Indroductions please

[Kathy Friendilow]

Hi there, I thought that maybe we could introduce ourselves. Then, maybe we could feel more like friends.

I'll start

My name is kathy and I am 49. I live in Montreal. I have been a fan of Barry since Dec 81 when I frist saw him in concert. (though I had always liked his music). After seeing him for the first time, it was like what the heck happened to me in there. I sure felt different than I had after seeing other concerts.
When I saw Barry on June5, I got that tingly feeling all over again LOL

Kathy

[Clare Benson]

My name is Clare I am 26. I Live in Bristol in the UK. I have been a Barry Manilow fan for 17 months. I first heard of Barry when he came over to the UK in 2006. I saw Barry on the TV and when he was singing I just loved his voice, Also I just loved his looks. I became a fan beginning of 2007 when I bought Ultimate Manilow CD. I just love Barry and his music so much. Manilove Clare

[Marion Gerken]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Marion. I've been a "friend" of Barry's since the very beginning, 1973, when he was still music director for Bette Midler. The first concert I went to was his In The Round world tour in 1982. Since then, I've seen him 10 times, which for some people, that's not many times, for others, I've seen him too many times. LOL In my opinion, you can never see him live too many times. I haven't had the chance to meet him yet, but, hopefully, someday, I will. I live in Upstate NY, and I'm really hoping he'll return to this area soon on one of his road tours.

[Julie Clark (jewels)]

Hi, My name is Julie. I am 54. Most people call me Jewels, it's an old nick-name from when I was little and little brother couldn't say Julie. He said something like Juwals and it became Jewels and it just always stuck. I have been a Barry fan since I was 18 years old. I have been married 2 times. and am now free again. I have 2 of my own children and 2 used to be step children. I have a brother and a sister. My daughter Sarah is also a Barry fan. You might have seen her around here. She is Sarah Mitchell. I have been to 37 concerts, and 2 conventions. My first time seeing Barry was back in 73 or 74 when he did Red Rocks Park in Colorado at a Bette Concert. The second time was in 77 at the Rainbow music hall in Denver. and the third time was at the Big Mac auditorium in Denver Colorado. All is gone now except the park, Red Rocks, that is such a beautiful place. I have been there many times.
Barry has become a real showman of his time since then. I have so many memories of him and concerts where I met his friendalows. I also have been to 2 conventions. One in California we played Spin the Bottle with Pat Sajak and the other just 3 years ago in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There was almost a hurricane. No not really, but, hurricanes do come to Florida.
I live in Kansas City, I bought a house here about 2004. My parents live in Winchester, and they are getting very old and frail. Actually all the kids have come back here so I have family around. My sister lives in Olathe, My brother in Winchester. If I had my choice right now, I'd live in Arizona, but, I can't leave my family right now. We are in dire straits. My parents need medical care and my father won't retire. He is 82 and a disabled vetran. He got hurt in the Army, in basic training, just like me. But, he got stripends to help pay for his medical I just get all my medical at the VA no monies.
I am undergoing replacement disc surgery on my back soon, I have arthritus of the neck and it's degenerative. I got wounded at work 4 years ago and they just diagnosed the rash from the wound as Staph. Seriously I have a lot of things going on in the negative. (money included) but, I just keep looking on the bright side. Barry helps me do that. I have to stay positive otherwise I wouldn' have the initiative to move on. Which is what Barry has taught me. Move on....... There is more to life than this. Do what you want to do with your life, it's more fun......!
I can be very pollitical, and opiniated at times. If I'm riled. But, ususally I'm just a cuddly little Bunny.
I have a cat named Sasha. She is my little bunny. I'll have to put some pics up of her sometime as soon as I learn my way around this computer.

[Katie H]

Hi, I'm Katie. Let's see, what on earth would you want to know about me? I've been a fan since the song "Somewhere In The Night" came out. I saw Barry in concert for the first time in Ames, Iowa back in '81 or was it '82? I was up in the nose bleed section. All I kept saying to everyone is "I don't care how high up I am, I'm breathing the same air as Barry Manilow!!" I've seen him in concert 20 times so far. I went to a meet and greet in MN back in '91 with my youngest son. I'm going to put up some pictures of that concert as soon as I can figure out why my scanner won't scan. I have a fantastic picture of him up close in his red jacket from that concert. Unfortunately, my picture of him at the meet and greet got double exposed. It's too bad too, because it was a great picture of him just smiling that little boy grin for my camera. I like the idea of being considered his friend very much. :))

[Sheila]

Wow. Hi, everyone! My name is Sheila and I've been listening to Barry pretty much from the day I was born. My mother was a HUGE fan of his, she was totally in love with him and I can understand why. He's an amazing musician, what I like to call a 'musical genius'. He truly IS. I've loved him my whole life and I've never seen him live. Going for the first time on October 25th while I'm visiting my good friend in Vegas. Not much exciting to say about myself personally....I work for an international bank, don't wanna say who, I might get in trouble...I'm a bit of a musician myself, I play drums, piano, and I also sing. Music has always been the biggest part of my life. I obsess over it, although I've never wanted to go pro with it. It's my hobby, my comfort, my escape from the world and it's problems. That's about it for me, I'm afraid!

