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| Questions and
Answers Hi Everybody, |
| Dear
Barry, I've enjoyed your music since the 70's as a young teen, and my daughter, Hayley, discovered you in 1996 at age three. We have a couple of questions for you. From Hayley (age 9): What is your all-time favorite food and favorite drink? My question: If you were not a musician, what type of career do you think you would have had? Donna Dear Hayley: My favorite drink is water! Dear Donna: I cannot imagine my being anything else than a musician. Had I not had the courage to leave my day job at WCBS in New York, I would have probably still been working there in some administration capacity and being very unhappy and frustrated. If there was another career I would have chosen other than music, it would have been writing. All the best, Barry |
| Hello
Barry, I just love your song "One Voice.” Every time I hear it it reminds me of Diana, Princess Of Wales, because she was that One Voice that spoke out against landmines, HIV and such. You are a very talented person. Keep making Beautiful Music. Your fan forever and always, Julie Anna Hi Julie Anna, I love One Voice too. It doesn't seem as if I wrote it, since, as I've told many times, it appeared to me in a dream all written. Lyric and melody, totally complete. I just had to catch it. I croaked it into a tape deck and went back to sleep and when I awoke the next morning and played it back, it was on the tape all written just as we know it today. Don't ask me how things like that happen. It moves me because it's about one person standing up for what they believe in and realizing that there will be others that feel the same way. Princess Diana was one of those people who was always after using her celebrity and fame for the Greater Good. She was that "One Voice.” Inspiring. Gone too soon. Love, Barry |
| Hi Barry, Besides your can't-put-it-down autobiography "Sweet Life," are there other biographies of you that you consider good? Any that you consider trash? Do you have plans to contribute to another biography some day or write your own "Sweet Life" sequel? Love, Linda Hi Linda, I loved writing "Sweet Life.” I may do a sequel some day. As far as I know, there are absolutely no other biographies that have been written about me or my life that are accurate. I have never given an interview to any author and have never authorized a biography on my life, so if there have been books written about my life, they are all based on hearsay and gossip. The only time you should ever believe anything about me is when you hear if from my mouth or my pen. Barry |
| Hi, Barry.
I was wondering if you had watched American Idol this season and what your opinion is? Also, so many people are talking about how much Clay Aiken reminds them of a young you! How does this make you feel? Bonnie Hi Bonnie, I don't watch television very much. But my dear friend Debra Byrd is part of American Idol and she asked me to tune in one night. I happened to catch Clay Aiken and I liked him. I guess I can see a slight similarity in us. He certainly sings great, I think he's got a much better vocal instrument than I do. If I were to give any of those ambitious and innocent young hopefuls any advice, it would be to fight for their own originality. Find the thing that makes them special and break the rules. Otherwise, they will not be able to sustain a career for very long. Clay needs to find his "I Am Your Child" and fight for it. It's tough because everyone will tell him not to do it, but in my opinion the only way to sustain a long career is to keep being original and finding your own "voice.” I wish them all the best of luck. Barry |
| Dear
Barry, Is there a musical score you love so much that you wish you had written yourself? All the very best to you for the opening of Harmony! Much love, Alison Hi Alison, There are many, many musical scores that I admire and have influenced my own writing. "The Roar of The Greasepaint, The Smell of The Crowd" was a fantastic score written by the spectacularly talented Anthony Newly and his collaborator Leslie Bricusse. Anything by Gershwin, Sondheim, Rogers, Hammerstein or Jule Styne gets my vote too. The list of Broadway musicals that I'm nuts about goes on for volumes. Try listening to my "Showstoppers" CD and reading the liner notes and you'll get a small taste of my love of musical theater. I'm incredibly proud and thrilled that "Harmony" is actually becoming a reality. I'm already stockpiling my boxes of Kleenex. That will be me in back of the house blubbering like a fool. Barry |
| Hi Barry, I just received a copy of the program booklet from the Ella Awards. (They were being offered for a donation to the Society of Singers.) Since I wasn't able to be there for your special night, I thought it might be nice to have a souvenir of the evening anyway and help a good cause at the same time. Well I just finished looking through this booklet and I am in tears - tears of pride and joy and happiness. Page after page after page of some of the absolute biggest stars in the world all congratulating you. We, your fans, have loved you for your music and for who you are as a person for a long, long time. To see these congratulations and accolades of love and respect from people like Bob and Delores Hope, Paul and Heather McCartney, Elton John, Liz Taylor, Celine and Rene, President Bush and others just make me well up with pride to be your fan - your friend. You are the BEST there is. Terri Dear Terri, Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the support for all the years. The Ella Award evening was one of the highlights of my career. I was astonished and humbled by the things people said on stage and that program book you refer to. I guess the lesson here is to continue to believe in what you do and there are sure to be people out there that understand and appreciate your effort eventually. I honestly had no idea that so many talented and famous people supported what I have been trying to do for so many years. It makes me feel very, very good. Thanks again. Barry |
