Barry Manilow and subsequently as a producer on both her debut and sophomore record albums "The Divine Miss M" (1972) and "Bette Midler" (1973). as well as act as her musical director on the eventual tour mounted for the former. In 1973, Manilow was nominated for the Album Of The Year Grammy Award for his production role on 'The Divine Miss M'. Manilow worked with Midler from 1971 to 1975. After the Featherbed singles failed to impact on the music charts, in July 1973, Bell Records released the album, "Barry Manilow", which offered an eclectic mix of piano-driven pop and guitar-driven rock
Bette Midler years in 2003 to record "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook". Now signed to Columbia Records, the album was an instant success, being certified gold by RIAA. One of the "Clooney Songbook" selections, "This Ole House", became Midler's first Christian radio single shipped by Rick Hendrix and his positive music movement. The album was nominated for a Grammy the following year. Throughout 2003 and 2004, Midler toured the United States in her new show, "Kiss My Brass", to sell-out audiences. Also in 2004, she appeared in a supporting role in Frank Oz' science fiction satire "The Stepford Wives", a