Can't Smile Without You 1994
December 31, 1994 - Aladdin Theatre (Las Vegas, Nevada)
photo provided by Daunna Becker
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January 14, 1994 - Kirby Center (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
April 18, 1994 - Assembly Hall (Champaign, Illinois)
I picked my friend up the afternoon of the concert and her mother said, "I bet Barry sees your vest tonight and picks you to sing." I said that is why I bought it last night. I have tried sign after sign and it never worked. While driving to the concert, I practiced singing "Can't Smile". I had the strangest feeling that this was going to be the night. We had ninth row on the aisle. When he started the whistle, I handed my eyeglasses to my friend and said, "Hold my glasses, I don't want to wear them on stage (I had never said that in all the years I had seen Barry in concert)." I just had a good feeling that night. I was swaying back and forth very calm as he sang. Right as he said "turn the houselights up", I walked to the open aisle and waited. Barry then said, "I want someone who really wants to do this. I want a livewire." That was when I jumped up and down like a maniac, waving my arms and screaming, "Over here Barry, it's me, I'm right here!" Then a second later he said, "How about you in the vest. Yes you in the vest." I turned to my friend and hugged her and we went around and around in circles. Barry said, "Come on down after you give her a hug." My knees went weak while climbing the stairs and I nearly fell. Barry held out his hand and said, "Oh, who is my blind vest? Look at this girl. What a pretty face. Oh my God, she's yelling (which is exactly what I was saying to myself)." Anyway, he asked me the usual questions and I was so surprised that I could speak! I felt like I was talking to my best friend. I forgot that thousands of people were out in the audience. At one point right before he handed me the mic, I jumped in his face and yelled, "Oh my God!" As we sang and danced, he said, "Look at you singing, how great!" When he jumped on the piano and pulled me close, my whole body shivered. As we hugged, I said, "I love you, I love you, I love you," in his ear. I will never forget the smile he gave me. I remember looking at his tightly squeezed lips as I kissed him. He then led me off stage, and right as I let go of his hand, Barry pulled me back and gave me the biggest, tightest hug ever! I was the happiest girl on earth! As I ran back to my seat, I blew him a kiss and he blew one back. As I sat in my seat the rest of the show, I held on to my videotape for dear life. I couldn't believe it finally happened. After the show, so many fans came up to me with compliments. A nice lady said she took pictures for me. A news reporter came and interviewed me and I was in the next day's paper. A couple of days later, I received a phone call at work. It was a D.J. from a Champaign radio station. He talked to me on the air and asked me to sing "Can't Smile". It was the best time in my life. I watch my tape over and over again reliving the moment. I absolutely love Barry and his music and will never forget those few minutes of fame. I hope ya' all get to experience this beautiful dream come true. (11/13/99)
April 24, 1994 - Robinson Center Auditorium (Little Rock, Arkansas)
The walk to the front took forever! I went up the steps. There he was,
waiting at the top. Our eyes met! He took my hand. AND Fizz... He
asked me what I do, I said "I'm looking for a job..." He said,
"Well, put it out there, maybe you'll get one tonight!"
"You know the words to 'Can't Smile Without You'? Of course you do."
He handed me a mic, took my hand and the music started. My worst
nightmare - "what are the words?" Then, like someone flipping
a switch in my head, I jumped on "Can't Smile..." The look on his
face was priceless, like a "Thank God she can sing" look. He
whispered quietly, "You sing BEAUTIFULLY." Talk about the moment
of a lifetime!
One of my favorite moments? He pronounced my name correctly, then even
spelled it right on the video box! Afterward, three people gave me their
business cards (about job possibilities)
saying "if you can be that calm in a situation like that, you can
handle anything!"
