Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

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.