Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

One Voice...Together

As is our custom, we offer up a music video each New Year's Eve. For the most part, these posts shudder at how inhuman humanity is becoming.

It started in 2006 with an exceptionally powerful song by the forgotten Living Loud. In 2008, the late Jimi Jamison moved us with "Can't Look Away." In 2011, it was Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." In 2016, we questioned how our government had become a monster with a song from 1969 (some things were clearly prophesied). The following year, we suggested that we might / should be on the "Edge of a Revolution."

Of course, that just didn't happen.

Last year, Jackson Browne asked us all, "How Long." 

This year is no different...and, on this New Year's Eve, we offer up Martin Sexton, begging us to join "One Voice Together."

Pass it on.

The Weeklings

The bands that have emulated the sound of The Beatles over the past 55 years span pages. Of course, there was the Eric Idle send-up with The Rutles. Bands like the Raspberries made the sound harder and their own. Even also-rans like Angel took their turn. Tight harmonies and crisp licks can do it every time.

One of the most faithful reproductions was in the soundtrack of the Tom Hanks movie "That Thing You Do" with the fictional Oneders simply nailing the title song.

In recent years, The Weeklings have faithfully propelled the sound with impeccable covers such as "It Won't Be Long." 

Fronted by Glen Burtnik (who should have exploded as a solo act in the '80s), possibly best known for his time in Mach III of Styx, the Weeklings are  America's tribute to not just the Beatles...but their sound.

On today's Music Friday, we're going with the original (but sensationally derivative), "I Want You Again."

You can catch them at Philadelphia's City Winery on January 11th, with the amazing John Eddie at the Stone Pony on January 17th and at Daryl's House on January 24th.

And, it's on to the New Year! 

Merry Christmas

Here's hoping your holiday season has been filled with joy, family and friends. Many of us are so incredibly blessed.

And, thanks to the Rebel Jesus, who started it all.

Here's Jackson Browne to wind down this day.

Peace and Love.

O Holy Night

I was working FM radio in the '80s when I stumbled upon a solo album by Yes frontman Jon Anderson called 3 Ships. While an uneven performance, Jon's version of "Oh Holy Night" was likely the catalyst for my affection for non-traditional Holiday songs. His unique take on a traditional Christmas song has propelled me to search for other reimaginations wherever I can. Indeed, my collection of Holiday Music should have its own channel on SiriusXM. Just saying...

So, in addition to Jon's rendition on this Christmas Eve...I'd like to share with you two more unique takes:

The first is this stirring version by Ireland's HomeTown.

And then, there is the message in this video from GENTRI.

May we all reach out this Holiday Season...

Star of Wonder

As we wind our way to Christmas Day, we swing to the music of the season. And, this is one I discovered the other night, quite by accident.

It's JJ Heller, with her husband Dave, interpolating portions of "We Three Kings" into a simply sublime "Star of Wonder."

Enjoy...

One I've Been Missing

The DMOproz 2019 World Tour is finally complete, as I returned Wednesday from the last client gig of the year.

Don't get me wrong...it's the greatest gig on the planet. But, it also takes me away from the woman I love.

We had a chance to hang with an amazing artist/author/speaker and his partner a couple weeks ago with whom we had sadly lost touch. We talked about the challenges of being on the road...and of the amazingly evocative Ari Herstand song that so embodies that pain.

This Holiday Music Friday is one for Terri, as I return home...not to depart again until the New Year. It's Little Mix with "One I've Been Missing."

I'm home, babe.

Thanks to All Who Made the Call

There were two paths forward for the reauthorization of BrandUSA...as part of an omnibus spending package that needed to get approved before Congress headed home for the Holidays and one right after they would return. And, thanks to work of the US Travel Association and many of us in the Destination Marketing industry who made calls to our legislators, the bill is now headed to the President's desk.

From US Travel: "Thank you, Senator Roy Blunt, Amy Klobuchar, Senator Cory Gardner and Catherine Cortez Masto for all your work to help reauthorize this important program before the end of the year."

Hell yeah. 

Now, it's on to Michigan and Florida.

Is it Me?

Or, is it increasingly impossible to find housekeepers to work their magic in America's hotels (don't answer...I know it's the latter).

I've been on the road on this merry-go-round of a gig for over 20 years. And, I've never experienced what I encountered in two of my recent business trips. Ever.

In the first episode, I came back to my room after a day of stakeholder interviews and Focus Groups to find my hotel room door propped wide open with a wooden wedge. One could only imagine how long that situation had gone on...but, certainly, by 6pm, it had been hours. I called the front desk to ask WTF? The operator lazily asked if anything was missing from my room. When I responded that I didn't think so, he said, "well, we're good then," and hung up. Really.

Then, the other day, I returned from another set of stakeholder interviews in another town to find that my room hadn't been made up. Hey, it happens. But, what was strange was that the towel, which I had purposefully hung on the shower curtain bar to do my part in saving the planet, was gone. So, not only was the room not made up, but housekeeping entered my room and ignored my request to save the environment in what appears was the only attempt they made to refresh my room. Odd, to say the least.

Here's hoping these mysterious occurrences don't come in threes...and that 2020 sees no more of these peculiar vexings.

Christmas Boogie

As I prepare to step on the plane at DCA after a couple days with industry peers in DC, it's Bonamassa that is pumping through my headphones. And, since the holiday season is a time of giving, I'll share it with you.

On this Music Friday, it's Joe Bonamassa's "Christmas Boogie."

It's a long, long ride on my way to you, babe. But, I'm back home for Christmas and one little kiss for you.

The Clock is Ticking

U.S. Travel Association EVP of  Public Affairs and Policy, Tori Barnes, addressed the Board of Destinations International today with an update on the precarious reauthorization of Brand USA, this nation's Destination Marketing Organization. 

Getting any bill passed through Congress is an arduous process in the best of times. In these times, it's next to impossible. But there are two omnibus bills that apparently must pass in the next few weeks...and that is the current strategy; to add the "Brand USA Extension Act" to the pile that could be voted on as early as next Tuesday.

Now would be a good time to reach out to your Congressional delegation in DC, asking them to urge Senate and House leadership to include Brand USA in next week's vote.

Need talking points? They're here.

You know what to do...