David Mann once sat his wife down during a stressful time in their marriage and told her that he loved her, he loved their children and, at the end of the day, “it’s you and me against the world.”
His words stuck.
The Manns will take fans on a journey of their 30-year marriage and love story during a show at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Ave. S.E. in Atlanta.
The aptly-named 20-city “Us Against the World Mann Family Tour” combines song and comedy and gives people an intimate glimpse into Mann world.
“We’re not trying to paint a perfect picture here,” said Tamela Mann, an actress and Grammy-winning singer, during a telephone interview from Mobile. “We’re a work in progress. We’re fighting against anything that would come against the family structure. We’re declaring war to make marriage and the family great again. We’re hearing in the world about America needs to be great again. Let’s start with the basics - the family. We want to encourage families to hang in there.”
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Her other half, award-winning actor, comedian and singer, David Mann, agrees.
Instead of tossing in the towel when things get tough, families need to sit down and communicate. They need to go back to having those kitchen table or living room talks.
“It’s something we don’t do anymore,” said David Mann. “We can be in the same house and text each other. We don’t talk with each other.”
The Manns, for instance, hold regular family meetings at their home in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Family is obviously a big part of the show, which returns to Georgia Nov. 3 at the Macon City Auditorium.
They are touring with their singer- daughter, Tia Mann; and DJ son, David Mann Jr. A daughter, La’Porcia “Porcia” Mann, is the road manager.
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The Manns, stars of “It’s a Manns’ World” and numerous other film and TV shows, stay busy. They are also promoting a soon-to-be-released book from HarperCollins, “Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage and Family” and a new CD, ‘Us Against the World: The Love Project.” Both have November release dates.
This is their first joint CD project and includes 10-track - six duets and two solos each by Tamela and David Mann.
Why did it take so long?
David Mann admits he was a bit intimidated to sing with his wife, who is known for her powerful vocals on gospel songs, including her critically-acclaimed hit, “Take Me to the King.”
“I always talked myself out of it,” he said. “This time the music was so strong, I said, ‘I’ve got to do it.’”
“We wanted this to be something the whole family could relate to,” said David Mann.
“You get a little bit of everything,” adds Tamela Mann, whom David affectionately calls “Tam.”It’s a rollercoaster ride. You laugh. You cry. You dance. You sing. We touch on everybody’s emotions.”
And it has.
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They tell the story of a couple who came to see one show. They were separated and the wife didn’t have anyone to come with her, so she asked her husband.
They could relate to some of the stories that the Manns told.
Tamela Mann said during a conversation with them later, she cried as they told her what they witnessed onstage was what they needed to hear.
“It’s just so great to see couples holding hands,” she said. “It’s an amazing thing. So many people are really being blessed by this. I know we’re doing what we are supposed to be doing.”
If you go:
“Us Against the World Mann Family Tour”
7 p.m. Oct. 26
$37.50-$57.50
Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Ave. S.E. in Atlanta
470-351-3866
