An Offer He Couldn't Refuse

Barry wondered what his fans were going to do when they find out he canceled his world tour. The main reason the tour got canceled was because Barry got an offer to headline at the Borgata in Atlantic City.  Barry had said many times in interviews that he hated Las Vegas. But this was not Las Vegas. No this was Atlantic City and he loved Atlantic City. The Atlantic City  hotel/casino was the Borgata. The venue at the Borgata was the Music Box. Barry would in  permanent residence for as long as he wanted to stay. Boyd Gaming and Marina District Development  who owned the Borgata contacted Barry and asked him if he'd like to have permanent residence at the Borgata's Music Box theatre. Barry didn't hesitate to say yes to their offer.  For a number of reasons. One it wasn't in Las Vegas. Two it was in New Jersey which was close to New York City where he lived. So he could go home after his last show on Saturday night. Three Amtrak now had direct train service to Atlantic City. So no flying or even driving down there if he didn't want to do either.. Four The Music Box was an intimate 1,000 seat theatre which he liked. The unobstructed views from every seat in the theatre was another thing Barry liked. So he happily signed the contract. Then he got together with his writing team of Ken and Mitzi Welch. Together they came up with the perfect show. The show was being  called Manilow's Night Songs. This was going to be a very jazzy show. Because that's what Barry Manilow was a jazz artist on the side. Not a pop artist like Brian Murphy was. The other thing Barry kind of wondered about was what Brian Murphy was going to say when he discovered he lost four of his band members for good. In fact the four band members Barry snitched Russ McKinnon drums, Ron Pedley keyboards, David Rosenblatt percussion/vocals and Mike Lent guitar/vocals were thrilled to be working with Barry. It must have been because Russ, Ron David and Mike were all crazy about jazz like Barry was. Barry and Marc went down to Atlantic City to check out the Music Box to what it looked like. Once inside the theatre Barry said to Marc I'm going to really like it here. Barry was calling his Borgata show at the Music Box Manilow's Night Songs. Which was going to open on Valentines Day Thursday February 14, 2019. Fan club tickets would go on sale Friday November 30, 2018 at 1:00PM eastern time. With tickets for the general public going on sale Thursday December 13, 2018 at 1PM eastern time. Barry was going do something he'd never done before  platinum packages. Barry knew Brian Murphy did platinum packages during his road trips. Barry decided the package would consist of  a backstage meeting with him, front row seat, wine glass with your choice of wine, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice and an autographed program. Barry thought four different wines would be nice instead of champagne. Which is what he had heard Brian Murphy did for his platinum's. Barry decided on two red wines and two white wines. The reds were a cabernet sauvignon and a merlot. The whites were a Melody and Riesling . Plus ginger ale and sparkling red and white grape juice for those who didn't drink wine. Barry had decided that January, March May, July, September and November he would do two weekends. Then February, April, June, August, October and December he would do three weekends. The shows would be Thursday through Sunday except in December. Because he wanted to be there on December 31st to ring in the new year. Barry was even thinking platinum's on New Years Eve would be nice for his fans to do. Platinum's would cost five hundred dollars with the money going to his Manilow Music Fund for Kids. The Manilow Music Fund for Kids raises money for musical instruments that go to schools that needed them. Also for his Manilow Music Scholarship at Julliard Music school. Every year a deserving high school student gets a twenty-five thousand scholarship to Julliard Music school. Barry thought charging one thousand five hundred for platinum's was to much. He knew a lot of fans couldn't afford that amount. So that's why he was going to charge five hundred for his platinum's. All 

he needed to do now was rehearse with the band. Have them try on their costumes to make sure they fit. Then get ready for his third musical to open on Broadway. Harmony was still on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. Copacabana was back on Broadway and playing at the Music Box. Copacabana had been at the Music Box since February.  And now Here At The mayflower was going to open in December at the Gershwin Theatre. Wow three musicals on Broadway at one time. That's something no other Broadway songwriter had ever done. That should be one for the Guinness Book of World Records. The first Broadway songwriter to ever have three musicals on Broadway at one time.



