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Name: BarryNet Message Board Date/Time: 8/14/2023 10:21 PM Subject: 'Every song is a song everybody knows.' Five reasons to see Barry Manilow in Louisville
Louisville Courier Journal, 14 August 2023 Pop superstar Barry Manilow, the undisputed No. 1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines, is returning to Louisville this summer with his "Manilow Tour." The Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning music icon, whose success is a benchmark in popular music, will bring his high-energy, hit-packed concert to the KFC YUM Center on Monday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. The last time he performed at the arena was in June 2015. Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Manilow is one of the world's all-time best-selling recording artists with an astonishing 50 Top 40 singles including 12 No. 1 hits and 27 Top 10 hits. Ahead of his Louisville show, we spoke with the 80-year-old performer about his uber-loyal fan base, what he has planned for the KFC YUM Center show, a passion project soon to open on Broadway and how he keeps thrilling audiences after 50 years in the business. Who can I expect to see at the 'Manilow Tour' in Louisville? We can expect people of just about every age to show up for Manilow's Louisville concert. "I never take anything for granted but every time we go out on the road, there is always a really big audience," he said. "I can't explain it but after all these years we are still drawing large audiences." Since 1975 when "Mandy" became Manilow's first No. 1 hit, the singer-songwriter has built one of the music's largest and most enthusiastic fan bases. Unofficially known as Fanilows, Manilow prefers to call them "friends." "I am one of those lucky guys who makes music that appeals to a wide age range," Manilow told the Courier Journal. "Even at the start of my career, it was young, middle age and older fans in the audience and buying my music. That's the goal of every artist and I am very grateful for it." What is the atmosphere like at a Barry Manilow concert? "I can feel when the audience loves something with their applause and reactions and it's those songs that have been included in the shows I am playing on this tour," Manilow said. "I am one of those lucky guys who has a catalog of songs that can fill up 90 minutes and every song is a song everybody knows." Whether "Copacabana," "It's A Miracle" or "I Made It Through The Rain," audiences at a Manilow concert cheer, sing, and dance along in an atmosphere of unbridled joy. "It's just great because I am not there for me, I am there for them," the performer said. "If you are having a great time, then I am doing my job." Manilow will spotlight a Louisville area educator at his show. In each concert venue where he performs, The Manilow Music Project identifies worthy teachers to nominate for a $10,000 prize. The teacher receives a $5, 000 grant and $5,000 for classroom instruments. At the Louisville concert on Aug. 21, Doug Elmore of Floyd Central High School will receive the award. “Many school music programs have either been terminated, or their funds have been severely depleted. I always want to do my part to keep music in schools,” Manilow said. "And just wait, when I announce the winners at the shows the audience goes wild. I am so happy about that." The Manilow Music Project has given away over $10 million worth of funds and music instrument donations. Why you can expect this octogenarian to knock it out of the ballpark: "I am in great shape because I work out five days a week with a trainer and my body and voice have really held up," he told the Courier Journal. "I keep waiting for a potbelly, grey hair and a walker and all that stuff that I thought was going to happen at my age, but thank goodness I am still healthy enough to do these shows." Manilow is doing eight shows on tour including Louisville and will then return to Las Vegas where he picks back up with his residency at Westgate Resort and Casino. Manilow will be in New York City on Oct. 18 for the Broadway opening of "Harmony," a musical he's worked on for 32 years with Bruce Sussman. "It's the story of 'The Comedian Harmonists' who were extremely popular before World War II," Manilow said. "It's a really compelling story and we're so glad it has made it to Broadway." How can I buy tickets to Barry Manilow's Louisville show? Tickets start at $19.50 and are available at kfcyumcenter.com. 
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