cswy

The first person that says 'it's all Greek to me' will be drummed out of the corps. When I was struck with the idea for this page to chronicle the members of Manilow's Modems chosen to sing with Barry during the now infamous Can't Smile Without You duet and thereby becoming automatic members of the Can't Smile Sorority, I thought that it would be simple to convert CSWY into the Greek alphabet. Well, let me tell you it is not simple. Did you know that one of the oldest alphabets in the world doesn't have a C? How can they not have a C? What about Constantine P. Cavafy? How did he write his name? He wrote poetry - he must have signed it. Ahhhh, but that is a riddle for another time and place.

This place is reserved for the lucky ladies who have been chosen to croon locked arm and arm with Barry. Their stories are told in their own words. So sit back and enjoy the tales of the very special few who are Members of the Can't Smile Sorority...or The Kappa Sigma Girls! To add your tale to this page please send it along with a photo if you have one via email to: cswy@manilowsmodems.com

When the tour began, my husband, Eric and I decided to go to Las Vegas to meet up with our "Barry family" and to help kick off the tour. Wouldn't you know it, the Seattle dates were the very next weekend. Only once had I had the opportunity to see Barry more than one time per tour, so this trip was doubly sweet, knowing that I would see him again the next weekend.

Our plane was delayed leaving the airport to return to Seattle. While we waited, we spotted GEORGY!! We chatted briefly and I asked her to rub some good luck off on me (just in case Barry did CSWY). I figured, it couldn't hurt.

Fast forward to December 21. My best friend Brenda, and another 'Barry buddy' De had a ladies night out with Barry. Wouldn't you know, THIS WOULD BE THE NIGHT, and my husband wasn't there to share it with me. Oh Well!

Since my full experience is posted on the Barry Net, I won't go into great detail except to say that the experience was everything I had imagined it would be! Barry was sweet, VERY in control (good thing I didn't have to think about what to do), and the perfect gentleman. I'll never forget the look on his face when he realized that I could carry a tune! Talk about a confidence booster! (too bad my concentration slipped during the walk....I'm sure I nearly broke his eardrums)

Anyway, getting the opportunity to sing with Barry really was dream come true. For me, it was a dream that took more than 25 years to come true. But I wouldn't change a thing about it, or the years leading up to it....except, maybe taking a page from Shari Davis' book, and making that kiss last longer!! LOL!

I wonder if Barry ever got my hair glitter off of his suit! (a little something to remember me by)

"I've been MANILOWED!"

June 18th, the day after Barry's birthday, turned out to be the second best day of my life (the first being the birth of my one and only son)! I have loved Barry and his music for over 23 years ... I had never seen Barry "live" after all these years. How could I have been lucky enough to get picked at my first concert? You'll have to take that one up with God!

The day finally arrived and I began to realize that I was going to see and hear Barry. My 13-year-old son and I drove all the way to Phoenix. Before the trip we had made several "on-line" friends who were going to meet us at the concert. I had made a sign that said, "I NEED YOU...MANILOW ME!" I never totally believed I had a real chance of getting picked, but when you have breast cancer, you aim high!

During the beginning of "Can't Smile," I stood up and held my sign for Barry. I didn't jump up and down or scream and yell. Just stood there and smiled, sang, and prayed. The next thing I knew my son said, "Mom, you got picked, GO!" He said it twice before it kicked in. I found myself running and being led down to the stage, all the time my heart POUNDING!

There he was! All I could do was look into those baby blues and try to forget there were 3000 people in front of me, even though I could hear their cheers of support. Barry was so wonderful to me. I was shaking like a leaf, but I totally trusted him. He asked me what I was doing there and I told him I came to see him. "You came all the way from California to see me?" I nodded and he said, "Isn't that nice? Hello Lisa, Yeah Lisa." He made sure I knew the words to "Can't Smile." I DID! He laughed, but I think I really scared him. He was about to find out it was part of my life!

We began singing and he said, "Go girl! Very nice." He encouraged me to sing louder with a hand gesture. He then told me I had "beautiful eyes" and I lost it! My voice wavered. He smiled. We began to stroll and he said, "Aren't we cute?!" At one point I almost passed out, but I just couldn't let that happen now. After he said I was doing great, we ended back at the piano. He got up on the piano and put me between his legs and I melted into his chest. He cuddled me close and I almost forgot to put my hand on his knee. When I finally remembered, he gave the audience a very "approving" nod.

