Throwback Thursday

[Scooter]

Just remembering what an incredible fun time my friends and I
had during Barry's four runs at the old Desert Inn in Vegas.
Johnny Lopez and Frank Shane, the maître d's, and Ruth in the
box office. I loved the smallness of the DI rather than the
mega casinos. I miss that hotel. It reminded me of "old
Vegas." I think the Wynn sits on that property now, but the DI
golf course is still there.

Sigh...

Scooter

[D]

Post by Scooter
Just remembering what an incredible fun time my friends and I
had during Barry's four runs at the old Desert Inn in Vegas.
Johnny Lopez and Frank Shane, the maītre d's, and Ruth in the
box office. I loved the smallness of the DI rather than the
mega casinos. I miss that hotel. It reminded me of "old
Vegas." I think the Wynn sits on that property now, but the DI
golf course is still there.
Sigh...
Scooter

While I've never been to Vegas, I miss the earlier days too. Especially Poplar Creek outside Chicago. My first Barry concert happened to be the first night of the first BMIFC convention.
Of course, eventually Poplar Creek shut down, Sears bought the property when they moved out of the tower, and the rest is history.

[Scooter]

Post by D
While I've never been to Vegas, I miss the earlier days
too.

Newer fans will never get to experience ticket letters, Mickey's
chocolate chip cookies, road trips to several shows in a row,
tons of fans gathered at different concerts around the country
(and the world), the stress of a late flight threatening to make
you miss a show, trying to load 35mm film in the dark, paying
$$$$ to get that film developed, BMIFC conventions, personal
notes from Kate... And the old personel - Victor Vanacore, James
Jolis, Gary Speakman, Debra Byrd... And those fans who are no
longer with us.

Ah, the memories sweet and sad.

Scooter

[Jim UK]

Post by Scooter

Post by D
While I've never been to Vegas, I miss the earlier days
too.

Newer fans will never get to experience ticket letters, Mickey's
chocolate chip cookies, road trips to several shows in a row,
tons of fans gathered at different concerts around the country
(and the world), the stress of a late flight threatening to make
you miss a show, trying to load 35mm film in the dark, paying
$$$$ to get that film developed, BMIFC conventions, personal
notes from Kate... And the old personel - Victor Vanacore, James
Jolis, Gary Speakman, Debra Byrd... And those fans who are no
longer with us.
Ah, the memories sweet and sad.
Scooter

Those days were the best. The music was wonderful and the atmosphere was always electric at the concerts. Barry also had to rely on wedge monitors rather than in-ear monitors and would have to hold the microphone closer to his mouth to hear himself. This made his voice sound much warmer and smooth and not thin as it is now (it's called the proximity effect). Happy days.

[Brenda M]

What I wouldn’t give to time-travel back to those days... it was quite a party, wasn’t it?

Bren

[Jim UK]

Post by Brenda M
What I wouldn’t give to time-travel back to those days... it was quite a party, wasn’t it?
Bren

The best.
Jim

[D]

Post by Brenda M
What I wouldn’t give to time-travel back to those days... it was quite a party, wasn’t it?
Bren

Yup. As long as Scooter and I avoid politics, everything is jus' peachy! :-)

I remember tha A&E Christmas special. My grandmother, bless her heart, figured out how to get her VCR to record it for me. She was a surprising master of the obvious, like when my aunt couldn't figure out how to connect the VCR in the first place. My grandmother looked and said "Well... shouldn't the yellow thing go in the yellow hole?" etc.

As I remember, the one that got cut was Barry & Debra's duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside" but maybe there's more that got cut. I haven't hauled out that video in YEARS; I'm not even sure it would still work!

Oops. Finished typing and I realize I'm replying on Brenda's post, not Scooter's. I'm too lazy to cut & paste at the moment! So to keep this close to Brenda's sentiment... yeah. It was frustrating at the time but to was also an era where most of us still believed that, somewhere in there, "Team Manilow" hadn't yet turned into "BarryCorp, Inc."