| Hi Barry, Thanks so much for doing the "Ask Barry" column! It is my favorite part of the newsletter, and something I look forward to reading. I think it's remarkable that you're so personal with your fans--but then that's one of the reasons we've been together so long! Here are some (totally random!) questions I've thought about to ask you: 1. I've seen photos of you wearing glasses. Are they a fashion statement or a medical necessity? I'm as blind as a bat! I used to wear glasses but I've had that laser surgery (by the great Dr. Robert Maloney in Los Angeles) and threw my glasses away! I recommend it! 2. I've heard you speak often of creating music with all the wonderful computer software that's available. Do computer skills come naturally to you? I was terrible at math and science in school, but find the computer and especially making music through it heavenly. I like things in order. I somehow feel safer when I know parameters. I guess that comes from being raised as the child of alcoholics and not knowing what was coming at me next. Computers are orderly and logical. No surprises there. Beside the heavenly music they can make, I like the neatness of it all and the control of it all. 3. I know performing outside in cold weather is terrible for the vocal chords. And you must like warm weather to live in a warm climate. But performing your energetic show (dressed to the nines!) outdoors on a humid day under hot stage lights--you've got to be dying sometimes! I watch you and wonder how you do it! Which is physically tougher--extreme cold or extreme heat? Extreme heat is tougher. Good for the voice, bad for the hair! During those outdoor, million degree nights, it really doesn't matter what I wear, it's always disgustingly hot no matter what I try. We all just give it up and try to have fun making music. 4. You are obviously a hard worker, moving from one project to another, to another. Do you attribute that, in part, to your working class upbringing? If you had been from an affluent family, do you think you would be so driven today? I was raised with a strong work ethic. I can't say that my upbringing would have changed my drive for making music and creating, but I do know that when I'm idle I feel nudgy an a little guilty. 5. I'm being laid off from my job, and am disappointed that I won't be able to make it down to the BMIFC convention in Fort Lauderdale. Would you please print the Q&A session from the convention in the Barrygram for those of us who can't be there? I'll be there in spirit! That's a great idea! We'll do it. Take care. All my love to you, Barry~ Lana Back at you, Lana. Barry |
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Dear Barry, Although we all know that you are 100% fabulous, you are after all only human. If someone were to make a Barry Manilow's Greatest on-stage Bloopers program, what events do you think should be included as your greatest on-stage bloopers/ blunders/ problems? Beckie Hi Beckie, Ok, here goes. Let me put my thinking cap on. 1. Fly opened on entrance in 1977 concert. 2. Kicking shoe into the audience on climax of "Sweet Heaven" in Vegas. 3. Praising the lyrics to "If We Only Have Love" during the "Showstoppers" tour and then forgetting them as I began the song. 4. Dropping Gina on the floor during the dance in Bandstand Boogie. (Ouch!) 5. Breaking into "Somewhere In The Night" as the band vamped the intro to "Looks Like We Made It.” 6. Wearing too tight briefs under my leather pants during the 1988 tour. Yikes! 7. Not having rubber soles put on my new shoes and trying to climb up the ramp behind the band during a serious ballad, slipping all the way. 8. Standing alone in the opening spotlight for what seemed like hours waiting for the music to start (the band was in their dressing rooms waiting to be cued!). 9. All the lights but one spotlight going out at Forest Hills in New York. 10. Throwing up in my dressing room before I went onstage to open for Bette Midler in the 70's. Thanks for the memories! Barry |
| Hi Barry! I thought it would be fun to ask what some of your favorites are. I hope you have fun with this Barry. Thank you for allowing us to communicate with you. It's been fun getting to know you. Love and Hugs, Kimmie Thanks Kimmie, here goes. Barry A. What is your favorite movie of all time? Defending Your Life B. What is your favorite T. V. show? Laverne and Shirley C. What is your favorite flower? Gardenias D. Who is your favorite artist? Marc Chagall E. Who is your favorite poet? Edna St. Vincent Millay F. Who is your favorite writer? Pat Conroy G. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream (if you like ice cream?) Almond H. What is your favorite fruit? Apple I. What is your favorite season? Fall J. What is your favorite scent? Soap |
