My Fiftieth Birthday Wish!
By Laurie Wheeler
When I began thinking about celebrating my upcoming 50th Birthday, it didn’t take long to start thinking about taking a trip to see the one and only Barry Manilow. I have been one of his biggest fans ever since “Mandy,” and I have been a member of the BMIFC (Barry Manilow International Fan Club) since 1978. I also attended my first Manilow concert in “the summer of ‘78.” Therefore, when I first heard the announcement about Barry’s new show at Paris Las Vegas in late 2009, I began contemplating celebrating my 50th Birthday in Vegas style. That was my simple Birthday wish, to see Barry’s new show at Paris Las Vegas. Yes, I am disabled, and there are many physical, emotional and financial challenges involved with that. Nevertheless, I thought maybe I would be able to make something special happen for my 50th Birthday.
Little did I know that just a few months later, that simple wish would be sent into a tailspin! I would quickly find out that even though Barry is indeed headlining at Paris Las Vegas he would be in London (performing at the 02 Arena) in early May 2011. In fact, the shows scheduled for the 02 are scheduled right before my 50th Birthday. However, a fourth show was recently added to Barry’s schedule at the 02 in London for Saturday, May 7th. I couldn’t believe it! My favorite musician in the whole world is doing a concert with a full orchestra on my 50th Birthday in London, and I cannot be there! Honestly, right now I just feel like I have been sucker-punched, and I just do not understand why this happens to anyone who loves and appreciates Barry and his music so very much! I just makes no sense. Oh, I know the old saying that “life isn’t fair” and all, and my life has certainly had its share of ups and downs. This, however, is the most disappointing and frustrating experience I have had in the 35+ years that I have been a Manilow fan. Another thing fueling all my disappointment and frustration is the fact that it has been too long since I have seen Barry! The last time I attended one of his shows was September 2007, and missing Barry is definitely a contributing factor to the intensity of all my emotions about this situation. I also have all these questions that keep going through my head. Why is this happening now when all I wanted was to see Barry in concert on or around my 50th Birthday? I have always been such a loyal, dedicated and devoted fan, and if it were just another Birthday perhaps it would be easier to deal with. Now, nine months before my 50th Birthday, I am already frustrated and disappointed, and I am afraid my simple Birthday wish has been crushed because of circumstances beyond my control. Of course, if circumstances change in my favor in the coming months and/or I get to see Barry in concert at some point in 2011 perhaps I will feel differently. That being said, I will never be able to forget Barry did a show on my 50th Birthday, and that I could not be there. At this point, I just feel emotionally drained and left with nothing but unanswered questions. Will I get to see Barry’s new show at Paris Las Vegas at some point? Will he do an arena show in 2011 that I can get to? Of course, time will tell when and how these questions will be answered. In the meantime, I just have to trust that it is in God’s hands, and I will see Barry again somewhere down the road! I also like to remember the words to the song “We’ll Meet Again.” “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when. But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.” Until that day comes, I am missing Barry tremendously, and I cannot wait to see him again!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Platinums and Multiplatinums
PLATINUMS AND MULTI-PLATINUMS (AND I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT RECORDS)
By Laurie Wheeler
I’m writing this because I have some thoughts on the Platinum Package/Experience that I need to get off my chest. First of all, if you have done a Platinum Package once, congratulations! However, I think that doing a Platinum more than once is just plain scary. I don’t understand why anyone would want to do this, and I’m sure it scares Barry, too! In fact, I agree with others who have told me if they had a million dollars they would not do a Platinum more than once. It is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to put in your memory box and enjoy the memories for the rest of your life. Please read Lynda (Brazier’s) blog post on being the Last Platinum Girl at the Hilton in November 2009 on the UK Message Board. Here is the link: http://manilowuk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/last-platinum-girl-at-the?xg_source=activity
I also have mixed feelings about the Platinum Experience in general because in my opinion far too many cannot afford it, and it is not something the majority of fans can afford. I also believe it sends a negative message to those fans who haven’t met Barry who cannot afford “The Platinum Experience.” It also seems contradictory to me that this musical genius from Brooklyn, New York who has so many times told his fans “Don’t give up on your dreams” to do something that can inadvertently crush the dream of meeting him for those who cannot afford the Platinum Package. I know the whole idea of the Platinum Experience/Package is supposedly justified because the money goes to the Manilow Fund, or more specifically the Manilow Music Project. Unfortunately, it is not enough in my opinion. Please don’t get me wrong, I totally understand how important Barry’s humanitarian efforts are to him. However, I think the “Gift of Love” concerts that Barry did in December 2009 are a much better way of raising money for the Manilow Fund without crushing the dream of meeting Barry for those who cannot afford the Platinum. Thus, the residual affect is that the "have nots" feel Barry is NOT accessible to them. We all know those "Gift of Love" concerts at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California and the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago were very successful, and in my opinion represent charity fundraising at its best!
