Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Sunday June 28, 2015

Hi Gang,
It's me Barry here. Well that sure was a super tour across the US. I enjoyed taking the scenic route this time. Going by tour bus was a blast . Now it's on to some new adventures. Which I know you're going to love. Right now I'm in the recording studio with Steve Gadd, Marc Levine, John Pondel, Ron Pedley, Michael Lington and the Manhattan Transfer to record 2:00AM Paradise Café II. Marc Levine, John Pondel and Ron Pedley were one third of the jazz quartet Uncle Festive. I tried to get Bud Harner but he now works as an A&R guy at Verve Records.Then on July 4th I'm in Chicago at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion with the Grant Park Symphony and chorus. I hope see some of you fans there. Starting on Monday August third it's rehearsals for Here At The Mayflower the musical. Then on Sunday September sixth Carly and I are getting married. Carly and I will be on our honeymoon till Sunday September twentieth. On Tuesday September twenty-nine Here At The Mayflower opens for previews. Then on Sunday October twenty-fifth it's opening night for Here At The Mayflower. Now this is where plans have changed. The few shows here in the states and Canada tour have been canceled. Yes I hear the groans from the peanut gallery. But just listen up you might like this even better. First off I'm doing some talk shows to promote 2:00AM Paradise Café II which will be out on December fifteen.  I'll be on GMA, The View Rachel Ray, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen.  When I do Rachel Ray I'll be her cohost. Little does she know I've already talked to her producers about doing her what's for dinner segment. Should be a blast. since I'm cooking for her and her hubby John. Now the Borgata Hotel and Casino uses their Music Box sometimes as a comedy club. It seems they decided to quit using the comedy club out of the theatre. And instead they've decided to put a headliner in the theatre. Now  guess who's been asked to be their first headliner me. Yes little old me Barry Manilow. I know I'm not little at six foot tall.  I might be old but not that old. Plus I still got it at twenty-seven LOL!! I put my John Hancock on the dotted line for the next five years to headline at The Music Box theatre. I'll be there ten months out of each year. Each month I'll be there for three weeks doing four shows each week I'm there. That's Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now that's a grand total of one hundred and twenty shows a year. Tickets will go on sale starting Wednesday October 8th through the fan club for next year. Tickets are one hundred and thirty- five, ninety-five, seventy-five and forty-five. I'm not like Brian Murphy who charges an arm and leg  just for fans to see him. Now when he played Las Vegas did you all know to sit down in the first five rows cost three hundred and ninety-five dollars Oh and platinum's were two thousand five hundred just to go backstage and meet him. It's a wonder his fans could afford tickets at all with those kind of prices. Now I will be doing my sneaky meet and greets after each show. When I mean sneaky meet and greets I mean I send David Taylor my personal assistant out to scan the audience. Then David randomly picks four lucky fans to come backstage after each show. The lucky four will get to chat with me, have their picture taken with me, get a camera with photos of our chat and an autographed program. Brian Murphy's fans paid two thousand five hundred to do that and your getting that for nothing. Right and would Brian post a message like this on his Facebook page. Hell No! I don't think he's in it for the fans Meaning he's not make music to make the fans feel good like I am. Now I'm thinking maybe in two thousand sixteen or two thousand seventeen there will be a fan club convention in Atlantic City. So send me or the fan club your suggestions for stuff to do during the convention. As always I'll show up for the brunch and Q&A on the last day of the convention. Maybe we should do the convention during the month of June. So you can help me celebrate either my seventy-third or seventy-fourth birthday depending on which year we have the convention. Since I'll be there from February two thousand sixteen to December two thousand and twenty. Heck maybe we should have a convention in June all five years I'm There. Then you can help me celebrate my seventy-third, seventy-fourth, seventy-fifth, seventy-sixth and seventy-seventh birthdays. Well I got to go. I really mean I got to go to the bathroom. Plus take let the dogs out. Talk to you soon.
Love and sloppy wet kiss,
                                                Barry

Sunday, June 28, 2015

What The Bleep!