April 26, 1994 - Civic Auditorium (Knoxville, Tennessee)
May 2, 1994 - Pantages Theatre (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Barry met me at the top of the stairs which led onto the stage and we walked to center stage where he asked me questions about myself and if I knew the words to the song. The music was softly playing and we picked up the cue and began to sing. I broke up a little bit on the words "finding it hard to do anything" which was rather fitting for the moment. During the song we swayed to the music and even did a little "soft shoe" on stage before Barry, still holding my hand, took me to the piano. There he jumped backwards onto the top of the piano and he positioned me so that I had my back against the piano while standing between his legs as we were both still facing the audience. The natural thing was to put my hand on his knee, which I did, bringing a slightly surprised look from him and a gentle stroke of my hair in return. When the song ended, Barry jumped off the piano and gave me a huge hug. He took me by the hand and led me across the stage, stopping a couple of times so the audience could see me and saying "lets hear it for Sandy." When we reached the top of the stairs he stopped and gave me a kiss which drew quite a response from the audience. As I made my way back to my seat Barry broke into an upbeat chorus of "Can't Smile Without You" and blew me another kiss as I reached my seat. What a night! What a memory!! When he was done he took a short break and talked about some of the others who had come on stage for "Can't Smile." Some had stage fright and forgot the words, one or two had bladder control issues. I'm very thankful that he didn't mention that before it was my turn! All this was just stalling as he waited for one of the crew to bring up the videotape of our performance which he autographed and gave to me. Over the years all of our friends and family have seen the tape, probably more than once. I heard that the next night, as this was a two-concert stop for Barry, he chose two ladies out of the audience and had Billy [Kidd] help with it. I feel very fortunate to have had him all to myself and been able to live out a dream like this. Thank you, Barry, for giving me such a great life long memory as this. You are a true gentleman. (5/18/2002)
May 3, 1994 - Pantages Theatre (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
May 6, 1994 - Civic Center (Erie, Pennsylvania)
August 13, 1994 -Springfield State Fair (Springfield, Illinois)
August 14, 1994 - Pine Knob Theater (Clarkston, Michigan)
So one year (1994) I told everyone this is the year, "You'll see, I'm going to make it this year" and I made a bright sign and put on a bright shirt. I was sitting on the lawn at Pine Knob Theater with my girlfriend. As soon as Barry started playing "Can't Smile Without You", I jumped up with my sign and started running back and forth on the lawn. Everyone on the lawn was laughing at me and I thought if I don't get up there I'm going to feel really stupid. Barry started to look back at the lawn and I thought, "Oh my God, he's looking at me!" And sure enough, he was!
He said, "How about you there on the lawn with the green sign!" I looked behind me to make sure he was talking about me. When I figured out he was, I started to scream! I was frozen and my girlfriend was yelling at me telling me to run and go down to the stage. I throw the sign down and started running. I couldn't breath I was so excited. I finally got to the stage and the next thing I knew, he was reaching his hand out to me.
He pulled me up on stage and I just started screaming, "Oh my God! Oh my God!" I couldn't stop saying that. I remember thinking his eyes were so blue. He took me over to the piano and asked me my name and where I was from. But then I took the microphone and told my girlfriend (and everyone else for that matter) that she would need to find another ride home because I was going to be with Barry!
We started to sing and I can't believe anything came out of my mouth. I did okay for being up there with him and in front of 20,000 people. Well, I was doing good until Barry hopped on the piano and put me between his legs. I started to scream again... a lot! He was laughing at me pretty hard. After we got done singing, he hugged me and I thanked him and told him I loved him. Before I got off the stage he kissed me and I about fell over.
When I got back to the lawn I was a hero. I had people hugging me who I didn't even know. Some people even asked if it was a set up, like I was part of the show. I said "No way, this is something I've been trying to do for ten years."
In the parking lot people were driving by yelling my name. It was like I was famous for a couple of hours. It was the best night of my life. I don't think anything will ever compare to that night. It has been six years now since that happened. Life has its ups and downs. But anytime I'm feeling down or life isn't fair or I can't make it through another day, I put that video in and watch it. I am automatically uplifted. Getting up on stage with Barry was a dream come true for me and it happened. So why can't other dreams of mine come true too? Thanks to Barry for a moment that will live with me forever! (3/16/2000)
August 18, 1994 - Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia, Maryland)
August 22, 1994 - Deer Creek (Indianapolis, Indiana)
My florescent green sign read, "I'm 2 Sexy 4 My ?????" When Barry said, "You with the green sign," my friend Becky had to shove me out into the aisle because I was so far back that I couldn't even tell that he had picked me. I took it all with me - my sign, my fanny pack, my sweatshirt jacket (tied around my waist) - everything! What a sight. I stopped for a moment about halfway down, still not believing I had finally been picked. Victor grabbed my sign and my hand, and led me to the stage. Once I was up there I turned to wave to all my friends, only to discover that You Can't See A Thing! Just darkness!!