Most importantly, I have always felt that Barry has the most loyal, devoted and dedicated fans in the world, and the most amazing international fan base of any artist I know! That being the case, the bottom line in my opinion is that the love, support, loyalty, dedication and devotion we have given Barry for 35+ years should count for more than how much money we have in our bank accounts. However, with the Platinum Experience there is no middle ground, and ditto for being able to go to Vegas and see his new show at Paris Las Vegas. You either can afford it or you can’t. Those that can afford it have an amazing experience and those who cannot are left feeling frustrated and disappointed and missing Barry so very much!
In conclusion, I believe ALL of Barry’s fans deserve to be and feel appreciated and respected, and we should all feel like we are important part of Barry’s fan base. I also want to make it crystal clear that I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have had to meet Barry, attend BMIFC conventions, and all the wonderful Barry-related experiences I have had over the years. The memories of those experiences are precious, and will be close to my heart forever and a day! I’m speaking out about this because I know others have not been as fortunate, and not to benefit myself. If I have to be the champion of the underdog fans or “The Other 99” who cannot afford a Platinum Package and/or to go to Vegas at this time so be it! You can agree or disagree with me, but someone needs to make Barry and his management aware of what “The Other 99” are going through, especially during these tough economic times. In addition, I sincerely hope that everyone who reads this can appreciate that I am just saying how I feel about this issue and speaking from the heart!
By Laurie Wheeler
I’m writing this because I have some thoughts on the Platinum Package/Experience that I need to get off my chest. First of all, if you have done a Platinum Package once, congratulations! However, I think that doing a Platinum more than once is just plain scary. I don’t understand why anyone would want to do this, and I’m sure it scares Barry, too! In fact, I agree with others who have told me if they had a million dollars they would not do a Platinum more than once. It is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to put in your memory box and enjoy the memories for the rest of your life. Please read Lynda (Brazier’s) blog post on being the Last Platinum Girl at the Hilton in November 2009 on the UK Message Board. Here is the link: http://manilowuk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/last-platinum-girl-at-the?xg_source=activity
I also have mixed feelings about the Platinum Experience in general because in my opinion far too many cannot afford it, and it is not something the majority of fans can afford. I also believe it sends a negative message to those fans who haven’t met Barry who cannot afford “The Platinum Experience.” It also seems contradictory to me that this musical genius from Brooklyn, New York who has so many times told his fans “Don’t give up on your dreams” to do something that can inadvertently crush the dream of meeting him for those who cannot afford the Platinum Package. I know the whole idea of the Platinum Experience/Package is supposedly justified because the money goes to the Manilow Fund, or more specifically the Manilow Music Project. Unfortunately, it is not enough in my opinion. Please don’t get me wrong, I totally understand how important Barry’s humanitarian efforts are to him. However, I think the “Gift of Love” concerts that Barry did in December 2009 are a much better way of raising money for the Manilow Fund without crushing the dream of meeting Barry for those who cannot afford the Platinum. Thus, the residual affect is that the "have nots" feel Barry is NOT accessible to them. We all know those "Gift of Love" concerts at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California and the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago were very successful, and in my opinion represent charity fundraising at its best!
Most importantly, I have always felt that Barry has the most loyal, devoted and dedicated fans in the world, and the most amazing international fan base of any artist I know! That being the case, the bottom line in my opinion is that the love, support, loyalty, dedication and devotion we have given Barry for 35+ years should count for more than how much money we have in our bank accounts. However, with the Platinum Experience there is no middle ground, and ditto for being able to go to Vegas and see his new show at Paris Las Vegas. You either can afford it or you can’t. Those that can afford it have an amazing experience and those who cannot are left feeling frustrated and disappointed and missing Barry so very much!
In conclusion, I believe ALL of Barry’s fans deserve to be and feel appreciated and respected, and we should all feel like we are important part of Barry’s fan base. I also want to make it crystal clear that I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have had to meet Barry, attend BMIFC conventions, and all the wonderful Barry-related experiences I have had over the years. The memories of those experiences are precious, and will be close to my heart forever and a day! I’m speaking out about this because I know others have not been as fortunate, and not to benefit myself. If I have to be the champion of the underdog fans or “The Other 99” who cannot afford a Platinum Package and/or to go to Vegas at this time so be it! You can agree or disagree with me, but someone needs to make Barry and his management aware of what “The Other 99” are going through, especially during these tough economic times. In addition, I sincerely hope that everyone who reads this can appreciate that I am just saying how I feel about this issue and speaking from the heart!
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