Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Jerry Lee Lewis

One of my favorite Jerry Lee stories is that of a time when a biographer asked, “Is it true that…”

“Yeah,” he interjected, without waiting to hear the particulars.

That was Jerry Lee Lewis, who departed terra firma today at the age of 87. A man who lived by his own rules, his wife said "he is ready," just a few days ago.

As Rick Bragg shared in his obituary, "somewhere in the world, in a mean little honky-tonk or big music hall or church basement rec room, someone is playing a Jerry Lee Lewis song. Wherever there is a piano, someone is shouting…

You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane…"

The song that, more than "Danger Zone," will always be the Top Gun song." The song that inspired countless pianists to view their piano as a percussion instrument.

Despite such a massive catalogue of hits, we gotta go with the Killer's most killer on this Music Friday that marks the end of an era.

From Maverick.

From Top Gun.

And the Original + "Breathless.*"

I'd say rest in peace...but that's just not how it's gonna go down in his next life.

* and since we're talking movies...there's always the (spoiler) ending of Richard Gere's Breathless.

 

The Overlooked Workforce Solution?

While national statistics indicate that the American workforce has returned to pre-Plague levels, those of us in the travel and hospitality industry know that we are the outlier. Most hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers are beyond desperate for employees with which to keep their doors open and service levels high.

On a trip to Mississippi last week, I saw a billboard (click image to enlarge) offering a $5,000 signing bonus for cooks. And, if it takes $5,000 to get someone to apply, one must ask if we are barking up the wrong tree.

If the "usual suspects" don't want to work...who does?

Can you say formerly incarcerated individuals (the numbers of which are expected to blossom when cannabis offenders are freed)? This is a fascinating article on how individuals that made an unfortunate wrong turn (not habitual or violent criminals) can be the best employees ever.

Worth bridging the conversation in your community, n'est-ce pas?

Mr. Sipp

When Mississippi Tourism throws a party, they don't mess around. While I was honored to open the Mississippi Governor's Conference on Tourism in Tunica yesterday morning, the highlight of my visit (beyond reconnecting with good friends and making new ones) was watching an artist I had never heard of tear it down on the Bluesville stage the night before.

They call him Mr. Sipp and he had us all in the palm of his hand. On this Music Friday, I want you to meet him too.

There's the smooth music video side of "Turn Up." And then, the live heat of "Nobody's Bisness." 

Hell yeah...

Nothing About Us Without Us

I've been pondering this quote almost every day since I heard it this summer at the Annual Convention of Destinations International. And, we included it in our DMOU podcast episode in which we asked DMO pros about new positions and titles they were considering that they never would have in 2017.

Well, we decided to go deeper. And, on the just dropped 100th episode of DMOU, we talk with Ottawa Tourism's Catherine Callary about how Canada's indigenous story is being told through an increasingly authentic lens...and learn about the Ottawa Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneur Training program.

Good Stuff.

Remote vs. Office

The debate isn't getting any easier; whether remote work is more productive than requiring employees work from offices. 

Microsoft's latest Work Trends Study indicates that 87% of employees believe they are more productive working in a remote or hybrid environment. But, 85% of employers report difficulty in trusting that number...and most have resorted to monitoring employee activity. 

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes such tracking of remote workers is categorically wrong. "Surveillance doesn’t just lead to bad data—it undermines trust, a critical factor in organizational success that, once lost, is incredibly difficult to regain," he opined at a recent conference.

Despite allowing employees to work remotely 50% of their days, Nadella is a firm believer in the benefits of being in office. Best quote:

“People come for other people, people don’t come [because of a] policy,” he said. “They come for the connection they want to have. We all have to learn soft skills, as leaders, to facilitate those moments.”

True dat.

 

 

To Boycott...or Not

Destinations International has been a thought leader on the topic of political boycotts against destinations. In a nutshell...such moves end up hurting a hospitality workforce that often doesn't have a dog in the fight while grandstanding politicians that issue these destination fatwas go about their lives, smug in the belief they've scored some votes among their supporters. And, we couldn't be in more agreement with DI's opposition to such initiatives.

But...then there is Russia in the months following their invasion and citizen-targeted bombardment of Ukraine. Does the philosophy behind boycotting change when innocents are being slaughtered and war crimes committed? And when American destinations are the beneficiaries of relocated events that have eschewed previously contracted Russian destinations?

Should be an interesting conversation at the Advocacy Summit next week.

Doc Severinsen

No, no, no...he's not dead. To the contrary, he performed the last concert of his illustrious career earlier this summer...at the age of 95.

Originally making his mark on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the '60s, Doc Severinsen became known as one of the pre-eminent trumpet players in the world. His flamboyant mix of fashion, humor and musical chops was his brand...and many tuned into the Tonight Show as much for Doc as for Johnny, Ed and the guests.

On this Music Friday, we share classic moments of this amazing performer while he is still on terra firma. First the double-entendre-riddled repartee with which he would often engage Johnny, this one about Thanksgiving. And then, there was the music. So much of the video from his early days is sadly wanting...but this clip from just seven years ago shows that, even in his 80s, dude had it going on.

There are so many great clips...but to close, I'm going with "Ode to Billie Jo."

Doc...you so rocked our world in a style we may never see again.

Thank you!

Here's a Novel Approach

Desperate times call for innovative measures...and we've been hearing some pretty creative solutions to the hospitality workforce issue in our work with community leaders and entrepreneurs around the nation.

In one community, the discussion regarding workforce established that the real reason the industry is struggling to attract workers is a lack of nearby affordable housing and, thus, lack of effective transportation to and from work for those that can't find appropriate housing. And one enterprising soul suggested that, instead of signing bonuses, employers reward each new hire with a solid, all weather bicycle; an incentive and a solution all in one.

And then there was this from a business leader that said it seemed like Dollar General stores were going up everywhere. Those stores, he said, are one floor affairs, usually clocking in at 10,000 sq.ft. "What a waste of air rights," he exclaimed. "If Dollar General was smart, they'd be part of the solution rather than simply extracting revenue from our communities," he continued.

Build three or four more floors, make them affordable housing and you not only help the community with an existential pain point and create constant revenue for the building...but you place ±30 people within steps of the stuff you sell.

Win-Win-Win.

I love the people I meet on the road.

Loretta Lynn

As the tributes roll in for "The Coal Miner's Daughter," those that didn't grow up during her breakout years may not know how much of a trouble-maker Loretta Lynn was. A number of the songs for which she is now known were banned by some radio stations and stores. Among those songs that ultimately went Number One despite being banned: "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)," "Fist City" and "Rated X."

On this Music Friday, we say a fond farewell with this duet with Willie Nelson, "Lay Me Down."

And, thanks to our friend George Tzougros of the Wisconsin Arts Board for the suggestion.

New on DMOU

For as long as I can remember, those who serve as Chair of Destinations International do so with an agenda that layers on top of the organization's Vision and Mission. It was the Environment for Rick Antonson and Transparency for the late Spurgeon Richardson...just to name a few.

For Visit Baltimore's Al Hutchinson, his role as Chair will be marked by "four pillars." And, he and I go deep on two of them (Workforce and DEI) on the latest episode of the DMOU Podcast that just dropped this morning. Plus, we'll discuss the HBCU Scholarship Program that is surpassing all initial expectations.

And...in the Bonus Round, the man who, at the age of 8, saw James Brown perform in concert reveals his favorite all time band.

Check it out.