Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Kris Kristofferson

I was late to Kris Kristofferson. His early years were full stop Country. I was a Rock DJ.

But then, there was the second remake of "A Star is Born," a mainstream movie with Barbara Streisand. And, I began to delve into this "star's" past. An amazing writer of songs who got his break while a janitor at a recording studio.

Of course, there was the duet with Barbara.

With Rita Coolidge: Help Me Make it Through the Night.

With Russel Crowe: Me and Bobby McGee.

Wanna go deeper into this American Icon? Travel back to this segment on CBS Sunday Morning. And this feature with Charlie Rose.

Rest well, Kris...and thank you for your art.

Next on DMOU > Travel Accessibility for DMOs

On this edition of DMOU, we settle in with John Sage of Sage Inclusion. We met John at the Destinations International Annual Convention and were fascinated by his take on what destinations and DMOs get right (and wrong) about travelers with disabilities, a market cohort that is only growing with an aging population. In our conversation, John demystifies ways that DMOs can play a pivotal role in making their destinations more accessible. Join us.

J.D. Souther

We lost another voice last week that so many may not know the name...but will know the songs.

J.D. Souther was the "reluctant" Eagle; the co-writer of many of their hits. He's even pictured as if he was actually in the band on the album art of Desperado. But joining the band was not in the cards ("I am a terrible team player," he once said...even though he was coerced by his label to create a rock band.).

Instead, he collaborated with a veritable who's who of the artists that launched the "California Sound" in the late '70s and '80s. Linda Ronstadt, Karla Bonoff, Bonnie Raitt and others...as well as produced a handful of sensational solo albums.

We were blessed to have seen him a decade or so ago and were mesmerized by his musicality, lyrics and vocals. There are so many ways we could go on this Music Friday:

When we first met him...as a quasi-Eagle, and composer of Doolin Dalton.

He composed Faithless Love for Linda Ronstadt...but this version is a better video.

Picking up a little New Orleans vibe with the evocative Closing Time.

And then my favorites that have no video...but such was the era of his greatest work.

New Kid in Town.

The Last in Love.

And, isn't that last video just the perfect image? J.D. Souther songs are the ones that are best served on a rainy evening when contemplation reigns.

Sleep, sweet prince.

Aren't There More Important Things?

With the myriad of issues plaguing our country, calling out in vain for our politicians to show some leadership...they're targeting airline loyalty programs?

Doesn't the government routinely change the value of Social Security and Medicare as it fits their arcane needs? So why waste everyone's time on something so inconsequential?

Just saying...

Tito Jackson

For some, Tito Jackson will be best remembered as a reference in an Eddie Murphy bit about his brother. But he was much much more.

The third in line of the Jackson brothers that became the Jackson 5, Tito played bass and sang for the quintet in its early years. He was also the last of the Jackson siblings to place a solo single on the charts, he as a blues player.

We lost Tito earlier this week. On this Music Friday, we share a fun track (with tons of cameos) he laid down a few years ago. This is "Love One Another."

RIP.

New on DMOU: Sonya Nash

On this edition of DMOU, travel with us to Shipshewana, Indiana…where roughly half the population (and a big part of the destination’s allure) aren’t online. Sonya Nash shares insights into her community’s Amish Culture and how her DMO has developed a home-grown, customized customer service program that meets the unique needs of her community, from hospitality to pharmacies, that graduated their first class earlier this year. Plus, a Bonus Round Question that shines a light on Sonya’s record-breaking turn at a McDonald’s Drive-thru. Join us.

What Some of Us Would Like to Say

2024 will go down as the year of the grand resident push-back on mass tourism across the globe, most evident in Europe. Those of us in Destination Marketing and Leadership are well aware of what causes residents to protest levels of visitation that are simply unsustainable.

However, most of us are reticent to say what we believe. Except for Doug Lanskey.

If you laugh, it's because you know it's true.

Brian Wilson

The brilliance of Brian Wilson is without dispute. Songs like "God Only Knows" are like manna from heaven, dripping with emotion and sensational aural resonance. So much so that very few have attempted to cover it (but Bryan Adams does a creditable job).

A decade ago, Brian assembled a solo album that was generally rejected by fans and critics...but there was one track that stood out like, as Joni Mitchell once sang, "a ruby in a black man's ear."

On this Music Friday, we share "One Kind of Love." It has the french horns and sensational harmonies of "God Only Knows." And, as one reviewer said,"God Only Knows has the overall message of 'I would not be who I am without you,' but One Kind Of Love says 'I wouldn't be anyone without you.'" 

Absolutely love this song. And hope you do, too.

And thank you, Terri, for noticing me.

Wanna hear the true magic...here's "God Only Knows" a capella.

