Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

A Sweaty Night at the Sylvee

Actually, the A/C performed nicely. But the Sylvee, the Midwest's hottest new music venue, debuted just blocks from Madison's Capitol Square last night with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

First things first...if you've never experienced Madison, you simply must. And, the Sylvee just became the newest reason to do so. A sensationally imagined space for music, the line-up for this fall is already impressive: Shakey Graves tonight, Primus, the Decemberists, Kip Moore, Umphrey's McGee and Death Cab for Cutie next week, Lake Street Dive, Garbage, Gov't Mule, Steel Panther and more dot the calendar through December. The nearby Mariott AC is the perfect landing pad and, 'round the corner, Jardin is the perfect pre-concert culinary experience (make reservations).

But, this is Music Friday. Everyone knows "S,O.B. (Get Me a Drink)," so today we go with a Micro show recorded last month at the Turf Club in St. Paul. Just get over your To-Do List today and luxuriate in this 35-minute show. But, if you simply can't treat yourself, go with the first and last song (at the 29:30 mark).

But, after that first track...my guess is you'll let it run.

A great way to kick-off the weekend! And, welcome the Sylvee to Madison's music scene.

 

Photo Credit: Terri White

 

The Evolution of the DMO

On this World Tourism Day, we celebrate the positive impact, both fiscally and socially, that travel visits upon every one of us on this planet. At the same time, we must be increasingly mindful of the challenges that poorly planned tourism can have on regions not prepared to handle large numbers of visitors.

And, at the heart of it all is the Destination Marketing Organization, the agency that provides the inspiration and incentive for consumers to choose and consume a community, region or nation. 

Sojern's Richard Black penned a great op-ed piece for PhocusWire called a DMO's Guide for Finding the Metrics that Matter.

So worth a read.

The Lincoln Park Pirates

OK...two Music Fridays in a row inspired by articles in the Wall Street Journal. That must signal they are getting hipper because I'm definitely not getting older.

Regardless, news from Chicago is that the Lincoln Towing Service has had its license revoked. Hallelujah, brother.

The late Windy City troubadour Steve Goodman (under-recognized as the composer of "City of New Orleans" along with "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request") penned a local favorite when he sang of the low-down, scurrilous practices of this neighborhood racket way back in 1972. It was a staple on Chicago's WXRT...but I used to get requests for it on my rock station, 60 miles outside the Loop, by unwitting listeners who had their cars vanish in Lincoln Park.

In honor of the forces that pulled the license...today, we go with "Lincoln Park Pirates." If you know Chicago, you'll smile. If not, listen anyway. Steve was a master of the phrase.

Way, hey...let's tow the bum outta town.

It only took 40 years.

Hold 'Em, Never Fold 'Em

I have no idea if this is a URL that the Bismarck-Mandan CVB once held and discarded...but, it's a cautionary tale that should encourage every DMO to camp out on (and never release) any URL that remotely could be associated with their organization or destination.

The Bureau has recently discovered that someone has posted an imposter website (potentially to trick unsophisticated consumers to share personal data) with a URL that certainly looks like it might be theirs. But it isn't.

Hey, I know you're never, ever gonna use that URL you thought was a good idea back in 2003 (but wasn't)...but, do NOT let it slide back into the public domain! If I had a Franklin for every former DMO URL that has been repurposed into some type of foreign click-bate site...well, let's just say I'd have enough money to comfortably knock off for a month in a villa on a hilltop over a picturesque bay in the tropics.

I know it looks like a waste of money to hold 'em. Trust me. It's not.

The Other Bill Geist

After inadvertently starting a small online ruckus after posting a piece entitled "Saying Farewell" (I was just moving...not stepping away), all the online pieces about Bill Geist's retirement are bound to raise a few eyebrows.

That would be the CBS Bill Geist...not me.

We two Bills have had led curiously connected lives. Both from Illinois. Both authored books (his sold considerably more than mine). Both of us have spent time on TV (he on CBS Sunday Morning; me on the CBS affiliate in Madison WI). And, we both have daughters named Elizabeth (his goes by Libby; mine by Liz). We have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (but he earned it).

We've never met face-to-face, but corresponded via e-mail. That I own the billgeist.com domain, I would often receive story ideas meant for him. I would dutifully pass them on.

I met his son Willie a couple years ago. When I introduced myself, he said, "Oh yeah...you're the guy from Wisconsin." Too funny.

Bill leaves a legacy of fascinating stories, told in a style that are all his own. A handful were excerpted yesterday as he said farewell on CBS Sunday Morning. My all-time favorite was his visit to the Heart Attack Grill.

Thanks for the smiles, Bill. Sunday mornings will never be the same.

 

The Beauty of a Bad Reputation

I don't think a Music Friday post has ever been inspired by a piece in the Wall Street Journal...but, today's is.

This week's "Anatomy of a Song" feature by Marc Myers focuses on the breakthrough moment for Joan Jett. After the Runaways splintered into a million pieces, Joan was looking to establish herself as a solo artist. Most of the major labels were taking a pass.

In one of those magical moments, as she and producer Kenny Laguna were walking the streets of Manhattan lamenting their inability to get a recording deal, Kenny told her that labels said she had a bad reputation. Joan shot back, "I don't give a damn about my bad reputation." They locked eyes, grinned conspiratorially and realized what a cool line for a song that would be (not unlike when Sammy Hagar screamed "I Can't Drive 55" while stuck in traffic).

The rest is rock history...as Joan Jett recorded some of the biggest hits of the '80s and was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2015.

There is, of course, the original video (with all the FU references to all the labels that passed on her rare talent). But, we're also gonna go with her induction set with Dave Grohl and Tommy James. So cool.

"And a girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do."

Damn straight.

Time for a Third Party

With 43% of the American electorate now identifying themselves as independent, it's time to end the duopoly of the nation's politics. But, that won't happen until the media accepts the notion and stops ignoring the candidacy of those that aren't blue or red (like Gary Johnson).

During the last presidential race, the former (and I emphasize former) CEO of CBS infamously said that Trump wasn't good for the country...but he was good for ratings. If that's true (and, sadly, I believe it to be), the next time around, the networks should embrace a third-party play.

That's what their audience clearly wants.

More drama.

Bruce McCabe

Bruce McCabe...outside the Twin Cities, the name rarely elicits recognition from any but we music aficionados.

But, he's opened for or been in bands that represent a who's who of names you do know: Bonnie Raitt, Jonny Lang, Muddy Waters, the Rolling Stones, the Blues Brothers, etc. There's a documentary on his life and times that I can't find online...but the trailer is cool.

On this Music Friday, enjoy this exquisite gem he wrote while with the Lamont Cranston Band in the '80s..."Moonlight on the Broken Glass."

And, that it evokes another Bruce? Get over yourself and just enjoy...

 

David Burke

It's been years since we last spoke...but I never thought that last time would be.

David Burke, the long-time GM of the Breakers Palm Beach died unexpectedly last week. In a world of hospitality professionals who are generally nicer than the general population, David was one of a handful of tourism executives that stood out among a crowded field. I always looked forward to our time together when our careers connected us...and I'll now, once again, not be able to tell someone how much they meant to me.

And to so many others. To whit...this quote from his obit in Smart Meetings: 

“The first day on the job here...in your orientation class, first thing is you do a half-day of community service,” he said. “It’s all about ingratiating yourself into the community and doing what’s right. It’s so much fun working for a company that can do the right thing all the time.”

Yeah...we lost a huge heart.

Rest, David. And, we are all better for the way you lived your life.