Barry Michael Neil

Chapala resident since 2018.

Many readers will remember Barry Michael Neil from his convincing performance as Oscar in Lakeside Little Theatre’s Musical of 2019 Sweet Charity. As he had never acted on stage, this performance was a remarkable achievement. Having said that, Barry was no stranger to public performance, but his performances were on Radio!

Coincidence or divine intervention?

Some amazing events led Barry to a career of over 40 years in broadcasting and as a radio personality, 20 of those years in Las Vegas with his own show. He was born into a very musical family in Brooklyn. His mother played the piano, his Dad was a trumpet player and as far back as he remembers, Barry sang. When his voice broke he gave up his dream of being a singer and devoted his time to baseball. His idol was Mickey Mantle.

After a friend asked him to sit in on a Sunday morning radio program, this experience led Barry to train as a broadcaster in New York City at the school for Radio Broadcasting. As there were no jobs available for Barry at the time he graduated, he decided to join the Navy. After seeing that Barry had experience as a broadcaster the Armed Forces Radio approached him to do a regular radio show.

His 40-year journey has given him the opportunity to have met and interviewed singers, actors,(Oscar Winners,) and one Hall of Fame baseball player New York Yankee legend and young Barry’s idol, Mickey Mantle. In spite of being born in Brooklyn,  Barry was a Yankee fan. The team played in the Bronx. For young Barry the Bronx seemed like another country.

During his career, one of his personal dreams came true….an incredible sit-down interview with none other than Mickey Mantle. More to come on that.

Over the next few months Barry will share his interviewing experiences with the El Ojo Del Lago readers.

To name a few of his interviewed stars and personalities, Julie Andres, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Donny and Marie Osmond, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Liza Minnelli, Ernest Borgnine, Wolfgang Puck, Jay Leno, Roseanne, Holly Hunter, Aaron Neville, Kelly Ripa, to name a few…so Arts Readers………….. STAY TUNED.