Lunch is Not Enough

Had a great conversation the other day with Adam Stoker on his Destination Marketing Podcast in which we went deep into the malaise we both are sensing in some of the Destination Marketing and Leadership Boards with which we work. While there are a number of reasons behind this de-evolution, I've always maintained that what we do has gotten so sophisticated (and the expectations of DMOs so expansive) that virtually no one knows what we do.

For DMO Board members, that's unacceptable. And, on Adam's Podcast, I threw down the gauntlet and said the primary reason that today's Boards aren't as effective as they were a decade ago is due to lousy orientation programs. We can't expect our Boards to understand that their job is not to help design the marketing plan if they don't understand what we do. And an "orientation" conversation over lunch just doesn't cut it.

Thanks Adam...for the opportunity to get that off my chest. And, to announce that registration for the 3rd Annual Board Leadership for Destinations Symposium is now open. Hope to see some of you in Orlando!

It Was 60 Years Ago Today

On this day in 1964, the Beatles played two shows at Detroit's Olympia Stadium, just about midway through their Summer Tour of America. Most of the dates on this tour were in northern cities...but their one foray into the south was to be 5 days later in Jacksonville FL. Word had gotten back to the band that seating at the Gator Bowl might be segregated...and, on this day, they issued a release stating that if there was any evidence of segregated seating when they arrived, they wouldn't go on stage. The show went on. The power of the burgeoning cultural revolution...and a sold out stadium at $6.50 a pop.

On this Music Friday, we share rare footage of the Beatles in concert in the Motor City. It's rough and far from complete...but it is a capsule in time.

60 years ago tonight.

Next Up on DMOU > TourismIQ

On the newest edition of DMOU, we check in with Adam Stoker, author of Touchpoints and progenitor of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network to get under the hood of a new free online town square for Destination Leaders. It’s called TourismIQ…and Adam walks us through its genesis, its current build out and what users can expect in the near future. Join Us.

Simply Brilliant

Here in Wisconsin, today marks the first day back to school. The end of summer. The end of fun.

But, not so at the nearby Lone Girl Brewing Company.

This morning, parents are invited to drop their kids off at school and head to Lone Girl for "Bevs and Breakfast" from 7:30 to 10:30 am.

On their website: "Who said Back to School was just for the kids?  Leave the ABCs to them and join us for some ADULTing at our Back to School Party! 

Drop off the little scholars and swing by for a brew-tiful morning. We’ve got the three Rs covered: Relax, Recharge, and Refreshment! Plus, grab a light breakfast and raise a toast to freedom!

 

See you at the brewery – where class is always in session."

 

If we didn't have a full morning of client calls, we'd be there even though we no longer have kids in school...just to see the joy on those parent faces.

 

So smart.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder has enthralled audiences for over 60 years.

50 years ago, his maturation from child star to musical genius was pretty much complete. 1973's Innervisions was a tour de force and 1974's Fulfillingness' First Finale would cement his stature as one of the pre-eminent voices in American culture.

On this Music Friday, we go with two of my favorites from FFF...."You Haven't Done Nothing" and "Boogie on Reggae Woman."

Now let's get this holiday weekend started

How You Like Me Now

Thanks in part to a horrible piece of legislation that ultimately puts the distribution of local room tax revenues into the hands of Wisconsin mayors, a number of small communities are electing to pull out of regional destination marketing organizations. Many of them say they are being overshadowed by the magnet city in their region… but there's a reason for that. Typically the largest city has the most assets, better transportation infrastructure and larger name recognition. Suburbs and rural communities that are in orbit around the largest city benefit from that halo. Every Single Day.

And, the magnet city benefits from the surrounding communities. Every Single Day.

But of course, small town ego won't allow for rationality.

Over the past few months, the city of Weston has been threatening to pull out of their contract with the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB. They said they didn’t believe they were getting enough ROI and could probably do a better job on their own with their $108,000 investment (snort). But, about a week ago, they decided to extend their contract one more year.

Could it have anything to do with the fact that the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB just landed the 2026 and 2029 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships? The ones that will be held in Weston?

Yeah, how you like me now?

Chaka Khan

Can it really be 50 years since that first Rufus album hit the stores and the charts? A song written by Stevie Wonder for this fledgling R&B band out of the Southside of Chicago, the Grammy Award winning "Tell Me Something Good" was Top 5 in America...out of nowhere.

On this Music Friday we share one of the first televised versions of the song (on the Midnight Special in July 1974)...and recently to kick off an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

And, then...there's this jam with Prince one night in London on "Sweet Thing."

Simply Sensational. Simply Timeless.

Next on DMOU: Wisconsin's Anne Sayers

As we celebrate out 150th episode of the DMOU Podcast, we hang with Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and talk about how the Badger State captured the culinary world’s attention with the most recent season of Top Chef. Anne explains how Wisconsin Tourism made it happen through amazing collaborations and shares how they are extending the reach of the series (and major events like the Republican National Convention and next year’s NFL Draft) far beyond the events themselves. Plus, a Bonus Round question that involves Muppets. Join us.

