How I Became Barbra Streisand Book

As a Barbra Streisand Tribute Artist I have a few stories to tell- to say the least. I get so many questions from people that I decided to write a book about it.

My new book, "How I Became Barbra Streisand: My Life as a Barbra Streisand Tribute Artist" is available on Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle formats.

In it I tell the story of how I got started in the business, my personal love of Barbra and how she changed my life, and what it's like performing as the great diva.

I hope you enjoy it!

Barbra Streisand Fun Facts

I love Barbra! I mean, really, what's not to love? You know what I mean? If you agree you'd love my free "Barbra Streisand Fun Facts". You can get it by signing up for email updates about my show, "My Name is Barbra", a Streisand tribute show.

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Sign up here for FREE "Barbra Streisand Fun Facts" and my updates!  

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Sign up for insider information, concert schedules and contest info at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

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My Television Interview as Barbra

As a Barbra Streisand tribute artist I get to do all sort of interesting things. Here's a television interview I recently did on a Connecticut public access station after I performed at a Lion's Club event in Norwich, CT. Such fun!

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Barbra Streisand's House Tour

A friend of mine emailed me today that she's seen a photo of the basement of Barbra Streisand's house that she styled to resemble a shopping mall of sorts. I thought you might enjoy a tour of her Malibu home personally conducted by Barbra herself.

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My Barbra Story

In my travels performing my Barbra Streisand tribute show around the country, I find myself asked the same questions wherever I go. It was even once suggested to me to write a book about the experience of being a Streisand impersonator.

While the idea of taking the time in an already overburdened schedule to write an entire book was very daunting, it occurred to me one night while reading on my Kindle that more and more people are creating short ebooks these days. The logic of this seemed obvious to me. I often read these "mini-books" myself due to personal time constraints. It allows readers to enjoy interesting information without the commitment or expense of a long book.

This brings me to the point of my blog post. If I were to write this book about my life as a Barbra tribute artist, what would you like to know? What most interests you about the subject? After all, if this book is for you I'd like to address what's on your mind.

Barbra Streisand's Bio in the "Funny Girl" Playbill

I'm getting ready to hang some Barbra vinyl albums in my office along with an original Playbill of "Funny Girl" from 1964. Looking through the "Who's Who in the Cast" section, I was amused by Barbra's bio, so I thought I'd share it here.

"In addition to having appeared off-Broadway, on-Broadway and away-from-Broadway in nightclubs, in television and on the concert stage, Barbra Streisand is the recipient of Cue Magazine's Entertainer of the Year Award. A top recording star, a talented interior decorator, dress designer and portrait painter she also plays field hockey. Her performance in the musical "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" stopped the show and was much admired by the critics, the public, and the show's leading men, Elliot Gould, who married her. Barbra is a follower of Eastern philosophy and cooking, but also favors TV dinners on occasion. She is a renowned collector of antique clothes, shoes and fans. Her favorite flower is gardenia, since it is the only scent that can never be captured. Her favorite day of the week is Tuesday, since she devotes part of each Tuesday throughout the year to stringing crystal beads which are sold in a Vermont general store. She knows how to make coffee ice cream and to fix her own hair. For more personal information, write to her mother."

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A Very Barbra Christmas

Barbra Streisand’s Christmas albums are considered yuletide classics, cherished by many as a treasured holiday tradition. Despite the popularity of these recordings, Streisand has never performed a holiday concert, leaving fans wishing for a Christmas miracle that someday she would do so. While the great diva has not announced any plans for such an event, Streisand fans in the Nutmeg State whose wish list includes attending a holiday concert with “Babs” will be able to enjoy the next best thing.

Joni Lambert, a Barbra Streisand impersonator/tribute artist based in Windsor, CT, will perform two holiday shows singing Christmas songs recorded by Streisand, as well as some of her greatest hits. The shows will take place in Windsor at the Hilton Garden Inn on December 14th at 4:00pm, and in Cromwell at the Crown Plaza Hotel on December 19th at 7:00pm.

Lambert, who has been performing as Streisand to sold out audiences from New York to Hollywood and internationally, scripted the show titled, “A Very Barbra Christmas”.  Considered one of the top Streisand impersonators in the industry, Lambert created this holiday event with the goal of making audiences feel like they are watching Barbra.

“I always try to use as much actual dialog from Barbra’s concerts and interviews in my shows as I can”, says Lambert, “The goal is to be as authentic as possible.“

Lambert Entertainment will donate 10% of the profits from the shows to The Wounded Warrior Project.

