| Questions and
Answers
Barry:
Would you ever cry in front of someone? Are you someone who shows
their emotions easily?
Aline
Dear Aline,
If the situation was emotional enough, I would not run away and hide
my emotions. I am, however, a very sloppy crier! Some actors can just
let the tears drop down their faces while they look perfectly
composed. I get all red and scrunched up and my nose runs and I heave
and make awful sounds. I've gotten emotional on stage a few times and
have had to think of
something totally different to stop myself from falling apart because
it's not a pretty picture!
Barry |
Barry,
What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
What do you consider to be your biggest weakness?
Kimmie
Dear Kimmie,
I think my greatest strength is
having unwavering faith in people I believe in.
I think my biggest weakness is
impatience.
Barry |
Hi Barry,
I can't count the number of times that I have heard you say "find
something you love to do...and then do it." You say it all the time
and it is something I firmly believe in. But what if you know what you
love to do and have tried a million different ways to do it...but it's
just not happening? There is an obstacle at every turn. How do you
continue to fight and push and
persevere? What if this dream is never realized? I feel like I have
tried it all.
Love,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
One of the basic principles of Buddhism is not to be attached to the
results. Do for the doing. I'll say that again: DO FOR THE DOING. If
you're basing the attainment of your dream on results, you could
become very
frustrated and disappointed. But if you just do what you love to do,
without thought of where it lands, in my
experience, that's a dream come true.
Barry |
Hi
Barry,
I love you and your music. Where is your favorite place to sing and
perform?
Thank You,
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
I've loved performing at many, many venues during my career, but if I
had to choose one it would be the London Palladium. The size, the
intimacy, and its history make it unforgettable to me.
When I arrived in the U.K. for the first time in 1978, we were booked
at the Palladium and it was an amazing
experience. Then, during the Big Fun tour in the 80's we played there
again, and again it was one of the most
amazing weeks I've ever spent.
Barry |
Dear Barry,
I finally decided it was time to quit smoking. It's been 2 days now
and I'm about to go nuts or kill someone! How long did it take you to
finally not want them anymore? Do you still crave them now and again?
Help!!!!!!!!!
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Glad to hear that you're giving up smoking. It's a very tough habit to
break.
I smoked for over 20 years- three packs of non-filtered Pall Malls a
day! I'd always thought that when the day came to stop, it would be
easy. Wrong.
I joined a program called "Smoke Enders. This group is very kind and
gentle and understanding. I followed their program and I stopped
smoking in about seven weeks.
It worked for me and I don't miss smoking or ever crave a cigarette.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Barry |
Hi
Barry,
Is there any advice you would give to me about once and for all
getting over being self-critical? I know that is still what is holding
me back from
following my dreams, and doing what I really want to do.
Thank you Barry!
Amy
Hi Amy,
Many, many people in the world have that same self-critical "tape"running in their heads all day long. The goal is to turn off that tape
and turn on the tape that says, "You're
perfect just as you are.
If you let your Negative Ego lead your life, you're bound to lose. If
you try and hear the Higher part of you that tells you everything is
fine, you have a chance to do beautiful things. Next time your
Negative Ego tells you that you're terrible, tell it to take a hike!
You're perfect just the way you are.
Barry |
Hi Barry,
My children who are 4, 6 and 11 love to sing along to your Manilow
LIVE! DVD. They ask to play it all the time and their favorite moment
is The Flight of the Bumble Bee! I bought Kazoos for them so they
can play along with you.
Your music is so uplifting and
moving. It's hard for me to think that you are really reading this,
but I read in your BarryGRAM that you do and it means a lot to you.
Thank you for your energy and
positive attitude. You are an inspiration.
Sincerely,
Jamie
Dear Jamie
I do read all of the mail addressed to the Ask Barry column. I've
learned so much from all of you and I appreciate your continued
support.
Your children have excellent taste! Being one of the world's foremost
Kazoo players myself, I can attest to the fact that it is a very
complicated
instrument (and so VERY beautiful too!), so tell them to keep at it.
All the best,
Barry |
Barry,
Did you have a good time at Elton's party?? What was your favorite
moment??
Susan
Hi Susan,
I had a great time at Elton's fundraiser. He's a terrific guy...And so
talented. He raised a lot of money for his AIDS organization and
everyone had a ball at his party. My favorite moments were Donna
Summer's
performance. She was just fantastic and, of course, so was he. I was
very
honored and happy to be a part of it.