After we finished the last note, he jumped down and I gave him a HUGE bear hug. He replied, "OOH it's a bear hug!" We walked to the end of the stage, he turned me around, and I gave him the sweetest kiss I could. Heaven, I'm in heaven!

Then came "the moment." I accidentally knocked the mic from his hand and he grabbed it before I had a chance to (Where's the nearest rock!). Since this would be my one and only chance to do this, I turned around and gave him a kiss on his cheek and smiled. As I left him, he reminded me to be careful on the steps and said, "Bye darlin." He "thumped" his heart on the outside of his jacket, then again on the inside. He strutted back to center stage while I got back to my seat. I turned toward him, waved, blew him a kiss, and thanked him. Then I sat down and cried!

"Lisa was so 'together,' didn't you think?" OOH Barry, if you only knew! While signing my video, he and the audience sang, "Lisa, Lisa, bo-beesa, banana fana fo fisa, fee fi moesha, Lisa!" I loved it!

Where do I start? I became "Barry's Date" or CS girl on May 25,2000 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas! Much to the delight of the audience and "fright" of Barry!

Anyway, after 40 some concerts and just as many signs I was at my wits end as what I would do in Vegas. Until my dear friend ,Margie Ramey, let me in on her little idea to get me up there with Barry. If I had the guts to ask as many people to help me then she would supply the way. Well-anyone that knows me knows I am not shy and love people, so off to the copy store went Margie and off to the stationary store I went.

The night of the concert we arrive with 50 signs in hand saying" Pick Georgy", I had one saying "I'm Georgy" and my friends all had different signs to help me made by my world famous sign maker Fay Landi. We all took the "Pick Georgy" signs and approached as many people that we could making sure to have signs scattered all about. It worked!!!!!!!!! I must thank everyone involved here for holding my signs!

On to the CS part - the 3rd song in he starts to whistle CS and everywhere you looked my little signs went up. "What's all this? Who ever Georgy is? My God there must be 3 million signs saying "Pick Georgy". Come on down Georgy!

Yikes my dream is coming true!!!!! Down I ran (that's a feat for me in heels!) "Oh My God" (abbreviated to OMG from here in), OMG Barry. "OMG" says Barry. Now we are OMG ing to each other. With a loud yelp I ran into his arms and started kissing him on the cheek "Thank you, thank you" I said 7 times kissing him for all my 7 friends that ever said "If you get up there give him a kiss for me".

He led me to the piano "Georgy do we know each other"? "I know your name is Georgy". "I look terrible" I said wishing that I would have worn my new pants suit that hubby Jim bought me. He held my hand and stepped back to have a look " No you don't you look beautiful" OMG then pulled me close and another hug! I get the "goosepickles" reliving this. He asked if I was married "ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes "I replied. He had a great laugh about that ."What do you do?" I'm a Tax Assessor" "Ohhhhhhhhhhh,well I guess we need you he replied." Barry, I have to tell you something" (he looks deeply into my eyes getting a bit closer). "OMG Barry don't look at me that way! My husband Jim (Barry interrupts saying "he hates me") no I said he is glad I have a hobby even if its another man! HAHAHAHAHAHA came from that man with the smile that melts my heart. Then the old have you seen my concert before. " Yes 25 times this summer, over 40 in all." " You must have been on tour with us did you like it?" (still holding me close as I felt his lapel ) " I loved it and Barry this is my first time in Vegas." " Georgy, isn't it wonderful and isn't Mandalay Bay beautiful?" " Yes it is" I said " and look at this theater isn't it wonderful?" Still holding onto each other I said, " I don't see a thing" as I looked into the big black void that was the audience. Barry said "Oh its the lights you'll get used to them".

OMG I thought- here I am with the man who hugs my heart with his songs and on stage persona -"OMG" I said as I started to descend to the floor sliding slowly down his body. He pulls me up and holds me closer to him. More thoughts at this time-is this really happening? Am I having my 5 minutes with Barry the man who means the world to me in so many ways, the man whos musical genius has helped me through so many ups and downs in my life? This kind, gentle, loving man who has me in his arms and is treating me like the most important person in his world at the moment! OMG BARRY!!!!!!!!

