Dear Friends…
Because I was a little preoccupied with our June 5th Vegas event, the Tour and the creating of the new “Scores” CD, this Ask Barry column reflects the majority of the questions that came in during, the months prior, so they may seem a little dated.

Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback on Diane Schuur’s CD, Bette’s CD, the Ultimate Manilow DVD, the Ultimate Manilow CD, the duet with Barbra Streisand, the A&E Christmas Special, the Vegas show and Barry Bash, the tour, the new CD and of course, the good wishes and support for “Harmony.”

Just in case anyone missed it, here’s the note I wrote for the BarryNet after we won the rights to our play back followed by the Ask Barry column.
Thanks again everyone.
Love,
Barry

February 19, 2004
Hi everyone,
Well, between all of you and the final arbitrators decision, I have regained faith in humanity. This has been the most stressful experience I’ve ever had, but I’m relieved to say it’s over.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and your offers of prayers and help. You are truly the best people and the best friends I could ever imagine having.

All the credit for this positive outcome goes to Garry Kief, Sandor Frankel and his associates and Susan Weaving, my agent at the William Morris Agency in New York. Their efforts were heroic and tireless. I’m absolutely stunned from the entire experience. I can now begin to make plans for the rest of my life. The June 5th Bash will be quite a celebration. I hope I see all of you there.

Thanks again for everything, my dear friends. Maybe I’ll actually be able to sleep tonight.
Love,
Barry

Hi Lorene,
Here are some of the things that make me happy:
1. Good friends
2. Being able to sleep in my own bed and not in a hotel
3. Creative and rewarding work
4. Depth
5. Being kind

Hi Barry,
Being in the public eye must be
difficult at times. If given the opportunity to be unrecognizable for just a day, what would you like to do and where would you go for those 24 hours? THANKS for all the beautiful music over the years… you're the best!!!
Irene

Hi Irene,
I would probably register for lectures and classes. But I love being with my friends and associates. I love driving and walking and hiking and shopping with my pals and family. I think I would choose to be with them whether I was recognizable or not. I feel very fortunate to have people around me that I find interesting, funny and loving.
Thanks for asking.
Barry

Hi Barry,
When you look out into your
audiences and see women sitting there transfixed looking at you, what are you thinking? Truthfully now!!! You know what we are all thinking??
Gillian

Hi Gillian,
Most of the time, when I look out at the audience, I see men, women, children and senior citizens. I see and feel encouragement, excitement about the music and joy. If I only saw women sitting transfixed, it would creep me out!
Barry

Hello Barry,
Is there someone that you have not sung with or performed with that you would like to?
Kelly

Hi Kelly,
There are a few entertainers and musicians that I'd really love to perform with. But they're all dead! Frank, Judy, Dean, Sammy, Bill Evans, Don Costa, Nelson Riddle. The few talents that are alive and
creating would be Sting, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart and Clay Aiken.
Barry

Hi,
How did you find Debra Byrd? She's incredible!
Brenda

Hi Brenda,
Ah, Debra Byrd. One of the great human beings. And one of the great talents. My life was blessed when I met her. When I was looking for backup singers for my very first tour (back in 1823!), I ran an ad in a magazine called “Backstage." It said, "Manilow needs girls." And they came! By the droves!
After a full day of listening to nearly every one of them sing "Easy to Be Hard" (from the musical "Hair"), Debra walked in. I don't remember what she sang, but I do remember being pinned to the back of my chair because of her voice. The only thing she needed was a little trash. She was so classy and proper, but I wanted flash. All three of my "Lady Flash" girls were fantastic talents and still remain friends, but I had to cheapen all of them up! I actually remember going shopping with them and buying them clothes that made them look like 42nd Street floozies! They screamed at me every time I'd hold up something I liked. But they gave in and became the lovelies we all remember. What fun it was. We worked together for many years and Debra wound up doing vocal arranging, choreography and helping to design the costumes! She's one great talent. Debra is still going strong, starring in various Broadway musicals and recently teaching the lucky young folks on "American Idol" how to perform. And she's still one of the greatest human beings I've ever met.
Barry

Dear Barry,
Geez. You've been teasing us for 25 years! Would you just tell us how big it is already? You're always telling us, "It's all about the music…" so why do you constantly tease us about the size of your instrument? If it's "all about the music," why should size matter? My boyfriend's instrument - an itsy-bitsy little upright - may be small, sure, but it still hammers out one heck of a tune!
Love,
Alex
(Now don't forget to laugh!!)