Barry |
Barry,
I got stuck in traffic the other day and played one song, over and
over and over..."The Best Of Me. Why wasn't this song ever released
as a single? Your vocal command of the song causes you to own it.
Please tell me why is this song not heard in your
concerts more.
Thanks Barry.
Love,
Linda
Hi Linda,
Over my years in the recording industry, I have found that my ears are
not as "commercial" as the people in the industry who specialize in
that sort of thing. Clive Davis is the master of what is commercial. I
always left it up to him to decide which songs would be released to
radio. I chose to record "The Best Of Me" not only because it's a
sensational song, but it made perfect emotional and lyrical sense to
appear on the Boxed Set. Like you, I was also convinced that radio
would play it, but Clive didn't agree, so Arista never released it as
a single. I sing it in concert whenever there's a specific reason for
it. Usually whenever I receive a request from someone to become
engaged at my show, I sing the song for them. It's always very moving.
Thanks for the letter,
Barry |
Hi
Barry,
Here are a few questions for you:
1. What music are you listening to these days?
I'm listening to my iPod. Every song I ever loved. I'm so over the
radio, I can't listen to it anymore.
2. What is your all-time favorite
musical or Broadway show??
My all-time favorite Broadway score is "The Most Happy Fella.
3. You have received your share of
criticism from many people, yet you seem to be able to get past it.
How do you not take it personally and not let it get to you??
I DO take it personally and it DOES get to me. Because I'm a human
being.
I just choose not to let it get to me for too long. And then I forgive
those little dopes for not realizing how
fabulous I am! You can do that too.
4. What's your favorite song to perform and why??
Favorite song to perform: "Every Single Day. Because the song
comes out of a situation. Bruce's fantastic lyric allows me to act the
song in a way I can't do with any other song.
Least favorite song to perform: Don't have one. If they start becoming
stale for me, I immediately take them out of the show.
Thanks for all the great questions, Carolyn.
Barry |
Dear Barry,
Which parts of your diverse life in music give you the most
satisfaction? Composing, arranging, producing?
Carole
Hi Carole,
Composing comes first. Arranging next, then producing, then
performing.
Barry |
Hi Barry,
Do you have any regrets about things that you did or didn't do in your
life? What would you have done differently given what you know now??
Thanks.
Love,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
Although my career has been more than I could have ever dreamed of, I
regret touring so much and being away from home as much as I have over
the past 30 years.
Knowing what I know now, I would have turned down many, many of the
offers that kept me on the road, in hotels, away from friends, family,
dogs and loved ones.
Barry |
Hi Barry,
Do you think that your celebrity will be a help or a hindrance for you
as you try to get musicals mounted on Broadway? Will critics see the
show with preconceived notions? Would you ever write another musical?
Aline
Hi Aline,
I like to think that people (and critics) are fair. I hope my work in
musical theater is judged solely on the quality of the work and not
hindered by my success in pop music. When "Harmony" opened in La
Jolla, I thought the reviews were fair-minded. Most of them seemed to
be able to judge the work on the basis of what they were seeing and
hearing and not on what they thought I did. For me, writing a musical
is like a woman
giving birth: When you go through it, you vow you'll never do it
again. But as time goes by you forget the pain and remember the joy.
Yes, I would do it again.
Barry |
Dear
Barry,
I lost my father on Tuesday. I'm now trying to come to terms with his
death, but finding it very hard.
Adele
Dear Adele,
Please accept my condolences on the death of your beloved father.
Here's what I believe: We never die. The body gives out, like an old
car would, but the driver is always there. That kind of belief makes
it easier for me to bear the loss of loved ones. Maybe it could help
you too.
All my best,
Barry |
Dear Barry,
I am 18 years old and am beginning to realize what sort of a world we
live in: wars, famine, disease. During these times I go upstairs to my
bedroom and on goes your CD's. It helps me find peace in a ravaged
world. When I feel I am on my own in the world, I sing along to the
emotional lyrics of "All The Time. This song has taught me not to
fear being an individual and to be proud of who I am. I am going
to get a job with children next year. I feel that children should have
an equal chance in life and I want them to realize that anything is
achievable. No one can live without dreams.
