Barry's band

[vmc...@aol.com]

In a few weeks Barry will have finished his 'road trip' to concentrate on Harmony and I was wondering what his band does when they are not on the road. Are they on a retainer, play for other people, or do studio session work? I remember Uncle Festive used to do their own thing when Barry wasn't touring.
IreneH

[Brenda M]

No idea how Barry handles his people, but I've known of other musicians who've just gone on unemployment until they found new jobs (just like the rest of us!)

Brenda

[bookworm]

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 8:52:30 AM UTC-7, vmc...@aol.com wrote:
> In a few weeks Barry will have finished his 'road trip' to concentrate on Harmony and I was wondering what his band does when they are not on the road. Are they on a retainer, play for other people, or do studio session work? I remember Uncle Festive used to do their own thing when Barry wasn't touring.
>
> IreneH

According to some of his band members, they are not on retainer when Barry isn't doing shows. They have other interests in the music industry IF they want to work to support themselves and their families and, sometimes, they just want to relax and spend time with their families. Several of them have put out CD's of their own during off time from Barry. Some have gone on to play for other entertainers - ex., Steve Welch (Barry's music director before Ron) who went on to be music director for "Mama Mia". A couple of my bosses always said, "The bottom line is the buck." You can't argue with that! :) JW

[shado...@gmail.com]

Ron Pedley keyboardist was one half of Kombo with guitar player
John Pondel. Mike Lent does the Monteray Jazz fsetival in Monteray
CA. I know Kye Brackett is busy with kids or something along those
lines. Most of his musician band members have their own websites
where you can check out what their up to. Kye has his own facebook
page called the Goodfatha or somethibg like that. Some of Barry's
fans like him on facebook.
Linda

[Maria Mikol]

John Pondel teaches ( or at least used to teach) guitar. He was a co-worker's teacher.


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[Suzan]

> I was wondering what his band does when they are not on the road. Are they on a retainer, play for other people, or do studio session work?

That's true for the crew as well. No one tours 24/7, so most are aware of when the tour ends and the smart ones already have other jobs lined up for the interim. Otherwise, they risk asking "do you want fries with that?"

A story I probably shouldn't share, but what the heck...

Many years ago, the fan club had sent out a newsletter with upcoming tour dates for Oct. through Dec. I mentioned some upcoming shows to a band member, who had no idea anything was scheduled between September and the New Year's Eve concert. Three months is a long time without work, and apparently the band and crew were busy lining up other jobs, completely unaware that more Manilow shows were scheduled! The person I spoke with asked for a copy of my newsletter and distributed it to all the other band/crew members. Later they told me they had been chastised for distributing "unofficial" information to the band & crew. Sigh....
[Later I gave this person the "Hotline" telephone number so they could keep up-to-date with upcoming Manilow concerts!]

[Brenda M]

Suzan,

That is beyond sad!

Great story, though ... Thanks for sharing.

Brenda

[denise....@gmail.com]

Although Barry always calls them "my band", the musicians are presumably just hired to do the shows that Barry has on schedule, and must find alternative work when Barry doesn't need them. It's a bit like being in agency work - you go where the work is required. He's lucky to get them back together when he needs them, including any back-up singers.

[marvin]

> Although Barry always calls them "my band", the musicians are presumably just hired to do the shows that Barry has on schedule, and must find alternative work when Barry doesn't need them. It's a bit like being in agency work - you go where the work is required. He's lucky to get them back together when he needs them, including any back-up singers.

I think the musicians consider themselves fortunate or lucky as well to work with Barry. People in show business know that a superstar artist like Barry would be very particular of which musicians to work with, so it enhances their reputations in show business to have on their resumes that they worked with Barry Manilow. That experience alone probably makes the musicians more in demand when Barry is not on tour. Marvin