Er, Alex.
This is a tricky one. But here's my answer to your, er, question. My instrument was smaller when I was young but has become huge. I can't tell you what the size is because it keeps changing. I find that when I play on my huge instrument, I feel better and the sounds I make are more exciting. As a matter of fact, I attribute my long and extended experiences to the size of my instrument. I feel that most people love to see a man playing his well-made instrument with passion. Don't you agree?
Sorry about your boyfriend's itsy-bitsy instrument. Sometimes it just happens that way. But I'm told that if you play a small instrument right, the results can be as good as playing with a big one. However, I wouldn't know.
Barry

Dear Barry,
Here are some questions I've always wanted to know in no particular order. Thanks in advance for any questions you choose to answer.
Love,
Mary

Hi Mary,
I'm going to answer all of your questions honestly. This might not please everyone. Thanks for your questions.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Making people feel good.
Q: What is your least favorite part of your job?
A: Leaving home to go on tour
Q: You've been all over the world, so how do you decide where to go for vacation and where do you usually end up?
A: I always wind up at home.
Q: What fan behavior bothers you the most?
A: Being treated like a "thing" not a human being. People appearing at my home uninvited. False statements made about me based on gossip and incorrect information. People I don't know wanting more than my music from me. Invasion of my privacy of any kind from people who think I "owe" them
anything other than the music I've created. Books and articles written about me without my permission. Audience members who fantasize about any kind of relationship with me other than being a listener of my music or enjoyer of my performances.
Q: Your last tour started out with ten "Mayflower" songs then seemed to change to fewer "Mayflower "songs towards the end of the tour. How and why did the choice of songs you started out with in the beginning differ so much from what you ended up singing at the end of the tour?
A: After we'd been on the road for a few weeks, Arista released the "Ultimate Manilow" collection, which, as you remember, went through the roof. The audiences began to increase and I could feel that they were indulging me and being kind while I performed the "Here At The Mayflower" sections but were really there to hear their favorite Manilow hits. So I began to cut down on the "Here At The Mayflower" songs and put back some more of the old hits. I knew that my decision would
disappoint the fans who had heard the hits for many years, but my decision was based on what I felt the consensus of the audience wanted to hear.
Q: You said your favorite time of day is early morning sitting under your pepper tree with your cup of coffee and it's the place you get your inspiration. Any chance we can see a picture of you under that tree with your coffee in a future edition of the BarryGRAM?
A: There is absolutely no chance of ever getting a photo like that. The BarryGRAM Q&A column is a very difficult and delicate balance for me to walk. My music and performances have always been happily public, but my personal and private life is not.
Q: Obviously you give your fans a chance to get to know you by the Ask Barry
section of the BarryGRAM. Is there
anything you've always wanted to know about your fans?
A: I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people who write to me and I'm extremely grateful for all of their love and compassion. I've gotten a very broad sense of what kind of people like my music and it really hasn't surprised me. As I've always sensed, for the most part they are kind, intelligent and musical. I would like to encourage all of the fans to keep letting me know what kind of music and projects they would like to see me do.