What the he double hockey sticks. Here we go again with these showoff fans said Barry. At least they weren't at the Carnegie Hall benefit on Sunday. In fact there weren't very many fan club members who were there. David Taylor said he saw Carly Simon, Susan Barrett and Vicki Smith co-directors of the One Voice BMLFC of NYC/Nassau. David knew all of the fan club directors. Marc said he really didn't see any fans at all. Both David and Marc went out into the main part where the seats were. They each went out at different times before the benefit started. There were still a lot of fan club members bitching about the Delacorte Theatre show on Saturday. They were bitching because they didn't get tickets for the show. Or why didn't Barry do an extra night or two. Barry knew these were not his regular fans. Because they knew better than to bitch when they didn't get exactly what they wanted. Then there was this one fan from outside the US who was desperate to give him this drawing of himself. She swore the photo she used for reference was his very favorite. How did she know what photo of himself was his very favorite one. In fact the one Barry did like of himself was taken at the Events Center at Foxwood Casino at the end of May. It was taken when Barry was there for three nights. It was the one that Carly took of him. Where Barry had his head tilted and his eyes closed. So it looked like Barry was  completely lost in the music in that photo. The drawing never got to Barry. So the fan was very upset about the fact Barry never got her drawing or painting. Now that Barry was home he would be able to sleep in his own bed. Barry went out to buy a new mattress set. The set Barry had was fifteen years old. After Christmas Barry went to a Sleep Number store to try their mattress. Barry found their mattresses uncomfortable no matter what number he set it at. So he  didn't buy one of their mattress sets. Barry made a call to Carly at the Grand Hyatt while she was there for the convention. Hello sunshine said Barry.  Did you enjoy Sunday nights benefit show at Carnegie Hall? asked Barry. Yes I did said Carly. Susan, Vicki and myself had a super time Sunday night said Carly. Prior to the benefit we went to Becco restaurant.  It's really good Italian fare and it is located at 365 W. 46th St. Some night you and I will have to go there said Carly.  You know I needed a new mattress set said Barry. The mattress set I had was fifteen years old. I thought I'd try the Sleep Number mattress said Barry. Oh  really said Carly. Yes and I hated it. I could never get comfortable no matter what number I set it on.  So I went shopping at a couple of mattress stores. I tried Tempur Pedic and Serta icomfort. I didn't like those brands either. So I called Bruce and asked him what mattress brand he an Rob slept on. Bruce said he and Rob slept on a Simmons queen size mattress set. Bruce said they had theirs since two thousand thirteen and they loved theirs. Bruce even told me where they bought theirs. So I went the Sears store and checked out the Simmons brands. Theirs is a innerspring mattress with the coils. I tried the Simmons Comforpedic Harmony Chopin series . It's a queen size mattress set said Barry. It felt so good when I stretched out on it so I bought it. I even bout two new Simmons pillows there. Then I went to Macys and got a queen sized sheet set and blanket. When I got home I called Bruce and told him I got my new mattress set. Bruce asked me if it was innersprings or memory foam. I told him it was the Simmons Comforpedic Harmony Chopin series. Are you serious said Bruce? I said yes I'm serious. Bruce just had to laugh. Seem you find Harmony just about anywhere. So what color did you get for the sheets and blanket? asked Carly. The sheets are blue and the blanket is slate said Barry.  Next week on Thursday the 25th I have my last fitting at Kleinfeld's bridal. So I should be able to take my gown, headpiece and veil home with me. I'll take the subway into Manhattan and catch a cab to go home. That way my gown and stuff won't get messed up on the subway going home. My mom and sister Jill came with me to Kleinfeld's when I tried on dresses. I remember my mom asking me if I could dance in the dress I liked. I told her I could. Now after we get married I'll put my house on the market. Since the house originally belonged to my parents I'm splitting the price I get for the house with them. You know what we should do is buy a getaway place somewhere. Anywhere would be fine except southern California and Florida said Barry. I don't know why I ever moved to southern California.  My mom Edna had a house in Boca Raton Florida. I sold that after she passed away. I've lived most of my entire life in the Bronx said Carly.  The only time I didn't live there was during my eight years of college. I got my bachelors degree in science from Duke University Durham North Carolina. Then I got  my veterinarian degree from North Carolina State University in Raleigh North Carolina. After I got my veterinarian degree I got my first job at the Pittsburgh Zoo said Carly. For a while I lived in Pittsburgh. But when the opportunity came up to work at the Bronx Zoo I took it said Carly. That's where I've been ever since.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Wedding Attire


Carly's Alfred Angelo Ariel wedding dress. With dark purple calla lilies bouquet .
