Can't Smile Without You 1998-1999
January 14, 1998 - NEC Arena (Birmingham, England)
CSWY image provided by Julie Plant
January 23, 1998 - Wembley Arena (London, England)
CSWY video snapshot created by Frank George
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January 14, 1998 - NEC Arena (Birmingham, England)
Time really does go slower. My heart was pounding. I had difficulty remembering who I was and what I did. I'd always worried that if I ever did get picked I'd forget the words under pressure. I didn't. I couldn't remember which was my right hand and which was my left, though, when Barry offered me the microphone!
I sang away not concentrating on anything other than Barry's dreamy eyes, and as for when he sat on the piano, well I stopped singing and just enjoyed the moment. At the end, he wished me well in my career, and he kissed me. I'm a musician (but definitely not a singer, having re-run the video and heard myself!). I wanted to tell him so much, but all I could do was thank him and tell him how much I loved him and his music.
The most amazing thing was the response of the audience after the show. So many people came and hugged me, congratulated me and asked me questions about his looks, his touch and surprisingly his smell. I have watched the video hundreds of times and inflicted it on every friend and foe alike! It was my dream come true. I have been a fan since I was two years old, when I started singing "Can't Smile Without You" along with my mum's tape. I never expected it would ever be me, but that night in January 1998, Barry Manilow changed my life. Thank you, Barry! (5/10/2000)
January 20, 1998 - Cardiff International Arena (Cardiff, Wales)
January 23, 1998 - Wembley Arena (London, England)
For me it happened at Wembley Arena in front of 13,000 friends. This was the night that for the first time ever I had forgotten my "Can't Smile" sign. I had left it behind at the hotel. Betty (my Barry soul mate) and I were halfway through a pizza at about 6.30 PM when we realised something was missing! I was nearly in tears and will never forget her words: "We'll have to go back and get it or you will always wonder whether tonight would have been the night." Suffice is to say we did go back and get it.
My sign read "LET'S DO IT!" and when I got on that stage, boy did I do it! I talked, hugged, sang, walked, hugged some more and finally kissed Barry Manilow!! I cannot fully put into words what this has meant to me ... I would like to thank fellow fans for their support for my dream come true, particularly my colleague and friend Betty McNee. Thank you to those who approached me afterwards to tell me how well I'd done and how much they had enjoyed it. The spirit of camaraderie was quite overwhelming and deeply appreciated. And last, but by no means least, thank you Barry...for everything! (5/28/98)
January 31, 1998 - Nynex Arena (Manchester, England)
July 25, 1998 - Houston Arena Theatre (Houston, Texas)
All my life I've dreamed about meeting the man who has meant so much to me. He has been my idol and my mentor. His songs are so powerful. They have such meaning behind them. I have had several bad experiences and just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, I would hear "I Made It Through The Rain". A sense of calmness would come over me and then I knew everything would be okay.
When I got to sing "Can't Smile Without You" with him my heart dropped. I had a sign (as "big as an apartment building", as he put it :-)). It was 3'x4' with small blue tinsel that said, "BARRY MAKE ME SMILE". When he started the chorus, I pulled out my sign and held it up. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Everyone except for the woman behind me. She threatened to start throwing things at me if I didn't put my sign down. When I didn't put my sign down, she went and got the police. They made me lower my sign. Everyone around me started boo-ing (I didn't know this until after the concert). When Barry heard [this], he turned and said, "what's going on?" That's when he saw my sign [and] said, "Look at this sign! How could I resist such a sign like that!?".
I've watched my video over and over. When I was on stage, I was totally numb. All I remember is trembling with excitement and nervousness and looking into his beautiful eyes, thinking I can't believe I'm standing here with the man I have dreamed about meeting for 20-something years. I have always said that if I ever met him I wouldn't know what to say. I would stand there, starring at him and just start crying. I'm glad I didn't cry!
Five minutes of a lifetime dream came true. I know I will never be the same again. He has touched my heart and soul so deeply [in a way] that no one else can. He is a very special person to me and always will be. I was literally broke after I bought this ticket for this benefit but it didn't matter. The money went for a great cause (AmFAR) and I now have a lifetime memory. Words cannot describe the way I feel at this very moment. I'm still in awe that I met him!
My dad, a man of few emotions, watched the tape with me and I even saw him wipe his eyes. He knew how important that night was to me. He even called my grandma, teary-eyed, and said how beautiful I looked on stage. That moment I was with him is in my heart forever, and no one can take that away from me.