Hi Barry,
First of all, I wanted to tell you that I was introduced to your music by my parents when I was about ten years old, and have loved it ever since. Your music has been so inspirational to so many, especially me. I went through a time when I felt like a misfit, I didn't fit in, felt like I wasn't going
anywhere ...etc. Songs like "I Made it Through the Rain," and "All the Time" were instrumental in helping me through, and I wanted to say thank you for them. What do those songs mean to you?
All my best,
Alan

Hi Alan,
Boy oh boy have I ever lived those two songs! Marty and I wrote "All The Time" as a tribute to all those folks who have ever felt like misfits. THAT'S the story of my life! I found "I Made It Through The Rain" in the 1980's and connected with the lyric because it was originally about a songwriter who protects his songs through the "rain" of the rejection of commercial ears. Boy, could I ever relate to that! Bruce, Jack and I rewrote the lyric so that more people would be able to relate to the song instead of only composers and musicians. I'm glad they've both helped you.
Barry

Hi Barry,
First, I have something funny to tell you. On the BarryNet message board, I'm known as the S.G.I.T. (Sex God in Training). I was dubbed that title for several reasons. I play all your songs on the piano and I wear Boucheron. Apparently the ladies on the board claim you wear Boucheron as well. Is that true? Now for the real questions... I've never really heard you talk very much about actually writing the score for "Harmony". Did you find it to be a challenge, or did it come easy? How did the inspiration come to write the beautiful "Every Single Day?" Did it have anything to do with Mr. Sussman's
exquisite lyric? I would also like to know about my favorite Barry Manilow song, "Forever And A Day." It's a beautiful, beautiful song, and not like any song I've ever heard before. So many songs on the radio sound so unimaginative. "Forever and a Day" is very unique and I feel so good when you sing it. Could you tell us a little about your experience of writing it? Thanks Barry. One day, I hope to be a Sex God just like you. I'm only 16, so I have plenty of time to polish up my act! Do you have any suggestions for me?
Kyle

Hi Kyle,
Thanks for the great questions. Regarding the score to "Harmony:" Before I wrote one note, I did months of research. I listened to loads of German popular music from the 30's, classical music from that era and much Hebrew liturgical music. I also memorized the Comedian Harmonists catalogue. I
listened to nothing but music from the period that the play exists in. During that time, my brilliant
collaborator Bruce was writing the complex book to the play. We'd talk about it every day. Both of us immersed ourselves in the lives of those six men. When I felt ready, I opened the script and began writing music to the early chunks of lyrics that Bruce had written. Little by little, week by week, month by month, an entire score emerged. "Every Single Day" was an idea we had after we had finished the entire score. Bruce sent me the lyric and I "heard" the melody as I read it. It's the same melody you know today. Regarding "Forever And A Day": I had written the melody and much of the lyric to "Forever And A Day" but couldn't seem to finish writing the lyric. I sent a cassette of the song to another one of my brilliant collaborators, Enoch Anderson, and he finished the lyric. It's probably one of my top three favorite songs. Now, regarding the Sex God thing. You've either got it or you ain't!
I've never heard of the cologne you mentioned, but being a Sex God is not about cologne. It's about honesty and authenticity. Remember to treat women like goddesses and you will be a Sex God to all of them.
Good luck!
Barry

Hi Barry,
My question is this: Do you consider yourself an extremely sexy man or just a Sex Goddess? Have a great day.
Love Always,
Linda

Dear Linda,
I've never thought of myself as a Sex Goddess. I will have to check my wardrobe.
Barry