[Brenda M]

You know ... they say with age comes wisdom. The upside to being old is you get to know more stuff.

Well, screw that deal.
Young and stupid was WAY more fun.

:-)

Bren

[D]

Post by Brenda M
You know ... they say with age comes wisdom. The upside to being old is you get to know more stuff.
Well, screw that deal.
Young and stupid was WAY more fun.
:-)
Bren

I saw a t-shirt years ago that I liked enough to still remember all these years later. :-) I think it sums things up pretty good.

"Old enough to know better, young enough not to care"

[Scooter]

Post by D
My first Barry concert happened to be the first night of
the first BMIFC convention.

I wasn't there. But someone managed to get a video camera into
the convention event where Barry showed up. In 1983 that camera
must have been about the size of a small refrigerator. Probably
had the big camera plus the shoulder bag with the massive
battery. I think they had a birthday cake for him, and suddenly
he walked out, unannounced. To say there was screaming is a
huge understatement. Mass histeria is a better description.

;^)

Scooter

[D]

Post by Scooter

Post by D
My first Barry concert happened to be the first night of
the first BMIFC convention.

I wasn't there. But someone managed to get a video camera into
the convention event where Barry showed up. In 1983 that camera
must have been about the size of a small refrigerator. Probably
had the big camera plus the shoulder bag with the massive
battery. I think they had a birthday cake for him, and suddenly
he walked out, unannounced. To say there was screaming is a
huge understatement. Mass histeria is a better description.
;^)
Scooter

Ah. I didn't go to the actual convention. And it's been so long ago that I don't remember if I was a BMIFC member at that time to even know there WAS a convention. If I ever dig out my old Barry button hat again, I can look and see what years are pinned to it.
Actually, that concert was the first one my parents ever let me go to on my own.

Ticket letters... ho boy. I used to get them, too. But the ONE time I ever tried using one... a very early example of the mess known as BarryCo.
I showed up at the box office for Poplar Creek nearly an hour before they were supposed to open. Strange, nobody there. But I wait until closer to opening time. Still nobody. Just before the announced opening time, I caught someone coming OUT of the box office area, and I ask about tickets. They let me into a reception area, where (finally) someone came out from the back area. I was told that they'd never seen these letters, had no clue what BMIFC was on about, and that in any event, the letter had the on-sale dates wrong. I still got tickets for the concert, but the letter was NO help whatsoever. But that was back in the days before it became so easy for us to compare notes and realize what was going on. Oh well...

[Scooter]

Post by D
Ticket letters... ho boy. I used to get them, too. But the
ONE time I ever tried using one... a very early example of
the mess known as BarryCo. I showed up at the box office
for Poplar Creek nearly an hour before they were supposed
to open. Strange, nobody there. But I wait until closer to
opening time. Still nobody. Just before the announced
opening time, I caught someone coming OUT of the box office
area, and I ask about tickets. They let me into a reception
area, where (finally) someone came out from the back area.
I was told that they'd never seen these letters, had no
clue what BMIFC was on about, and that in any event, the
letter had the on-sale dates wrong. I still got tickets for
the concert, but the letter was NO help whatsoever. But
that was back in the days before it became so easy for us
to compare notes and realize what was going on. Oh well...

Those letters were totally hit and miss. Sometimes they
looked at you like you were from another planet, but sometimes
they got us great seats. You just never knew what you'd
experience at the box office because no one seemed to make
sure the venues got the memo.

In later years we were treated to "Telephone Roulette." Hit
redial a bazillion times, trying to get through, only to find
out fan club seats were sold out. Or your seats weren't that
great. I've experienced front row, and balcony. Center and
waaaaay off to the side.

I hope those still in the BMIFC have an easier time these
days.

