Barry got a look at the poster for the Carnegie Hall benefit he was doing on Sunday April 26, 2015. The concert would benefit the Manilow Music Project. The Manilow Music Project use to be a program that was part of his Manilow Fund for Health and Hope charity. Barry recently folded the Manilow Fund up to concentrate on the Manilow Music Project only. The Manilow Music Project took in donated musical instruments and raised money for new musical instruments. The donated musical instruments got a good cleaning and fixing. Barry was going to have some special guests with him on stage during the benefit. Saxophonist Dave Koz and jazz artist Nancy Wilson. The money raised was going to the Harmony Program in New York City. The Harmony Program provides after-school music education programs in underserved communities across New York City. Barry was all about making sure kids got musical instruments as well as music education classes. When Barry was in high school he played piano in the Eastern District High School jazz band. During Barry's senior year he got to lead the jazz band while still playing piano in the band. Mr. Hertz was the band teacher at Eastern District High School. Mr. Hertz directed the marching band, concert band and jazz band. There were three drum majors or majorettes in the marching band. One student conductor for the concert band and one conductor for the Jazz band. Tickets would go on sale February 6th for the benefit with various prices. There was also going to he a party after the show at the Copacabana night club in New York City. If you paid $1,500 for a ticket you got a seat in the first four rows, a lanyard pass to go to the after party at the Copacabana and you got your program autographed by Barry, Manilow, Dave Koz and Nancy Wilson. You would also get to meet Barry Manilow , Dave Koz and Nancy Wilson at the Copacabana. Barry was going to wear a full tuxedo for the first half that night. Then for the second half he was going to wear a black suit with a white shirt. Barry was going to do some songs from 2:00 AM Paradise Café, Swing Street, Manilow Sings Sinatra, Here At The Mayflower, Night Songs and New York State Of Mind. Plus Nancy was going to sing some songs from With My Lover Beside Me. That was the album that contained songs written by Barry Manilow and Johnny Mercer. Barry had decided to open up the show with Joni Mitchell's Chelsea Morning from his New York State Of Mind album. He was also going to do the title track New York State Of Mind and Sound Of Silence. Barry and Nancy were going to duet on When October Goes. Plus the Epilogue song from With My Love Beside Me album. Dave was going to accompany Barry along with George Shelby on Brooklyn Blues and New York City Rhythm. George Shelby was a part of Barry's horn section. Barry's band consisted of Russ McKinnon on drums, David Rosenblatt on percussion, Larry Antonio bass, Mike Lent guitar, Ron Pedley keyboards, Joey Melotti keyboards and musical director, George Shelby saxophone, Chris Dean clarinet and Bradley Smith trumpet. Kye Brackett, Debra Byrd, Melanie Nyema and Kaley Martin were his backup singers. Right after the new year Barry and company were going to start rehearsing for the tour. Barry couldn't wait to get on the road. Barry thought wait till the fans see him. Barry hadn't been on the road since two thousand and two with his Manilow Live 2002 Tour. Barry had let his hair grow out a touch. Unlike Brain Murphy Barry had all his own hair. Brian had a bald spot on the back side of his head over to the right, a receding hair line and thinning hair. Brain was also sort of skinny. Oh then there was the work Brian had done. There was two upper face lifts, one lower face lift, lots of Botox and veneers on his teeth. Barry thought about Botox for a few seconds and then changed his mind. I don't want any needles near my eyes and mouth. Barry thought. I want to grow old gracefully. You know look my age which is almost seventy two said Barry. Barry was six foot tall. He weighted one hundred and ninety-five pounds. His hair was light brown and his eyes were baby blue. Not bad for a seventy two year old Jewish guy Barry thought.
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