MANILOW'S MODEMS

ON-LINE FAN CLUB

NEWSLETTER 2003

Hi all you Manilow starved fans.  

Does anyone miss Barry as much as I do?  Well of course you do!  And although our favorite entertainer hasn’t been on tour for the last year and a half, he certainly hasn’t been out of the limelight!  Just look at what he’s been doing in 2003….. 

	Suzanne Sommers Walk of Fame Star – January 2003
	Celine Dion Opening Night of ‘A New Day’ – March 2003
	An Evening Under the Stars Benefit – April 2003
	KOST Radio Interview – April 2003
	The 2003 Society of Singers Ella Awards – April 2003
	The 34th Annual Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Award - June 2003
	5th Annual White Tie & Tiara Ball/Elton John’s AIDS Foundation – June 2003
	Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Awards Show broadcast on Bravo – July 2003
	Dianne Schuur CD Release – August 2003
	Bette Midler CD Release - September 2003
	Operation Smile Benefit @ Beverly Hilton Hotel – September 2003
	The Today Show – October 2003
	The Convention – October 2003
	The Wayne Bradey Show – November 2003
	The Ultimate Manilow DVD – November 2003
	Good Morning American – December 2003
	Inside Edition – December 2003
	A&E Live by Request – December 2003
	Will & Grace – December 2003
	Palm Springs Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - 2003

 Did I miss anything?  No wonder the poor man didn’t have time to tour. But many of us were privileged enough to catch one or more of Barry’s special appearances this year and as always, he looked fabulous and sounded marvelous, Thanks to our members who shared some of their amazing ‘moments with manilow’ in 2003!

Margie Ramey

Director - MMOLFC 

 

On this Page:

Byron Motley

A New Logo

Fundraisers 2003

Bobble Head Poll

Spotlight on the BarryNet

Calendar Survey

Harmony

A&E Ratings

Diane Schuur Review

Bette Midler Review

Bette & Larry King

 

Where Are They Now? – Byron Motley

Margie Ramey

Most of you only know Byron Motley as Barry’s backup singer but there is so much more to this remarkable man that I’ve had the opportunity to learn about over the years.  Did you know that he is also a wonderful photographer and talented filmmaker, or that he will have 3 compositions published in ‘The New Anthology of Art Songs by African-American Composers’ in 2004?  Take some time to visit his recently revamped web site at www.byronmotley.com where you can also listen to a sample of his inspiring lectures on “The Negro Baseball Leagues – An American Legacy”.

Manilow's Modems Logo

We have been talking about the need for an official Manilow's Modems logo for at least a year, maybe longer. The BMIFC convention was looming on the horizon, and with the specter of the Fan Club displays and giveaways.  The time had clearly come to get creative.  We needed an identifying image, one that would be self-evident, that would tie us up in one neat package.  What was it that separated us from all the other fan clubs out there? Clearly a picture of Barry with an arm-load of modems was out of the question. But a grand piano with a computer keyboard in place of keys was within the realm of possibility. So a few failed attempts later we arrived at two versions. 

One a bit fussy  for the website,

and another more basic for business cards

.     

We focused our combined energies on two charities during 2003. Click on the buttons to read letters and certificates from Foundation Fighting Blindness and California Musical Theatre.

BOBBLE HEAD DOLL POLL

Nothing has spurred such heated debate as the Barry Bobble Head doll unveiled at the BMIFC Convention in Ft. Lauderdale this fall.  Reactions ran the gamut from outrage to adoration.  The Manilow's Modems email string vibrated with opinions.  Along with cries from members unable to attend the convention of 'what does it look like!?!'  

We whipped out our digital camera, stood our Bobble-head in front of a piece of card stock and started shooting from all angles.  Took the pictures along with some of the comments made during the email discussion and created a poll.  The official results won't be tallied until Christmas Day, but a here' s sneak preview as of 9:50 am December 23rd: Overall ~ not too thrilled = 57; think it is cute = 27

Breakdown by option
I think it is cute	10
I think it is cute & I own it	9
I think it is cute & plan to buy	8
It is nothing like Barry	23
Wouldn't have it in my house	15
Doesn't look like him - but want one	19

When you come right down to it though, somebody, make that a whole bunch of somebodies, must have loved it because the BMIFC recently announced that the doll has sold out!

The 2004 Calendar Survey

The calendar survey has become a Manilow's Modems annual event. As soon as the calendar hits mailboxes the discussion begins - which month is your favorite?  This year votes were cast for first, second and third place. The winners moved out in front fast and pretty much stayed there.

July came in First 37 votes	November ~ second 30 votes	Third is the Cover   25 Votes

Now you would think that with people casting votes for EACH category that the numbers would be even, but there were some who only picked a number one, and then there were those who had ties for second and third place. If you went with most votes overall then the months add up to: November w/79, July w/78 and way down in the numbers February w/54.
 

FIRST, THE BAD NEWS…

November 14, 2003 - Manilow's Musical Shuts Down Production

By JESSE McKINLEY

Harmony,” a Broadway-bound musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, unexpectedly shut down production yesterday morning after it became apparent that its producers were millions of dollars short of capitalizing the show.