Dear Barry,
I've read or heard you tell the story many times about how "One Voice" appeared to you in a dream and (I feel I should preface this by saying no, I am not a religious fruitcake!) I have to ask: don't you think that just maybe it was a gift from God? Especially since it came to you complete with the lyric and the melody. Next, I was reading your Ask Barry column from the summer 2003 issue the other day and in it someone wrote and asked if you believed that things happen for a reason. Well, I'm sure you remember your answer and I think it was a wonderful answer if only it were true. I believe, like you, for the most part that things do just happen. Period. But, surely you don't really believe that we
all choose everything that happens to us consciously or subconsciously all the time? I want to share something with you that happened in my life. I'm not telling you this because I want you to feel sorry for me, because it doesn't help and besides there are a lot of other people out there dealing with a lot worse. I just want you to know that sometimes we don't make our own choices, sometimes we just get what we get in life and there is no choice. Ten years ago my two-year old son was diagnosed with autism and that's when my hell on earth began. I assure you I didn't choose it. I wouldn't have wished it on my worst enemy. At first I refused to face it, then I just wanted to die. I even tried it before I realized that I didn't have a choice. I had to accept it and make the best of it because I had three sons and whether I liked it or not they deserved to have a Mom because life is too hard growing up as it is.
A while back though, I did make a choice for myself and that was from time to time to take a break from my life and I would always use your music. I don't know what I would do without your music. So, are you as romantic as the music you sing or is it just pretend?
I wish you just the best.
Love,
Tammy

Dear Tammy,
You sound like a wonderful, loving, courageous and responsible woman. Your children and friends are lucky to have you in their lives. I, too, am not a religious man, but I do believe that there is something out there that loves us and wants only the best for us. And I believe that particular something is part of us. I believe that there is no such thing as separation. I believe that we are all "One Voice."Receiving "One Voice" (and many, many other ideas and songs) was definitely a gift, but I believe that gifts are all around us all the time. It's up to us to stop keeping them out. As for your disagreeing with me that we choose everything, we'll just have to agree to disagree. After nearly twenty years of reading, listening and experiencing everything I can possibly get my hands on regarding life, I have come to the conclusion that we choose everything. Everything. No ifs, ands or buts. No asterisks or small print. Everything. We just don't remember that we chose these things. I agree that we all would never consciously choose the difficult things that we go though. The "Harmony"
fiasco, my stressed out heart problems, fracturing my nose, etc. wouldn't be on MY fun list! But I believe that on some level we have chosen these difficult things so we can learn from them. How we deal with these things (that WE created) is why we're here. Looking back on these past months of stress and disappointment has changed me as a person. For the better, believe it or not.
You have obviously chosen to take responsibility for your life, and experience compassion. Your son has chosen to be with you so he can experience love. I believe you are a better person for handling your life as you have. I'm very glad that my music has been of some help. That's about as romantic as I can get.
Love,
Barry

Dear Barry,
First of all, thanks for doing the “Ask Barry” column. I am from Germany. You said, you have written twenty-five songs for the "Here At The Mayflower" album. So far, I have heard only twenty of them. What about the other songs? Will we ever hear them?
Christina

Hi Christina,
You're gonna hate me for this, but over the past year, I've found a few more songs that were written for the "Here At The Mayflower" CD! They're great ideas and melodies, but I never completed producing them, so they're in cases and drawers and on shelves all over my studio. Maybe one of these days I'll complete them, but I promise I won't make you purchase another "Here At The Mayflower" CD in order to hear them!
Barry

Hi Barry,
How can you stand wearing long sleeved shirts and jackets in concert during the summer?
Sylvia

Hi Sylvia,
I can't!
Barry

Hi Barry,
My husband has just quit smoking after thirty years and though he's finding it very hard he's doing really well and I'm really proud of him.I know you only smoked for just a few years, but did you find it hard to stop? Did you put any weight on as most people do when they stop, I did.
All my love,
Adele

Hi Adele,
I smoked for over twenty-five years! I started smoking with my friends when I was nine years old in the alleyways of Williamsburgh, Brooklyn. I wound up smoking three packs of non-filtered Pall Mall's a day! Smoking hooked me until I was around thirty years old. Everyone I knew smoked. My folks smoked, my grandparents smoked, all my relatives smoked. And we all stank! I don't know how we stood each other. I finally decided to stop one day when I woke up as usual with my lungs feeling like there was an apartment building sitting on them and coughing for a half hour before my day began.
By that time I was so hooked, I couldn't stop without some kind of help. I found that help in a group called Smoke Enders. Their program worked for me, and I haven't had a cigarette in over twenty-six years.I did gain weight immediately, but headed for the gym and got rid of it within a year. It's very, very difficult to quit. I know. If your husband is quitting, my congratulations go to him and to everyone who has decided to give up the habit.
Barry

