Barry’s Retro Fans Unlimited an On-line Barry Manilow Fan Club which is based out of New York/New Jersey has been asked to world premiere the original song “My Songs Are My Children”. The song is available for listening and free download on their official website. The beautiful song was written by two of the song writers of Manilow’s mega-hit “Can’t Smile without You”, Chris Arnold and Geoff Morrow (who wrote “Can’t Smile Without You” with collaborator David Martin).
The song which pays tribute to the Brooklyn born singer was written specifically for Barry Manilow by the two songwriters as a tribute to his many musical accomplishments including “Can’t Smile Without You” becoming a musical standard. The song makes reference to the titles of many Manilow hits in the song and Mr. Arnold and Mr. Morrow have asked the fan club to share it with the Manilow fan base via their website.
The on-line fan club received the song when they contacted the 3 songwriters in reference to “Can’t Smile Without You”, as part of an upcoming fund raising project they are working on. The songwriters were so touched by the gesture that they offered the song to the club to share with other Barry Manilow fans around the world.
“We were just overjoyed when all three songwriters agreed to be part of our upcoming fund raising project. We were then further blown away and completely surprised when they not only shared with us background information about how “Can’t Smile Without You” was written, but offered us the opportunity to share this beautiful song with the rest of the fan base via our website. We are humbly honored and privileged to have this exclusive and feel it is the least we could do to repay the kindness and generosity they have shown us. It truly was the last thing we expected when we contacted them about our fund raiser and we are excited to be able to present it to the world via our official web site by Chris & Geoff’s request” said Sheila Vinson, Director of Barry’s Retro Fans Unlimited.
The song “Can’t Smile Without You” recorded by Manilow was#3 on the Pop charts and #2 on the Adult Contemporary charts in the United States and was included on his Triple Platinum album “Even Now” that was released in 1978. Mr. Manilow for several years showcased the song in his live performances in which he often picked a member from the audience at random to sing the song with him on stage.
The lucky audience participant received a signed t-shirt saying “I Sang With Barry Manilow” and in later years in this technological era received a video tape of their duet with Barry for their efforts. The songwriters were touched when they learned that several members of the fan club had sung the song with Barry and all 3 organizers of the fund raiser are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year of their duets with the blue eyed singer. “It truly is a highlight in the Manilow fan experience for those of us (including myself) that have had the privilege to sing with Barry over the years. “Can’t Smile Without You” truly is one of the most beloved of his hits within the fan base. For the songwriters to share this additional song with the fans and through us truly is overwhelming. How could we possibly say no to these fine gentlemen who were generous enough to share their tribute song to Barry with us.” said Vinson.
'Retro Fans" has held several fund raising efforts since their inception in 2002, just recently participating in Aids Walk NY ’09 (previous press release www.prlog.org/
So please if you have the opportunity go to the Retro Fan official website and listen to a most beautiful song written in tribute to the “Magic Voice” (said Geoff Morrow) of Barry Manilow by Chris Arnold and Geoff Morrow. Ironically the premiere of the song is being released as Mr. Manilow has an upcoming birthday on June 17th.
Barry’s Retro Fans Unlimited an On-line Barry Manilow fan club continues to raise funds and awareness through their continued charitable efforts by living by Barry Manilow’s definition of “philanthropy”
"The definition of philanthropy is just that you do it because it has to be done; and you do it because you want to do it and you should do it; and I think it ends there. For me it should end there." - Barry Manilow
To listen to and/or download “My Songs Are My Children” please go to:
www.barrysretrofansunlimited.com
Then click on the links provided on the home page to listen to/download the song (free of charge) and the link to the autographed lyrics provided by Mr.Arnold and Mr. Morrow.
To learn more about Barry Manilow and his career please check out his “official”
To learn more about Barry’s Retro Fans Unlimited and information on how to join their fan club please check out their official website at www.barrysretrofansunlimited.com.
