You gotta love the innovation that Brandon Rounds brings to his job at Madison's HotelRED.
By day, he is the hotel sales and events manager. On select nights, he becomes Bianca Lynn Breeze and presides over the hotel's Drag Queen Bingo, drawing over 100 each night.
It's the perfect combination of visitor and local activation of a hotel...and a blast, to boot.
Very cool.
Image Credit: Jenny Peek / Isthmus
In yesterday's edition of the Z-News (subscribe here, if you haven't), we shared the notion that what Destination Marketing Organizations do should not be limited to ROI. Instead, we should also look to the Cost / Benefit ratio to a community.
That same day, as if on cue, we learned that Tara Johnson, the County Executive of LaCrosse County WI, made the following comment in response to the news that a local dance studio had nailed a State grant to realize a $3 million expansion of their facilities:
“What I think we are celebrating most today is that this is a cultural center. I think that we sometimes shortchange the impact that the arts and culture have, not just on economic development, not just communities, but our lives." She added a quote from Robert Lynch of Americans for the Arts: “The arts inspire us, soothe us, provoke us and connect us...but they also create jobs and contribute to the economy.”
True dat.
And, thanks to our friend George Tzougros of the Wisconsin Arts Board for the catch.
In the beginning...there was Room Tax. And it was good.
In most States, the initial imposition of the tax was actually supported by local hotel communities because the revenues were to be invested in tourism promotion. And then, tourism development crept into the lexicon.
But, what exactly is "tourism development? Is it buying a hook and ladder truck because your community is trying to land a multi-story hotel? Is it planting flowers in the Main Street median to make the destination more attractive? Is it to prop up a Library because they offer "cultural" experiences to visitors? Oh, I've heard 'em all.
Which is why what is happening in Florida is so disturbing (but, based on last year's experience, not surprising).
The House Tourism Sub-Committee has advanced a bill that would further expand the permitted use of Room Tax to infrastructure projects beyond the currently allowed Event Center and Beach Renourishment projects. This bill would open the door to a sensational number of abuses of the original intent of the law.
Oh, they'll "say" that the infrastructure project has to enhance tourism...but, most politicians can connect the dots to boldly claim that anything would enhance tourism (see the Library reference above).
Here's the thing, though. The more Room Tax that is diverted to build infrastructure, the less revenue available for marketing. The less money for marketing, the fewer visitors to use the infrastructure you're building.
It might be a fast fix to your infrastructure problems...but, do you risk crippling your visitor economy in the process (and the residents who have invested in your community) by reducing your investment in promoting your destination in the first place?
Sadly, it's a risk that many of today's politicians are too willing to make. Each and every day.
While current fans of MTV may counter that the network's format is awesome, it's a far cry from the must-watch TV that it was in the '80s.
That was when the channel was exclusively focused on (care to guess?) Music Videos. It's where people went to experience (not just hear) the latest music being produced by the coolest artists. One shudders to think about the performers that would have never been heard without MTV. It was a truly revolutionary medium.
Today, it's a mish-mash of Reality TV shows that pander to the lowest common denominator. And, with the exception of last quarter, the network has seen its ratings decline consistently over the past 6 years.
It will probably require a new channel (so tarnished is the brand of MTV)...but new research certainly points to a retro movement of Gen Z in their thirst for finding new music.
It's Video (duh!). 73% of teens say that Music Videos are the best way to find and experience new music. And, that Music is best found on YouTube.
What TV Network will step forward and capture the zeitgeist with Music Video?
Buehler...Buehler...MTV?
Ryan Hamilton is both an amazing artist and an astute marketer.
Along with his band the Traitors, this international talent has done something that may not be new...but certainly captured my attention.
For $30US, he'll perform a personalized concert of 10 of his songs. And, yes...truly personalized with individualized comments between songs. And, one of his tracks is one of our faves.
Wow...what a concept for performers that have a loyal local following. But, also for DMOs, as an amazing holiday gift for clients.
Imagine sending a CD to a client that extols the virtues of your destination...but also offers a taste of the talent they'll experience when they bring their group to town.
Probably too late for this year...but, definitely a thought for next year.
I'm a sucker for a great lyric...and even more for a gender change-up that gives a song a new twist.
Such it is with a song called "Dusty Boxcar Wall" by one Eric Anderson. First released in 1965 on his debut album, this haunting slice of rural Americana chronicles the age-old "I'm-leaving-you-babe-on-the-next-train" storyline...but with a lyrical richness that draws you in.
In the hands of a woman, the song becomes infinitely more powerful.
On this Music Friday, we give you "Dusty Boxcar Wall" by Eilen Jewell.
And, you can almost hear that mournful train whistle...
Leave it to my friend George Tzougros of the Wisconsin Arts Board to see something in a music video that never would have dawned on me.
When I watch today's Music Friday video from Bruce Springsteen, I am wrapped up in the utter joy that man and his band experience when they play live.
When George hipped me to the video, he said, "I thought you might enjoy this example of leadership and creativity!"
And, so it is.
When Bruce plays live, he'll often take requests from the audience for obscure songs from his amazing catalogue that the band hasn't practiced or performed in years (if ever). And, they build the song from scratch, on stage and in real time.
And, at the peak of summer in America, there's no better way to celebrate both the joy of performance and a lesson in creative leadership than this capture of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with the rarity, "You Never Can Tell."
The combination of rock and protest was pervasive during the '60s. Songs like "For What it's Worth," "Eve of Destruction," "Ohio," "Monster," "Shape of Things to Come" and "Fortunate Son" owned radio during those heady years.
The political songs of the '80s revolved more around the fear of war with the Soviet Union with songs like "Russians," "Shades of 45"and "Dangerous Moments."
In 2003, the Dixie Chicks (not exactly known for protest songs) started a firestorm of controversy with an onstage comment during a concert in London that they were ashamed that the sitting President of the United States was from Texas, just days before America invaded Iraq. For a time, radio refused to play them before they bounced back later in the decade.
Maybe I'm not listening to the right stations...but I'm hearing precious little musical pushback to the state of affairs in today's America. The songs exist...but they're not getting radio traction. Which is a shame.
And, it's why I love the Chicks even more for their pushback song on this Music Friday, "Not Ready to Make Nice."
And, going forward, let's all reflect on what this weekend in America should mean for all of us. And where we need to go next.
In order of importance.
Hey...it's Wisconsin.
It was a song for Ringo.
Lennon and McCartney owned most of the tracks on Beatles albums. George had his tracks. And, Ringo needed one for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band...so Paul and John wrote this one as Ringo's turn on the LP.
But, when Joe Cocker made it his, that's when the brilliance of the song came home. Rearranged in a slower meter with different chords, Cocker turned the song into a soul anthem...and the rest is history.
Joe's backing band for the studio version that preceded his famous Woodstock performance included Jimmy Page on guitar, B.J. Wilson on drums and Madeline Ball on backing vocals. Not bad for a first outing, eh?
Well, as the new administration's budget marches forward with draconian cuts to Arts programs, Artists For The Arts and Americans for the Arts released a music video to, not just protest but, demonstrate what's at stake.
On, this Music Friday, don't just watch and listen to this sensational rendition. Contact your Federal legislators. Tell them, in no uncertain terms, that cutting arts funding doesn't make America Great Again.
It makes America stupid.
And, thanks to my friend George Tzougros of the Wisconsin Arts Board for the catch.
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