 Matron of honor and brides maids dresses, shoes and bouquets.
Barry, best man and grooms men's Joseph Abood grey tuxedos.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Great Performances PBS

Earlier in the day Marc took Barry and David out for Barry's breakfast. Barry turned seventy-two at nine am this morning. He got phone calls from his family cousin Dennis, cousin Olivia, second cousin Greg and second cousin Jordan. Phone calls from Garry Kief, Kirsten Kief, Vicki Thomas, Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Brian Culbertson. Tonight was the PBS Great Performances taping at the Metropolitan Opera House. The Metropolitan Opera House was on the Lincoln Center grounds. Barry had a little surprise cooked up for tonight's taping. He was doing one song from an up an coming album he was getting ready to record.The album was titled 2:00AM Paradise Café II. This album would deal with the fictional Paradise Café jazz club in New York City. The album would center around the patrons who loved to come to the club and people who worked there. Barry went back to his townhouse after breakfast. He decided to make a quick check on Facebook. Oh no more bitching from fans who didn't get a ticket to the PBS taping. Barry just wished those fan who bitched would quit bitching. Heck life's to short to bitch Barry thought.. He also figured these were Brian Murphy fans. Ever since February Barry had gotten a large chunk of Brian's fans coming to his shows. Yesterday Barry rehearsed with his band, the orchestra and chorus. When Barry looked at the clock in his home office it was twelve thirty. So Barry shut down his computer. He let the dogs out into the back yard. He then went into his kitchen to make himself some lunch. He got out the nine grain bread, a jar of Jiff all natural peanut butter and Smuckers grape jelly. Yes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sounded so good. He got some multi veggie chips to eat with his sandwich. Just then he heard the door bell ring. He went to the front door to answer it. He opened the door and there stood Carly. Come in said Barry I was just going to eat. Have you eaten lunch yet Barry asked? No said Carly I'm on my way into Manhattan for the fan club convention. I have my suite case and my tote bag with me. I stopped by to give you your birthday card and present. I'll open them after I make you a sandwich. It's peanut butter and grape jelly I hope that's ok with you. Yes said Carly. Barry made Carly her sandwich and put it on a plate. He then said lets eat on the back deck. Barry before we eat I'll open your card and present. Barry opened the card. He loved the message inside. Then he unwrapped the present. I wonder what's in here said Barry as shook the box. He opened the box and pulled out the watch. Oh wow and new watch said Barry. The one I have now is going dead. So thanks sunshine said Barry. You're really going to like this watch said Carly. I will said Barry because you know I needed a new one. Yes you already said that said Carly. The reason I said you're really going to love this one is because it's an Apple watch. An Apple watch. Oh Carly you shouldn't have said Barry. I had to buy this for you my favorite techie. Barry gave Carly a kiss on her lips. I guess you heard the news  about you retiring said Carly. Retiring? said Barry. I never said I was retiring. In fact next week I'm going into the studio to record 2:00AM Paradise Café II with Steve Gadd, Marc Levine, John Pondel, Ron Pedley, Michael Lington and the Manhattan Transfer. Then it's the fourth of July in Chicago with the Grant Park Symphony and chorus. Here At The Mayflower rehearsals start in August. We're getting married September 6th and going on our honeymoon right after. Then it's opening night of Here At The Mayflower on Broadway beginning of October. End of October I'm back on the road. A few US cities I missed and a Canada road trip.  We are going to go byVia Rail. Then it's the Count Your Blessing II benefit shows at the Beacon Theatre the week before Christmas. I maybe seventy-two today but I'm not wiped out yet. I also don't have the bad hips like Brian Murphy has. But then again I don't road tour as much as he has in the last forty years. I started touring in nineteen eighty-four and I only go on the road when I have a new album to promote. I'm just telling you what I saw on Facebook this morning said Carly.  You really wouldn't believe how depressed those fan on Facebook were. Then I see Brian Murphy is heading PBS' A Capital 4th program. I guess he's feeling much better after his major hip surgery said Carly. That's good said Barry. mow maybe I'll loose some of his fans. I think that some of my fans were doing some major complaining about how crazy his fans are. After Lunch Carly said goodbye to Barry and said she's see him at the birthday party after the Great Performances taping. The Great Performances taping went on without a hitch. The audience went nuts when he mentioned 2:00AM Paradise Café II was coming out next February fourteenth.  