Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Holy Mackerel!!

Holy Mackerel was right said Barry. He heard through the grape vine that Brian Murphy's fans were begging him to tour again. Marc just then called Barry to tell him Brian was on QVC right now debuting his latest album.  So Barry quickly turned on his TV to catch Brian Murphy. Brian still recorded for Sony Music Corporation.  He was now on their RCA label. Now that Arista had folded
a few years ago.  Brian was placed on the RCA label. Clive Davis was still  executive producer of Brian's albums. Brian hadn't called Barry in a long while to ask Barry for new material. Barry and his songwriting partners wrote Brian's songs. Brian wasn't a songwriter just a singer  and performer. Marc mentioned that Brian was doing cover albums. Brain had done The Greatest Songs Of series. The 50's, 60's,70's and 80's. The Greatest Love Songs Of All Time. The Greatest Heart Break  Songs Of All Time. This latest one was called The Duets I've Always Dreamed Of. On the other hand. Interesting Barry thought. Barry on the other hand was finishing his latest album. This one was called New York State Of Mind. Barry took some of his favorite songs that dealt with New York City and gave them jazz arrangements. Barry was doing Chelsea Morning by Joni Mitchell, Avenue C by Buck Clayton, Jon Hendricks and David Lambert, Williamsburg Brooklyn by Barry Manilow (new song), New York State Of Mind by (good friend) Billy Joel. Do You Miss New York by David Freshberg, New York City Rhythm by Barry Manilow and Marty Panzer, On Broadway Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Remember Manhattan by (another good friend) Richard Marx,  Sounds Of Silence by Paul Simon, Autumn In New York by Vernon Duke, Brooklyn Blues by Barry Manilow, Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman and Meet Me In St. Marks Square by Barry Manilow. Avenue C was the only one he didn't have to fool around with. Since it was already a jazz song that was recorded by Lambert , Hendricks and Ross. Barry had the best band out there. Heck half of his band use to play for Brian Murphy till he took some much needed time off three years ago and Barry swiped them off Brian Murphy. Barry figured Brian wouldn't miss them. Which Marc heard Brian didn't. Barry's band now  consisted of Russ McKinnon on drums, David Rosenblat on percussion, Stan Sargent on bass, Mike Lent on guitar, Ron Pedley  on keyboards, Joey Malotti on keyboards, Jay Robbins on saxophones and flute, Kenny Martinez on trumpet, Brain Curtis on
trombone and leading the entire band musical director Ron Walters JR on keyboards. Backup singers were  Kye Brackett, Muffy Hendricks and Melanie Nyemma. Members of the band also sang too. David Rosenblat, Stan Sargent, Mike Lent, Joey Malotti,  Jay Robbins and Ron Walters JR. Barry and Marc were picking a batch of  theatres for Barry to play. Barry hated with a passion arenas. Barry was starting on west coast in Seattle at the Paramount Theatre and ending the road trip in New York City for a month on Broadway. Marc was still having trouble getting a Broadway theatre for one month. Well maybe one night a Radio City Music Hall would do. After Brian's QVC Q Sessions ended Marc called once again. What's up Marc asked Barry. Well someone leaked a story that you were going to play the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn. Don't these people know I hate arenas with a passion said Barry. Oh BTW your 2015 calendar has come in. Rachel Kelly just called me to let me know the boxes with the calendars came in. Rachel  Kelly was the new director of the Barry Manilow International Fan Club. Rachel took over for Vikki Thomas who was now the director of the Manilow Music Project. Kirsten Kief who use to be the director was now president of Stiletto Entertainment. Kirsten took over for her dad Garry Kief who use to be the president. As well as Barry Manilow's manager. That now fell to Marc Hulett Barry's old personal assistant. Barry's new personal assistant was another Mark named Mark Harris. Barry decided his 2015 calendar would be all candid photos. Barry decided he would to go different places through out New York City to have his picture taken. Barry picked  Brooklyn Heights home (Barry in his at home recording studio.) Greenwich Village, Times Square, Chelsea, Williamsburg Brooklyn,  Brooklyn Heights (On the front steps of his home with his dogs Maggie and Max.) , Tribeca, Lower East Side, The Today Show Plaza (Fall concert series.) Central Park,  Little Italy and Brooklyn Heights inside Barry's home (Barry sitting in front of a Christmas tree in his living room. Barry knew his fans would love the candid shots of him through out New York City and at his home.

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