my tombstone to read:
The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music.

If we could only see more of this guy,
Texas Fan

New Ad Campaign--Manilow Paris

STUNNING! Great copy lines and photo.
Texas Fan

What a surprise...NOT.

Site went down at 10:01....programmers are scrambling. TOO many people trying to get on line. Don't give up. Garry C. Kief President Stiletto Entertainment

Here we go again---
Texas Fan

Living vicariously through others

It wasn't too long ago that I was jumping on planes and heading to Vegas, and elsewhere, to see Barry Manilow perform. But my life has changed in the last year and those frequent trips have come to a screeching halt. Next week, and next month, some of my friends will be hopping on planes to head out to Vegas and this time, I won't be joining any of them.

It's hard to stay amped up about the shows and related events when you feel so far removed from the excitement. I sympathize with all those who have never been fortunate enough to see him perform live and I understand how difficult it must be to read and hear about other fans' experiences, all the while wishing you could be fortunate enough to participate as well. But all you can do is live vicariously through others and if you're lucky draw from past memories.

And boy, do I have the memories. I'm blessed in that respect. I've made some amazing friends, had some wonderful experiences, traveled around the country and experienced many different concert venues. I've shared some special moments and witnessed my friends have moments of their own. It's been an amazing ride.

This month and next, I'll be reading the reviews and talking to my friends while they are having the time of their lives in Vegas. If they manage to make it to Atlantic City, I'll be remembering the trip I took there to see Barry right after his surgery and the day we spent there after the Philadelphia concert walking on the boardwalk. Lately, it's the memories, and living vicariously, that keep me going and hanging on to the edge of fandom.

Living in the memories,
Texas Fan

Did I miss anything?

I've been a little preoccupied lately with life. My daughter is pregnant with my first grandchild. There is nothing more important than participating in this wonderfully exciting event. And I've had some health decisions that have been weighing heavy on my mind. I've been working my ass off establishing myself in a new market. Suffice it to say that the Manilow world has been the last thing on my mind.

But I spent some time browsing around the usual fan sites tonight and found that I've missed quite a bit of drama, some announcements, a request to renew my membership, and even some new pictures of the Manilow store.

1. The drama: I never miss that. It's always nice to live in a bubble and not get all wrapped up in the usual fan related incidents and melodramas.
   
2. The announcements: those hold little significance to me any longer (except another dangling carrot of the new album 15 Minutes--that will ALWAYS interest me).
   
3. Renew my fan club membership: let's see--I'll pass on that one. Honestly, I can read the announcements on the website and I don't need another BMIFC pin. As far as being able to purchase the best seats, that was never the truth. The Hilton always had better seats available than the fan club and I assume so does the Paris hotel.
   
4. Pictures of the new Manilow store: it looks like a really nice place in a really nice hotel. I'm happy that Barry is now there and that he's receiving the publicity and recognition he deserves.

It's amazing how a little distance can give you some perspective. Do I want to see the new show? Sure. It's new and I'd like to see it. Honestly, I don't miss the shows as much as I miss my friends and spending time with them. That was always the crux of my frequent trips to Vegas. Did I enjoy the shows? Absolutely. But I enjoyed the time I spent with friends and the moments that we shared so much more than the performances.

I have no idea when or if I'll ever get back to Vegas. But I still have my memories of some of the best times of my life. I'll remember them fondly and also remember that Barry was a part of them. But life is more than sitting in the front row night after night and wishing and hoping for a glance, a smile, or a handshake. I prefer to live in the real world, no matter how hard it can be at times, or how many difficult decisions I have to make. I prefer to invest in the future and not live in the past or wish for things that can never be.

Still believing that it is ALL about the music,
Texas Fan

One Voice "with a Twist"

Honestly, there isn't anything better than pure Manilow and One Voice is pure Manilow. Combine the genius of the simplicity of One Voice with the clear, pure tones of the voices in Straight No Chaser and you've got what I like to call PERFECTION.


You can listen to the full song at Overstock.com along with the other wonderful songs on this album. These guys are talented with a CAPITAL T! And they were SMART with a CAPITAL S to do this song. It matches their voices AND it showcases one of Barry's masterpieces.

But then again, we all knew he was a genius--sometimes it's great to hear it once again.

Run don't walk to buy this album!
(Listening and re-listening to that song tonight)
Texas Fan