Manilow among honorees at 2009 Steve Chase Awards

Congratulations to Barry for being a catalyst in raising funds for AIDS. But really people, who are we kidding? Was Barry actually involved in the AIDS Walks? Did he walk on a team? Did he actually scramble to raise funds? Or did he just write a check, pat his team on the heads (if he even afforded them THAT acknowledgement), and say "Heel!....Walk!.....Good Fanilows!..."

Anonymous in the Desert wrote:

Congratulations to Barry for being a catalyst in raising funds for AIDS. But really people, who are we kidding? Was Barry actually involved in the AIDS Walks? Did he walk on a team? Did he actually scramble to raise funds? Or did he just write a check, pat his team on the heads (if he even afforded them THAT acknowledgement), and say "Heel!....Walk!.....Good Fanilows!..."

Lookit ...

Barry's not a "get your hands dirty" kinda person. Don't look for him to work in a soup kitchen or help build a house.

It's just not in him.

But he can write checks, and act as a cheerleader for his many supporters, so that's what he does. And that has its value too.

We all have different gifts and different ways we can each contribute to the common good, right?

Brenda

"act as a cheerleader for his many supporters" ???

Funny, I was a walker on another team directly across the Manilow tent 2 years ago. Forgive me, but the Fanilows (maybe a total of 6?) looked a little lonely during the award ceremony. Apparently the other Manilow people didn't even bother to stick around.

Is this what you call being a supportive cheerleader? If you do, then your standards need to be set a bit higher.

But please, prove me wrong! I want to believe that Mr. Manilow truly stands behind his followers. Give me the name of anyone from any of those walks who received a pat on the back, or a "well done" from the man himself....and I will stand corrected.

It just irks me that he is receiving an award for something his fans probably deserve more.

Barry, Barry, Barry... I have followed your musical work and numerous charitable activities for may years. I applaud you for all the work you have done for AIDS, children, and music education. I remember you raising over $100k many years ago for the Desert Aids Project by doing a neighborhood concert here in Palm Springs. As much work as you have ACTUALLY done for these causes, it must make you proud to inspire your fans to follow in your humanitarian work.
But shame, shame, shame on you to not acknowledge or thank those people who helped you with your efforts. Thankless work is such a big obstacle for most charities. I can't imagine the sense of unfulfillment your fans must have felt. Kudos to them for still standing by you....

Anonymous in the Desert wrote:

"act as a cheerleader for his many supporters" ???
Funny, I was a walker on another team directly across the Manilow tent 2 years ago. Forgive me, but the Fanilows (maybe a total of 6?) looked a little lonely during the award ceremony. Apparently the other Manilow people didn't even bother to stick around.
Is this what you call being a supportive cheerleader?

You bring up a really good point and I'm not trying to sugar-coat anything. You're not going to see Barry hanging out with fans doing ANYTHING because, to be frank, we (the collective "we) scare the shit out of him. I've seen him TRY to relate to his fans in an informal manner again and again and again and he ALWAYS gets burned. There will always be fans behaving madly, mobbing him and hurting other fans (I once almost had my eye put out by an umbrella-flailing moron who, in her slobbery frenzy, couldn't rush him fast enough).

Now, another guy (who doesn't scare as easily) might have a thick enough skin to deal with the nut jobs and still show up for the benefit of the fans who DON'T act like morons around him. But Barry ISN'T thick-skinned. He might like to claim he is, but he takes criticism - or any perceived negative action - very personally and very defensively. I don't think he shuns the fans at fundraising events because he's a selfish jerk who just wants to write checks for the write-offs. I honestly think he WANTS to a good person but has a really low tolerance for unpredictable human behavior.

And ESPECIALLY when it comes from women (his main audience). I honestly believe he's always been more comfortable dealing with men. I think most women scare the crap out of him anyway.

So, I don't disagree with you. I wish he COULD live up to your vision of how he should behave. I just think he does the best he can with how he's wired, you know?

Thanks for the interesting debate.

Brenda

The thing is men aren't going to jump his bones so to speak. The way some not all of his female fans want to. Now why should Barry have to thank us fans. When we aren't worth thanking. Maybe if Barry had better fans than what he has I'd yes to him thanking us. But with the kind of fans he does have I'd have to say NO!

Excuse me or have I missed something? The event will not be until next year in February and how does anyone know that as part of his acceptance speech he will not take full credit for this honor but will thank all who have helped him achieve this. And does anyone who really does a charitable deed need to be thanked? I know that when I do something charitable I do it because I want to and not for the thanks I will receive. Barry has always thanked his fans at concerts for supporting him in his music so why does anyone think that he will accept an honor only for himself?

That I know he will do. He will thank everyone collectively as a group all who have contributed to his Manilow Fund. What these BMIFC members want it for Barry to say thank you to them a part from everyone else.

Folks, I understand he's a clebrity. I don't expect him to single handedly thank each and every one of his fans - but really -don't you think a simple acknowledgement of thanks at the time was too much to ask?

And I disagree about being thanked. Many charities I have done work for are quick to thank their volunteers and donors. True, it is not necessary - but it tells me that the charity cares and appreciates whatever efforts have been donated.

When someone does something nice for someone, a "Thank you" goes a long way. It's just the right thing to do. I would expect it of myself. I would expect it out of my 7 year old child.

OK - granted, Mr. Manilow MAY say something next year...but really, should a simple "Thank you" to his supporting fans (who probably won't be there) take 3 years? How "heartfelt" would that be?

As far as I'm concerned - those fans should be right there on stage with him accepting that award.

If you go on manilow.com and then select Manilow fund and scroll to a message sent on 10/07, a thank you to all who participated in an aids walk in Los Angelos. I am sure a similar message was sent for all aids walks as a thank you for participating. This is an age of the internet so I assume they think this is an acceptable way to thank people.

Faithful Fan wrote:

Excuse me or have I missed something? The event will not be until next year in February and how does anyone know that as part of his acceptance speech he will not take full credit for this honor but will thank all who have helped him achieve this. And does anyone who really does a charitable deed need to be thanked? I know that when I do something charitable I do it because I want to and not for the thanks I will receive. Barry has always thanked his fans at concerts for supporting him in his music so why does anyone think that he will accept an honor only for himself?

Excellent post Faith! We don't look for the thanks all we do in life should be without waiting in exchange for.Your friend, carmen-patricia

what kind of thanks are you expecting. people expect too much from others don't expect anything and then you will never be dissapointed. Most people who volunteer do it out of the goodness of there hearts and for the people they will be helping for their good deeds. They are not looking for any thanks their thanks is when they put their head on their pillow each night they sleep soundly knowing they have helped someone who is less fortunate then they are.