At the end of the show Barry went backstage to take off his makeup and show attire. He put on a blue grey and white stripped shirt, blue jeans, a navy jacket and black casual loafers. Barry, David and Marc were going by van to the Grand Hyatt Hotel for the birthday party. The band and backup singers were coming as well. Barry and everyone headed to the ballroom where the party was being held. The minute Barry walked in the fans all started singing Happy Birthday To You to him. While they were singing the staff rolled out the Birthday cake. Alicia told everyone it was a raspberry tort cake. Also for those who didn't like raspberry's  there was plain white cake. Barry got a ton of gifts. He showed everyone his new Apple watch that he got from his fiancée. His One Voice BMLFC had been sponsoring a Guiding Eyes For The Blind yellow Labrador retriever named Barry. Who came to the party with his owner to met his namesake. Barry owner was a member of the club who was blind. She had a dog that just died a month ago so Barry was her new pal. Barry went over to member Sally Bryant and gave her a hug and kiss. Barry allowed Sally to feel his face which is what blind people do. Barry thanked everyone for their lovely gifts. Said he'd see them tomorrow night at the Italian buffet before their theatre outing. Some fans were going to see Copacabana. While others were going to see 15 Minutes. Two quick things before I leave. Tickets go on sale Monday for the Count Your Blessings II benefit shows at the Beacon Theatre. The shows are Monday December fourteenth through Friday December eighteenth.  Fan club members will also have first crack at tickets for the 2:00AM Paradise Café II CD debut. We'll let you know as soon as we have the venue to the CD debut.  The CD debut will be on February fourteenth Valentines Day. Also I am not RETIRING! I don't know where or how that got started. You can't get rid of me because I won't leave. But now I will leave to get some shut eye. See you tomorrow night a dinner. Love you Barry said as blew them a kiss.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Up Coming Project

 
Barry's up and coming projects. First off there was the forth of July concert. That was Saturday July 4th at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and chorus. Second there was the Count Your Blessings II benefit shows. The Count Your Blessing II Benefit shows would be at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The shows would go from Monday December 14 , 15,`6, 17 and 18. Some of the charities that would benefit were Guiding Eyes For The Blind, Harmony Program, Manilow Music Project, Nine Million Meals, Rachael's Rescue, Share Our Strength "No Kid Hungry." There would be other charities added later on. Nine Million Meals was something Rachael Ray did on season nine of her show. Rachael wanted to raised nine million dollars for season nine which she did. However Barry wanted to add to that number. Rachael's Rescue was her animal charity. One hundred percent of the proceeds of her dog food went to that charity. Barry made sure Maggie and Max got Rachael's Nutrish dog food. Harmony Program was a music program in New York City for kids. Share Our Strength "No Kid Hungry" was making sure no kid went without a meal. Gilding Eyes For The Blind was a charity Barry had been supporting since he moved back to New York in 2005. Third was a brand new called Barry Manilow 2:00AM Paradise Café II. This album would have all new songs written by Barry Manilow, Adrienne Anderson, Enoch Anderson, Jack Feldman, Marty Panzer and Bruce Sussman. Barry gathered some musicians he's worked with before. He tried to get Bud Harner to come out a play drums on this album but no such luck. Well at least he did get the other three who were a part of the jazz quartet Uncle Festive. Marc Levine bass, John Pondel guitar and Ron Pedley keyboards. Plus he got friends Michael Lington saxophone and Steve Gadd drums. He also asked the Manhattan Transfer (Alan Paul, Janis Seigel, Cheryl Bentyne and Trist Carless to sing with him on the album. Barry and everyone would start recording the album the Monday right after July fourth. Barry was going try doing what he did with 2:00AM Paradise Café when that was recorded. Do the album from first song to last in one take.  2:00AM Paradise Café II was an album his fans were dying for him to do. Barry was thinking about doing a CD debut at either the Blue Note jazz club or the Village Vanguard for early next year. Barry was shooting for  February 14, 2016 Valentines Day for the albums debut.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Oh No! Groaned Barry