Really?

There are some cities that simply don't have a clue. Uvalde TX seems to be one of the latest.

In 2022, the City was dragging its feet on renewing its contract with its Destination Marketing Organization. The writing was on the wall. There were forces in City Hall that wanted to contract with the Chamber. And, they did.

Now, not quite a year into the new agreement, a member of City Council wants to end the contract with the Chamber because they are, in his view, not spending enough on advertising. Except the contract approved by Council a year ago stipulates how much money is to be spent on advertising...and it looks like this: $5,550 to print media advertisements; $15,996 to online ads, including social media and possible influencer collaborations; $1,750 to public relations, $500 to attract bird watchers and about $1,100 to attract hunters. 

$25,000. 

Annual room taxes collections (which in Texas must go to tourism promotion and development) have been coming in at roughly $750,000 a year...and you're allocating $25,000 for advertising? In a town that seriously needs a brand make-over?

$25,000? 

Hey, I don't live there. But if I was on City Council, I'd put all $750,000 on red and add another $250,000 from the general fund to create a $1 million a year fund to attempt to make Uvalde attractive to visitors, future residents and investors. 

Because, right now...you aren't looking so great.

But, that's just me.

And what do I know?

Image: One of the murals commemorating those lost in the Uvalde School Shooting.

SO Cool. SO Deserved.

Those in the Destination Marketing and Leadership space know Jack Berry. For 30 years, he led Richmond Region Tourism...and made it his mission to double down on regionalism and collaboration. Dude deserves to be in Destinations International Hall of Fame...but he has always been so quietly unassuming in his approach to destination leadership that I fear he could be forgotten (that won't happen as long as I take breath).

He stepped away earlier this year...and last week was honored for the legacy of his work by Henrico County, which named a street after him.

Jack Berry Way. As in the Jack Berry way.

Honestly...how many DMO pros have had a street named after them? I have several fingers left on my one hand.

Congratulations, my friend. And thanks for your thought leadership over the decades.

Now, go have another kind of fun in retirement (and, you can finally lose the tie, Jack).

Greg Kihn

It's a name most don't remember...but you know the hits. A darling of MTV (when they actually played music videos) Greg Kihn was the force behind hits like "The Breakup Song" "Testify" and "Love and Rock n Roll."

We lost this amazing voice this week...and I'll share some Greg moments I'll never forget.

In my 20s, one of my softball teams typically hung with a girls softball team after our games at an area tavern. One of the girls had a crush on a guy and shared with me that she had just given him a mix tape of songs that she thought might encourage him to make a move. I asked what song she led with and she said, "I Love You Desperately." I said that I didn't know that song and she replied, "yes you do, silly. It's all over the radio." And I realized she misunderstood Greg's lyric, "Our Love's in Jeopardy," When I told her, she was mortified. 

Years later, Greg was on the back nine of his career in music and was playing a small club on the near Westside of Madison. I got there early to get a good seat and went to grab a drink at the bar. Next to me was a guy in a leather jacket working a beer. Of course, it was Greg...and I was blessed to have a great conversation with one of the most engaging guys I've ever met.

And finally, it's beyond the music. Greg was a gifted storyteller and was the author of several books. My favorite (and a recommendation) is "Big Rock Beat." Best moment in the book was when the protagonist is confronted with an archangel who says something along the lines of, "what I love about you humans is you are trying so hard to get to heaven to avoid burning in hell. You don't realize that this is hell."

Greg...you have been a big part of the soundtrack of so many lives (even those that misunderstood your lyrics). Thank you.

And, sleep sweet prince.

Here's one last video that always makes me smile."Reunited."

Welcome to Chicago

The eyes of the nation will be on Chicago next week as it hosts the Democratic National Convention; a convention just as historic as the one the Windy City hosted in 1968.

In a sensational piece in the Chicago Sun-Times today, Neil Steinberg asks the question: how will the City of Big Shoulders be viewed at the end of next week? Some believe it will be an opportunity for Chicago to shrug off all the shade being thrown its way for being a dangerous place. Others believe it to be a lose-lose proposition because people who are predisposed to believe Chicago is dangerous won't care if it looks spectacular...they'll hold on to those beliefs.

My favorite quote in the piece, though, comes from political publicist Thom Serafin, who says people in Chicago tend to look at the cost but not the benefit of big events.

“Like NASCAR,” he said. “The revenue numbers did not substantiate all the effort. The profit is in people watching all over the world. Watching that skyline, thinking, ‘I’m going to go there next year. I want to be there. It’s a beautiful city. The setting is so beautiful.’”

And, that is why we host big events. Detroit absolutely changed its narrative it with the NFL Draft.

Here's hoping Chicago can do the same next week.