Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

RIP Cursive

When iconic brands such as Eddie Bauer and Johnson & Johnson reject their decades-old logos because today's new consumers can't read the letters? A sad day for typography, to be sure.

Because our schools no longer teach cursive, who can blame them? But, after a weekend at my fraternity's annual reunion, where I saw examples of exquisite handwriting from the mid-1800s (where, seemingly, everyone's penmanship was a work of art), the story out of Eddie Bauer struck me as sad.

The script logo is out...and block letters are in.

I get why...but we've sadly lost a piece of American culture.

Ford? You're up next.

Dusty Street

Those of us that aspired to major market FM DJ status in the '70s and '80s often listened to "airchecks." These were recordings of the top DJs in the nation, holding court on seminal rock stations across the land. We aspired to be like them and, while not wanting to copy them, attempted to find our own style and place in the Rock Radio ecosystem by learning from the greats.

One of my favorites was Dusty Street. What an awesome air name, I thought, not knowing that was, indeed, her given name. But, beyond the name was the smokey voice...and beyond the voice was her encyclopedic knowledge of the music she shared.

SiriusXM listeners may know her as the voice of the Deep Tracks and Classic Vinyl channels. I saw her broadcasting through the glass at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on one of my several visits to mecca. It was a thrill.

And now, she's departed terra firma. The woman who turned so many fans onto so many artists.

On this Music Friday, we take a rare turn to honor a DJ.

Rest in Peace, Dusty Street.

If you click on the Airchecks link, Dusty starts around the 11:00 mark. And, thanks to our friend Amir Eylon for the catch.

Brilliant...or WTF

Word out of Baton Rouge is that the Louisiana Office of Tourism is going to deploy a $10 million appropriation in a highly innovative set of initiatives:

$300K for local recording artists to go birdwatching with writers from Rolling Stone.

$650,000 to "takeover" the Sphere in Las Vegas for two hours...plus off and on for a week.

$200,000 for a Visitors Guide (ostensible online) based on users' Zodiac signs.

$500,000 for Super Bowl advertising.

A million dollars for floats in the Macy's and Rose Bowl Parades....and a bunch more.

And, you know what? Given the obligatory State TV ads that all pretty much look the same (except Michigan, North Dakota and California)...I think this strategy of changing the narrative might actually work.

WTF.

 

In the Name of God

As the events in the Middle East evolve, our hearts go out to those in harm's way. The unfathomable loss of life and destruction of place makes us all cry out in anguish.

As I contemplated this Music Friday post, I was immediately drawn to a "supergroup" that never caught on. Living Loud was made up of veterans from Cold Chisel, Uriah Heep and Deep Purple and their debut went pretty much nowhere. But the song "In the Name of God" always stuck with me.

As I prepared this post, I saw that my friend Amir Elyon experienced one of those moments the other night with an artist that transcends the expected. And the song he shared with me is the perfect companion to my offering.

This is Matisvahu with "One Day."

No More War.

Richard Davis

After over 650 Music Friday posts, I know that unknown musicians get very few likes...some are even ignored.

But, when it comes to Richard Davis...I really just don't care.

I had the opportunity to meet and interact with one of the most accomplished jazz musicians in the world when I led what is today know as Destination Madison. He was one of the most genuine, grounded and empowering men I have ever known.

And I didn't play. So many of the individuals you will see if you click on the links below are musicians, with whom he imparted his unbelievable gift and effervescent encouragement. But, for me...it was the essence of confidence, compassion and empowerment, regardless of whether you played or not. I loved the all too short moments in his presence.

I get that you likely don't know the man who left us this week; the man who played with Sinatra, Van Morrison and Springsteen, to name just a few. But, I ask that you honor this rare talent by clicking on a few of these links:

His TV Obit on WISC-TV.

A feature on the NEA Masters Series.

And, if you only have time for one, this is the one.

Rest Sweet Prince...you have had such an impact on so many. And I was blessed to have known you.

Owning Your Space

You show me a record store in any town...and I'm there.

But I've never seen a record store own their brand essence like Black Hills Vinyl in Downtown Rapid City.

Most record stores use standard dividers between artist collections. Black Hills uses old LPs (click image to enlarge).

Yeah, I know. It may be a little thing. But we absolutely loved it.

Well played, Black Hills. Well played.

Jimmy

There are always haters...but of Jimmy Buffett?

Honestly? WTF?

A friend shared a TikTok video the other day of a guy going off on the Parrothead Culture because Jimmy was a white guy who appropriated island culture to satisfy his own quest for fame and greed. Needless to say, I'm not linking that video because nothing could be further from the truth and he needs no more views. Jimmy was a son of a son of a sailor and grew up on the Alabama Coast, where "Island Culture" is strong. And, he could turn a phrase like no other. And his philanthropy, while rarely on display, was considerable.

He encouraged people to kick back, enjoy what's left of our lives and love each other. To not take life too seriously, even when being shot at by Jamaicans. What is to hate about that, regardless of how much money he made?

As so many of us have locked our radios on Radio Margaritaville since the news shook us all last Saturday morning, there is one song that I have yet to hear...and it is one of my favorites, especially this time of year, as beach and resort towns begin to shut down. It's the mournful (yet uplifting) song called, "The Coast is Clear," celebrating the moment we get our destinations back.

Now, we've seen Jimmy several times at Alpine Valley with many of our dearest friends (see just one image above). And, Facebook is clearly having a moment because they are hitting us all with desperate "Memories" alerts to get us to come back...and this past week has been nothing but images of those halcyon days, as Jimmy typically played Wisconsin on and around Labor Day Weekend.

But, the moment that solidified my respect for his persona, his passion and his authenticity was when he changed the words to that song during a benefit he staged for the Gulf Coast during its Oil Disaster (let's be clear, it wasn't a "spill").

On this Music Friday, we offer the other "When the Coast is Clear."

And, oh yeah...

Thanks for the memories, James. We'll miss your reverie and bacchanal.

50 Years Ago

50 Years ago this Summer, the world woke up to Queen. A band with a sound like no other (indeed, the album cover proudly proclaimed "no synths" when it sounded like there were) and a frontman that seriously broke the mold.

Track One / Side One announced the band to the world: "Keep Yourself Alive."

On this Music Friday, here's the original video and a more recent version from a more self-assured arena rock band.

Robbie Robertson

It wasn't too long ago on a Music Friday that I admitted I was slow to understand and appreciate The Band...but had become a fan in recent years. And now, there is only one founding member left on terra firma.

We lost Robbie Robertson earlier this week after a long battle with cancer. A Canadian-born progenitor of what has been called the "American Sound," Robbie was an accomplished producer, songwriter and composer, served time as Bob Dylan's lead guitarist, was co-founder of the Rock & Roll HOF inductee The Band and then went on to a distinguished career scoring movies such as "Raging Bull," "The Color of Money" and "The Irishman."

Where to start as we say farewell? Start with watching the movie "The Last Waltz," still one of the finest concert movies ever filmed.

Then one of my faves from his early solo career: "Showdown at Big Sky."

And then, this Playing for Change virtual jam on the classic "The Weight" with Ringo Starr and musicians from 5 continents.

But yeah...watch "The Last Waltz."

Rest sweet prince.

 

New on the DMOU Podcast: Cannabis Tourism

Almost half of American States have legalized the recreational use of cannabis...but many DMOs in those States struggle with ways to promote the advantage they possess against States that don't. On this episode of DMOU, we talk with Brian Applegarth, the foremost expert in the intersection of cannabis and tourism, about how to escape the stigma...and focus on the health, wellness and inclusionary aspects of this amazing community asset. A fascinating episode.