Hi Barry,
Do you ever get really dirty? (Mind out of the gutter please!) I mean just physically, absolutely dirty where you have to go and take a shower from something like gardening or tinkering with a car? You always look immaculate; even in casual clothes there's a sort of showroom shine about you.
Take Care,
Love,
Carole

Hi Carole,
Sorry, my dear, I don't like getting dirty. I've never seen the inside of a car engine, I wouldn't know the first thing about gardening and I take pride in feeling kissing clean. You'll have to check out my band if you want dirty boys.
All best,
Barry

Hey Barry,
When the late Johnny Mercer's wife gave you that file folder of lyrics that had yet to be put to music, and you so lovingly weaved together his lyrics with your music and bore "When October Goes," I know that was a beautiful experience for you. Here is my question: Do you have any plans to use any more of those lyrics and create any more music from those lyrics? Thank you for the years of "Beautiful Music."All my love to you,
Sarah

Dear Sarah,
I've just about completed putting music to all of the Mercer lyrics. They total around thirty-seven now. It's been wonderful writing melodies to his clever, emotional and well-crafted words. I don't know what I'm going to do with them yet, but I know they'll find their way out into the world somehow.
Barry

Hi Barry,
I have a rather different question....I love the song "Dirt Cheap", but I can't figure out what the lyrics are after "....feel the flush (flash?) comin' on, and the......." and before "....goin', goin', gone"!!! Strange, I know, but I would love it if you could tell me what the words are or tell me where I could go to find this out! Thanks, Barry, and thanks for answering all of our burning questions over the last months!!!
Judy

Hi Judy,
The talented Enoch Anderson wrote the lyrics to "Dirt Cheap".Here they are in their entirety:

DIRT CHEAP
Music by Barry Manilow
Lyrics by Enoch Anderson

GOT A HEART WITHOUT A HOME
NO TIME TO SHOP AROUND
JUST LEFT ANOTHER LOSER BY THE LOST AND FOUND
GOT A BACKLOG OF LOVE
THAT'S FALLIN' WAY BEHIND
CATCH UP BY TOMORROW
OR I'LL LOSE MY MIND

GOTTA GET ME SOME LOVE
GOTTA GET IT TODAY
GOT SO MUCH LOVE INSIDE ME
GONNA GIVE IT AWAY

FEEL THE FLUSH - (DIRT CHEAP)
COMIN' ON - (DIRT CHEAP)
AND THE FIRST BEGGAR BIDDIN'S HEARIN': GOIN', GOIN', GONE
ALL I WANT - (DIRT CHEAP)
RIGHT NOW- (DIRT CHEAP)
IS TO GIVE AWAY SOME LOVIN'
AND I DON'T CARE HOW:
GET IT HERE
HURRY HURRY
DIRT CHEAP
HURRY HURRY

GOT MY WAYWARD LITTLE WAYS
GOT A FRIENDLY KIND OF FACE
I'M ACHIN' TO BE TAKEN
TO A QUIET PLACE
SEE THE SMOKE AND CHECK IT OUT
REAL HEATER DOWN THE LINE
AMAZING BARGAIN BURNING BY THE EXIT SIGN

GOTTA GET ME SOME LOVE
GOTTA GET IT TODAY
GOT SO MUCH LOVE INSIDE ME
GONNA GIVE IT AWAY

FEEL THE FLUSH - (DIRT CHEAP)
COMIN' ON - (DIRT CHEAP)
AND THE FIRST BEGGAR BIDDIN'S HEARIN': GOIN', GOIN', GONE
ALL I WANT - (DIRT CHEAP)
RIGHT NOW- (DIRT CHEAP)
IS TO GIVE AWAY SOME LOVIN'
AND I DON'T CARE HOW
GET IT HERE
HURRY HURRY
DIRT CHEAP
HURRY HURRY