"Do you know the words to CS ?I know you do Georgy (I'm gonna do this and make it through if it kills me)."Oh I do and Barry I wish I had ear plugs for your ears honey because I'm one who will make the dogs and cats howl( as I touch those precious ears) but I don't care. I don't care either he replies. Around to get my mic and the song begins. I am a natural at singing off key so being the gentleman he is he comes right off key with me! I can't smile without you OMG-I can't smile with out you. I can't laugh and I can't sing (I'm really terrible, Barry) No your not he lied (you just have to love him). I'm finding it hard to do anything-"OMG". Then to the part "if you only knew what I'm going through" I clumped that all together with an OMG thrown in) "I have an idea he said." You came along just like a song as we danced across the stage-OMG-"and she's an actress too" said Barry. As his cheek touched the top of my head so I rested my head on his shoulder." Who would have believed you were part of a dream" OMG".

Back to the piano " Stay Right There" (like I would go anywhere) as he mounts the piano. "I can't do this" I scream as he pulls me between his legs! I held onto his knee for dear life! Ah remembering my other friend, Lynn Perry," if you ever get up there just travel an inch or so up his leg so I did! Just a hair then back to his kneecap! OMG I thought he is stroking my hair and I could feel his heartbeat! I felt a little faint! I started to slide an inch and next thing I knew he had those long legs wrapped around me to help hold me up!

Then I did something I had always said I wanted to do. I laid my head as close to his shoulder and looked into his big eyes and sang my heart out (I think)!

We hit the last note and he outstretches his arms and mine automatically go right with his (like in the movie Titanic-king and

queen of the world)! Off the piano and we hug" I love you and thanks for picking me". "I love you too" he said. Next the KISS. He outstretched his lips and being the shy innocent girl I am (lol) I fly into him wrapping both arms around his neck (when I saw my video I also saw my leg raised as we kissed-OMG) Oh please one more Barry (I still don't know if I said it to him or thought it) But leaning into me he gives me a second kiss! Bye Georgy!
The singing ,waving and kiss blowing to me 4 in all! Laughing he looks at the band then lets out a "HELP Are my clothes still on? I missed that part as he blew down his shirt and fanned himself! Georgy wow!!!!!!! "Your in the top 3 Georgy as I have been felt, touched, goosed and grouped by a lot of women "and Georgy your number 1"!
Holy Mackerel Georgy-OMG Barry I replied!

Out comes the video still a little flustered he says "It says I sang with Barry

Manilow which I really don't think she did BUT she did sooo much more! with lust Barry Manilow!

Although in the following nights it went from "Where's Georgy?" (with a spotlight on me) to I'm Georgy's Boy Toy to dedicating this ones for you Georgy "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed" to me to "Wow Georgy"! 'Georgy is my #1 grouper! Then instead of Debbie does Dallas its Georgy does Barry", I thought we were staring in a French Porno film! Night after night it went on and on till Barry gave our CS duet a life of its own! Barry! Barry! Barry! Dare I take this home to show Jim?

That's my story and here are my thoughts-there are things that cannot be anything but life's treasures and this treasure from Barry this gift that I hold dearly and will be kept surrounded by a hug in my mind and heart forever. Barry what can I say my dear friend? You are a treasure and a one of a kind human being. I love you and your music and someday I hope you will see I am not GEORGY (crazed and nutty fan) but Georgeann someone who appreciates your gift of music. Thank you my dear Barry I will always love you my friend.

For the rest of you-my story I pray brings you the hope that dreams do come true. Thank you for letting me tell it and NEVER give up on your dreams!

"Can't Smile Without You" just has to hold a special meaning for me out of all the many beautiful songs Barry has ever done because, on a cold wet evening during one of the shows on his two week run at The London Palladium (Thursday 8 February 1990), he picked me to sing it with him!

I had moved up to London to stay with a friend for those two weeks that Barry was at The Palladium and so was going to every show – it was fantastic, even Matinees on Saturday, so we got Barry twice in one day!! My friend had kept on to me to make a sign to get picked for CSWY and I had finally given in to her and done so before setting out for that evening's show. Apart from having a sign in tow, that day was no different from the others, I arrived early and met up with friends to have a meal before the show and just enjoy the opportunity to all be together and having Barry there. It was raining but, despite being wet and cold, nothing could dampen the spirit of going to see Barry again. When I went in to the theatre that evening I happened to see some old friends who I had not seen for a few years, and so we spent time catching up on our respective lives, before we knew it however, the intro was starting up and Barry was due on – no time to freshen up by sorting out my hair, which had all fizzed up due to the rain, or put some much needed make-up on, no, straight to our seats for the start of the show. Barry was fantastic, as ever, and then came the point where all the fans go wild at the chance of maybe getting close to the man they adore, just for a few minutes, but minutes they would die for … the whistle intro to CSWY. The people stand up, the signs come out, the cheers and screams rise, and the lights go on to the audience and Barry gets up, walking up and down the stage, looking for some lucky person to get up there and spend those few precious moments with him. He looked my way twice and then walked away making my heart sink. Then he walked back and pointed and said "What about "Oh, Oh, Barry Please!"". MY SIGN … he was pointing at me and that was my sign!

