That's not to imply that Barry Manilow isn't ALWAYS doing cool things. But this is especially cool.

As you may have heard, Manilow is coming to Consol Energy Center on Sept. 16. If you haven't already gotten your ticket, and you have a trumpet lying around not getting any use, here's a tip: From now until the day of the show, if you bring a new or gently used instrument to CEC to donate to music programs in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, you'll get two free tickets to see the "Mandy" man. It's all part of his Manilow Music Project.

The tickets are for a pre-selected section — you presumably won't be getting in the front row — but still. Free.

Drop-off is at the Dick's Sporting Goods box office at Consol, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays or 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays.

Give a kid a sax and get to see Barry. What's not to love?