Hiya Barry,
If there was a time in your life that required you to search most deeply for your own inner strength, when would it be? Do you consider yourself to be a strong person? What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
Take care Barry,
All my best,
Kimmie

Dear Kimmie,
The recent "Harmony" debacle was a very stressful time for me and forced me to find inner strength I didn't know I had. The greatest strength I think I possess is a belief in people. Even after the
incredible disappointment over 300 people experienced and the deep grief Bruce, Garry, David Warren and I went through because of the incompetence, stupidity and dishonesty of one man, I found that I still believe in the goodness of people.
Barry

Dear Barry,
I recently read an interview Barbra Streisand gave to Reader's Digest about how she easily gets bored singing her own songs over and over, and that this is one reason she doesn't like to tour anymore. I would probably be wealthier than Bill Gates if I had a dollar for every time you've sung hits like "Mandy," "I Write The Songs" and "Copacabana" in concert, yet somehow you still make them sound like you're performing them for the first time. How do you do it? How do you keep them fresh enough in your mind to still deliver them with such passion? How can you not ever get bored singing them?
Respectfully yours,
Brenda

Dear Brenda,
Sounds like YOU'RE more bored with those songs than I am! Not only am I never bored singing them, I feel honored to be able to sing my catalogue of beautifully written, emotional and well-loved songs.
Barry

Barry,
Could you describe the process of writing "What is Love?" for the Diane Schuur "Midnight" CD? From the first time I heard it, that song has made my heart smile in recognition of something so true. It is such a poetic celebration of all the wonderful ways that love shows up in our lives. The song literally feels like an embrace. I wonder what it was like for you writing it? (And thanks for sharing your warm and tender spirit with all of us.)
In appreciation for all you do,
Lisa

Hi Lisa,
I don't remember writing "What Is Love?!” During the last tour, I woke up one morning and saw that I had written the entire lyric on five pages of those little pads by the telephone next to the bed.
Glad you like it.
Barry

Hi Barry!
The Bette Midler/Rosemary Clooney Songbook is so fine. I love every track. One song, “This Ole House,” is really unique and different from the others. It's great--what a story that song conveys! Can you tell us a little about this song and how you happened to choose it for the album?
With love and appreciation,
Louise

Dear Louise,
As I was creating each arrangement for each song on the album, I would listen to a bit of the original Rosemary Clooney record. When I got to "This Ole House," I only listened to the first eight bars. It was such a silly rendition; I decided that I couldn't possibly ask Bette to sing it like that. But when I looked at the lyric and sang it through myself, I realized that the song was about dying. That intrigued me. With that in mind, I came up with an arrangement that I believe fit the story of the song and would give Bette the support she needed to act the lyric. It's one of my favorite cuts on the CD and I think Bette outdid herself with her interpretation.
Thanks,
Barry

Dear Diane,
I agree with everything you say and feel. I wish I could make everyone feel better, but the sad truth is that we're in a mess. The only good that can possibly come out of this catastrophe is that
people like you and I can rally other people together and possibly make a difference and insist that attention be paid. I hope everyone reading this will do their part.
Barry

Dear Barry,
Did you write "We Live On Borrowed Time?" Is there a possibility that it will be a part of a future CD since it does relate to 9/11 and the times the world is going through today?
Thanks,
Mary

Dear Mary,
The song is on the new "2Nights Live" CD. My friend and talented songwriter David Freidman wrote "We Live On Borrowed Time." He's also written some of the most moving songs I've ever performed. You might want to check out his catalogue of songs. He's incredibly gifted.
Barry

