Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Mikhail

When one looks at who is heading the Russian experience today versus the man at the top in the early '90s, you gotta simply shake your head. Though his term in office was short, Mikhail Gorbachev was one of the most important figures in decades in bringing the world to a more collaborative culture. We lost him at the age of 91 this week and, not surprisingly, the sitting President of Russia refused to attend the funeral.

When word of his passing reached us, Terri suggested we find a way to honor him through our Music Friday post. Unlike other political leaders, I was pretty sure Mikhail didn't have any music videos out there (but, feel free to look). But, there's another Mikhail out there that does have a video...from his film with the sensational Gregory Hines, called White Nights.

It is possibly (with the exception of videos of my daughters dancing in competitions and recitals) my favorite dance video of all time. This is Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines with "Prove Me Wrong."

The Intangibles

Every once in a while, I stumble upon post on Social Media that elicits a "hell yeah."

That happened earlier this week when I was blessed with a 2nd level contact on LinkedIn named Stephen Eastridge, the Executive Director of the Jasper County IN Economic Development Organization:

"Economic development in rural communities is tricky. It often means focusing on 100 other things that have nothing to do with the metrics our board members or elected officials measure success by. Last week success looked like this. 6 artists from all over the country breathing vibrancy into our community. I’m grateful to be a part of this each year and excited to work with Cameron Moberg to continue to spread art throughout Jasper County."

And ain't that the truth for all of us in community development? Prove it, they say. Prove that you're moving the needle.

And you can't...but you know you have.

Croce

My friend Lee Tasseff (CEO of Destination Mansfield-Richland County) is a regular follower of our Music Friday posts (thank you)...and reached out to suggest this sensational piece that recently ran on CBS Sunday Morning about A.J. Croce...the son of Jim Croce.

So cool that the son has come back to honor his father...while still making his own sensational music.

Thanks for the nudge, Lee :)

And sorry to send you down the rabbit hole again with the Jim Croce link.

Not.

When the Levee Breaks

I never knew the backstory of the classic Led Zeppelin track "When the Levee Breaks." But, as I searched for inspiration for this Music Friday, I found it...in a Playing for Change video.

The basic tune traces back to 1929 when blues artists Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie wrote a song about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. While the original lyrics are mostly intact, Jimmy Page inserted a new guitar riff and, of course, John Bonham added a ferocious drum beat...today, one of the most sampled beats in the world.

Here's the original. Here's Zeppelin. And, here's when Plant and Page reunited for a time.

And, here is John Paul Jones, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and over 20 musicians from seven countries with a riveting performance of a song written over 90 years ago.

Enjoy....

Sailin' Shoes at 50

Hard to believe that it was 50 years ago that Little Feat (a band in which survivors are still touring to this day) recorded their sophomore album called "Sailin' Shoes."

This week also marked the anniversary of the untimely passing of then band-leader Lowell George after a concert in DC. It was a moment in time immortalized by Jackson Browne on his "Hold Out" album with the poignant "Of Missing Persons."

But, "Sailin Shoes" was such a tour de force for a band that mixed pop, rock, blue, country and cajun influences. This was not a band that had a lot of "hits," but their aural visibility on FM album rock radio was undeniable.

And then, there were the covers. Little Feat may not have had the hits...but Linda Ronstadt, Robert Palmer and others refined Lowell's best compositions into something that mainstream radio programmers could embrace.

From "Sailin' Shoes," we say happy 50th on this Music Friday with a few of my favorites. "Easy to Slip" kicked off the LP and hooked you hard. The Dead's Bob Weir covered it on his sadly under appreciated album, "Heaven Help the Fool."

They reworked "Willin" from the first album...and Linda Ronstadt ultimately had the hit.

And then, there's the title track, "Sailin' Shoes," which Robert Palmer funked up to lead off his first album. paring it with Alan Toussaints' "Sneaking Sally Through the Alley," on which Lowell George played.

50 Years. Who knew what this band would do? But they did and still are.

 

Smelling Like Weed

Over the past few months of being back on the road after over a year-long hiatus, we've noticed a distinct difference in the air quality at many of the hotels in which we've stayed. Over half of the hallways we've walked smelled like weed.