Put A Ring On It

Marc came into JFK airport around 2:45PM. He had taken United flight 265 earlier that morning. Barry was there waiting for him. Hi Marc how was your flight asked Barry. Fine said Marc. You know you should move out eat said Barry. Yeah I know said Marc. Lets got get your bag said Barry. So off they went to the baggage claim area. Marc found his bag and off they went to catch a cab. Barry gave the cab driver his address. The driver went off to Barry's town house. When the cab driver pulled up to the town house Barry paid the driver. The drover got out of the cab and got Marc's bag out of the trunk. Marc's bag and marc gave him a tip and thanked him. Barry and Marc headed into the town house. Barry showed Marc to the guest bedroom. Marc said I want to show you something Barry. Marc unzipped his suitcase and found the small bag with the box in it. He took the box out of the bag and opened it up. Inside was a light blue topaz ring with diamonds around it. WOW said Barry that sure does sparkle. Remember the last time I was here I meet Julie Anne Berkovic's friend Susan Barrett. Yes I remember. Well Susan and I exchanged phone numbers. Since then we've been talking on the phone just about every day. Susan even came out to LA twice. Besides coming here for business I'm putting a ring on it. You're doing what said Barry. I'm putting a ring on it. said Marc. The it being Susan's left finger. You're going to propose to Susan said Barry. Yes said Marc. Congratulations said Barry. I not only fell in love with her cupcakes but I fell in love with her said Marc. Of course Barry I want you to be my best man. Why sure I'll be your best man said Barry. If Susan says yes I'm going to talk her into a destination wedding said Marc. Wherever she want to get married is fine with me. The only thing I'd like is something small and intimate said Marc. I thought we'd go to the empire state building before dinner. That's where I'll pop the question. From there we'll go to the Copacabana for dinner. Are you going to get down on one knee asked Barry. I guess I should said Marc. Well I think your ring is gorgeous said Barry. She'd be a fool not to say yes. I hope you're right said Marc. The next day Darren Griffin called and Barry told him the news about Marc proposing to Susan Barrett. Darren said I know the perfect place to get married Martha's Vineyard. I'm a member of the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club. Samantha and I have a summer home there so I can get the yacht club for Marc's wedding. They can get married on the beach and have their reception inside the yacht club building.  Let me know the date so I can reserve the yacht club for them.





First There Was HARMONY

Julie Anne decided since there wasn't a local Barry Manilow Fan Club in New York City she would start one. There was one sort of but Brooklyn wasn't Barry's home town. Brooklyn was one of the five boroughs in Barry's home town of New York City. The other four were the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.  Barry definitely need a local fan club in his home town of New York City. Julie Anne got her BFF's Susan Barrett, Lu Ann Heiner Drebot  and Tracy Quagieri Herbert to be her co-directors.  Julie Anne knew she couldn't call her group just Harmony . Then there was a FB page called First There Was Harmony. Which she knew she couldn't use or so she thought. When Julie Anne called Vikki Thomas to tell her she had started a local fan club for Barry in his hometown of New York City. Vikki said well it's about time. Julie Anne told Vikki the name she wanted to use First There Was Harmony. She also mentioned there was a FB page using that name and she figured she better not use it. Vikki told her to go ahead and use that name for her fan club. Vikki reminded her she needed to support a local charity. That's when Julie Anne told Vikki they already had a local charity. Plus they just had their first charity raffle. Grand prize was a pair of tickets to see Harmony on Broadway and the original Harmony cast album. First prize was an autographed Harmony poster. Second prize was an autographed Harmony playbill. Third prize was the original Harmony cast album autographed. Fourth prize was the Harmony t shirt and key chain.  Fifth prize was a Harmony coffee mug and a fridge magnet. We raised twenty thousand for the Harmony Program Inc. Julie Anne told Vikki the Harmony program Inc. is an after school music program for communities in New York City where there were no  after school  programs. Since she knew Barry Manilow she asked him if he would get everyone to sign the Harmony Broadway poster, Harmony Broadway playbill and Harmony original cast album. Just then Barry walked in. Vikki told him she was talking to Julie Anne Berkovic. Julie Anne started a local New York City fan club for you said Vikki. Oh she did said Barry. Yes said Vikki she has one hundred and fifty local New York City members. Plus two hundred members from outside New York City. Wow three hundred and fifty  that's a lot of members said Barry.  Just then the mailman came and left a large package. Are you going to open the package said Barry. Vikki replied not now while I'm talking on the phone. Vikki looked at the package and noticed it was from Julie Anne. I see you sent a package to us Julie Anne. Oh good said Julie Anne. You can open it up. So Vikki opened it up. Inside was some tee shirts with the fan clubs logo on it. All but one had Barry's photo on it. The one without Barry's photo on it was for Barry to wear. Also inside was copies of  the First There Was Harmony BMFC newsletter called The Quarter Note. There's one for Barry, Marc, Kirsten and you Vikki said Julie Anne. You can visit our group over on Facebook said Julie Anne. Barry asked Vikki for the phone which she gave him. Hey Julie Anne can I join your group? asked Barry. Julie Anne said sure Barry you can. In fact I'll make you an honorary co-director said Julie Anne. Wow I've never been a co-director of anything before said Barry. Well now you are said Julie Anne.