Brent Peek, the production’s general manager, broke the news to a stunned cast about 10 a.m. at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts on West 43^rd Street, where “Harmony” was rehearsing. The show was to have started performances at the Forrest Theater in Philadelphia on Dec. 2, with an eye toward a Broadway opening next spring.

“They’re in complete shock,” said David Warren, the director. “They were ready to start this thing, and now it’s over.”

With original music by Mr. Manilow, the popular 1970’s and 80’s singer, and a book and lyrics by Mr. Sussman, “Harmony” tells the story of the Comedian Harmonists, the vaudevillian German sextet, during the fall of the Weimar Republic.

It was originally produced in 1997 at the La Jolla Playhouse in California. It received mixed reviews but had been rumored to be coming to Broadway several times since that production. In its current incarnation, the show featured Brian d’Arcy James, leading a cast with 26 other now newly unemployed actors.

Mark Schwartz, the show’s lead producer, was not on hand at the Ford Center. But speaking later from his home in Jupiter, Fla., Mr. Schwartz said that he had been forced to cancel the show after several promises from investors fell through.

“It’s a complicated and very unfortunate situation, but basically what happened is, we just ran out of financing,” he said. “A lot of people said they were putting in money, and it ended up they didn’t.”

Mr. Schwartz said that the production had started rehearsals in early October with about $1 million in the bank and a projected budget of somewhere around $7 million. Most Broadway productions are fully capitalized at this stage, and Mr. Schwartz’s $1 million apparently began to run out in recent weeks.

Mr. Warren said that the first indication of problems came two weeks ago when he was told that costume-shop personnel had not been paid.

“I called Mark and said, `Are we headed into something bad?’ and he said: `You have my word. We’ve identified all the money,’ “ Mr. Warren said. “Then the money began to flow again, and he said the problem was solved.” That cash flow may have come from a $1.5 million loan Mr. Schwartz said he took out on his Jupiter home, which he says he now may lose as a result of the show’s cancellation. “I tried everything right up until the very end,” he said.

The situation apparently became critical last Friday when a technical load-in at the Forrest Theater was called off for lack of payments to the theater owners and crew.

In the days since, the creative team had tried frantically to find other investors — including running the show twice this week for potential producers — but to no avail. Mr. Schwartz, who has a half-dozen Broadway producing credits, including the 1999 flop “Epic Proportions” and the successful 1983 show “My One and Only,” said “Harmony” remained some $3 million short of what it needed for its Philadelphia run.

For his part, Mr. Warren said he was still holding out hope that the show would be seen on Broadway.

“Barry and Bruce and I were utterly blindsided by this,” Mr. Warren said. “I’m owed money and that’s a problem, but that’s not why my heart is breaking. It’s breaking because I think it’s a great show.” 

Mr. Manilow, who was in a plane yesterday afternoon, also sounded angry at his producer. "My heart breaks for the hundreds of talented men and women who will be hurt by this colossal blunder," he said in a statement. "We all deeply hope that this situation can be corrected and that this powerful piece will finally  be seen."

 AND NOW THE GOOD NEWS…

Barry Manilow Scores Highest Rated A&E Live By Request

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- "A Barry Manilow Christmas: A&E Live By Request" became the highest rated "Live By Request" in two years for the network.  The special aired on Friday, December 5th and had the crooner joined by special guests including Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, and Jose Feliciano live from New York City's historic Kaufman Astoria Studios.  Holiday hits were pulled from his certified Platinum "Because It's Christmas," (Arista/BMG, 1990) and Gold "A Christmas Gift of Love," (Columbia/Sony, 2002).

www.livebyrequest.com

SOURCE  A&E 

CO:  A&E; Arista/BMG; Columbia/Sony

ST:  California, New York

SU: Web site: www.manilow.com

http://www.prnewswire.com

12/11/2003 08:02 EST

 

Diane Schuur
Midnight
(Concord Jazz)

Before there was Diana Krall, there was Diane Schuur--another piano-playing vocal-jazz diva who knows her way around a standard. She covers her beauty (and her blindness) with a dazzling pair of rhinestone sunglasses, but her voice cannot be disguised. When asked to name his favorite singer, Barry Manilow didn't hesitate before saying "Diane Schuur." So it comes as little surprise that Manilow produced Schuur's work. In fact, Manilow co-wrote all the songs on this CD, along with lyricists like the late Johnny Mercer and his longtime collaborators Bruce Sussman and Marty Panzer. By keeping the orchestral excesses in check, he's crafted a wonderful recording that lives up to its name: Midnight is the perfect time to ease into this music. There are songs filled with longing and heartache, poignantly served up by Schuur's delicate side; these alternate with sassy swing numbers, electrified by Schuur's flair. Highlights include duets with Manilow, Brian McKnight, and an especially fun romp with fellow jazz songstress Karrin Allyson on "Stay Away From Bill." The two exchange gal-pal warnings like "He'll have you and hurt you, and then he will desert you," only to reveal the true nature of their concern when they confide, "Stay away from Bill. He's mine." It may not be Cole Porter, but it comes close. Kudos to Manilow, who may have discovered his second calling in jazz. As for Schuur, not only does she demonstrate an incredible range (listen to the way she sneaks in those high notes at the end of the opening track, "Meet Me, Midnight"), she captures the essence of every smoky ballad, every tragic torch song, and even effortlessly bounces between mambo and swing on "Good-Bye My Love." "Midnight" may very well be Schuur's finest hour.

