So what's it like to meet Barry backstage after the show?

[Deb]

I was just wondering if anyone one would share their meet and greet Barry story. What was it like, did you get to take pictures with your own camera, does he sign autographs, do you get to talk with him?

[Lana]

Hi Debbie

You can check out a few websites with details on Platinum meetings. If you go to:

www.manilowuk.com

and

www.mrdynamite.co.uk

There are quite a number of meetings and photos on the websites that give you an idea of what its like.......amazing.

You cant take photos with your own camera, a disposable camera is used by one of the guys and they give you the camera when you leave so you have those photos and the professional one.

Yes Barry signs a programme for you and its kind of surreal to look at what he wrote and how he writes your name afterwards yet you can see him in your minds eye signing it for you while you watch him!

Yes you get to talk with Barry, although it doesnt last long as Barry is on a schedule as the meetings take place just before the show so he cant spend 10 or 15 minutes but he does take time to talk to you.

CJ posted on here I think it was under the MMN catagory with more details about Platinum so between CJ's post and the details on both of the above websites I hope you get some idea of what its like.

Barry is warm, caring and a true gentleman.......love him!

Hope this info is of some use to you and answers your questions.

Manilove

Lana

[Jean]

I did the platinum in March 08 and agree with everything Lana has just posted. Barry signed a large poster for our group, not a programme.
It was quite unreal, but I didn't feel rushed, said what I wanted to say though don't waste your time preparing anything - it goes right out of your mind.
Barry DOES look straight at you when he's speaking to you... and you only get one shot at your professional photo so if you forget to smile, or continue talking to Barry, there's no 2nd chance.
It's all very slick, but I loved it - and I do look like the cat that's got the cream in my photo - but I guess everyone does!
I had about 10 pics in my disposable camera - a friend only had about 6 so there's no guarantee of how many you do get.
The only other point I would make is that there were 3 people in our group who had done the platinum before. They felt that were rushed through and didn't get as long as those of us who hadn't met Barry before. Maybe they did, maybe not- no-one was actually looking at their watch.
Enjoy it if you're doing it.
Jean PS I felt SO ill all day with nerves - it's all part of the experience!! :)

[Roxanne Oligny]

Jean:

Hey I love your story. I never felt rushed either, and I guess I was in there about 7 minutes. all I know is I looked at my watch just before I walked up the stairs, and it was 7:55, and when I came out it was 8:02. I knew I wanted to remember this. I was the second to last person to meet him that night. some had gone in and were really fast, and a couple were longer. He had about 30 minutes to meet 10 people, so?? And yes he never looks away from your eyes, un nerving as he** isn't it? And I knew when he said to me, okay now this is Robert (or someone said) this is Robert your photographer, and then I feel Barry's arm, and him saying the "come over here", and I definitely felt him pull me close, oh my God!!!!!! I had 12 pictures, but I swear the person taking them had a real knack for shooting the back of my head?? But there are a couple of good ones so? and he was soooo nice. I think the look on my face was a combination of "Finally I'm finally meeting you", and "Oh my God Barry Manilow is touching my back". Fun and then some, and except for the first 30 seconds of "Oh my God-ing him, I was fine.
Roxy

[Roxanne Oligny]

Jean:

I don't think it is like that, I just think he talks to some people longer than others, depends how talkative you are, and I am very talkative. I hate to think that he gives less time to people doing Platinum again, after all they pay the same money, and you deserve to have as much time as anyone else, and I look like I'm about to collapse in my picture, but deleriously happy. Oh honey let's just get a Rabbi and make it official, LOL looks like a freakin' wedding picture?? LOL again.

Roxy

[Roxanne Oligny]

Debbie:

Well, it is wonderful to meet Barry, but it was a Platinum date and so it was before the show. I was so nervous, but somehow I managed to find my voice. He was so nice, and I did some silly things. Like I said "Oh my God", when I first walked in, and when he hugged me I said "You're so Tall". Well I am 4 foot 11 so well, yea he's so tall to me?? Of course we are not allowed to go in with a camera, but they took pictures, and my Platinum professional photo is incredible. He just put his arm around me, and when I sort of tentatively/nervously? put my hand on his back, he pulled me right in, and said "Come over here". Oh Man!!!! Thought I was gonna lose it, and then they said to look into the camera and somehow I pulled off a good picture of me. We chatted about his show, and about Sting (because my name is Roxanne of course, I thought he might sing the first line to me like so many people do, but he didn't). He was so excited that I mentioned 'his' hero, that he turned around with big eyes and said excitedly "Oh don't you just love him!!!". Well yes Barry I do, and I loved him too. We had fun. It was over so fast, but I will remember it forever (and a Day).

Roxy

[Marilyn]

Meeting Barry is like all your Christmases and birthdays all at once. I did the Platinum last June 29th and its something that will stay with me forever.I was very lucky with the photos from the disposable camera, I did the Platinum with my hubby so we got a double lot of photos, 31 in total + 2 professional ones. We also got almost 15 mins with Barry, I know we were lucky cos others had had less time.I did feel he chatted like an old friend to my hubby, I think men are less in awe of him and this makes them more relaxed.They ended up discussing the merrits of Barbra Striesand of all things. To me he was charming and attentive, he really makes you feel that just for a few minutes you are the only person that exists. I would recommend it to anyone that can afford it, true its expensive but what price do you put on a once in a lifetime experience.
Marilyn.

[Bev Edelstein]

hi everyone - reading all these experiences has just made my heart race about 1000 times per minute. i am going to get my chance this august, and i am so excited, i can't stand it. i have this platinum ticket since last october, when they went on sale, and i just look at it on a regular basis, just to make sure it's not a dream. the waiting and anticipation makes real life easier to deal with. i know it will be over before i realize it, but i know it will be in my head and in my heart forever (and a day). thanks again for all the wonderful comments. bev

[Randi]

It is my understanding that "meet and greet" sessions are held after performances, sometimes after arena concerts and sometimes after Vegas shows on Friday nights. I have not participated in a post-show meet-and-greet myself, but I know other people who have. The meet and greets are NOT the same as the Platinum events described by other respondents. Generally the meet and greets are very quick and not very personal. You are herded into the Green Room with a large group, and then you line up for a quick photo with Barry. There is very little time for conversation, just a "hi, what's your name?", handshake, snap the photo, "thanks for coming, goodbye."

To get a meet and greet, people make donations to charity (not just PBS as CJ wrote, but other nonprofit groups auction or sell meet/greets as fundraisers) or perhaps win a radio contest (a station in St. Louis held one for the April show there), or have connections through the Las Vegas Hilton or the entertainment industry. Also, anyone can have a meet and greet with Barry (and can have multiple meet/greets too), but only members of the BMIFC can purchase Platinum packages.