This Is How It All Began

This is how it all began. Someone Barry knew told him about writing jingles for commercials. So Barry auditioned for a Dodge jingle which Barry got.. That was the first jingle he ever wrote.  Soon after that he was writing jingles for other things. Like Band Aids and Stridex. Then he found out he could sing on the jingles and make even more money. It was while doing a Dr. Pepper jingle that he met a guy named Ron Dante. Ron and Barry immediately hit it off. Barry decided to show Ron some songs he wrote. Could It Be Magic, One Of These Days, I Am Your Child, Sweet Water Jones and Sweet Life. They decided to put the five songs on a demo record. Barry was going to sing the songs since he wrote them. Barry and Ron each paid four thousand dollars of the demo fee. After the demo was done they took it to different record labels. However no one was interested until they went to Bell records. The heads at Bell loved the songs and they had the perfect artist to record them singer Brian Murphy. Pretty soon the label changed president out was Larry Uttal and in was Clive Davis. Clive changed the label name to Arista. Clive kept the Bay City Rollers, Melissa Manchester and Brian Murphy. Clive found a song called Mandy for Brian and the rest is musical history. Brian Murphy loved the songs Barry wrote and asked him to write song exclusively for him. That was because Brian could sing and play piano but he wasn't a great songwriter.Barry agreed since writing songs paid good money. So that was how Barry was able to a Broadway songwriter. Barry wrote Brian Murphy's songs with his partners Adrienne Anderson, Enoch Anderson and Marty Panzer. Barry's other two songwriting partners Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman wrote Broadway musicals with Barry. Now once in a while Jack and Bruce wrote a songs for Brian Murphy with Barry. Barry decided to pull a Beyoncé on everyone by putting out a surprise album called Let's Get On With It. (The songs of songwriter Barry Manilow). Barry chose eighteen songs hat were album cuts on Brian Murphy's albums. The songs came from Brian Murphy/Brian Murphy I, Brian Murphy II, Trying To Get The Feeling, This One's For You, One Voice, Brian, If I Should Love Again and Here Comes The Night. Barry figured it was time to introduce his own fans who loved his musicals to his pop songwriter side. After the album came out Barry was going to put together a concert tour to promote the album. Barry was going to kick off the tour at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago. for a weeks worth of shows. Barry's band consisted of Russ McKinnon on drums, David Rosenblat on percussion and vocals, Stan Sargent on bass and vocals, Mike Lent on Guitar and vocals, Ron Pedley on Keyboards, Billy Kidd on keyboards and vocals, Dana Robbins on Saxophone andvocals, Bradley Fisher on trumpet, Kevin Ryder trombone, Amy Nickelson on vocals and Joey Malotti   keyboards, vocals and musical director.. Russ, David, Stan, Mike and Joey  were musicians from Brian Murphy's band. Barry actually pilfered these guys from Brian. Heck Brian was recovering from more plastic surgery. You know a nip here and tuck there. Lets get rid of the bags and sags. Barry thank God never had any work done on his face. Except to have some cists taken off because of sun damage. Should have never laid out in the sun to get a tan. So right now Barry and company were going through rehearsals for the tour. Rett Turner was doing Barry and company's stage attire. Black pants. black shirts and colorful jackets for the boys in the band. Colorful dresses for Amy and Dana. While Barry was going to wear black pants, colorful printed shirts with solid colored jackets. Barry and company were also putting together a promo video for the tour.