Thank you for your music.
Ian
Dear Ian,
You sound like a great person. Your parents must be proud of you. Keep
up the wonderful goals. We all have our Great Work to do. That's why
we're here. You seem to have found yours and I'm glad I could be of
some inspiration.
All my best,
Barry |
To
Barry:
When I received the BarryGRAM, I was appalled to see a letter that was
written to you from a ten year old girl. She wrote "You are my
favorite singer but my Mom wants to have SEX with you!" I don't think
it's right for anyone to stoop SO low into writing you such disgusting
letters in such a sexual manner, especially when they write to you
saying that they want to have sex with you and/or fantasizing about
going to bed with you. Even if I felt sexual feelings towards you and
about you (like most female fans would feel and say to you), I would
never be the type of person to announce such feelings like that to you
or anyone else, because I firmly believe that you are entitled to
respect. I would NEVER dare write you such a letter telling you how
much "I'm obsessed about you to the point where I wanna hit the sack
with you. That's just sick!! And just to let you know, there
has been a lot of perverted conversations going on by many other
female fans when it comes to the subject of you. But my question is:
Of all the sexual content letters that you receive by so many, how can
their disgusting letters be allowed to be printed into the BarryGRAM
issues for others to read? I'm sorry but I don't find it very cute one
bit. I'm not really criticizing you
personally. It's not your fault. I just don't understand this, that's
all. I was also very concerned about you when you performed outdoors
on the "Good Morning America" show last July when the weather was
unbearably hot. How can you tolerate it? I don't know how you can sing
with sweat rolling down your back and around your neck
running down your chest. You have everyone's permission to dress in a
T-shirt with swimming trunks for the next time you perform outdoors.
Darlene
Dear Darlene,
After reading your letter with eight paragraphs devoted to sex and my
sweat and bathing trunks, it looks like you might have some sex on
your own mind! I choose all the letters that appear in the Ask Barry
column. I thought that letter from the young girl was adorable. I
really don't think she thinks of sex as an adult would. But I guess it
all depends on your point of view. My answer to your questions is: Buy
some candles, open up a bottle of wine, put on a romantic CD and
welcome your husband home! After a night like that, YOUR entire point
of view might change!
Love,
Barry |
Dear Barry,
If you could be someone else for just one day, past or present to walk
in their shoes, who would you be and why?
Much love,
Alison
Hi Alison,
Very interesting question, Alison. I would like to walk in the shoes
of some of the people that had a negative impact on my life or the
lives of others. I would like to feel their feelings and understand
why they would have behaved the way they did. In that way, I would be
able to forgive them for doing what they did.
Barry |
Dearest
Barry,
Hi! I am so happy and excited to hear you are working with the
amazingly Divine Bette Midler in the studio again after all these
years. I love you and I love Bette Midler...you are both the greatest
of the Great and truly both Divine!! What was it like to work
with your friend Bette Midler in the studio, after all of these years?
Both you and Bette Midler have been my role models since I discovered
you both in the 70's when I was 11 yrs old. Both of you inspired me to
go to college and major in Theatre Arts and TV/Radio Production. On
the day I graduated I went to your concert and as Bette Midler would
say, "I will never forget it, ya know?" (I love it when she does those
wonderful Sophie Tucker jokes!) I wrote you a love letter on a ROLL OF
TOILET PAPER THAT I SENT YOU! I got up the guts to yell to
you...Barry!! Barry!! Hey Barry!! Over Here!! Barry!! and then we
talked for a few minutes in front of everyone!
THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART FOR DOING THAT FOR ME... I cant wait to
hear this Divine CD.
THANX , BARRY!!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
How can I forget that roll of toilet paper! It remains to this day,
one of the most original and memorable gifts I've ever received! It
must have taken you a long time to do and if I didn't thank you then I
thank you now for all that work. I'm glad to hear of your excitement
about Bette and I recording together again. It's been a ball in the
studio and she's just as talented and great as ever. The CD is a
tribute to the songs that our mutual friend Rosemary Clooney made
famous. Bette sings them...divinely. It's been emotional, musical and
fun. I hope all of that comes through to the listener.
All the best, Lisa,
Barry |
Please send your questions via fax to
(310) 957-5789 or via email to askbarry@manilow.com.
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