I hope Barry is as special to all of you as he is to me. I hope that he also realizes that he touches a lot of hearts. Barry, thank you again for making a lifetime dream become reality. (7/27/98)
December 1, 1998 - Marriott Marquis (New York City, New York)
December 16, 1998 - Cipriani Wall Street (New York City, New York)
July 24, 1999 - Copley Symphony Hall (San Diego, California)
July 29, 1999 - Rosemont Theatre (Chicago, Illinois)
July 30, 1999 - Rosemont Theatre (Chicago, Illinois)
August 1, 1999 - Rosemont Theatre (Chicago, Illinois)
August 5, 1999 - Blossom Music Center (Cleveland, Ohio)
Even though my hope was always alive, deep inside I felt that it would NEVER happen to me. Well, on August 5, 1999, I almost dropped dead when he picked me (and I really wasn't up in front). We were in the back of the first section. I wanted to DIE when I walked up there. He made me feel so comfortable... until the part when he held me on the piano... as you can see from the video, all the air went out of me and I almost collapsed. Needless to say, my 15 minutes of fame turned into, as of now, eight months, and continues everyday. There are requests to see my video on a daily basis and each time I watch it, I feel like I did on that day (My poor husband has to be subjected to this every day) HA! I thank God daily that Barry gave me this once in a lifetime opportunity and has made a lifelong dream come true for me. Thanks, Barry!! (4/4/2000)
August 6, 1999 - Nissan Pavilion (Manassas, Virginia)
The last couple of years I've gone with my husband and a few friends. The first year we went, I had to drag my husband to the concert. Now, he's just as excited to go as I am, and the look on his face when I was chosen was priceless! Actually, the day of the concert, my husband made my sign. It was very simple and to the point. It said "ME" in big black letters with an arrow pointing down. The sign was on two sticks and I just held it above my head. When Barry mentioned my sign, I couldn't believe it! When I got on stage, I hugged him tightly and kicked up my feet. The audience responded with laughter and applause - I knew I was the envy of all the women watching. When the concert was over, my friend and I went to use the restroom. Before I knew what was happening, people had circled us, asking me questions about Barry and telling me what a great job I did. One woman grabbed my shoulder and asked, "Can I touch you, the girl that touched Barry Manilow?" I didn't get a chance to respond because she had already taken a hold of my arm. After a few minutes, I told everyone that I really needed to use the bathroom, so I broke out of the circle and walked into the stall. The next thing I knew, I heard someone yell, "the girl that sang with Barry is in that stall - there's her feet!" I laughed so hard I couldn't stop. I guess you could say I had my 15 minutes of fame. Barry Manilow is the greatest. The memory of singing with him will last forever. It's only been 24 hours since the concert and I've already watched the video at least 15 times. My husband told me today (the day after the concert) that I would be talking about my experience for my entire life. It took less than 2 seconds to realize he was right. Special thanks to Janet for giving me her roll of film at the end of the concert. (8/7/99)
August 7, 1999 - Star Lake Amphitheatre (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
August 13, 1999 - Pine Knob Music Theatre (Detroit, Michigan)
My poor husband has been dragged to every Barry Manilow concert I could get tickets to. He always goes with me and he never complained. The day of the concert my husband said, "Don't you want to get on stage and sing with him?" I said "Are you kidding, I'd die to do it!", so he went in the basement and emerged a few moments later with a hand-painted sign that said "Barry-Please pick my wife so I can get lucky tonight!" with a big arrow pointing down. Well the sign worked. Barry took one look at that sign and pulled me on stage! It was the greatest moment of my life and I think Barry had fun too! I'll remember it always and my family has watched the tape about 1,000 times!! Thank you, Barry, for making my dreams come true!! (12/29/99, 1/7/2000)
August 14, 1999 - Polaris Amphitheater (Columbus, Ohio)
So there I was, completely out of control and in plain view, which is apparently the perfect combination for this situation! Somehow, there didn't seem to be anyone else near me. Barry started looking around and as soon as he looked in my direction, he pointed and picked me. I don't think anything could ever replicate that feeling, the very first instant I realized it was me. But there wasn't time to savor that feeling now! I sprinted towards the aisle, flinging my sweatshirt at my seat and nearly knocking my mom over on my way past. As I turned the corner and started towards the front of the theater, Carl found me and lead me the rest of the way to the stage. He had to ask me at least twice to slow down! In all of my excitement I must have forgotten the reason for the excitement because when I got to the stairs and Barry was waiting there with his eyes wide and arm reaching to me, I was kind of surprised to see