The Boys and Girls In The Band

Barry went about putting together his band for hid latest gig at the Music Box Theatre Borgata Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City.  Barry actually snitched all of Brian Murphy's band members Mike Lent guitar, David Rosenblat percussion, Ron Pedley keyboard and Russ McKinnon drums Stan Sargent bass, Joey Malotte keyboards/musical director Kye Brackett vocals,  Muffy Hendricks vocals and Keeley Vasquez vocals for his band. Talk about being sneaky. LOL!! Besides Brian Murphy wasn't on the road right now. The scuttle butt in tinsel town Hollyweird was a nip here a tuck there. You know plastic surgery to look more plastic. Which he already was starting to look like plastic. It's all in the genes thought Barry. Barry Manilow's band was now complete. So he couldn't wait to start his gig at the Borgata.  Barry got a hold of his favorite designer Rett Turner to create his concert attire. Rett was also doing costumes for the band. The only thing black in his stage attire would be his pants and shoes. Barry wasn't like Brian Murphy who wore all black except his colorful jackets.  Rett had Barry come to his New York City studios to try on some of the finished clothes. Rett suggested Barry wear black loafers, black dress pants,with colorful shirts and jackets. Rett got a hold of Dominic Dolce and Stephano Gabbana to create dress pants and loafers for Barry to wear on stage.  Rett was going to design the jackets himself. A couple jackets with tails and some regular length jackets in assorted colors. The boys in the band and Kye would wear black shoes, pants, shirts and colorful jackets. Muffy would wear black and red dresses with high heel shoes. The behind the scenes people for the tour were. Seth Jackson lighting from Bandit lights, Ken Newman sound engineer, Ken and Mitzi Welch stage patter, Joe Clayton tour manager, James Simone stage manager, Phillip Gregg wardrobe, John Bunker scenic designer, Karl Heinz, Leo Rodgers, Tom Curtis and Jay Riggins carpenters. Barry couldn't hardly wait to get back on stage again. While in the middle of his clothes fitting his cell phone rang. Hello said Barry. Barry it's  Marc. What's up Marc said Barry. Well I just got off the phone with Neil Portnow  he called me to   ask if you would host the 2020 Grammy Awards next year. Oh BTW your album Night Songs has just entered the Billboard 200 album chart at number one.  Your kidding said Barry. No said Marc I'm not kidding. You can tell Neil Portnow I'll gladly host the Grammys next year said Barry.

There's No Place Like Home.

There's no place like home. Barry lived many places over the years. Besides Williamsburg where he grew up. He lived in Greenwich Village, Flatbush, Upper West Side all in New York City. Beverly Hills rental,  and Bel Air In Los Angeles. Palm Spring house one, Palm Springs house two Palm Springs.  Malibu beach house Malibu. A few years ago he sold the Malibu beach house. He bought a condo in Brooklyn's Fort Green neighborhood. He started thinking why do I live in Palm Springs when I don't work on the west cost. I'm a Broadway songwriter who dabbles in making records. So I should be living back in New York City. So he put his Palm Springs house up on the market for $9,569,675. The real estate agent called him two days latter to tell him he had an offer on his house. for $105,500,00. The person who made the offer was pop singer Brian Murphy. Barry took the offer which was way more than what he was asking for. Barry got Marc, Garry, Enoch and Marty to help him pack his things. He used Mayflower movers to move his stuff a cross  country. Once he got his stuff out east he storied it in a friends warehouse till he found somewhere bigger to live. It didn't take long for him to find something bigger. It was a five floor town house. With a small one bedroom apartment on the Garden floor. The rest of the town house had four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.  Along with a living room dining room kitchen and an office. It also had a decent backyard for Maggie and Max to run around in. His new address was on Hicks St. in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.. All of his furniture would fit into his new house. Barry was also within walking distance to the subway train so he could easily get into Manhattan. Barry decided to have Julie Ann, Susan and Lu Ann  cater his house warming party. Julie Anne would provide the eats. While Susan and Lu Ann would provide the sweets. Julie Anne decided on Mexican food for Barry's house warming party. While Susan and Lu Ann made some of their mini cupcakes. Julie Anne, Susan and Lu Ann got some of their employs to do the serving so they could enjoy the party also. Marc came all the way from the west cost for the party. He saw Susan and thought she was cute. He asked Barry who she was. Barry explained Susan Barrette was a friend of Julie Anne's. Really said Marc. Oh I wonder if she's married. Barry said that I don't know but you could ask her. Barry walked over to Julie Anne, Susan and Lu Ann to tell them the food was delicious. Oh by the way Susan and Lu Ann your Sweet Heaven Cupcake van will be ready next week. It's a silver grey Fiat Doblo van with your logo on both sides. Barry showed the ladies around his new town house. The only room he didn't show them was the garden floor bedroom where Maggie and Max were hanging out.

