Sometimes we get too close to the fire to realize the friends we have and how much we mean to them. I'm sure that's how so many of our peers in the hospitality field feel this week after losing not just hours or jobs...but their connection to their work family.
Sometimes, it's the littlest things that remind us that others care.
Like this video from the South Shore Conventions & Visitors Authority.
Thank you.
They say that crisis brings out the best in so many of us. And, the stories emerging from communities across the country about how Destination Marketing Organizations pivoted on a dime when they realized what was about to descend upon the hospitality community are as heartwarming as they are expected.
Most Americans are just now beginning to understand the importance and fragility of a sector of the economy they always took for granted. To be sure, airlines and hotels were impacted briefly after 9/11. But, most other facets of the hospitality industry felt no more than a speed bump...because residents were there to continue eating out in restaurants, meeting co-workers after work at the local watering hole and seeing music, theatre and comedy with friends. Indeed, after the initial shock of 9/11 that had us all glued to our televisions, we needed to go out and be with others.
And, in this crisis, we can't.
Never one to say "I told you so," there is the slightest satisfaction that the recent flirtation some communities have had with shopping their DMO contract out to ad agencies should likely now come to an end. In a recent interview, the Chairman of the Board of Visit Stillwater OK (which last year went through just such an RFP process) was asked what the DMO was doing during the pandemic:
"We have transitioned our focus from marketing to visitors to communicating to residents to better support our local business partners. Our staff has called almost 200 local businesses to promote their hours of operation, delivery, pick-up or curb-side services, online shopping options and the availability of gift cards. They continue to update the information on our website and social media throughout each day since things are continually changing. Staff has also recently added a coloring contest for kids and adults online, as well as incorporated virtual tours featuring many of our local museums, attractions and restaurants. These 360-degree images will give our residents something to look forward to and visitors' incentive to visit when traveling again."
I'm pretty sure no ad agency could ever do that.
Well done, Visit Stillwater...and all the other DMOs that know that we are the only agency in our communities prepared for days like these for our destination partners.
Last week, we lost a legend.
Kenny Rogers departed terra firma last Friday evening and Terri and I discussed which way to go on this Music Friday. We typically try to find the under-appreciated gems, so his big hits like "The Gambler" were not in the cards.
I wanted to veer early, when he was a rocker before he became a force in Country Music. She loves his duet with Dolly Parton.
So, we'll share this two-fer. Here's Kenny with his band The First Edition with "Just Dropped in (to See What Condition My Condition was In)" (so makes me want to stream "The Big Lebowski" this weekend).
And, for Terri...here's "You Can't Make Old Friends."
To all our old friends (and new)...stay well. We miss you all.
American Travel and Tourism Leaders met with the President on Tuesday and revealed that the economic fallout of COVID-19 is expected to be six times worse than the aftermath of 9/11. To put the damage in perspective, the analysis by Tourism Economics estimates that the mobility restrictions being enforced around the country will result in an $809 billion hit on the economy. 44% of that economic carnage is expected in the travel and hospitality space. 4.6 million of us face losing our jobs, nearly doubling the nation's unemployment rate.
If the numbers aren't sobering enough, there's this Facebook post from one of our favorite music venues in the Mad City:
Well, folks...that's all she wrote. Our 10th Anniversary Party was less than two weeks away. Despite all the other issues that this will cause, that fact alone really hurts. We had been looking forward to throwing a party worthy of all the fabulous customers and musicians that have been supporting this joint. Unfortunately, that party will probably never happen.
Today is the last day for the Knuckle Down in the short-term, at the very least. If this national emergency goes on too long, this might be our last day in business altogether. We certainly hope not, but it's not up to us anymore.
If today is truly our last day, thank you all so very much for your decade of support!
If you do it right, putting a place together like this is not about attracting customers...it's about creating a family. If nothing else, we did that.
Yes, you did, friends. Thanks for all the memories...and, we hope your doors open once again.
As we achieve a firmer understanding regarding what the next few months are likely to bring, I am reminded of a conversation I had with a guy I met while volunteering in a homeless shelter, years ago. He had lost his white-collar job a few weeks earlier and his wife tossed him out of the house. He looked at me with a pair of the most defeated eyes I've ever seen and asked if I had a savings account. When I nodded, he smirked at me and said, "no you don't...which means you're two weeks away from being me."
I thought of that evening when I saw a post over the weekend from Irving's Maura Gast. Being ever gracious, one of our industry's top thought leaders said her words were inspired by an earlier post from Rockford's John Groh (who, of course, said his message was also inspired by others he had read). Here's part of Maura's message:
I know it’s lives first and livelihoods after that, and I respect and appreciate the important and weighty decisions that had to be made. And I’m grateful that people were willing to make the tough calls and take these most judicious of steps.
That still doesn’t stop my heart for breaking for all our partners in the service economy who rely on hours and shifts. Like my housekeeping mija Tere who walked in with me this morning. And our Ops crew who were already here. Or the food & beverage crew that had been prepped and ready for another busy day. Grateful for what might have been “extra” hours to now help strike the show that was already up and running.
But now, it settles in that those will be the last hours some folks get for the near future. And my heart is crushed for the folks that truly are the heart of the house, here and everywhere. And our clients who put everything they have into the amazing events they produce. And our partners and the other venues around Irving, and everywhere, and the various events that were already in motion. And, especially for our own ICVB and ICC teams, who pour so much love and passion for this community into everything they do.. And all the others like them throughout our hospitality family, not just here in Irving, but everywhere.
