Public Can Trade a New or Gently Used Musical Instrument For Free Tickets to Manilow’s January 30th Concert

 [Pensacola, FL—December 12, 2013] – Legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow hopes others will once again follow his philanthropic lead as he brings his Manilow Music Project to the Escambia County School District in Florida.  The pop icon plans to donate a Yamaha piano to launch a local music instrument drive. Anyone who donates a new or gently used musical instrument to the Pensacola Bay Center box office will receive 2 free tickets (valid for pre-selected seat locations) for Manilow’s January 30th show.

The Manilow Music Project has conducted music instrument drives all over the country to assist local schools with their music programs.  “I’m thrilled to be able to help bring the gift of music to these kids,” added Manilow.

The Pensacola Bay Center will be the base for the instrument drive in Pensacola from now through January 30th. The instrument drop off location is open 10:00am -5:00pm Monday through Friday.

“Escambia schools are thrilled to support the Manilow Music Project for our students in need,” said Malcolm Thomas, Superintendent of Escambia County School District.  “Many students cannot afford a musical instrument and miss the many benefits that music can provide.  Escambia students will have the opportunity to learn to play music through the public’s donation of instruments.  We thank Mr. Manilow for making this possible.  I encourage and appreciate the public’s support of this initiative.”

The Manilow Music Project (MMP) is part of The Manilow Fund for Health and Hope.  It was formed as a grass roots organization to assist local charities and programs.  Its primary focus is to provide musical instruments to high schools and middle schools and to provide music scholarships at universities throughout the US, Canada, and the UK. More information on the Manilow Music Project can be found at http://www.manilowmusicproject.org/.

Tickets are available online at Manilow.com or Ticketmaster.com, in person at the Pensacola Bay Center Box Office, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Barry Manilow’s unparalleled career encompasses virtually every arena of entertainment, including performing, writing, composing, arranging, and producing. A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Manilow has produced, arranged, and released more than 40 albums during the course of his career.  He has also written and produced songs for Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, and many more.  He has been honored with a Grammy, two Emmys, a Tony Award, an Oscar nomination, and a top selling autobiography.