Surprise Surprise

When Julie Anne got home there was Barry standing in front of her building. He was standing in front of something. What's behind you Julie Anne asked? Oh just a little something said Barry as he turned so she could see it. Surprise he said. It's a Fiat Qubo Trekking and it's for you. How much did you pay for this asked Julie Anne? Barry replied I'm not telling you as he handed her the car keys. Barry said besides your beater has seen better days. Thank you said Julie Anne but you shouldn't have. Now all you need to do is to transfer your car insurance and license plate. Hey wait a minute said Barry where is your car? It got a small dent in it. What do you mean it got a small dent in it asked Barry. Well I was driving to Hoboken to my favorite restaurant supply place when a guy ran a red light and hit the front of my car. I'm fine said Julie Anne but my car was totaled. Thank goodness your ok as Barry gave Julie Anne a hug. Would you like to come in asked Julie Anne. I'm making tuna casserole for dinner. Barry said sure why not. Julie Anne made tuna casserole and carrots. I have two of the latest Sweet Heaven Cupcake creations. I'll split them in half so you can taste each one. One is a fancy version of the Hostess Cupcake and the other is a fancy version of the banana flip. The banana flip was the banana cake with cream on it and the flipped in half. Man am I stuffed said Barry. But I could get use to this Barry said. Well you had two helpings of tuna casserole and half of each cupcake. So I can see why you'd be stuffed. Well I'm not like Brian Murphy who forgets to eat. I do eat. I had raisin brain with skim milk, bagel with fat free cream cheese and coffee with a splash of cream for breakfast this morning. Then for lunch I had left over pot roast on bread with gravy, mash potatoes and peas. Oh who made the pot roast? asked Julie Anne. I did said Barry. You cook said Julie Anne. Yeah said Barry I cook. I make a mean turkey divan said Barry. It's asparagus wrapped in sliced turkey with a cheese sauce over it. I usually serve it with rice. It was either I learn to cook or I'd starve. I'll have to have you over some day for huevos rancheros. Plus my home made killer salsa and nachos. I kept a lot of my grandmothers recipes. Now I'm no gourmet cook like you Julie Anne said Barry. But I manage not to starve. Oh by the way I called Susan Barrett to tell her about an empty store in Santa Monica. That would be perfect for a west cost branch hers and Lu Ann's Sweet Heaven Cupcakes.

Something's Coming Up!