Hi Barry!!
Marc is such a nice guy. Very accessible and friendly to the fans. My question is: How old is Marc??? He looks just as young as when he first started working for you. Could you tell us a little more about him? How did he start as your assistant?? What does he do for fun?? Tell us a little bit about what a "personal assistant" does each day. He also seems to be very creative, as you have credited him in liner notes on CDs. Does he have an influence on your musical decisions??
Thanks,
Greg

Hi Greg,
Marc is great, but he's a very private person. However, as long as you keep this between us, I will tell you all the facts I know about him. He is 75 years old. He is totally bald and has had one side of his rump tattooed with a portrait of Eydie Gorme. He was born in Samoa and raised in Hackensack. He has worked with me for exactly 47 years. He likes to play Russian Roulette for fun. My personal assistant sings all of my vocals and I lip synch to them. As a payment for this, I iron all of his clothes.
If you'd like any more information about him, feel free to write to him in Chicago at Sally Jesse Raphael's apartment, where they share a room.
Barry

Hi Barry,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Westlife has got Record of The Year with "Mandy" tonight here in the U.K. on the Record of The Year Show!
Joanne

Dear Barry,
How wonderful! Westlife's version of "Mandy" has just won U.K.'s Record of the year award.You must be thrilled to bits.
With Love,
Diane

Dear Joanne and Diane,
I'm very happy that Westlife won record of the year with "Mandy." I've always thought that they were one of the best of the boy groups. Just goes to prove they've got good taste!
Thanks,
Barry

Dear Barry,
What a wonderful Christmas special! I loved every minute of it. I'm so glad you did a request for yourself, too. Thrilled that you chose "My Favorite Things." That song's one of MY favorite things. Your version radiates double cheer. Once for the song and once for the arrangement.You know, Barry, when you do things like that special, or make CDs, like your own and Diane Schurr's, it really feels like you're giving us a present. Sharing your heart. That's how your music always feels. Like you've given part of your heart for a present. What a wonderful gift. So thank you very much.
Hope you have wonderful holidays!
Susie

Dear Susie,
What a great letter. Thanks so much. "My Favorite Things" is my favorite cut on the Christmas CD. The arrangement I did with Patrick Williams is one of my proudest achievements and singing it live with that great band was a huge thrill.
Glad you liked it.
Barry

Hey ya' Barry,
I loved your duet with Barbra Streisand and I was wondering if you have you ever worked with Whitney Houston or Celine Dion? Would you like to?
Love Marian,

Hi Marian,
I'd love to sing with those talented singers. I'm available!
Barry

Hello Barry & Happy Holidays to you:
I went to see "Copacabana" at the
Palace Theatre in Greensburg, and it was terrific! How 22 singers, dancers and musicians can sound so great before more than 1,300 people including myself, I'll never know. They did a fantastic job indeed. I felt disappointed over the news concerning "Harmony." I really was looking forward to see "Harmony" go up against "The Boy From Oz," "Taboo" and "Never Gonna Dance" as Tony contenders for Best Musical in June. Wouldn't it have been some showdown? You against Hugh Jackman, Boy George and Fred & Ginger. Hoping "Harmony" gets a new boost of
life in 2004.
Your friend and fan always,
John

Hi John,
Of course, we were incredibly disappointed that "Harmony" crashed the way it did. I agree with you that it would have been a definite contender for Tony nominations this year. The cast and creative team would have made for some really stiff competition. Fingers crossed
for next year.
Barry

Hi Barry,
My question concerns record labels. For years you were with Arista and you are now with Concord but your Christmas release was under Columbia. Is there an easy way to explain what the obligations are when signed with a record label and under what circumstances can you record with a different one?
Thank you so much for the wonderful music and memories.
Love ya,
Janese

Hi Janese,
I'm a lucky guy. I've got four labels that are on my side and support what I believe in. But I'm signed with Concord. I couldn't be happier there. They are most encouraging to my work and are
wonderful people to deal with; generous beyond belief. Allowing me to record a Christmas CD for Sony/Columbia, duet with Bette and sharing my work with BMG for the new Live CD, to say
nothing of cheering on the Ultimate Manilow on Arista. My next solo CD will be on Concord and I hope it's the biggest hit for them. They deserve it.
Barry