I told Barry I was Kathy Parker, and as he turned to the audience, I added, "KP". He turned back to me and said, "Debbie?" "No, KP." He asked, "What's that?" "My name." "What does it mean?" I said, "My name. Kathy Parker. KP." So finally he turns to the audience again and says, "Everyone say 'Hello' to KP." The band thought this was quite funny. I don't know how I kept so calm without losing it completely! Barry asked me what I did. I told him I was a hilo driver, which seemed to really get his attention. Of course, when you get up there he doesn't focus on anyone but you. It can be a little unnerving to say the least! I kept staring into his eyes and I thought to myself, "He's leaning in closer, and closer, and if he gets any closer, we're going to be rubbing noses!"
As soon as I got the hang of it - walking and singing at the same time - we were at THE Piano. Barry kept pulling me back, closer to him (How I didn't melt, I'll never know). When the song was over, I got my hug and kiss (Now how Barry even hugged me with all the artillery I was wearing is still a mystery!). When I stepped off the stage, Victor deserted me and I was left to find my seat in the dark. If it wasn't for the help of a kind gentleman in the front row, I'd still be looking for my seat!
Some of you may agree with me on this, but I felt I really had the best day. First, most all of my friends were there to help me celebrate. I didn't have to do it all alone. And Kate & Mickey were there also, which made it extra, extra special. I thought I had done a pretty good job. Then I watched my video... The hand-on-the-knee thing, I thought I had under control, well, kind of... But when I saw myself walking across the stage, holding Barry's hand, swinging the mike by my side while still singing, I just about lost it! So much for being Cool!! I laugh at some parts, cringe at others, but all n' all, I think I'll hold onto this Memory for a long, long time. When you get up there, have a ball! For the rest of us "non-virgins" it was quite a ride. See ya all Somewhere Down The Road! - "KP" (aka NOT Debbie) (7/4/2001)
August 31, 1994 - Allentown State Fair (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
September 10, 1994 - State Theatre (Cleveland, Ohio)
September 13, 1994 - Charleston Municipal Auditorium (Charleston, West Virginia)
September 14, 1994 - Palace Theatre (Louisville, Kentucky)
September 16, 1994 - Fox Theatre (St. Louis, Missouri)
September 17, 1994 - Fox Theatre (St. Louis, Missouri)
September 18, 1994 - Starlight Amphitheatre (Kansas City, Missouri)
I had one of those "women's intuitions", and felt this was
going to be the night. I even rehearsed the song before I left home.
I had the best seats I'd ever had for one of his concerts, about 15 rows
back from the stage right on the center aisle. I was wearing a bright
red shirt.
When he went to pick his CSWY girl, women started standing
and some even paraded around with signs. He said he wanted someone
outgoing, so I stood on my chair, waving my arms and jumping up and
down like a maniac. He pointed to the lady in red, but said, "No,
the one behind her." I didn't even think twice. I ran up on
stage, taking his hand. I am an actress and have been in many plays, so
being on stage doesn't scare me; but how I kept standing on two solid
legs while realizing my dream was beyond me.
He asked if I could sing, and I said "yes" but was getting over
laryngitis. He said he was too! ... I started singing, then it hit me,
"Vicki, you're singing with Barry Manilow - LOOK AT HIM!"
Standing there holding hands and singing with him seemed like a dream.
We sang and danced like it had been rehearsed (well, it had - I rehearsed
at home!).
He jumped up and sat on the piano, pulling me between his legs and
wrapping his arms around me. We finished the song and he gave me a hug
and a kiss. I returned to my seat, he finished the song, then blew me
a kiss, and complimented my singing. It really didn't hit me until I
sat down again, then I just buried my face in my hands and let the shock
wear off. Receiving the autographed tape was the crowning glory ... I
have shown it to everyone at work, home, out-of-town, anywhere there's a
VCR! It was truly one of the happiest moments of my life.
