« November 2018 | Main | January 2019 »
OK. Last year's year-end song was wishful thinking. Apparently, most of us are frogs in slowly warming water.
So, as we bid farewell to 2018, we shift gears to a path on which we may be more able to congregate.
This is Jackson Browne's "How Long."
Here's to a New Year of compassion.
Yeah...I know I'm walking into a minefield here. But, what the hell...
It is a sign of the times that a Holiday Season classic can be accused of advocating date rape. Yet, it is such a tenuous thread. She asks "what's in this drink?" when there was no such thing when the song was written.
Indeed, it is a repartee that goes on between potential lovers every day of the year.
You wanna to get mad about something? How about classic rock stations playing Jimi Hendrix' "Hey Joe?" Or Neil Young's "Down By the River?"
Or, consider the tables turned on this Music Friday with Lady Gaga and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
11 million views can't be wrong.
If you are anything like my family, watching holiday videos plays a part in our Christmas celebrations. And, while the classics are cool...the newest classic is the Netflix production of The Christmas Chronicles, starring Kurt Russell.
Not unlike Blues Brothers or The Replacements, a jailhouse rock scene is always the best.
This is "Santa's Back in Town."
Happy Christmas, y'all.
On this Christmas Eve, we know where Christmas is...having just hosted both our families over the weekend. Lots of love and laughter...which we hope you enjoy as well this Holiday Season.
For our Christmas Eve song, we're going with a cover of "Where Are You Christmas" by the Piano Guys and Sarah Schmidt.
Simply sublime.
This is a Music Friday find on which I was conflicted. I loved their previous work individually. I actually like the song. But the video is so saccharine...
So...maybe listen without looking (yeah, like that's gonna happen).
The brothers Nelson (the sons of early TV icon Ricky Nelson) took the nation by storm in 1990 with a sensational debut album and great videos. And, sadly, it was pretty much one and done.
The sisters Wilson (daughters of Beach Boy Brian) made their mark with Chynna Phillips (Daughter of Mama & Papas' John & Michelle) as Wilson Phillips...to a fairly similar fate. Two and done.
That these two sets of siblings got together to sing a Holiday song is too perfect not to feature.
Just don't judge it by the Hallmark-esque video.
Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" remains one of the most beautiful and evocative songs of an era. I've said as much (and one of my daughters concurred).
But, I wasn't ready for this retelling, retooling and reimagination of the song as a Christmas anthem. But, that's what Brandon McSwain did a few years ago, adding new lyrics and interpolating "O Holy Night."
As we go all Holiday on the blog...this is "Hallelujah Night."
It is the season of Queen.
Bohemian Rhapsody was a sensational view into the band's early days. While Terri thought it dragged a bit in the middle (and I can't dispute that), I must admit to being enthralled by, not only Rami Malek's portrayal of Freddie Mercury...but also, Gwilym, Ben and Joe as amazingly accurate portrayals of the band. If you haven't yet, treat yourself.
So on this first of a week of Holiday video music finds...it's not the classic Queen Christmas Song.
Instead, we're beginning with a track that is kinda Christmas. But, not really.
From the last album with Freddie, this is a Winter's Tale.
It's Bliss.
As the Holiday finds continue on Music Friday, we travel back to a rare unplugged clip of John Waite from 1997 performing his Christmas "hit."
The snow fell like cocaine?
Whatever...the sentiment is on point.
And, it's good to be home for the holidays.
For every really cool story in DMO-land (like yesterday's)...there are the bone-headed, the politically devious and the sensationally unsophisticated tales that make one wanna scream.
One of the latter occurred last week when the York County SC Council voted to purchase 1,900 acres for a recreation site along the Catawba River for $21 million. Part of the funding package being proposed will see the budget of the Destination Marketing Organization there slashed by 43%.
Now, one must always be cautious when working off of media reports. There could be an agenda on the part of the writer. The reporter could be clueless as to what they are hearing. But, what I see in this story is purposeful political misdirection and a calculated belief that the State laws restricting the use of Tourism-related taxes can be bent to the Council's will.
If you want to go down the rabbit hole and read the sad tale, your links are here (the DMO issue) and here (the residents' take).
But, here's the Cliff Notes version: The land is being purchased for conservation purposes. That does not qualify it for Tourism Taxes.
1,900 acres, however, is a lot of land. If thoughtfully designed, the parcel could become a tourism draw. Thus, Tourism Taxes could be utilized.
But...and, it's a big one. There are no plans for the land other than acquisition. At least not publicly shared. And, that the County does not have a Parks and Rec Department, the chance that even a part of the tract evolves into a tournament-grade sports complex appears remote. Indeed, work is already underway for a Sports Park in another part of the county.
The Assistant County Manager says, "I don't have any guilt about a drastic cut to the CVB."
And, that speaks volumes.
Sigh.
As I noted in today's edition of the Z-News (subscribe here if you'd like to stay up-to-date with the world of Destination Marketing), DMOs need to play a part in fighting hunger and homelessness in our communities.
Jack Berry and the Team at Richmond Regional Tourism recently stepped up to the plate with an e-mail holiday greeting that doubles as a fundraiser for Homeward, an area non-profit that’s working to prevent, reduce and end homelessness. They've made a donation in the name of the people in their database and ask recipients to open their hearts to donate as well.
It is a sensational move...made all the more perfect because it's the right thing to do.
And, this is an idea that I'm sure the Richmond Team wouldn't mind you copy-catting.
Congratulations to Jack and his Team. You make us all proud.
Recent Comments