Scooter

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by Scooter

Post by D
Ticket letters... ho boy. I used to get them, too. But the
ONE time I ever tried using one... a very early example of
the mess known as BarryCo. I showed up at the box office
for Poplar Creek nearly an hour before they were supposed
to open. Strange, nobody there. But I wait until closer to
opening time. Still nobody. Just before the announced
opening time, I caught someone coming OUT of the box office
area, and I ask about tickets. They let me into a reception
area, where (finally) someone came out from the back area.
I was told that they'd never seen these letters, had no
clue what BMIFC was on about, and that in any event, the
letter had the on-sale dates wrong. I still got tickets for
the concert, but the letter was NO help whatsoever. But
that was back in the days before it became so easy for us
to compare notes and realize what was going on. Oh well...

Those letters were totally hit and miss. Sometimes they
looked at you like you were from another planet, but sometimes
they got us great seats. You just never knew what you'd
experience at the box office because no one seemed to make
sure the venues got the memo.
In later years we were treated to "Telephone Roulette." Hit
redial a bazillion times, trying to get through, only to find
out fan club seats were sold out. Or your seats weren't that
great. I've experienced front row, and balcony. Center and
waaaaay off to the side.
I hope those still in the BMIFC have an easier time these
days.
Scooter

I remember Mr M appearing on television - this was back in the 90's and I cannot recall if it was a special show (PBS maybe?) or an appearance on one of the shopping channels, but I remember him taking live calls during his appearance. Well, I sat there hitting 'redial' (obvs this was way before smart phones), so I hit redial repeatedly but never got more than a busy signal. I'm thinking it was some kind of a tv special but I have Covid brain now so.....

anyway does this ring any bells with anybody?

Annie

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by a***@gmail.com

Post by Scooter

Post by D
Ticket letters... ho boy. I used to get them, too. But the
ONE time I ever tried using one... a very early example of
the mess known as BarryCo. I showed up at the box office
for Poplar Creek nearly an hour before they were supposed
to open. Strange, nobody there. But I wait until closer to
opening time. Still nobody. Just before the announced
opening time, I caught someone coming OUT of the box office
area, and I ask about tickets. They let me into a reception
area, where (finally) someone came out from the back area.
I was told that they'd never seen these letters, had no
clue what BMIFC was on about, and that in any event, the
letter had the on-sale dates wrong. I still got tickets for
the concert, but the letter was NO help whatsoever. But
that was back in the days before it became so easy for us
to compare notes and realize what was going on. Oh well...

Those letters were totally hit and miss. Sometimes they
looked at you like you were from another planet, but sometimes
they got us great seats. You just never knew what you'd
experience at the box office because no one seemed to make
sure the venues got the memo.
In later years we were treated to "Telephone Roulette." Hit
redial a bazillion times, trying to get through, only to find
out fan club seats were sold out. Or your seats weren't that
great. I've experienced front row, and balcony. Center and
waaaaay off to the side.
I hope those still in the BMIFC have an easier time these
days.
Scooter

I remember Mr M appearing on television - this was back in the 90's and I cannot recall if it was a special show (PBS maybe?) or an appearance on one of the shopping channels, but I remember him taking live calls during his appearance. Well, I sat there hitting 'redial' (obvs this was way before smart phones), so I hit redial repeatedly but never got more than a busy signal. I'm thinking it was some kind of a tv special but I have Covid brain now so.....
anyway does this ring any bells with anybody?
Annie

Adding: I seem to remember the purpose of calling in was to request a specific song......memory is vague on this one.

[h***@aol.com]

Post by a***@gmail.com

Post by a***@gmail.com
I remember Mr M appearing on television - this was back in the 90's and I cannot recall if it was a special show (PBS maybe?) or an appearance on one of the shopping channels, but I remember him taking live calls during his appearance. Well, I sat there hitting 'redial' (obvs this was way before smart phones), so I hit redial repeatedly but never got more than a busy signal. I'm thinking it was some kind of a tv special but I have Covid brain now so.....
anyway does this ring any bells with anybody?
Annie

Adding: I seem to remember the purpose of calling in was to request a specific song......memory is vague on this one.