On The Road Again

Yes that's right Barry was going on tour again. This time it was to promote his latest album Night Songs. Which he put out in February 2018. Plus his surprise album that he was recording in March 2018.  The tour would kick off on Friday June 15, 2018. The first part of the tour would go through the middle of September. Barry would be off the rest of 20118. The tour was being called the I'm Coming Back Tour. The other thing he didn't like was the winning being done over on his Facebook page by fans outside the US as well as inside the US. When are you coming here or when are you coming there these fans would ask. Barry knew what he was going do tour wise so these fans need to just wait. Which Barry knew these fans could never do. Just sit  and just wait their turn.  Barry was however pulling a Beyoncé on them in January 2019. He was hitting the recording studio to record a new album. Only Marc knew all the details of the surprise album. One thing some people didn't know about Barry was that he and his songwriting partners wrote songs for pop singer Brian Murphy. Back in the early 70's Barry met a guy at a jingle session named Ron Dante. He showed Ron some songs he wrote. They decided to make a demo record with the songs on them. Each of them chipped in 4,000. Barry sang the songs on the demo. Which they then pushed out to different record companies. Bell records liked the songs and had the perfect artist to record the songs. The artist was Brian James Murphy. So began the career of pop singer Brian Murphy and the guy who wrote the songs he recorded Barry Manilow. Barry was taking 18 of the songs he wrote with Adrienne Anderson, Enoch Anderson, Marty Panzer, John Bettis and recording them himself. The 18 songs were ones that were neverput out as hits. Barry's two other songwriting partners Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman wrote Broadway musicals with him. Like Copacabana and Lola the sequel to Copa. Oh yeas they did do a few pop songs with Barry. Which ended up on a couple of Brian Murphy's albums. But for the most part they wrote Broadway musicals with Barry.

What The?

Oh No! What the he double hockey sticks Barry thought. As he looked at the cover of the Globe while waiting in line to pay for some groceries. There on the cover of the Globe was a photo of himself with the title "I'm Coming Out!" So Barry added that to his cart of groceries. Hello Mr. Manilow said Carol the checker. Hi Carol said Barry. Your actually going to buy that piece of garbage said Carol. Unfortunately I have no choice said Barry. I'm on the cover and my manager Marc Hulett needs to see this. That's so we can figure out what course of action to take said Barry. The bag boy put Barry's groceries in the recyclable bags and then into the cart. Barry pushed the grocery cart out to his SUV. Barry put his groceries into his trunk. He took the cart back to cart coral. When Barry got back to his SUV he opened up the Globe to find the article dealing with him. There it was in black and white Barry Manilow finally comes out of the closet. Barry read the entire article and wondered who gave the Globe the story. Whoever it was that gave the story they would be hearing from him personally. Just then his cell phone rang. Barry pressed the on app and said hello. Hello said Garry on the other end. So what are you up to he asked? Well I'm sitting in the A&P parking lot reading the Globe. Why are you reading that piece of garbage for said Garry. I made the cover of the Globe said Barry. There's a photo of me with the title "Barry Manilow Comes Out Of The Closet" on the cover. Now how did they get that piece of information said Garry. You have always been out in the open and up front about your sexual orientation from day one. Yes I know said Barry. I've been photographed with every girlfriend I've ever had.  From Linda Allen to  Julie Berkovic and to my  latest girlfriend Skylar Herzbach.  You're going to show Marc that aren't you said Garry. Yes said Barry. Marc's going to see this so we can figure out what to do. I'd also check the internet said Garry. You know this will spread like wild fire. Yeah! I know said Barry juicy gossip true or false spreads fast. Well I'll let you go said Garry so can contact Marc about this. Ok said Barry it was nice talking to you. Give everyone on your end my love. I sure will said Garry. Barry then called Marc. Marc it's Barry. I know why your calling said Marc. I've already called the Globe and told them to put a retraction in next weeks magazine. I also asked them to tell me who gave them that piece of information or else we were going to sue them he said. They said one of their reporters saw this on  one of your non fan club message boards. They said the reporter said fans were talking about you coming out of the closet on that message board. I guess they still think your lying about your sexual preference. Can you get a hold of omg Insider said Barry. I want to  do an interview with Kevin Frasier to take care of this once and for all. Sure said Marc. I'll call them to set up the interview and get back to you when I have things set up. Barry then started his SUV and drove out of the A&P parking lot. Once Barry got home he put his groceries away and took his recyclable bags back to his SUV. Barry then came into the town house and let the dogs out in the back yard. He then went on his Mac to surf the internet. He landed on this  one message board he had been to many times before.  Barry was one of the biggest lurkers over here. There it was in print fans talking about him being gay. What these fans didn't know was Barry had a user name and password for this message board. He went in to the message and replied to it. Oh yeah! Did he tell you himself that he was gay wrote Barry. He didn't tell you no such thing. I aught to know that since I'm  him said Barry No joke it's really me Barry Manilow major lurker. Yeah that's right I don't even like social media.  Little do you know. I've been lurking over here for years. And no I'm not gay and I never was. Thanks to you I made next weeks Globe magazine. I'm on the cover with a three page spread on my sexual orientation inside. They even supposedly talked to a close source who confirmed I was gay. Makes me wonder if I even know the close source wrote Barry. Well I've got to go fix dinner. Yeah I'm cooking tonight chicken breast pounded  out this with lemon, white wine sauce with capers, grilled broccoli with garlic and olive oil,  a spinach salad and white wine. I've invited my girlfriend. Yes I have a girlfriend  how about that. I've invited Skylar over for dinner. I also stopped at the bakery on the way home to pick up Skylar's birthday cake since today's her birthday. It's a raspberry lemon tort. Baking I'm not good at wrote Barry. But cooking I am. He signed his message Major lurker Barry Manilow.