him. Being on stage with Barry was incredible. I think he was surprised and impressed that I knew the words to the song. And I'm still amazed at how calm I was. I was just perfectly happy thinking that this was, without a doubt, the coolest thing in the world that I could possibly be doing at that moment. After the song was finished (much too quickly), I nearly forgot to kiss Barry goodbye. But he didn't forget and kindly refreshed my memory! After he kissed me, I started running back up the aisle, giving high fives to everyone along the edges. Back at my seat, one of the first things I did was pinch myself. I honestly wasn't sure whether this was reality or a dream. I was at the concert with my mom and dad, two older brothers, and one sister-in-law. They were all rooting for me and were completely thrilled to see me sing with Barry. That was the sixth time I'd seen Barry, but it was only the second time my family was with me. I'm so glad they were there for this one! The rest of the show was great, and I got a very nice surprise right at the end. After he came back on stage following "I Write the Songs" and just before "Forever And A Day," Barry was talking about how much his long time fans meant to him. Then he mentioned that there are also a lot of new younger fans out there. I always love this part of the show because I am one of those younger fans (I had just turned 20 years old at the time of this particular show). But Barry caught me totally off guard when the next thing he said was, "Alicia, I'll never forget you." I don't think I've ever felt so special! Thanks Barry, for this wonderful memory and for everything else!! (4/5/2000)
August 20, 1999 - PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, New Jersey)
Well, needless to say, Barry saw my sign and called me up on stage. He looked right into my eyes and sang right with me. It was completely wonderful. I am still on cloud nine and have watched my video 5,000 times already. It's an experience you just can't explain. And standing next to him, I wasn't nervous one bit! (I think I was numb!) Anyway, it was so cool, and it makes you feel like you've known Barry all of your life - I wanted to have coffee after the show! It was just the best. The best, the best, the best!! (8/22/99)
August 22, 1999 - Jones Beach State Park (Long Island, New York)
The first thing I did when I got on stage was to run over and hug Barry (and he held his arms open for my hug!). Then I started screaming, "Am I dreaming, am I dreaming?" (Poor Barry - probably thought to himself, "what ve I gotten myself into with this one?") Barry was so very very kind ... He took my hand and led me over to the piano. There were probably around 10,000 people there but to me it was just me and Barry.
He asked my name, where I was from, and why I was there all the way from Delaware. I told him, "to see you Barry ... it's my 6th show". He said, "6th just this tour or forever?" I said, "this tour - 14 in all", and he said in that wonderful sincere voice of his, "Oh, Terri, thank you..." I immediately said, "Oh no, Barry, thank you, thank you," and gave him another hug. When he said, "so I'm sure you know the words?" I said, "Yes, I used to sing it to my son when he was two and now he's 22." I thought for sure Barry was going to say something like, "Have I been around THAT long?" But he looked at me with a surprised look and said, "No, you've got a 22 year old son?? Look at her." (Of course he probably couldn't believe I had a 22 year old son because I was acting like a giddy 14-year old!) Like I said, he was so very very kind!
Then the moment of truth, when I had to actually start singing! But sang I did, continuing to look into his wonderful blue eyes the entire time! We took "the walk". He said, "Isn t Terri so brave!" As we started back he could see I was anxious to get to the piano part - "You know the routine!". I squealed when he pulled me against him! Then all too soon it was over. He told me again how brave I was. I kissed him twice, gave him another big hug and that was it!
I watch my tape over and over and have some wonderful pictures to look at but there are times when I still can t believe I was up there with Barry. It still feels like it was a dream! So, I can t sing, but I had a great time and I m pretty sure Barry did too! I made him smile and laugh and have a good time! I m so thrilled that for just a few brief moments I was able to give something back to him for all the joy he s given to me! (9/21/99)
August 24, 1999 - Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center (Rochester, New York)
August 26, 1999 - Blockbuster Sony Music Entertainment Centre (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
August 28, 1999 - BankBoston Pavilion (Boston, Massachusetts)
He asked the usual questions and I surprised myself at how calm I felt with him. He holds you so close and so securely, it feels like you are talking to a friend you have always known...like he says, "we've been together for a long time haven't we?" I told him that I was the Activities Director for the Manilow Mavens Fan Club in Albany, NY, and he thanked the fan clubs for all the great work we do and for supporting his efforts.