It sounds like possibly A&E Live By Request might be what you are thinking.

Chris

[Maria M]

It was definitely A & E Live by Request. Likely Fall of 1996 because I was pregnant with my first and we were there!

Maria

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by Maria M
It was definitely A & E Live by Request. Likely Fall of 1996 because I was pregnant with my first and we were there!
Maria

Hi Chris and Maria,

YES! A&E Live by Request is exactly what I was thinking of. Maria, how lucky you were there! Did it take place in NYC?

Chris, did you try to call in? Did you get through?

Annie

[h***@aol.com]

Post by a***@gmail.com

Post by Maria M
It was definitely A & E Live by Request. Likely Fall of 1996 because I was pregnant with my first and we were there!
Maria

Hi Chris and Maria,
YES! A&E Live by Request is exactly what I was thinking of. Maria, how lucky you were there! Did it take place in NYC?
Chris, did you try to call in? Did you get through?
Annie

No Annie, I did not try to call in, but I was glued to my TV set like many other Barry fans.

Chris

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by h***@aol.com

Post by a***@gmail.com

Post by Maria M
It was definitely A & E Live by Request. Likely Fall of 1996 because I was pregnant with my first and we were there!
Maria

Hi Chris and Maria,
YES! A&E Live by Request is exactly what I was thinking of. Maria, how lucky you were there! Did it take place in NYC?
Chris, did you try to call in? Did you get through?
Annie

No Annie, I did not try to call in, but I was glued to my TV set like many other Barry fans.
Chris

I remember hitting the redial button on my phone harder than starting a cardiac defibrillator!

Annie

[marvin]

Hi Annie,
There were actually two A&E Live By Request specials. The second one featured Barry doing Christmas music just in case you saw that show as well. Thanks, Marvin

[Maria M]

Yes Annie. It was in NYC. I have been very lucky to attend numerous specials because they were here in NYC or PA (QVC).

As Marvin said there was a second one. We were not able to get into that one.

Maria

[l***@gmail.com]

I had actually typed that into my post- that I thought there was two A&E specials, and the second one was a Christmas theme, but when I looked it up on the Barrynet, I could not find it listed. So I deleted it from my post before hitting POST. Hmmmm.... Wonder why it wasn't listed. Anyone remember what year the Christmas show was aired?

[Scooter]

Post by l***@gmail.com
I had actually typed that into my post- that I thought
there was two A&E specials, and the second one was a
Christmas theme, but when I looked it up on the Barrynet, I
could not find it listed. So I deleted it from my post
before hitting POST. Hmmmm.... Wonder why it wasn't listed.
Anyone remember what year the Christmas show was aired?

December 5, 2003

Scooter

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by Scooter

Post by l***@gmail.com
I had actually typed that into my post- that I thought
there was two A&E specials, and the second one was a
Christmas theme, but when I looked it up on the Barrynet, I
could not find it listed. So I deleted it from my post
before hitting POST. Hmmmm.... Wonder why it wasn't listed.
Anyone remember what year the Christmas show was aired?

December 5, 2003
Scooter

That explains why I missed this one. December 2003 Mr Annie and I were moving to be closer to my Dad who was rapidly becoming debilitated with Parkinsons Disease. Mr M was the farthest thing from my mind at that time.

I'd love to see this on ManilowTV now though

Best,
Annie

[Scooter]

Post by a***@gmail.com
I'd love to see this on ManilowTV now though

"Barry Manilow Happy Holiday!" is the DVD. There are a couple
for sale from 3rd parties on Amazon. I think they edited out
some of the songs. Not sure. CRS.

Scooter

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by Scooter

Post by a***@gmail.com
I'd love to see this on ManilowTV now though

"Barry Manilow Happy Holiday!" is the DVD. There are a couple
for sale from 3rd parties on Amazon. I think they edited out
some of the songs. Not sure. CRS.
Scooter

Hi Scooter,

Thank you for sharing this info. I'm off to Amazon in 3....2....1....