Tonights The Night Album Debut

Tonight  March 26, 2013 Barry was going to debut his latest album Night Songs The album  contained sixteen songs total. Fifteen  classic standards. Plus new classic standard written by Barry and songwriting partner Adrienne Anderson. The album debut was taking place at the Metropolitan Room a piano bar in the Flatiron district of Manhattan. It would be Barry playing piano with Stan Sargent on bass. Today Barry was also kicking into high gear his own record label and music publishing company.  Barry decided on Brooklyn Bum Entertainment for the name. Barry had already signed recording artists Brian Culbertson, Mike Lent, the resurrected Uncle Festive (With Matt Greene drums, Mark Levine bass, John PondeL guitar and Ron Pedley keyboards) MaD Fusion Music (David Rosenblatt drums,. Mat Fieldes bass and Matt Herskowitz piano). Dana Robins saxophonist Liza Minnelli singer and Lorna Luft singer. The music publishing end of company signed songwriters Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman,  Jack Feldman and Adrienne Anderson. Now if he could only sign Enoch Anderson and Marty Panzer. Brooklyn Bum Entertainment also secured the rights to the entire Judy Garland catalogue thanks to her daughters Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli.  Plus they now secured the rights to Frank Sinatra's entire catalogue  thanks to Frank's kids Nancy, Tina and Frank Jr. Barry was doing the entire Night Song album. It would be just him playing the piano with Stan Sargent playing bass. Barry had invited his friends Susanne Somers Alan Hamel, Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, Bruce Sussman, Rob Shutter,  Jack Feldman, Marty Panzer, Adrienne Anderson, Enoch Anderson, Garry Kief (his old manager), Russ McKinnon, David Rosenblatt, Mike Lent, Billy Kidd, Dana Robbins, Joey Malotti and everyone from Stiletto and the BMIFC. Of course he was inviting Skylar. How could he not forget the sweetest girl in the whole world Skylar Herzbach. The rest of the audience would be made up of his fans. Some from the fan club and some not. Everyone who came was getting a folder filled with an autographed copy of Night Songs, a  letter talking about the album, photo of Barry Manilow and information about joining the the BMIFC. Barry had autographed all the CD's that went into every folder. Talk about getting writers cramp. Holy Mackerel! Tickets to get into the Metropolitan Room were $150 per person. Glasses of Merlot would be served in keepsake wine glasses. For those who did drink wine there would be sparkling red grape juice or ginger ale in the same keepsake wine glass. Barry decided to wear a white shirt, a navy three piece suit with a navy and thin slate blue striped tie. Later on in the evening Barry would undo his tie and take it off. Marc Hulett his manager was already at the Metropolitan Room checking things out. Marc wanted Barry to arrive in style in a limo. But Barry said no way. He would take the subway into Manhattan. Then catch a cab from the subway station to the Metropolitan Room. Barry told Marc I'm just not into limo's anymore. SUV's are more my style now. I'm just Barry Manilow normal guy. Not Barry Manilow celebrity even though I am one. Barry took Max and Maggie out to do their business. When they were done he let them back into the townhouse. He then went up stairs to get dressed. He went down stairs locked the front door and headed to the subway station to catch the subway into Manhattan.