When the singing part came, there must have been a very long line at the bathrooms, because that must have been where 6,000 people went. When I looked into Barry's eyes and he looked at me, the audience totally disappeared... It was just he and I... What an experience!! And those words, "if you only knew what I'm going through"... (if he only knew the love and gratitude I felt at that moment...whew!!). We did the usual walk and then came the piano thing. Nothing, I mean NOTHING, in this world can prepare you for that moment when he snuggles up next to you and sings right into your ear. Hugging, holding and singing with the man whose voice and music have lifted my spirits and helped me through the best and worst in my life is beyond compare. And the kiss at the end... Nuclear Meltdown!! Barry, we have walked together many times in life, but nothing will ever compare to walking with you hand in hand. It will be a night I will treasure... Forever and a Day!! (9/11/99)
September 7, 1999 - Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre (Denver, Colorado)
September 25, 1999 - Concord Pavilion (Concord, California)
September 26, 1999 - San Jose Arena (San Jose, California)
Two months quickly passed and before I knew it, my birthday and the concerts arrived. The show at the Concord Pavilion (9/25) was wonderful and Barry was his usual fun-loving self. During the show I made a mental note of when he sang "Can't Smile" so I'd be ready the following evening...in San Jose.
As the final notes of "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" played (i.e., the song before "Can't Smile"), enormous butterflies began doing aerial maneuvers in my stomach. In preparation of this moment, I had created a sign which simply said, "It's MY B-DAY". As Barry started whistling the intro to CSWY, so many signs appeared in the crowd. I was seated in the middle of the 17th row, right in front of where Barry was standing. As Barry made his selection he began reading the exact words on my sign. I was in disbelief but bravely stood. I felt like an inside-out tornado, calm on the outside while everything on the inside was whirling around at 100 mph.
I was escorted to the stage by a young man who held my hand the entire way. Barry was waiting for me at the top of the stage steps and graciously took my hand. He led me over to the piano and asked the usual questions (my name, where I lived). I told him my name was Vickie, that I'd seen his show the night before, and that tonight's concert was my 13th! He proceeded to ask if September 26th was really my birthday. I told him my birthday was the 24th - the day the show was originally scheduled. Barry cued Steve and the 25-piece orchestra began playing the music to Happy Birthday as Barry personally sang the words. The experience was absolutely breathtaking. When it was over I hugged him so tight and couldn t bring myself to let go. Then he asked if I knew the words to CSWY and I responded, "Of course I do," and he handed me my own microphone. In all the times I'd seen Barry perform this song I'd never seen him miss his cue to start singing CSWY, but he did with me. Perhaps he lost his concentration due the intensity of my gaze. Could it have been just too much for him?! We waited for the cue to come around a second time and proceeded to sing together, taking the walk, bouncily swaying to the music. During the whole encounter I never looked away from his gorgeous blue eyes which seemed to have a calming effect on me. He then hopped onto his grand piano, threw his arms around me from behind, stroked my hair, nuzzled up to my ear and began singing. All I could do was surrender to his touch by closing my eyes, gently allowing my head to rest on his shoulder and be consumed by the pleasure of living a dream.
My five minutes of fame ended as quickly as it had begun. I was wearing bright red lipstick that night and figured he wouldn't give me the customary kiss good-bye. As he walked me to the stairs I turned to thank him and there he was just standing there with his lips extended. How could I walk away from an opportunity of a lifetime? I kissed him gently and floated back to my seat.
After the show I was greeted by many people who repeatedly wished me Happy Birthday, who pointed me out as the one who sang with Barry, and who told me what a great job I did. They wanted to touch the hand that touched Barry's and just to hug me. They offered to send me pictures they had taken of Barry and I together, and one woman told me of the CSWY page on The BarryNet to record my memories of singing with Barry. I began to think of how lucky I was to be treated so wonderfully by perfect strangers that evening. But when I thought of the reason we were all assembled together (the love of Barry and his music) it made sense that a most extraordinary man would have the most extraordinary fans!
I'll never forget how Barry told me what great eyes I had, how he felt like he was on a date as we strolled singing CSWY. Although we'd only met for the first time, I felt as comfortable as if he were a lifelong friend. In many ways he is! I consider myself a shy person, I took many risks that night for the chance to meet and touch the man himself. Thanks to Barry, I've learned that if you really want something, the power always lies within yourself to achieve your goals. Sometimes life only presents an opportunity once. If you let that one chance slip away you only have yourself to blame for the disappointment. Now that I've lived the ultimate dream it makes the other things in life seem much more obtainable. Barry, thanks so much for sharing your talents with us for so many years. You and your music are truly priceless! (10/18/99)
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This Page Created June 1, 1998 (Last Updated January 5, 2024)
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