Little did Barry know that a buss load of fifty-eight Barry Manilow fans from New York City had made the trek to Chicago, They went there originally for his three Chicago shows. But when they heard what Brian Murphy's fans were saying about their man. Plus what Suzanne Somers had said about their man and his former manager Garry. They knew they had made the right decision to make the trek to Chicago. The trip was arranged by the co-directors Carly Simon and Susan Barrett of the One Voice Barry Manilow Fan Club. . The One Voice Barry Manilow fan club was started by best friends Carly Simon and Susan Barrett. Carly and Susan met their freshman year of high school. Carly and Susan decided to go see the musical Copacabana when it opened on Broadway in October 1978. While sitting next to each other they decided Barry Manilow needed a local New York City area fan club. So that's how the One Voice Barry Mnailow fan club was born. It grew into a fifty-eight member New York area fan club for Broadway songwriter/ jazz artist Barry Manilow.. Their members came from the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau county. They held regular meeting once a month. They went as group to every one of Barry's musicals when they came to Broadway. Then when Barry chose to try his luck as a jazz recording artist, And recorded his first album 2:00AM Paradise Café. They followed him into that realm and went to all his New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Atlantic City shows. That's when they started having their all night video parties to watch his concert videos. They even went as a group to his fan club conventions. Every member had worn their One Voice BMFC logo jacket to keep warm since it was in the fifties. The members were sprinkled throughout the main floor of the Chicago Theatre. When it got close to "Manilow Time." The time that Barry usually started his show. The One Voice BMFC members started singing " You know I can't smile without you. I can't smile without you." Once they started singing everyone in the theatre started singing along with them. David went to tell Barry about some fans who started singing the song Can't Smile Without You and how the entire theatre joined in. Right after they finished the song Barry told David to tell Seth Jackson to dim the house lights. Also for Ken Newman to cue his the intro music. Which was a mix of snips of his songs. Then here came the Right here right now. Right here right now. The audience heard the instrumental opening to the beginning of Brooklyn Blues his opening number. The audience stood on their feet to give Barry a thunderous applause. Barry couldn't believe how loud they were. He thought for sure they were going to blow the roof of the theatre. Carly and Susan told their members once Brooklyn Blues the opening song ended they were to yell in unison "We love you Barry." at the top of their lungs. Carly and Susan wanted their members to let Barry know who much they loved him. In fact they told their members to pass it around which the members did. So the entire audience yelled "We love you Barry." to him. Barry just stood there in amazement after what the entire audience did. He said man you guys are sure vocal tonight. Barry then went to the piano to sing Could It Be Magic. The only difference was Barry didn't do the Take That version with BAMS like Brian Murphy did. During the intermission David went out to do a little looking around. He hit the lobby where he saw a bunch of women standing. He went over to say hi to them. So where are you ladies from? David asked. One of the ladies said New York City area. Oh really said David. Yes said Debbie we're from all five boroughs of New York and Nassau county. Is this all of you? asked David. No said Debbie. There are actually fifty-eight of us total. We're all members in the One Voice Barry Manilow Fan Club. Our fan club was started back in October 1978 by our co-directors Carly and Susan. Carly and Susan knew Barry Manilow needed a local New York City area fan club that's why our club was started. We decided to take our annual road trip to Chicago this time to see Barry's three shows. But when the whole gay issue and Suzanne Somers stuff came up our co-directors knew our Barry needed us here for support. So here we are. Just then Carly and Susan came back from the ladies room. Carly said hi to David. This is my bestie from high school Susan Barrett. Susan said hi to David too. David was going to pull Carly aside to ask her something. Carly caught David before he did. They all know about me and Barry so you can say whatever you want to me in front of them. Dose Barry know about this? asked David. Dose Barry know about the One Voice BMFC that I'm a co-director of no he doesn't. He dose know that I've been a huge fan of his since 1978. We need to get back to our seats said Carly. David went to the back to find Barry before he went back on stage. Barry was just coming out of his dressing room when David caught him. Have I got something to tell you. What have you got something to tell me said Barry. Guess who I saw in the lobby. I don't know. Who did you see in the lobby said Barry. Carly said David. Carly? said Barry. Yes Carly said David. She was with her bestie Susan and fifty-six other members of your One Voice BMFC from New York City and Nassau county. I asked Carly if you knew she was a co-director of one of your local sanctioned fan clubs. She said no you didn't know that. Coming to Chicago was there annual fan club trip. One of the other members Debbie told me other trips have been to your fan clubs annual conventions. Debbie also mentioned that the charity that they support is the Harmony Program from New York City. Carly said when the members heard about this gay business they knew coming to Chicago to support you was the right thing to do. Barry told David can go out and see if you can find one of the members. David said sure Debbie said something about sitting in the second row center section. Kye came out of his dressing room and told Barry the girls were fixing their makeup. David made a mad dash to find Debbie. He saw Debbie right away. He said to Debbie when the shows over would you tell Carly and Susan to have all of you in the club stay here. Barry's going to come out after he takes off his makeup to meet all fifty-eight of you.
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