Barry Manilow

A Barry Manilow concert has been on my wish list since I was a child. I was so happy when I had the opportunity to see him live, at the Pensacola Bay Center, in January, 2014.
Always the gentleman, Manilow isn't one for tacky outfits, instead performing in a suit with a shiny pink vest and matching pocket handkerchief. Now well into his golden years, Manilow proved himself to be the consummate entertainer, hitting the stage with the same energy he had when he began is five decade career.
Manilow's first song, "It's a Miracle," had the entire audience on its feet, singing, dancing, and clapping, and set the tone for the rest of the evening. He even did a little dancing himself, shimmying right alongside of his back-up singers as they joined him at the front of the stage.The hit list contained all time favorites, “This One’s For You,” “Mandy,” “Copacabana (At the Copa),” “I Write the Songs," without shorting the audience out of the need for ballads, sitting at the piano and singing "Even Now" and the deeply touching "I Am Your Child."Fortunately, Manilow left Las Vegas in Las Vegas and there wasn't any glitzy or tacky Vegas show to be seen.
It was simply Barry Manilow, his back-up singers, and the instrumentals, which was all the show needed.If you're not a Barry Manilow fan now, make it a point to see one of his shows and you will be.