And now, OT:

Scooter I feel the need to tell you this. I apologize to you for coming in so hot on the political.

Full disclosure: I am not the same person I was back in January. Not politically, of course. I'm as liberal as I ever was, so buckle up (LOL)

In all seriousness, though, I'm struggling a bit. Working through the wave of Covid outbreak has left me tired, angry, hopeless in some ways. Like many of my coworkers I find I'm dealing with insomnia and/or nightmares and I'm struggling to get back to life as normal. No details are necessary, just to say we've been through stuff.

And, on top of that a couple months back one of my coworkers who is also one of my close friends was stopped for having a burned out headlight and was pulled out of his car and handcuffed by a police officer because he could not produce his license and registration quickly enough (We'd both just worked a 16 hour shift; I wouldn't have been able to move quickly either)

So he was handcuffed and pushed to the ground. For a burned out headlight. On an empty street. At midnight.

We all knew the cop flipped out because he happens to be a 6'4'' very dark-skinned black man. Who happens to be one of the calmest, most polite people you would ever meet. I've never seen him lose his cool even during the wildest of codes. He had changed out of his scrubs and into sweats before leaving the hospital so did not look like the nurse he in fact is.

The worst part is, he told me he's been stopped by cops before because of his physical appearance being perceived as threatening.

The unfairness of it all enrages me.

So none of this is your fault; of course it is not.

I'm just saying it's been a difficult year and I'm carrying around anger and frustration at social injustice and poorly managed pandemics and subsequent loss of life, and I am sorry I laid into you personally.

I let my feelings rule my behavior and I hope you can accept my apology for attacking you. I am sorry for that, Scooter.

Best,
Annie

[Scooter]

Post by a***@gmail.com
I let my feelings rule my behavior and I hope you can
accept my apology for attacking you. I am sorry for
that, Scooter.

Accepted.

Long ago I learned that to post on a public ng, you need a
thick skin. So I usually manage to let stuff roll off.

As for politics, it helps to practice "détente." Someone once
explained détente as a husband walking into his bedroom to
find his wife in bed with another man, and walking calmly to
the closet to get his coat, then leaving the room without
saying a word. That's sort of what Dave and I do. He hates
Trump. I voted for Trump. Neither of us is going to change
the other's mind, so we don't discuss it and don't let it
destroy our 20-year friendship. We instead discuss all sorts
of other things via email. It's nice. :)

Take care.

Scooter

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by Scooter

Post by a***@gmail.com
I let my feelings rule my behavior and I hope you can
accept my apology for attacking you. I am sorry for
that, Scooter.

Accepted.
Long ago I learned that to post on a public ng, you need a
thick skin. So I usually manage to let stuff roll off.
As for politics, it helps to practice "détente." Someone once
explained détente as a husband walking into his bedroom to
find his wife in bed with another man, and walking calmly to
the closet to get his coat, then leaving the room without
saying a word. That's sort of what Dave and I do. He hates
Trump. I voted for Trump. Neither of us is going to change
the other's mind, so we don't discuss it and don't let it
destroy our 20-year friendship. We instead discuss all sorts
of other things via email. It's nice. :)
Take care.
Scooter

: )

Best,

Annie

[h***@aol.com]

Post by Scooter

Post by l***@gmail.com
I had actually typed that into my post- that I thought
there was two A&E specials, and the second one was a
Christmas theme, but when I looked it up on the Barrynet, I
could not find it listed. So I deleted it from my post
before hitting POST. Hmmmm.... Wonder why it wasn't listed.
Anyone remember what year the Christmas show was aired?

December 5, 2003
Scooter

I guess I didn't check enough years after "96. I went up to 2001. Thought it had to be somewhere in that span. Thanks, Scooter.

Chris