Barry Manilow Unveils First Studio Album of New Material in 15 Years
Barry Manilow will release What a Time on June 5, 2026. The record is his 33rd studio album.
This project is his first studio album of mostly new material since 2011. That gap spans roughly 15 years.
Production and lead single
Manilow and longtime collaborator Michael Lloyd primarily produced the album. They co-produced nine of the 13 tracks.
The album’s upbeat single “Sun Shine” channels vintage Manilow sounds. Gary Barlow co-wrote the song with Manilow.
Production credits on “Sun Shine” include Manilow, David Benson and Greg Bartheld. The video was directed by Laís Sambugaro and does not feature Manilow.
“Once Before I Go” and chart history
The album opens with “Once Before I Go.” Oscar winners Dean Pitchford and the late Peter Allen co-wrote that track.
Clive Davis served as executive producer on the opening song. It reached No. 25 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in February.
That placement extended Manilow’s more than 51-year run on the Adult Contemporary chart. He first charted there and on the Hot 100 in November 1974 with “Mandy.”
Collaborations and songwriting
Two tracks on the album feature guest performers. Saxophonist Dave Koz appears on “Look at Me Now.”
Sharon “Muffy” Hendrix duets with Manilow on “When Somebody Says Goodbye.” Manilow wrote or co-wrote all but two of the 13 tracks.
He co-wrote three songs with John Bettis. Bruce Sussman and Enoch Anderson each contributed to two songs.
Manilow and Adrienne Anderson co-wrote the closing track, “Coming of Age.” The pair also co-wrote “Could It Be Magic” early in his career.
Additional producers and label
Other producers on the record include Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Dave Cobb. Benson, Bartheld and Manilow produced “Sun Shine” and “Don’t Trouble the Water.”
What a Time will be released by Manilow’s STILETTO Entertainment. Distribution is handled by The Orchard.
STILETTO released three of Manilow’s last five studio albums.
Health update and honors
On Dec. 22, 2025, Manilow announced an early-stage lung cancer diagnosis. He subsequently underwent surgery.
On March 3, he posted an upbeat video reporting steady recovery. He said he is getting stronger and looks forward to returning to the stage.
In April 2026, Manilow will receive the American Advertising Federation’s President’s Award. The honor will come during the Advertising Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Early in his career he wrote or performed jingles for brands such as State Farm, Band-Aid, KFC, Pepsi and McDonald’s. He received an honorary Clio Award in 2009 for that work.
Manilow’s other honors include a 2002 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction, the BMI Icon Award, two Primetime Emmys, a Grammy and a special Tony Award. He also sang the Oscar-nominated song “Ready to Take a Chance Again” in 1979.
Tracklist
- “Once Before I Go” (Peter Allen/Dean Pitchford)
- “What a Time” (Barry Manilow/John Bettis)
- “Sun Shine” (Gary Barlow/Barry Manilow)
- “Another Life” (2026) (Andrew Hill/Preston Sturges)
- “Touched by an Angel” (Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman)
- “The Chosen One” (Barry Manilow)
- “One More Chance” (Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman)
- “Nobody Knows My Song” (Barry Manilow/Enoch Anderson)
- “When Somebody Says Goodbye” (Duet with Sharon “Muffy” Hendrix) (Barry Manilow/Lisa Sennett)
- “Don’t Trouble the Water” (Barry Manilow/Enoch Anderson)
- “Look at Me Now” (Featuring Dave Koz) (Barry Manilow/John Bettis)
- “Nobody Told Me” (Barry Manilow/John Bettis)
- “Coming of Age” (Barry Manilow/Adrienne Anderson)
Tour dates
Manilow announced a U.S. tour running April 13, 2026 to Jan. 21, 2027. The tour excludes 45 residency dates at Westgate Las Vegas.
- April 13 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
- April 14 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
- April 16 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza
- April 17 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena
- April 19 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
- April 20 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena
- April 22 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
- April 24 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum
- April 27 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
- April 29 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
- July 30 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum
- August 1 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
- August 2 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
- August 4 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
- August 5 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
- August 7 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
- August 8 – Norfolk, VA – Chartway Arena
- January 15 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
- January 16 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
- January 17 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
- January 20 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
- January 21 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
For ticket information and additional dates, visit Manilow’s official site. Filmogaz.com will monitor further developments and tour updates.
