I wanted to share some things I found while reading Barry Manilow's book-
Sweet Life-Adventures on the way to Paradise(this is an old book-written like 20 years ago)
Talking about when he first realized how special his fans were, after becoming personally involved with a new fan club:
Soon there was an enormous network of people communicating with
each other. It began to go way beyond just me and my music. I was
just serving as a catalyst to introduce people to one another. It soon
turned into a gigantic family who knew each other and corresponded with
each other. There would be charity projects and raffles. There would be
engagements and marraiges and babies! It was a wonderful feeling to
know that my music had started this snowball of love.
Sound familiar? especially the part about charity projects and raffles!
If it wasn't for Taylor, would any of us have ever met?! There would be no such thing as The New England Soul Patrol! How sad it that!?
That does sound familiar!!
I think it takes a special kind of
artist to inspire this behavior within their fan base. They have to have
a good heart themselves to get the snowball rolling
I can't imagine life without NESP-it's just become such a part of
my daily routine. You guys and Taylor are like part of the family
That's so sweet!
I wish I was able to get online as much as you guys!
I never seem to find the time.
Barry M....
tells about the way his fans' behavior frightened him. (At first)
I couldn't help but think about Taylor and his being suddenly well-known and recognizable wherever he goes!
Gives us a good glimpse of how it is-
from the celebrity's point of view!
As I began to become more and more recognized, the public became
frightening to me. I'd walk down the street and before I knew it there was a
mob of people wanting things from me. They'd stare and point and take my
picture as I tried to have a meal in a restaurant. Little by little I began to
become very wary of the public.
A few so called "fans" would even go through his garbage and publish their findings in a local newsletter!
My encounters with people in the airport were more uncomfortable than
ever before. People came to stare at me, thrusting pieces of paper in front
of me for my autograph without even any greeting first. Rude, impolite,
demanding people....
... I wanted so desperately to talk to the people and find out what they
thought. I knew it would really help me as an artist. But it seemed they
didn't want to talk; they just wanted a piece of me.
I hope Taylor never regrets his stardom and feels the need to retreat from his over zealous fans. It can really be alienating and isolating if he feels the need to have to "hide" when he's out and about.
I'd hate it if Taylor ever truly felt that way about his fans. Everyone, EVERYONE, needs their space. But there have been times I have seen in Tay's eyes (like when he came out to greet his fans at Millersville) and it was dark and cold and flash bulbs were going off...the poor guy was blinded and he didnt sign the entire group's stuff...he left after10 mins...Bill kept telling people to move on once things got signed and so forth, but no one listened and finally Tay said, "Thanks, see ya'll" and left. Personally, I think he was tired and wanted a beer.
Even at my m&g he seemed tired--he wanted to be there, but was sooooo tired, even tho he gave a wonderful performance.
I guess you can say this is life in the spotlight, and this is what he signed up for...but somehow that doesnt seem what it is what he signed up for. It was to get his voice heard...right?
I hate to think of Taylor feeling like that, for his sake, but I'm sure
he does a lot of the time.
It must be incredibly stifling to have to think out every move you make because of fans and fame. Like
Supertramp says "when you're up on the stage is so unbelievable"
but when they're off stage it must feel like insanity
Taylor, I promise we'll never go through your trash!
It's funny how he mentioned wanting to
talk to the fans. I'd love to really talk to Taylor, but I found I couldn't put a sentence together
in his presence
Maybe it was first time jitters, but I doubt
it
Taylor, I promise we'll never go through your trash!
Hey now, what if he loses an important document and asks us to look through his trash? 
Thanks for sharing this Bea, I think this is a book Taylor could stand to read, or maybe just talk to Barry for a bit of wisdom. 
It was so interesting, seeing Barry's transformation as an artist, and as a person, throughout the book. How he matured, And how he realized things about himself which led to him making changes and evolving, just like we all do as people in our own lives.
And this was written so long ago. He needs to do a sequel to this book and what's happened in the past 20 years since! I am so proud of him! He's been around for so long and he's still going strong! That senior citizen can still belt out the songs!
Liz....didn't you meet TH in Portland and in Concord? Which time did you have the jitters?
I had second time jitters....it was weird. I was more relaxed and outgoing with him the first time in Hampton Beach and almost at a loss for words in Concord.
Regarding BM....or should I say Barry
....there was a period of time many many years ago when I was into him. I dated a guy who actually liked Barry (a very manly guy
) who was not afraid to play a Barry CD when we spent the night in his lake house. I went out and bought a special 4 CD boxed set with VHS tape and booklet that included some rare songs/demos. I haven't looked at it or played it in about 12 years. I almost sold it on eBay but decided to hold onto it.