Yes something's coming up. Garry Kief  was retiring. He gave his daughter. Kirsten his company Stiletto Entertainment. Garry asked Marc Hulett  to take over as Barry's manager. Chris Burton  took over as Barry's new personal assistant. Vikki Thomas took Kirsten Kief's job as head of the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope and Manilow Music Project. Barry decided to makes some changes to his international fan club. He hired web designer John Smith to create an internet fan club. John showed Gary Oye how to run the new internet fan club. Barry then decided to let some fans run the physical internet fan club.  Barry asked Deborah Grogan, Rhonda Rice Breman, Michele Rae Thomson and Tracy Qualieari Herbert to take over as directors of his fan club.  Deborah, Rhonda, Michele and Tracy couldn't believe it when Barry Manilow tapped them to run his new internet fan club. Barry invited the four ladies to New York City to tell them the news. Barry paid for everything. Barry even made a weekend out of it for the ladies. He told them Friday night over dinner. Then on Saturday he let them do some shopping with one thousand dollar pre-paid visa cards. Saturday evening Barry and girls went to dinner and the theatre. Sunday they went to hear some jazz at Lincoln Center. Then he told them they would be getting together with Vikki Thomas at the Inglewood offices so they could learn the ins and outs of the fan club The ladies would also get together with John Smith and Gary Oye to help create the new logo. Barry went online to check his Facebook page. He couldn't believe how many fans replied to his post about changing the Barry Manilow International Fan Club to the Barry Manilow Internet Fan Club. Everything from "Your dead meat if you change the name." To "Kate Naughton would be rolling in her grave if she knew you what you did." Barry emailed the directors Deborah, Michele, Rhonda and Tracy to tell them the name of the fan club name would stay the same. What he did do that fans were thrilled about was allowing local fan clubs to get sanctioned with fifty members from anywhere. That was all you would need to get your fan club sanctioned was fifty members. Barry went into the sanctioned and up and coming fan club lists that the BMIFC had. He check to see which clubs were still active and which fan clubs were not. The ones that were not he took them down. Barry also told the girls he was resurrecting the conventions to what they once were. Plus he told them he was going to make an appearance at every convention. At every convention there would be a Q&A with him. Conventions would also surround him being in concert. Or one of his musicals doing a regional run. Barry told the ladies the first convention with them as directors would take place in the UK in London. Barry knew that would make the UK fans happy. He also told them to put up some questions on the BMIFC's face book page. Asking fans what they would love to do during the convention. Like local fan club display day, discos, games, seminars and etc. Barry wanted lost of feedback from his fans. Barry couldn't wait to get the ball rolling on this. All Barry needed to now was to get two fans from Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and the UK to become the international directors of the fan club. Barry had loads of ideas coming out of his mind. So much that he decided I need a break. So he got his jacket and went outside. He decided to go to his favorite pizza place in Brooklyn. He thought pizza with the works and extra cheese sounded good to him. Barry called Bruce and told him to call Jack.  I want you to meet me at the Brooklyn Pizza Pub and Grub for lunch. Since Barry changed the way he felt about food he had gained twenty-five pounds. Then after lunch he thought he, Bruce and Jack could hit Sweet Heaven Cupcakes for something sweet. Barry heard through the grape vine they had a brand new cupcake flavor called Carmel Apple Cranbarry.

The Chew

It was Monday November 18, 2019. Time for The Chew with Clinton Kelly, Michael Simon, Mario Batali, Daphne Oz and Carla Hall. Todays special guests are Broadway songwriter Barry Manilow to talk about his latest project. His standards album called Night Songs.  Julie Anne Berkovic to talk about her first cook book Tratoria Italia easy Italian cooking. Also to cook something from her first book. Plus Lu Ann Heiner Drebot  and Susan Barrett to make one of their cupcakes.  Barry was in one green room.  Julie Anne was in another. While Lu Ann Heiner Drebot and Susan Barrett were in another. None of them knew the other was going to be on the show. Julie Anne went out first. She talked about her book with everyone. After the commercial break she was going to cook with Mario Batali.  Julie Anne had decided to make her linguini with white clam sauce. Plus she made her drunkin pasta dish. When she was done she went back stage. That's where she ran into Barry Manilow. I didn't know you were going to be on he said. Same here said Barry I didn't know you'd be here either.  Then out come Lu Ann and Susan to talk about their new cupcake shop. I didn't know you two would be on said Julie Anne. Barry got us a slot on todays show said Lu Ann. We're next said Susan. So out they went to talk about their cupcake shop Sweet Heaven Cipcakes.
I guess I'm last said Barry when it was his turn Barry went out and talked about his new album with Clinton, Carla and Daphne. After another break Barry was going to sing  One For My Baby. After the Chew was done Barry saw Julie Anne again. He thought now's my chance to ask her out. Excuse me Julie Anne what are you doing this Friday night. Nothing that I know of said Julie Anne. I was wondering if you'd like to go out Friday asked Barry. Sure why not said Julie Anne. Barry said I've got tickets for Adrienne Anderson's musical Daybreak. Maybe before we can go out to eat somewhere. Do you like Chinese said Barry. Yes said Julie Anne. In fact there's a new Chinese restaurant called Shanghai Breezes in the theatre district that I've been wanting to try said Julie Anne. Sounds yummy said Barry. Give me your address and phone number. Then I'll call you Thursday to finalize our date. Ok said Julie Anne as she wrote down her address and phone number on a piece of paper. Barry quickly but them into his iPhone so he wouldn't loose them. See you Friday said Julie Anne. Talk to you Thursday said Barry when I'll give you more details for Friday. Oh one thing do I need to make reservations for dinner. I'm not really sure said Julie Anne. I'll call them just incase. I'm sure their phone number is in the book.