October 15, 1994 - ICC (Berlin, Germany)
Even without a video, for me it has been one of the most wonderful experiences in my life, something I will never forget. It's been so outstanding and extraordinary, because that little duet is something people can't buy, just hope for. I love remembering it and I keep the video as one of my "Hidden Treasures". (8/13/2001)
October 22, 1994 - Cardiff International Arena (Cardiff, Wales)
When Barry started to sing "Cant Smile", I remember Linda saying to me "Get your sign out" (I had made one in a hurry in the hotel room and I think that the ink was still wet). Barry was now walking up and down the stage asking for someone to go up and sing with him. He then asked for the houselights to go up so that he could see us all. I stood up and waved my sign which read "I AM REALLY DESPERATE". I remember thinking to myself (as Barry walked to the other side of the stage from my end) "Manilow get over here!".
I then saw Barry walking towards our side of the stage and by that time many more people had stood up with banners, waving and screaming. I could just about see Barry through the crowds and then I heard him say "Theres a lot of people who want to do it with me, I'm certainly ready to do it, I'm ready to do it with you!" ... I couldn't here the rest of his speech all I remember hearing was "I am really desperate" and then I knew it was me that he had picked. I didn't have to wait for Victor to come and get me. I knew how to get to the stage and Barry. Victor was holding my hand and running with me, poor man, I think it was the fastest he had ever ran in his life.
Now I was up the steps and into the arms of Barry, I leaped on him so quick that he had to hold onto me for fear that we would both fall down ... I could hear him say "Oh my dear, hey do we know each other? I guess you really want to do it with me, you don't mind doing it with me in front of everybody like this, come on stand by the piano, at least let me know your name" ... I told him that it was the same as his, for he once told me at a record signing that 'Beryl' was his Hebrew name...I said to him that it was "Beryl - Hebrew for Barry". He then said "Oh yeah your right, my Hebrew name is Beryl".
He asked where I lived and said "You don't look desperate, you look pretty ... You want to do this song, you know the words to 'Can't Smile Without You', Beryl?" I said, "I did down there" [referring to the audience]. "Alright come on, Beryl and I are going to do it together, in front of all you voyeurs". Then he was saying to me, "OK you stay right here, let me go get...take out my long ... big ... microphone ... MICROPHONE for you Beryl!". He then said "Hold the microphone in your left hand, sing into the top of the microphone..." and then we started singing the song.
I just carried on looking straight into his eyes and completely forgot where I was standing and how many people were out in the audience. As far as I was concerned there was just me and Barry. He said during the song, "You have great eyes". I then came back with "You too". That made him smile [as he sang] "And if you only knew - I was hoping you would say something like that". I was laughing at this and couldn't sing the proper words. The audience was laughing and clapping. Then we set off on the little dance that you have to do and barry then said, "See, its easy right?" The part came where he jumps up on to the piano, I remember how he pulled me in between [his] legs. I decided to see how far my hand could get up his right leg. He called out "Yeah Beryl!" and the audience was cracking up with laughter.
Then the song was over. We walked back over to where Victor was waiting for me, all the time Barry was saying "Fantastic, great, you were great". I then turned and kissed him on his lips. I heard him say as I left the stage "Bye sweetie...yes...what a brave soul". I stood and looked up at him a few rows away from the stage, with the spotlight on me and still I was in a daze, that I had actually been up there with him, singing and doing what I did, just didn't seem true. I then walked back to my seat where Linda was waiting for me. After we hugged each other I sank down into my seat.
He said that quite often he had been asked if he had people planted out in the audience,
"Beryl was definitely not planted out there". He said I sounded great, I didn't sound desperate at all, I was really cool, and that I gave 'Great Knee'. I will never forget that night for as long as I live. (9/18/97)
November 1, 1994 - Grughalle (Essen, Germany)
November 5, 1994 - NEC (Birmingham, England)
November 10, 1994 - Wembley Arena (London, England)
November 12, 1994 - Wembley Arena (London, England)
December 27, 1994 - Symphony Hall (San Diego, California)
December 28, 1994 - McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert, California)
December 29, 1994 - McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert, California)
December 30, 1994 - McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert, California)
December 31, 1994 - Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts (Las Vegas, Nevada)
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