Oh No! Groaned Barry. As he checked out his fan clubs message board. There was two posts by Holly Davis with photos. This time it was from the shows at the Wang Center. The shows were Monday June first and Tuesday June second. Doesn't she have a life besides me? asked Barry.After reading the posts on the Barry Net message board Barry headed to Facebook. On the home page of Facebook he saw fans messages mentioning how many more days till they saw him. His regular fans never did that sort of stuff. But then since Brian Murphy canceled his entire One Last Time US tour. Barry was now getting a gobs of Brian Murphy's fans coming to his shows which he didn't mind. However these new fans were way more crazy then his regular fan base. Brian Murphy was a pop recording artist while he was a Broadway songwriter and jazz recording artist.  Someone Barry knew told him the reason Brian Murphy canceled his entire tour was because of his hips. The person told Barry Brian Murphy had gone in for hip replacement surgery not the usual repair surgery to his hips that he's had before. Then why didn't Brian just tell his fans the truth about going in for the major hip replacement surgery said Barry. They would have understood if he told them about it thought.  Also there were fans bitching about the Saturday June 20th fan club members only concert at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. Why couldn't they go to this concert. Besides being a fan club member there was only one thousand eight hundred seats. One thousand seven hundred and seventy seats for fans. Plus thirty seats for BMFC staff and Barry's friends. Which it seems those fans who were bitching were fan club members who just didn't get lucky enough to get tickets. Barry knew everyone who signed up for the convention. He also took care of putting the other seven hundred and seventy fans names on the list for the June twentieth concert.  He knew which local fan clubs were participating in Fridays Local Fan Club Day. Lets see there was Stars In The Night BMLFC Boston MA, One Voice BMLFC from New York City/ Nassau NY, Riders To The Stars BMLFC Arlington VA,  The Kid Inside BMLFC Atlanta GA, Paradise Café BMLFC Jacksonville FL, Night Songs BMLFC Pittsburgh PA, Barry's Beagles BMLFC Detroit MI, We Need To Dream BMLFC Chicago Il,  Showstoppers BMLFC Milwaukee WI, Manilow Fans Forever and a Day BMLFC Denver CO, Brooklyn Blues BMLFC Dallas TX,  NYC Rhythm BMLFC Santa Fe NM, Shadow Man BMLFC Seattle WA, 15 Minutes BMLFC Los Angeles, He's A Star BMLFC San Diego CA, Could It Be Magic BMLFC London England, Sweet Life BMLFC Glasgow Scotland and Beautiful Music BMLFC Sydney Australia. Barry decided to ditch the word international in his fan clubs name. So instead of it being the Barry Manilow International Fan Club. It went back to being the Barry Manilow Fan Club like it was between 1978 and 1979. Barry also asked local  fan clubs to add an L in between the B and M. Like One Voice Barry Manilow Local Fan Club,  Stars In The Night Barry Manilow Local Fan Club and etc. Then there was the fan who said a few things about him that weren't exactly true. Yes Edna and Willie moved into the same building in Flatbush that he did. No his mother was not a lush. Yes she and Willie drank some not a lot.  He never worked at Mattel Toys. After leaving CBS Barry went on the road with Jeannie Lucas. When he and Jeannie broke up their act Barry worked all sorts of odd jobs. Vocal coaching for singers. Playing piano for people at their auditions.  Playing in piano bars around New York City. Musical director for CBS TV show called Callback. He got that job thanks to his girlfriend at the time Linda Allen. Conducting for Ed Sullivan productions. Playing piano at the Manhattan Improv and Continental Baths that's where he met Bette Midler. Also Barry didn't get his beagle Bagel till nineteen seventy-two at a Brooklyn pet store. The pet store got showcased on a Easter special on a local CBS TV program. Linda Allen who produced the half hour program took him to the pet store. That's how Barry got the runt of the littler that he named Bagel. Biscuit was Bagel's granddaughter. After the beagles Barry got his first Labrador Retriever named Casey. Casey came from the Lang Foundation animal shelter in Los Angeles. The other Labrador retriever were Pepper, Salt, Maggie and Max. Soon there would be two more dogs in his house. Two beagles named Charlie and Schroeder. Charlie and Schroeder belonged to his fiancée Carly.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Portland Maine We're Back

