Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

O Holy Night

The video isn't much...but this version of the Christmas Classic is simple sublime. Founding Yes frontman Jon Anderson's minor change-ups make this one of the most beautiful renditions of this song ever recorded.

Merry Christmas to all...and all the best for the New Year.

An Amazing Combination

Still one of my all time favorites. Pairing Bing and Bowie was a masterstroke that has never been matched.

Robert Downey's White Christmas

Short and sweet, this clip from the old Ally McBeal show features Robert Downey Jr.'s take on the Irving Berlin classic.

And, he kinda sounds like my friend Jay Moran, whose Unmade Bed (while not a Christmas song in any stretch of the imagination) is definitely worth a listen. Though penned years ago, it's one of my current faves.

Blue Christmas

He ain't Elvis...but, in keeping with the rare Christmas videos string started last Friday, Jon Bon Jovi's live version of Blue Christmas, recorded sometime in the '90s, is pretty cool.

Best Unknown Christmas Video

There are so many...and maybe next week will be a compendium of my faves. But no holiday season can escape without Billy Joel's "She's Right on Time."

A History that So Needs to be Recorded

While attending a birthday gathering for a friend a couple weeks ago at the Nitty, the conversation switched (as it always does when he's in the room) to music. The topic: a recent series of posts by music industry maven Bob Lefsetz. And all four of us in the conversation nodded as Stu started talking.

"You get the Lefsetz Letter?" he exclaimed in astonishment as he looked around at the three of us. Of course. We're all music junkies.

Lefsetz has hundreds (if not thousands) of posts that are just about as fascinating a look into the music business as you'll find. Some are simply inspired. But one from a week or so ago, about an evening he spent with Quincy Jones, is magical.

Like, that he knew Paul McCartney back in ‘62. That he and John Lennon couldn’t write for shit.  Credit George Martin for teaching them how. And how they bombed in Paris and were freaking out that they might do the same on their first tour in the States.

That Frank Sinatra would do one take and leave...even if it was rehearsal for that night's TV appearance.

That Michael Jackson didn't want to do the intro on "Thriller."

Amazing stuff...that I so hope Quincy sits down in front of cameras and records for posterity. THAT would be the stuff that would so enhance the Rock Hall of Fame...and our understanding of how the music that transformed the world came to be.

The Luxurious Voice of Cow

That would be John Cowan...

I've been a huge fan since hearing him on internet radio in a hotel room in Roanoke VA years ago (funny that I remember exactly where I was...but his voice'll do that to you). I've collected several of his CDs, from his days with the New Grass Revival to his stint as a soul singer to where he is today...a fascinating mix of bluegrass, jazz, blues, country and gospel.

And one of the most beautiful voices on the planet. As I finally got to witness last night in West Bend WI.

He's on a tour supporting his holiday season release "Comfort and Joy." If you're anywhere near Cleveland, Buffalo, Vienna VA, Petersborough NH, West Newton MA, Lexington MA, Piermont NY, Asheville NC or Aberdeen NC over the next two weeks...treat yourself. Tour schedule and samples of the new CD are on John's MySpace page.

Thanks for a wonderful evening, John. And please come back to Wisconsin soon.

Broadway in the Heartland = Tourism

While not every touring Broadway show draws visitors into a town (as if "Oklahoma" ever needed reviving), there are those like "Lion King," "Wicked" and "Moving Out" that are not only great for the home crowd to experience...but draw visitors like fruit flies to a half-consumed glass of wine.

The latest success story? Wichita's three week run of "Wicked" that was a virtual sell-out. A three-week run? A lot of those seats were obviously sold to visitors from out of town. Some restaurant and bar owners reported business up 20-30%. With visitors.

The last success story I saw was Des Moines' hosting of a four week run of "Wicked." Estimated $17 million impact. A lot of that was...yes, visitors.

Many dismiss the impact of Performing Arts Centers as a Tourism draw. But, if your center can bring Broadway home? Yeah....

The 3 Rules for Management Success

The rock music industry recently lost one of its greats...and a name that I'd guess most had never heard.

Dee Anthony was the manager for Peter Frampton, DEVO, Traffic, ELP, J. Geils Band, Ten Years After, Jethro Tull and Joe Cocker, to name just a few. Probably the most amazing turn-around he orchestrated was that of Frampton who, after leaving Humble Pie, had popped out four commercially unimpressive albums and was only attracting a couple hundred people to his gigs (where this photo was taken).

Within a year of that shot, he was playing stadiums in support of the amazing "Frampton Comes Alive."

Dee's 3 core Management Rules always cracked me up (but are so true):

1. Get the Money
2. Don't forget to get the Money
3. Always Remember: Don't forget to get the Money

RIP, Dee...you hipped us all to some incredible talent over the years.

Thanks to the Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp's David Fishof for the catch.

Why Do We Ignore Our Nightlife?

One of my recent rants when speaking or consulting on internet marketing for Destination Marketing Organizations is the lack of searchable information about nightlife on so many DMO websites.

Now, I understand that just because I like to go clubbing is no reason to think that every traveler does. But the latest edition of Destination Analysts’ “State of the American Traveler” Study reveals that 20% of American travelers went clubbing on a recent leisure getaway. Uh-huh. One in five of us are looking for something to do after dinner when we’re in your town.

Our websites are generally great at outlining ethnic heritage sites (which only 11% visit), spas (8%), Birding (7%) and Eco-Tourism Sites (7%). Why do we so fall down on an activity that over twice as many people love?

And, one has to wonder how much higher that 20% number would be if our websites would provide the information that our prospective visitors crave.

I'm betting a lot.