Hi Barry...
Do you find you are more nervous doing a night like your A & E Christmas special than a regular concert?
All the best,
Susan

Hi Susan,
I LOVED doing that show. I wasn't the least bit nervous. Actually, I never get nervous anymore. I loved being the host and singing with Bette, Cyndi and Jose. It was one of my favorite experiences. I hope they ask me back!
Love,
Barry

Barry,
You're a talented guy! Some of the stuff that passes for music, I can't even understand the lyrics. Do you think that the quality of lyrics has suffered?
Thank you for your time,
Nancy

Oh, Nancy,
The quality of everything has suffered. What passes for music, drama, literature, television and writing is so beneath the gutter, it's appalling. It's up to us to keep art and craft alive.
Barry

Hi Sally,
I'm so sorry about the loss of your beloved mother. There are no people like my fans. They're terrific, kind and compassionate. Your story moved me deeply. I'm glad you could experience these wonderful people firsthand.
Take care.
Barry

Shame on you, Barry!
I have been a fan of yours since the 70's. I have been to many of your
concerts and have defended you non-stop when people have given their "typical" Manilow opinions. But to make such a production out of a 2 second appearance on "Will and Grace" and then to follow it up with selling "Fanilow" T-shirts??? What has happened to you?? Please try and stay focused on who you really are and not what you have become.
Most Sincerely,
A very disillusioned fan

Dear disillusioned fan,
Please write to the "Will and Grace" producers and writers with any comments you have about my appearance on their show. Personally, I thought I was fabulous! If you'd like to see more of me, that new DVD has lots of songs and stuff. You might like to purchase that and pass on that Fanilow t-shirt!
Barry

Dear Bill,
I loved answering these questions.
Thanks for asking.
Barry

Q: What is the key in which you prefer to sing?
A: In music there is no particular key that every song can be sung in. There is a vocal range in which singers feel comfortable singing. When I sing, I don't like going above an F natural. In my younger days, I used to go for three or four notes higher, but even though I can still reach them, I don't like what I sound like up there anymore.
Q: During your amazing string of radio success in the 70s-80s, is there a song (or two) that you really wished Arista would have heavily promoted at radio? "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed" seemed very radio friendly to me - especially during the late 70 disco craze.
A: I agree with you about "Who's Been Sleepin' In My Bed." I also felt that "New York City Rhythm" and "All The Time" should have been considered.
Q: In 1998, rumor had it that you were ready to release "Mayflower" but the opportunity to record the Sinatra tribute delayed HATM until 2001. If "Mayflower" had been released in 1999, how would it have been different that the album that we now enjoy?
A: Clive Davis discouraged me from releasing "Here At The Mayflower" because his commercial instincts told him that radio would never accept anything from me at that time. He felt that I needed more "event" CDs before indulging in an original concept CD. I always trusted his instincts and
followed his guidance. The "Sinatra" tribute album was a risk, but he felt it had a "hook." I loved making the "Sinatra" tribute CD and consider it one of my finest experiences. Had I insisted and forced the "Here At The Mayflower” CD out, I think it would have been a rotten experience, and there would have been many songs that would have been removed from it because of their non-commercial approaches. I'm grateful for Clive's generous input into my career and even more grateful to the folks at Concord for encouraging me to release "Here At The Mayflower" without any concern for singles, sales or chart bullets.
Q: During the mid-90s, you performed a song titled "A Man Like Me" in concert once or twice. Will it ever be available as a rarity, download, etc.? Though I have never heard it, I am told that the lyric is especially interesting. Did you write it?
A: Marty Panzer and I wrote "A Man Like Me" for one of my earlier albums. Clive didn't "hear" it as a single and asked me to remove it from that album. I've always loved it. It will probably show up on some compilation someday.