Hey Portland we're Back Barry yelled after Brooklyn Blues. You know we've been crossing the US from west to east. It's like we're following the warm weather. I  really want to thank all the local fan clubs who have brightened up our dressing rooms. You guys do an amazing job.  Now thanks to you guys we've gotten some pretty cool stuff. Like tee shirts with pictures and names of the cities we visited. Handmade stuff like scarves, a One Voice logo quilted wall hanging and such. Dog bones for Maggie and Max which they're going to devour.  Delicious homemade cookies and fudge. I have to especially thank the clubs who remembered I love popcorn. Because of you guys I've been snacking  my way across the country with the tins of popcorn you've given me. My manager Marc has given me the nickname Mr. Popcorn. Since I eat so much of it. I'm just crazy about popcorn so you can call me a popcorn fanatic.  Barry went on to do more of his songs. Then he decided to throw Portland a curve ball.  Barry announced that they were compiling video footage from this entire tour for a full length concert movie. The movie will be shown on the big screens throughout the world. The concert movie will include backstage, on the bus, sound checks and actual concert footage. Plus there will be some footage of the local fan clubs decorating the dressing rooms. That's why photo and video guy Chris Marx was hanging around the dressing rooms when the local fan clubs came to decorate.  So this is kind of like a day in the life type of thing. When the movie come out on DVD it will come with a coffee table book loaded with photos. The only trouble I've had so far with this road trip is scheduling concert dates. I scheduled a date in New Orleans only to find out the promoter had double booked the venue. He booked Tom Jones and me for the same venue on the same day. Then it happened again with a venue in Concord New Hampshire. This time it was Wayne Newton. Barry then continued on with the show. He ended his show with Copacabana and One Voice. The audience got so loud chanting Barry name that Barry came back out and surprise them with Life Has It's Ups And Downs and Shadow Man from Here At The Mayflower. Barry was sort of bummed out about the Central Park Concert having to be canceled. Why didn't the park commissioner tell him about the big country festival happening there on July fourth. But then somehow someone from the Chicago Park District found out that Barry wasn't busy July fourth. So they called Barry's manager Marc to talk to him about July fourth. The Chicago Park District head wanted to know if Barry was interested in doing a concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Saturday July fourth with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Marc said he'd talk to Barry and then get back to them. Marc made the call to Barry. Hello said Barry. Hello said Marc. So now what's up said Barry. Nothing bad actually it's something good. The head of the Chicago Park District called to ask if you were interested in performing on the fourth of July. Oh really said Barry. Yes really said Marc. The Chicago Park District was wondering if you were available to perform on July fourth with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.  Plus there is a
the chorus that can back you up during Let Freedom Ring and One Voice said Marc. Call them back and tell them I'll do the July fourth with the symphony and chorus said Barry. Make sure you get me an address where I  can send  the set list and sheet music to. Then I'll send them the set list and sheet music after June twentieth.  So on to the next city Barry and company went which was Manchester Vermont. Where they were going to play the Paramount Theatre on Sunday June seventh. Then it was on to Albany on Tuesday  June ninth the Palace Theatre. Philadelphia on Thursday June eleventh and Friday June twelfth Kinnzel Center for the Performing Arts. After that it was the Carnegie Hall benefit for the Manilow Music {Project Sunday June fourteenth Barry was having special guests that night. His dear friends singer Melissa Manchester, trombonist Brian Culbertson and saxophonist Michael Lington were joining him on stage. Then it was one night at the Metropolitan Opera house for the Great Performance taping. Then the Saturday night  fan club members only concert at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. Actually Barry wanted to do four nights at Radio City Music Hall. There again Tony Bennett and Lady GaGa  had Radio City Music Hall for the whole week Sunday June 14 thru Saturday June 20. Also there was the Barry Manilow Fan Club's Convention in New York City. Which started  on Wednesday June seventeenth and went  thru Sunday June twenty-first. The convention was taking place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel next door to Grand Central Station. Oh and Barry was taking part in the convention like he always did when there was one. The birthday party on Wednesday June seventeenth after the concert at the Metropolitan Opera House concert. The Thursday afternoon seminar on songwriting with Barry and his songwriting partners. Plus the brunch and Q&A on Sunday.  And yes Barry was going to the brunch to eat with everyone. Barry had also
autographed a bunch of stuff for the Barry Bingo to benefit the Manilow Music Project. The last bingo game would be for a pair of tickets to see Here At The Mayflower on opening night.