| Dear Barry, I've been reading a book by Marlo Thomas and Friends, called "The Right Words at the Right Time.” It is filled with stories by many well-known people who share a pivotal moment in their lives, when they were given "the right words at the right time.” What have been the right words at the right time in your life? Kelly Hi Kelly, My grandfather, who was a sweet man, always told me, in his adorable immigrant's accent, "Be nice." I think the world would be a better place if everyone followed those words. Barry |
| Hi Barry, I have a real simple question for you: Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? With all the hate and greed over the centuries it seems impossible that peace could ever come, but we must keep trying. The alternative is just too horrible. I think God really screwed up. He should have had everyone born with a puppy in their arms and one of your CDs in their hand. Seems it would be very difficult to ever hate anyone then. Thanks for all the beauty you give to the world. Love, Diane Well, Diane, I don't have the answer to that one. I don't think anyone does. But you're right in that we must keep trying in each of our own ways to bring joy and beauty to everyone we meet. Peace in the Middle East can only come from each one of us allowing that Higher part of us through to touch everyone we meet. I think if enough of us do that, the world might have a chance. Barry |
| Dear Barry, You are such an inspiration. The beautiful differences you have made to so many people's lives, including mine, is amazing. All the minor and major changes you have inspired others to make to improve and enrich their lives is astounding. What an amazing catalyst you are! My questions - who or what inspires you? And how does the knowledge and understanding of the huge amount of positive change you have helped others to make in their lives feel? With all my love, Carole Dear Carole, Truth and beauty inspire me. Fear and anger sadden me. Anytime I feel these feelings coming from anyone or anything, they strengthen me and my resolve to continue to have the most positive impact on everyone that I touch. I'm glad I've made a positive contribution in your life. Now it's up to you to spread it to everyone you meet. Barry |
| Dearest Barry, With all the success of TV's "American Idol,” would you have liked to be a contestant and WIN on "American Idol" when you were beginning? Lisa Dear Lisa, I have no idea how these brave young people go through auditions. I have been on the other side of the desk for many years, either as an accompanist or hiring talent, and I think these people are the most courageous people I've ever known. My colleagues always have to stop me from hiring EVERYBODY that auditions for me. As you know, I got my start as a producer and songwriter and have only once gone through auditioning for anyone. And that was awful. If I were beginning now, I wouldn't even think of trying out for a talent show as a performer. It gives me the shakes just thinking about it! Barry |
| Hi Barry, Out of all the awards & accolades you have received throughout your career, which one means the most to you and why? Love Always, Elizabeth Hi Elizabeth, They all have some kind of happy memories for me, but one award doesn't really stand out from another. But when musicians that I respect acknowledge my work, those are moments that mean a lot to me. When the third violin player or the flute player comes over to me after something I've created and tells me how great it is to play my music, it makes me very proud. Barry |
| Dear Barry, I've noticed over the last few years, you've used in-ear monitors on stage. It doesn't appear that your monitors are custom molded. Is there a reason you don't use custom molded ear monitors? Kelly Very observant, Kelly! I tried using custom molded ear monitors and they are so solid that they block out any sound except for the band and my voice. I felt as if I were in a soundproof booth. I could see the audience, but I couldn't hear them. I need the interaction of the audience, so I had to choose monitors that allowed live sound in. When they work, those things are amazing and help all of us sing easier and keep our voices during long tours. Barry |
| Hiya Barry! Is there anything that as happened in your life that was out of your control? Would you stop them from happening now? Do you believe that things like that happen for a reason? Lots of love and support, Nicky Dear Nicky, You bet! Lots of things! Lots of things I've said to people that I regret, choices I've made that have turned out wrong, to say nothing of those platform shoes I wore in the 70's! But I believe that everything happens. Period. And I believe that either consciously or subconsciously we choose everything that happens to us. Everything. Even those things that seem awful at the time. And I believe that we have the ability to understand why we chose everything that happens and learn from the experiences. Even if it takes years to understand. And if there is a reason for everything happening, it is that we can make ourselves better through those experiences or help someone else make themselves better. Barry Thanks for the thought provoking
questions, everyone.
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