By admin 
Introduction
As legendary performer Barry Manilow prepares for what may be his final large-arena tour this summer, he’s also planning a heartfelt tribute for his return to Cleveland. When he arrives in Northeast Ohio in just a few months, Manilow won’t only be performing for some of his most devoted fans — he’ll be shining a spotlight on a remarkable local music teacher.
This gesture is part of the star’s ongoing effort to give back after an extraordinary career.
“I’m so grateful they’re still with me,” Manilow said as he thanked his Cleveland fans. Known for creating songs the world sings along to, the 81-year-old joked about his age: “Isn’t it amazing I’m still doing these arena shows and five nights at Radio City? I’m a hundred years old and still running around!”
With a career spanning six decades as a singer, songwriter, and producer, Manilow has no plans to slow down. For him, every concert is about evoking emotion.
“I’m all about feelings,” he explained. “If you can’t feel something when I’m on stage, I’m not doing my job.”
Over 85 million records sold worldwide have made him one of the best-selling artists of all time, and throughout his career he has consistently returned to perform in Cleveland.
“I remember Blossom and those outdoor summer shows,” he recalled. “God, it was hot out there!”
Manilow is scheduled to perform at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday, June 5, and during that show a local music teacher will receive a special honor.
“This tour, we decided to celebrate music teachers,” Manilow said. “Kids in every city vote for their favorite teacher. Whoever wins is invited to the concert with family and friends, gets great seats, and I introduce them from the audience.”
The idea began 17 years ago when a friend asked him to help find a saxophone for his daughter because her school lacked instruments. That moment inspired the launch of the Manilow Music Project, which has since donated around $10 million worth of instruments to schools across the U.S.
According to Manilow, recognizing teachers during the show is always a highlight.
“The audience goes wild — screaming, cheering — for a music teacher,” he said. “They don’t stop applauding. It’s a beautiful moment, and I look forward to it every night.”
Although he joked about being 100, Manilow is actually 81 and still performing with impressive energy. He recently wrapped up his Las Vegas residency and, after this tour, plans to release a new album of original pop songs he’s written throughout his career.
Meanwhile, voting for Cleveland’s honored teacher is now open through April at ManilowMusicProject.org.