When I've asked Managers if they enforce the same smoking fines as traditionally applied to tobacco, most affirm that they do. "But they don't care," said one in Florida. "What's a $250 fine if it's split 10 ways? You get to smoke weed all night with your friends for $25? It's a deal."

Flash forward to a conversation I had recently about how a silver lining of COVID was that some hotels welcomed more locals trying to break the monotony of lock-down with a weekend getaway. I asked if this would continue as a target market for the next few years. He shook his head sadly and said:

"Local Equals Marijuana."

Sad, really. But I smell a market opportunity ahead.

Getting Past Ego of Place

For Destination Marketing Organizations, the heritage side of our product line is often a challenge. Museums and heritage sites are decreasingly valued by the consumers we court...and yet, we know that the compelling stories these assets tell differentiate us from other communities and celebrate our history and diversity. Adding on to this conundrum are often site managers that press DMOs to do more to promote these assets, as their livelihood depends on visitation. 

In our recent work with a destination, we interviewed a museum director (among scores of stakeholders) to determine his view on the efficacy of his DMO. Initially, he shrugged off the question, saying that destination marketing wasn't going to be the key to his future success. This museum, he said, isn't enough of a magnet to draw visitors to town.

And then, he nailed what he really needed. "I need people in this community to have enough pride of place that they invite their friends and relatives for a visit," he said. "Because if their friends and relatives come for a visit, their host will bring them to the museum."

Breathtakingly brilliant.

And, another reason why a DMO's work often starts at home...and not 50 miles away.

 

It's Still a Wonderful Life

This week, 75 years ago, the classic Holiday movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was released...to a fairly ambivalent reception at the box office.

Thanks to cable television, it found new life and became one of the most loved Christmas movies of all time after it was put into the public domain, which allowed it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees. So much so that a flick one could watch virtually every day of the season on a myriad of channels is now regulated, with NBC having exclusive rights to show it...which they do only on a handful of occasions to drive viewership.

In a world in which so many classic movies get a refresh, that there hasn't been a faithful retooling of this movie simply says this is one that got it so right that there is no need to go there.

Happy Holidays...and ring a bell so an angel can score their wings.

Michael Nesmith

To honor a true musical talent that left terra firma far too soon AND stick with the Holiday motif of December Music Fridays can be a challenge. So it was with Michael Nesmith, who passed over the weekend, just weeks after completing a leg of the Monkees Farewell Tour with Mickey Dolenz. But, Mike gives us the chance to celebrate his craft as well as share a Holiday tune.

For those too young to remember, the Monkees were an artificially created band designed to capitalize on the video successes of the Beatles on American TV in the '60s. The only problem was that the four actors chosen to become the Monkees actually had musical chops...none more so than Mike, who had already written songs like "Different Drum" (ultimately a breakout hit for Linda Ronstadt) and "Mary Mary." And Michael rebelled against the prefab format dictated by show producer Don Kirshner...ultimately wresting control of the band to its members.

While the Monkees benefited from some of the best songwriters in LA...it was always Michael's songs to which I most gravitated. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" and "You Just May Be the One." were faves.

And then, there's this. A track from a live Christmas show in which the Monkees sang an a cappella version of the classic 15th century Spanish tune, "Riu Riu Chiu."

I have no memory of this track...but am so glad I went into the Wayback Machine to find it.

And look at all that tinsel.

Godspeed Michael. Give that heavenly house band some sass.

 

Shopping Local this Year

Online holiday shopping exploded last year, in large part because many of us had no interest in being in stores during the height of the plague. And, while many of us are still not enthralled with the idea of being shoulder to shoulder with other shoppers...this should be the year we encourage everyone to shop local.

Not just because it is the right thing to do (and that many Destination Marketing Organizations have gotten good at it)...but because there's an increasing chance that online purchases won't arrive in time this year because of supply chain issues.

Consider this great quote from Durham's Dave Wofford (owner of the Horse & Buggy Press): "the work of local artists is not sitting on cargo ships."

True dat. Shop local.