While some may scratch their heads wondering why Streisand, who is Jewish, would record Christmas albums, Lambert explains, “Knowing how Barbra values the concept of accepting one another, differences and all, and the fact that for many people Christmas means ‘peace on earth and goodwill toward men’, it kind of makes sense. During the holidays in her own home, she and husband James Brolin have both a Christmas tree and a menorah.”

Tickets are $25 each. For information or to purchase tickets call (860)794-7534 or visit www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

Contact:

Joni Lambert

(860)794-7534

info@mynameisbarbra.com

www.MyNameIsBarbra.com

Joan Rivers Tribute Artist on Red Carpet of Streisand Tribute Show

At a recent performance of "My Name is Barbra", my Streisand tribute show, I had a friend and colleague Joan Rivers tribute artist Elaine Chez come to interview folks from the audience on the red carpet to get their impressions of the show. Here's the compilation video.

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Buy or Sell Barbra Streisand Memorabilia

There's a very interesting page on Facebook called "Barbra Streisand Buy Sell Swap Auction". People interested in buying or selling Barbra related items can check the group out. There have been some pretty interesting items listed, so die hard Barbra fans may enjoy being part of this group. You can check it out at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/srevetyler/

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Sign up for insider information, concert schedules and contest info at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

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Barbra Tribute Artist Shows Her Streisand Costumes

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CONTEST: CT Ladies - Our Barbra Needs You!

Ladies – our Barbra needs your help! We have compiled a list of questions from audience members that our Barbra will answer during the August 15^th show at the Hilton Garden Inn in Windsor, CT. We’re looking for someone to read the questions off cards that we will provide interview-style during the show.  Since we are already running the “You Don’t Bring me Flowers” contest for the guys, this “Barbra Q&A” contest will be open to ladies only. To enter email info@mynameisbarbra.com, Tweet to @BarbraTribute, or post here on Facebook why you’d like to win. The winner will be announced July 18^th.

By entering you agree to our contest terms and conditions, which can be found at” http://ow.ly/yyEv7

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Sign up for insider information, concert schedules and contest info at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

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Contest at Barbra Tribute Lets Someone Sing in Place of Neil Diamond

Wouldn't it be great if Neil Diamond could be at the “My Name is Barbra” Streisand tribute show on August 15^th in Windsor to sing “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” with our Barbra? Since Neil is busy that day we’ll need someone to fill in for him, so you guys out there- here’s your chance! Men, send me a link to a video of you singing “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and one lucky guy will be chosen to perform it LIVE with “Barbra” in the show! You’ll also get a “My Name is Barbra” t-shirt and two tickets to the show! 

Don't worry -  you don't have to sound like Neil Diamond. We're looking for someone who can hold a tune and likes to have fun!

Email the links to your video to info@mynameisbarbra.com before July 13, 2014. DON”T EMAIL YOUR VIDEO FILES! Upload them to YouTube or other online video site and send us the link. The winner will be announced July 18, 2014.

(Don’t worry, Ladies, another contest just for you will be announced very soon!)

By entering you agree to our contest terms and conditions, which can be found at www.mynameisbarbra.com/contest.html

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Sign up for insider information, concert schedules and contest info at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

"Like" my Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra

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Questions for a Streisand Tribute Artist

In preparation to promote my upcoming show in Windsor, CT, I'm going to make a video answering questions from fans about what it's like being a Barbra Streisand tribute artist. Since this blog has a fairly wide reach of Barbra lovers, I thought I'd post the question here - what questions would you like me to answer about "being Barbra"? 

See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

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Your Favorite Barbra Streisand Songs

Last week I tweeted (@BarbraTribute) and posted on my Facebook Fan page (www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra) the question, “What is your favorite Barbra Streisand song?” I found the answers I got very interesting. Certainly, some of the titles of her greatest known hits made the list, such as “The Way We Were” and songs from “Funny Girl”, but I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the lesser known songs included. As promised, here are some of those responses along with links so you can hear them on YouTube:

“Promises” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBR0PY3INm8

“Run Wild”  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KJaP9PJZSQ

“I've Never Been in Love Before” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKEioLsM3n8

Her RCA demo of “A Taste of Honey” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN1VDc2Gj9g

“Supper Time” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJnY8TJRDdM

Mother  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6B9uJtKRo

“I'm Still Here/Everybody Says Don't” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eqSS2jMZyQ

“Starting Here, Starting Now”

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjdipLGUl00

“The Man I Love” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgbetsEdct8

“Prisoner”  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgBAZRDiYfs

Personally, I’d like to add one more to this list from “My Name is Barbra”:

“How Does The Wine Taste?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3TsAS9yV80

See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.
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"Color Me Barbra" 48 Years Old

On March 30, 1966 I was three years old. I don't know if my family was watching Barbra Streisand's second television special, "Color Me Barbra" that day, but if they were I obviously don't remember it. I did enjoy the opportunity last week to watch it on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. The special featured one of my favorite songs from her specials, "I Stayed Too Long at the Fair" during the circus sequence (where she also sings to her white poodle). In my own Streisand tribute show I sing this song and it's always so well received.