Our local restaurant community will need extra love from you during this time – if you’re sick or vulnerable, absolutely stay home but think about Uber Eats or Grubhub, or good old fashioned i Fratelli Pizza delivery. And if you’re comfortable being out, I just encourage you to think hyper-local and support all those things that make Irving special, so that they’ll be able to be here to keep Irving special.
Of course, Maura's post was made before cities and States began calling for the closure of bars and restaurants. As we begin to close out the first day of the new week, let me join Maura and others to encourage us all who are still working to remember those that rely on hourly jobs that have been cut back or eliminated (as Maura said, order delivery or restaurant gift certificates for a happier day when they reopen). Remember those musicians and artists that have no place to play (download some performances from some of your favorite local acts to keep at least a little money flowing their way). And, for every other person you know who no longer has a job today, think of how you can help, no matter how small.
And, strive to stay healthy through this crisis.
Back when American Idol was actually relevant, there was that moment when Adam Lambert and Kris Allen battled for the top spot...and Kris won.
Their final performance was with Brian May and Queen...and one has to believe that this was the moment that Brian realized that he had just discovered the band's next frontman.
On this Music Friday, we go back to that night in 2009 with "We Are the Champions."
I guess Adam won, eh?
Probably best known as the co-composer of the Bette Midler hit "(You've Got to Have) Friends," I discovered Buzzy Linhart quite by accident, picking up the Buzzy album simply because of the cover. Once on the turntable, I was blown away by the breadth of the man's talents. From songs like the jazzy "Eye 1-2-C-U Shuffle" to his cover of the Elton John-Bernie Taupin classic "Take Me to the Pilot," I was completely hooked.
My favorite Buzzy moment came in my first year DJing on a commercial radio station. It was a soft rock format that was totally programmed by some third-party service. Being the free-spirit rule-breaker I was, I had hooked up one of the long-dormant turntables in the studio so I could slip in some of my favorites during my 6p-Midnight shift. The station's GM suspected...but could never prove it.
That was, until one especially stormy evening when, upon the expiration of a Tornado Warning, I slipped my favorite Buzzy song into the mix. The next day, Howard took me aside and said, "you're so busted...there's no way a tornado song just happened to play at that moment." As I waited to get fired, he said, "and I loved it," winked and headed back to his office. Over the next year, the evening show transitioned from canned to all DJ-selected tracks. Then the morning show...and the rest of the day. WBYG-FM became a sensational radio station, in part, because of Buzzy Linhart.
As we say farewell to an amazing talent on this Music Friday, it's that song. It's "Tornado" by Buzzy Linhart.
RIP, sweet prince.
I know this admission could seriously cut into my musical cred...but, I really like Richard Marx.
Let's be clear...he started out a rocker...but he found his biggest success in rock ballads. But, Top 10 in 4 decades and Top Ten as writer and producer for acts such as N'Sync, Keith Urban, Luther Vandross, etc? Stop laughing. The dude is a monster talent.
And, serious sensuality. I'm sorry...but, this track haunts.
Richard Marx is someone you need to go see live. We caught him in Milwaukee on the way back from Destinations International's DC Week (if you see a show at the Pabst, stay at the all new Saint Kate. Really. Or even if you don't see a show at the Pabst...stay at the Saint Kate. Really). The current tour is just him (sans band) and it kills. Funny as fuck and evocative as ever, Richard held us in the palm of his hand for two hours. Nobody wanted to go home.
He's on tour tonight in Detroit and tomorrow in Niagara Falls...and through the east before heading west at the end of the month. His new album just dropped and here's a fan video of the lead track from the Milwaukee show.
Today's Music Friday feature is for my love: The Best of Me.
And, you are.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was working with a regional consortium of DMOs along the South Coast. We were in New Orleans to see a presentation on our soon-to-launch website. The web guy was late, so the gathered dug into our lunches. Handhelds and chips, if memory serves.
He blew through the door 15 minutes late, professing his apologies, circling the table, shaking our hands. As he began to set up his presentation tech we went back to our lunches. And, that's when it happened. He started hacking up a lung; a wet, phlegmy cough that oozed toxins. I looked down at my sandwich, in my hand, and sighed.
During my adult life, I have never been sicker than those following seven days. And, I have never touched food with my right hand in social circles in which there have been handshakes since.
I get that handshakes were invented in the 5th Century BC as a way to show one was unarmed...but, that presupposes one isn't carrying a shiv in their left. Today, it's a sign of respect, I suppose. Or, it's just a tradition that is time to retire.
That's been my minority position for quite a while; that the ways of the Far East make a lot more sense. Let's bow slightly to extend respect and ditch the handshake. We'll live longer.
Well, like the Shirtless Dancing Man, I have my first follower. The Mobile World Congress, the world’s biggest gathering of mobile tech professionals, will ask attendees in Barcelona later this month to observe a ‘no-handshake policy’ to help contain the spread of coronavirus.
Care to join the movement? This would be the time.
Quite possibly the first cassette I ever owned was a compilation of a number of '60s British bands on the (natch) London label. One of the most haunting songs was by Rod Argent's Zombies entitled "She's Not There."
"Well, no one told me about her;
The way she lied.
Well, no one told me about her;
How many people cried."
A stray track from the soundtrack to Kill Bill: Volume 2 (how appropriate) recently slithered into my consciousness...and I was captured by its simple, undulating elegance. On this Music Friday, we offer a fan video of the remix by Malcolm McLaren.
"No one told me about her, though they all knew."
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