Calling all Fanilows, like Ellen from Endwell, Tamara Casey, Dan Pal (I hope I haven’t overlooked anyone or mis-labeled anyone; a thousand pardons if so)!

Regarding a song, “Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are),” written by FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE special contributor (and 1974 RCA Records singer/songwriter), Stephen Michael Schwartz (he’s written 20 articles for us!), Rick (“Disco Duck”) Dees recorded it in 1985 (for Atlantic Records).

Dees played it for Manilow (they’re good friends, as then-L.A.-DJ, Dees helped break Barry on the West Coast, mid-’70s), and Manilow arranged it….we’re picking it up here:

Finishing the story with Emm as in Music: So, Barry taped a couple of mid-’80s TV Christmas specials performing the song, but has never recorded it!

3 years ago, Stephen told me Barry had called him to tell him he was thinking of recording his “Merry Christmas” on a new holiday album Barry was planning to record. Well, that’s never happened, but we do have this tape from the Manilow performance on one of those mid-’80s Christmas specials!

So, Emm…I now realize that I know someone who has Barry’s phone number! More astoundingly, I actually know someone whose phone number Barry actually wants to have!😱Enjoy!