I Just Want To Be The One In Your Life

Barry knew to take things slow with Skylar. Barry had already been burned twice by two other girls he'd dated. Abigail dumped him for her college sweetheart.  Barry was about to marry Abigail when she broke off their engagement. Then Julie decided to go back to an old boyfriends. Julie sent Barry a dear Barry text message to his iPhone. Barry really liked Skylar because she just saw him as Barry not as BARRY MANILOW. He also thought Skylar had an interesting job working for Amtrak. When Skylar asked him to go with her on Amtrak to Montreal he quickly said yes. Barry couldn't believe he'd get to Skylar in action as a chief of on board services. Why Barry even got up early to get to Penn Central so he'd be there on time. Skylar told him the Adirondack left Penn Central at eight fifteen am. She also told him to be there an hour before departure. Barry took the handle of his suitcase and went out to get into the cab. Barry had asked his next door neighbors to take care of Max and Maggie his dogs while he was gone. Barry's next door  neighbors were Matthew and Samantha Robbins. Matt and Sam were newly weds. Soon Barry was at Penn Central. As he got out of the cab who does he see but Skylar. Did you take a cab to get here asked Barry. No said Skylar I live near here so I can walk to Penn Central.  Come on I'll take you to the waiting area near the track where we'll board the train. Will you take this with you asked Skylar. It's bagels and cream cheese from my favorite bagel place. I also got orange juice from there too since I don't drink coffee. Then I made a stop at Starbucks for coffee. Black with a splash of cream is the way you like it said Skylar. Yes said Barry that's how I like it. The place where I got the bagels really smears on the cream cheese for breakfast. Both bagels are cranberry oat. By nine o'clock I should be done taking care of stuff. Then I should be able to have breakfast with you said Skylar. That's fine with me said Barry. While Barry waited to board the train. He struck up a conversation with a little old lady who reminded him of his mom. The lady's name was Estelle. She asked Barry if the lady he came with was his girlfriend? Barry said not really we're just good friends for now. Estelle said well don't wait to long to make her your girlfriend. She's perfect for you said Estelle. Oh really said Barry. Yes said Estelle as she looked at Barry. You know you look familiar said Estelle. I do said Barry. Yes said Estelle. My name's Estelle Goldman so what's yours she asked. Barry said Barry Manilow. Barry Manilow said Estelle. You aren't related to Edna Manilow by any chance? asked Estelle. Yes Edna's my mom. How do you know her? asked Barry. Your mom Edna and I were friends  back in Brooklyn. We went to school together. I remember when she showed me your baby picture. Edna told me you were going to be somebody special. Soon the announcement for boarding the Adirondack was made. Barry said  that's my train. It was nice meeting you Estelle. Estelle said I was nice meeting you too Barry. Barry walked down to the platform where the train was located. He saw Skylar and asked her if there was a certain car he had to get on. Skylar pointed out the correct car that Barry was to get on. She also said remember to have your ticket out so when the conductor comes by he can take it. Ok said Barry. Barry boarded the coach car and found a seat by the window. He thought this is going to be one terrific weekend. Barry put down the folding table. That's where he put the bag with the bagels and the juice. He figured he better drink the coffee before it got cold. The conductor and car attendant came. The conductor took Barry's ticket. While the car attendant put a slip of paper with the initials for Montreal on it. On the side of the bottom of the overhead storage compartment was a slot for the slip of paper. Right at eight fifteen the train pulled out of Penn Central station to head north to  their first stop of Yonkers.