[barrysgirl]

My name is kitty.I live in the netherlands.Been a fan of barry since 1984,and since then saw him 81 or 82 times.I work as a home help.I have always liked barry's music.The first time that i saw him was in birmingham uk.I had a kind of black out with my eyes open.I couldn't remember the show at all.My real first time was in 1988 in germany,sitting in the 3rd row at the front.I was totally hooked,and would be for always. kitty

[Dan L]

my Name is Dan i live in Syrause ny, Syracuse is home to the new york state fair. Barry was here once and put on the greatest ever concert at Syracuse, i missed it, i had to work. im in my 40s One thing i Like about Barry is how Barry and Beach Boy Bruce Johnston Teamed up and wrote in my opinion one of the best songs ever written.

[Deborah Stewart]

Hi my name is Deborah, I'm 47 and live in Ohio. I have been a fan since the beginning when I heard him on the radio when I was 14. I have only seen Barry 4 times in concert. The first was when he came thru Ohio during his Farewell Tour. The other 3 was at the first convention in Vegas when he started there. That first concert was my dream and I will never forget any of it. The lights, the people, the conversations among the fans. The way he came up thru the stage floor just took my breath and every song he delivered made me proud to be his friend. He was every inch the great musician but he delivered more than just good music. Barry knew how to keep you wanting more. And to make sure I wouldn't forget I wrote it all down, every minute, every feeling. Barry doesn't just write the songs, he is the songs. I very much would like to see him one more time before I get to old to travel.
As for me: I'm a cook in the local Bob Evans, been there 15 yrs. I have one daughter, 19 and I live with my boyfriend and our cat Trouble (and yes the name suits him to a T). My daughter likes Barry's music but isn't into like I am. Music has been a part of life since I was little. I play the clarinet, dance, and sing. My daughter followed my footsteps in all three areas as well. Other than that I am just your average every day person.
Here's a poem I wrote back in 2002. Had it published. Even sent a copy to Barry. Hope you like it.
My Music Man
The magic of your music, that you sing to me each night
The wonder of your voice, as it reaches deep inside
The feeling that I 'm having, when I see you standing there
Just makes me wonder why, you were never here.

You give so much to others, with the words you choose to sing
That I long to feel the passion, that only you can bring
I take your music with me, as I see life slipping by
And someday I will see you, standing right before my eyes.
Manilove Deb

[Janice Boucquez]

I am Janice (50) and I live in Chatham, Ontario, Canada which is about 50 miles fom Detroit. I've been married twice with a 'common-law' in between; I had an 'oops' daughter, who'se been a joy and who I raised on my own. She will be 21 on June 18th and yes, I spent Barry's birthday in '88 in labor. My daughter's name is Brittany and her Dad died 4 1/2 years ago. My last divorce was finialized in January.
I am a college grad (after I had Britt) and before I became ill I worked at the hospital as a Medical Administrative Assistant. I have been on disability for two years now.
I have severe arthritis and have two joint replacments so far. I have just recently been told I have terminal liver sclerosis (not from drinking) with the Doctor saying I may have up to five years left. Knowing this was a possibility which has become a reality has pushed me into doing all the things I thought I had a lifetime to do in a short period of time.
I wanted to see Barry in a bad way and I got a ticket for Rochester. It'll be a painful drive but I'm doing it anyway. Even though I have limited finances, I'm going to devote what time I have left to seeing Barry and getting acquainted with other fans. And yes, I hope to getting that tingly feeling too.

[Julie Rath (UK)]

Hello I'm Julie and I am 31 years old. I have been a fan of Barry's since 1993 when I first saw his Wembley greatest hits concert on the BBC. I have been to over 25 UK concerts since 1996 and will be going to the Proms in the Park in september.

[Auntie Bussy Bee]

Hi all! My name is RuthAnne, was born 1 April 1951 ( I know "April Fools Day" ) on Staten Island, NYC...
I live in the Pine Barrens in NJ....have 1 sister: Maureen (she has 2 kids Roger & Tula (music Prof) and there's a stepsis: Patty..her husband Scott & Sahsa their adopt. son & a stepbrother Alex. I have 2 grown sons Richard John and Robert. I love to do crafts & write storys (have 1 book needs to get published) make doll houses (can make with run. water but that costs abit). I can play a # of things...keyboards, 6 & 12 string guitar & woodwinds...sax..love being a musician! I've gotten paid to play and have been in some groups like the "LoveTones"...but no big scale. Still want Neice Sheila if I ever start another group !
I've been with Barry since the very early 70's......I love & respect him dearly and can't thank him enough for all of the music 'lessons' and his shareing & careing that he shows to all of us.
"Thanks Barry !!!"
I have come up with some doll house desgins that maybe the NEXT Barry doll house might be decided by a vote. Maybe you'd like to vote for your fave one. I'd have to send the drawings to Neice Shelia or Neice Maria...maybe they could find a way to post the drawings.
Manihuggies to all Auntie