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See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

"Like" my Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra

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Shop for Barbra products at the Barbra Shop http://astore.amazon.com/barbstretrib-20

Another Barbra Streisand Anniversary!

Today, March 22nd, is the 52nd anniversary of Barbra appearing in the opening of "I Can Get it For You Wholesale".  Her performance as the long-suffering secretary Miss Marmelstein won her critical acclaim and may very well have been the stepping stone that led her to a staring role in the show that would make her name a household word, "Funny Girl". It is also where she met Elliot Gould, whom she would later marry, have her only child with, and divorce.

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See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

"Like" my Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra

Follow me on Twitter @BarbraTribute

Shop for Barbra products at the Barbra Shop http://astore.amazon.com/barbstretrib-20

March 21st - Anniversary of Barbra Streisand Marrying Elliot Gould

On March 21st, 1963 Barbra Streisand and Elliot Gould married. The couple met while working on the Broadway show, "I Can Get it For You Wholesale".  Although the couple would divorce in 1971, they maintained a mostly friendly relationship and admirably both treasure their son, Jason, who is Streisand's only child. 

In a 2011 interview with Examiner.com Gould was quoted as saying of Streisand, "Even though we are divorced, we are still family and we love each other. We have a special relationship and kinship."

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See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

"Like" my Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra

Follow me on Twitter @BarbraTribute

Shop for Barbra products at the Barbra Shop http://astore.amazon.com/barbstretrib-20

Barbra Streisand / Frank Sinatra Tribute Show

One of the things I enjoy about being a Barbra Streisand tribute artist is that I get to work with other tribute artists. I have a new show that I'm proud to be part of called, "Barbra & Frank: I've Got a Crush on You". The role of Frank Sinatra is being played by veteran Sinatra tribute artist Patrick Tobin. Our premier is coming up on May 4, 2014. I hope anyone in the northern Connecticut/southern Massachusetts area will check it out!

For tickets visit http://www.hukelau.com 

Barbra Streisand Working on New "Duets" Album

Playbill.com is reporting that Barbra Streisand is in the beginning stages of creating a followup album to her very successful 2002 "Duets" album.

While a release date is not yet known, rumor has it that artists involved include Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Yo Yo Ma, Blake Shelton, Michael Bublè, Josh Groban, Usher, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Joel, Beyoncè, and John Mayer. Some slightly surprising additions to this list are Robin Thicke and Lady Gaga,

The full story is available here.

As a Streisand tribute artist, I love working with other tribute artists. I do a show with a Neil Diamond tribute artist and another with a Frank Sinatra. A new "Duets" album is wonderful news for me, as it will give me more possibilities for future shows.  Thanks, Barbra!

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See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

"Like" my Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra

Follow me on Twitter @BarbraTribute

Shop for Barbra products at theBarbra Shop 

Adorable Handmade Barbra Streisand Dolls

While browsing Pinterest boards one day, I came across photos of adorable Barbra Streisand dolls. I did a little digging and was able to contact the craftsman, Dennis Beltran.

While Streisand is a favorite of Beltran, he creates dolls of other celebrities, too.

"Generally new clients see my past work and choose which doll they want from photos," Beltran told me, "but every doll is a one of a kind, so is best to chose what character or film one likes most and thinks would translate well to a doll and we go from there."

Dolls start at $300 plus shipping and typically take about a month to complete. They stand approximately 15" tall and are wired, making them easy to pose.

Discussing the creation process Beltran told me, "I like to send progress shots as I work. I feel it helps people bond better with their dolls and they can give any input or suggestions while the doll is coming to life."

Anyone interested in purchasing a doll can contact Dennis via his Facebook page.

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See video and photos of my Streisand tribute show at www.MyNameIsBarbra.com.

"Like" my Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsBarbra

Follow me on Twitter @BarbraTribute

Shop for Barbra products at my Barbra Shop