One Man In A Spotlight At The Borgata

Barry had finally created his set list for his new show Manilow's Night Songs at the Borgata's Music Box. Barry was going to start the show standing under a spotlight. He would open singing One Man In A Spotlight. From there he was going to the piano to sing Paradise Café. Then came his hip cool medley Big Fun, Brooklyn Blues, Big City Blues and Night And Day. He was going to do It Had To Be You next. Then it was The Way You Look Tonight, You Make Me Feel So Young, It's Magic. The seasons medley was next Autumn In New York, When October Goes, Summertime and Summer Wind. Up next was Swing Street and Hey Mambo. Blue and Black And Blue were next. Someone To Watch Over Me, One For My Baby and Night Songs would end the show. Barry's band consisted of Russ McKinnon on drums, David Rosenblat on percussion, Stan Sargent on bass, Mike Lent on guitar, Ron Pedley on keyboards, Joey Malotti keyboards/musical director and Melanie Taylor vocals. Plus Barry Manilow himself on piano. Barry's Manilow's Night Songs show would start in one week on Thursday February 14, 2019. Barry was alternating how many weeks each month he was doing. So February, April, June, August, October and December Barry was doing three weekends. January, March, May, July. October and November Barry was doing two weekends. The three weekends a months shows were on Thursday Friday and Saturday. The two weekends a months shows were on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Since Barry lived in Brooklyn New York he could commute down the morning of the first show and leave after the last show ended. The Music Box was an intimate venue which Barry liked since he hated arenas with a passion.  Barry was working with an old friend Rett Turner who designed his Paradise Café Tour costumes. Barry wanted clothes that were classy not flashy or trashy. No sequined jackets for him. Just some nice tailored clothes to wear on stage. Barry had also decided to tweak his platinum packages a little. Instead of fans coming back stage before the show started. Five lucky fans would get to go back stage after the show ended. Barry was calling them Platinum Meet and Greets. These would combine all the perks of a regular platinum plus the after the show meet and greet. The platinum meet and greets would give fans a front row seat, backstage pass on a lanyard. wine glass with wine in it, photo of the fan standing next to Barry, a camera with photos on it and an autographed program. Plus the chance to talk to Barry one on one. The other thing Barry was doing was making his platinum meet and greets affordable. Un like Brian Murphy who charged one thousand five hundred for his platinum packages. Plus his fans came before the show.Barry decided to charge five hundred for his platinum meet and greet packages. Also Barry was going to have his platinum meet and greets after his shows. Barry would do his platinum meet and greets on Friday. Barry couldn't wait till next Friday for his first show at the Borgata's Music Box theatre. Plus his first platinum meet and greet.

Come Monday

Yes Come Monday was a song from Here At The Mayflower by Barry Manilow.  Come Monday Skylar need to be at Penn Central by six am. As the chief of on board services for Amtrak's Adirondack  Skylar need to be there  at least an hour and a half before the train left Penn Central .  Amtrak's Adirondack leaves New York City's Penn Central at eight fifteen am and gets into Montreal's Central Station at six thirty pm. Skylar's grandfather Joseph Herzbach  had been a train conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroads Broadway Limited.  Skylar got her loved of train travel  when her grandfather took her on her first train ride. Skylar got her degree  in hospitality management from Cornell University in Ithaca New York. After she graduated Skylar got her dream job working for Amtrak. He first  job working for Amtrak was coach attendant. Her first route was Amtrak's Broadway Limited. The Broadway Limited went between New York and Chicago. She also did  the Lake Shore Limited New York and Boston to Chicago. This train starts in both New York and Boston then the two trains meet in Albany where they merge and go on to Chicago. Then in   nineteen ninety-five Skylar became a chief of on board services. Her first route was the Ethan Allen Express New York City to Rutland Vermont. Then she did the Maple Leaf New York City to Toronto Canada. Now she was on the Adirondack route New York City to Montreal Canada. This was her favorite route by far.  Since Montreal Canada was one of her favorite cities. Skylar loved doing the route in the autumn when the leaves were turning all sorts of colors. Skylar got to thinking she ought to invite Barry Manilow to go on the Adirondack during one of her runs. She could have him go when she got one of her layovers in Montreal. Once a month she got a few days off in Montreal in between runs. During one of those layovers she could take Barry to some of her favorite spots in Montreal. Skylar loved the northeast and the pacific northwest. Skylar was a city girl born and raised in Manhattan one of the boroughs of New York City.  Her parents were  John and Sophia Herzbach. Her dad John was a pilot for United Airlines. While her mom Sophia was a kindergarten teacher at Colears Elementary in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. The Chelsea neighborhood was where Skylar grew up. Skylar was one of two kids in her family. Skylar full name was Skylar Fiona Herzbach. Skylar had an older sister Noelle Grace. Noelle was a second grade teacher in Seattle. Noelle lived with her husband Kevin  Fishman and their two kids Samuel Eli and.