--L.D.H.

© 2003 Frontiers Newsmagazine; All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook
GayWired.com - By Pete Zorn - October 23, 2003

Some sage once said the life is a circle and everything eventually returns to where it began. So, I guess it shouldn't come as a shock that Bette Midler returned to her recording roots to teaming up once again with Barry Manilow.

Manilow was her arranger in the early New York days of her career and produced her first two albums: "The Divine Miss M," which won her the first Grammy for best new artist in 1973, and "Bette Midler," the platinum follow-up.

They toured, they recorded, and they fought. Eventually the feuding led to the professional breakup. But, despite the disagreements, they each held one thing in common: a love for Rosemary Clooney, the big band singer with the big voice. Clooney owned the 1950s. She, who died last year, was brilliant lyric interpreter, with fine timing, skillful and intelligent phrasing.

Manilow says the idea to do a retrospective album came to him in a dream.

"It was the 1950s in my dream, and Bette was singing Rosemary Clooney songs," Manilow told Billboard. "Bette and I hadn't spoken in years, but I picked up the phone and told her I had an idea for a tribute album. I knew there was absolutely no one else who could do this."

Midler says, "The concept was absolutely brilliant. I loved Rosemary. I had a lot of respect for her, and I missed Barry. And those songs are magical."

Thus, "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook" was born.

Although he does sing on one of the album's tracks ("A Slow Boat to China"), Manilow mainly sticks to behind-the-scenes roles as producer and arranger; the spotlight remains on Midler's still strong, spunky, and affecting vocals.

Midler turns her sights on such Clooney signature numbers as the touching ballads "Hey There," and "Tenderly," as well as the humorous hits "Come On-a My House" and "Mambo Italiano."

The love that both Midler and Manilow have for Clooney is evident throughout the album. And, even though most of Miss M's fans had never heard of George Clooney's famous aunt, it doesn't matter. This music is timeless, and Midler has found herself another amazing album. 

 

Bette Midler Sings

The Rosemary Clooney Songbook

Transcript from Nick Clooney’s phone call to Bette on Larry King Live.

KING: Back to the calls. We go to Augusta, Georgia -- Augusta, Kentucky, hello.

CALLER: Hi. This is Nick Clooney. How are you, Larry?

KING: Rosey's brother, George's father, whose going to run for Congress, right?

CLOONEY: Well, forget that. It's not about me. I want to talk about Bette. I've got to tell you. I haven't had a chance to talk to you, Bette, since the album came out. All of us in the family are so thrilled...

MIDLER: I am so...

CLOONEY: What you did. You are astounding. You know you surprise me. I knew you would do well with all of this, but the balance that Rosemary sort of owned. You know? You did a wonderful, wonderful job with and we love it.

MIDLER: I'm so happy to hear that. That's really fabulous. That's such good news, because I was so frightened.

KING: You're crying, Bette.

MIDLER: It's very moving, because I was so terrified what the family would think.

CLOONEY: Well, we are thrilled. You and Barry and Linda of course, all great friends of Rosemary. What could be better as kind of a -- as a monument of this stage? I must -- of her memory. And you've just done wonders, all of Rosemary's kids. I don't speak for anybody generally, especially not my wife of 44 years, but I do speak for all of the family when I tell you that we're very proud of what you've done and we're very grateful for what you've done.

KING: Nick, how great of you to call in. I was telling Bette how I knew your sister, Betty.

CLOONEY: You bet. I know.

KING: Knew the Clooneys back...

CLOONEY: All those years. Betty and Rosemary and I thought Betty was the best of us. And when you did "Sisters" with Linda I must say that that set me down for a few moments.

MIDLER: Oh my god. Thank you so much.

CLOONEY: Don't want to take all of your time. I just wanted you to know that the Clooneys all love you.

KING: One quick thing, how's George doing?

CLOONEY: Why that rascal is still taking my calls.

KING: Going to get him married ever?

CLOONEY: You know, I can't get grand kids out of him. I got them out of my daughter Adith (ph), 2 of them, who are the world's only 2 grandchildren of course. And I'm now working on George. But you know? He seems to be doing fine without my advice.

KING: And good luck with the Congress thing.

CLOONEY: Bless you.

MIDLER: Bye. That's sweet.

KING: No special number, just called in.

MIDLER: That's great. I'm sorry. I'm really moved.

KING: It's ok. I understand. When the family -- hey. It's the brother.

MIDLER: Yes. That means a lot to me. "

 

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