Wow! What an adventure! And it all started in December with the announcement of the TV tapings in February. We started with a group of four� Linda, Tessa, Sue and me. Sue would fly in from Cleveland to meet us and we would drive in. The first challenge was getting the tickets. That alone took almost two hours of phone time, but we did it! Hooray... we had tickets... we were actually going.
Slowly the BMIFC released the list of special guests for this most unusual "Manilow Country" show. Then it seemed like every week or so, another name was added. So that before long the lineup was a Manilow fan/country fan's dream concert. This turned out to be more than Jill could stand... fitting that category. Since she had been planning her wedding, she originally decided to pass on this trip, but no longer. She was in. Tickets ordered, plans made, she was going.
Ann also had a wedding to plan for, her son's. But hearing that Jill had decided to go, she couldn't stay home depressed thinking about it, so two weeks and counting, our number grew from four to six! What a wonderful couple of days this was going to be.
But I'm sure that now that you know all of this, you really would rather hear about these special events and not our adventure, although the shows were an adventure in itself. We arrived at the TPAC to find a very diverse crowd. So much activity with cameras set up on jib/booms and speakers everywhere. The stage was a bit smaller than usual, and it was obvious that the regular band wouldn't be present this first night. However, as the performers began taking their positions, we noticed a familiar face! Much to our delight, it was Debra Byrd! It was so good to see her and she looked wonderful. Everyone stood and cheered and she got totally embarrased! Eventually, we were prompted by a crew member what to expect - a long night. He also told us that just our being there was our permission to be on camera for this show that would air on TNN on April 11th.
Without any fanfare or huge introduction, Barry simply walked onto the stage and said hello. He thanked everyone for coming and helping with this project, and soon after, began to sing It's A Miracle. Suddenly another voice! Neal McCoy entered to join him in a very exciting rendition. But to our dismay (NOT) they didn't quite do it right and had to do it again! Awwww!!! Too bad! We loved it! This was just a taste of the kind of evening we were in for. Stops. And starts. Occasional errors. All to be redone. How sad! We had to listen to these things over, and over again. What a trying evening! We suffered through it! Such troopers that we are.
The evening continued with such country stars as Trisha Yearwood singing Lay Me Down; Gillian Welsh singing Sweetwater Jones; JoDee Messina singing the commerical medley and I Made It Through The Rain; Lila McCann with Daybreak and Can't Smile; Lorrie Morgan doing Weekend In New England; Deana Carter performing Could It Be Magic; Neal McCoy in another duet with Barry for Something's Coming Up; and Kevin Sharp - Please Don't Be Scared. It was amazing to hear the "country" connections to these Manilow songs. Barry did sing some of his "standards" alone, but most were him introducing the stars and doing what he loves to do - backup, playing piano and just enjoying the music and talent.
The evening started at about 7:45pm when Barry first stepped onto the stage and ended around 11:30pm. What a night.
Wednesday was an all Manlow night! It was a typical concert except for the lights and the cameras. We were told that this show would be taped for release later on DVD. Secretly we all wished for an extended evening like the previous night, but it did end up being a typical concert, which we loved. He was certainly wired for it too. More energy than any of us had, that's for sure. But it didn't take long for him to transfer than energy to us.
He told us that he had a hard time choosing which songs to sing, so he would do them all. A little exaggeration, but it was close. Some songs that we've seen him sing before, and others we only heard that he had done, like the relay piano marathon with Ron and Steve - too funny! He also performed the Harmony song he did at Carnegie Hall with a men's choir and the sound was excellent. Every song brought the crowd to their feet, probably to the dismay of the camera man stationed directly behind us!
Finally, it was coming to an end. Barry sang his final song, and was ready to leave the stage, when we heard that familiar beat!! YES!!! Could It Be Magic! Man! It's been a long time. The crowd really went wild. Everything we wanted and more - bam, bam, bam!
When he finally did leave the stage for good, the crowd continued chanting in hopes that he'd return. Barry, Barry, Barry, Barry! But it was over. Two of the most special nights any of us have had in a long time. We were satisfied with that. It was so thrilling, and intimate.
- Betty Sadowski