The sign went up in the air and I was gone – down the aisle and along in front of the stage, jumping over peoples bags and feet (stepping on a few too – I am SOOOOOO sorry) to get to the steps up to the stage, where Barry was waiting. He reached out his hand to me. I took it and just hugged him, to which he responded immediately by hugging me back. I only took my eyes off of Barry very briefly that I can remember, and to me everything else was dark surrounding him. He seemed to understand how you must be feeling at that moment and so he whispered reassuring things to me and supported me with his arms and hands, whilst he led me around the stage. Was I singing? Was I singing the right words, or even for that matter the right song? Apparently so, but I could not remember, the only thing that mattered was being there next to my hero – BARRY MANILOW! He looked so good, he felt so good, he smelt so good, and he was so sweet and caring. That was a good few years back now, but I still remember everything like it was only yesterday! I met Barry a few weeks after singing with him at a record signing in London and could not believe that he remembered me by name, and asked if I had any photos.

I have adored Barry and his music ever since the beginning with the release of "Mandy", although I was never fortunate enough to be able to get to see Barry live until 27 August 1983 when I went up to Oxfordshire to the unbelievably magical concert he did at Blenheim Palace. Since then I have never looked back, and go to as many of his shows as I possibly can, including a number of trips to the USA to see him too. Many songs have special meanings to me, such as "Even Now" and "Please Don't Be Scared" along with too many others to name. I have lived my life, but Barry has always been a part of it, the friends I have made and the places I have been, all because of him, and each time, each concert I think that he can not possibly get better and outdo the last time I saw him, and each time happily he proves me wrong by being even better than before … I just cannot believe how this can be, but that is the Magic of Barry Manilow!

I have been to Barry's concerts before and of course always wanted to be chosen, but what inspired me was The BarryNet web site and reading about everybody else's experiences. I knew my seat was going to be close to the stage, but it was on the side, not on the floor level. I had been watching one of Barry's concert videos from England and had seen all the signs. That gave me an idea! I wanted to make my sign say something unusual that would hopefully get his attention.

I am Jewish, as is Barry, and I am taking a class to become a Bat Mitzvah, because I did not do it as a girl. Therefore I am learning Hebrew. So, on my big red poster board sign, I wrote in Hebrew and then English, "Shalom Baruch". I suspected that Baruch was his Hebrew name and most people know that Shalom means many things, including hello, so I was saying Hello Barry in Hebrew. I also drew a Star of David that said Thanks for the Memories.

After the house lights were turned on, he was looking around, he said he thought he'd pick someone with a sign, and then said something like 'How about you up there with the sign?'. I knew it was me and boy did I scream!

As I was walking on stage, he said that the sign was upside down. I started to turn it over and then he said it wasn't, saying it said "Shalom Baruch". He brought me on stage and put my sign on his piano and then asked me where I was from and asked if I had seen his shows before. When it came time to sing, I thought I had died and gone to heaven--He has the most gorgeous blue eyes! I can't believe how cocky I was! When he asked me if I knew the words, I said, "Oh yes I do". I think he thought that was funny, because he kind of made fun of me. I sang so off key, I was so nervous.

The best parts of the experience is when I finished singing, he grabs the microphone from me and says "Give me a hug!" and then "The Kiss"! I am driving my friends crazy talking about the experience and showing off the video, but it was a once in a lifetime experience that I will NEVER forget.

Are you a 'Can't Smile Girl"? Send you story to: cswy@manilowsmodems.com and share it with the world.

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Copyright © 2002 - 2005 by Manilow's Modems All rights reserved.
Revised: Friday, 19 May 2006 16:57:17 -0700.

Cover What's Inside Newsletter Join Us Paparazzi Centerfold Fundraiser Special Feature Connections Games Guest Book Info

Copyright © 2002 - 2005 by Manilow's Modems All rights reserved. Revised: Friday, 19 May 2006 16:57:17 -0700.

Copyright © 2002 - 2005 by Manilow's Modems All rights reserved.
Revised: Friday, 19 May 2006 16:57:17 -0700.