Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Purple Boss

To say that the death of Prince three years ago was an unexpected punch to our collective gut would be an understatement. And, the grief we experienced during those next few days produced a number of tributes. But, this is one I had missed until just the other night.

On this Music Friday, we offer you a performance by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, just days after learning of the death of a man that the Boss described as "never anyone better." As they closed their North American tour at the Barclays Center, they opened their shows, bathed in purple light, with "Purple Rain." While the performance is incredible, it is Bruce's somber stoicism, juxtaposed with the ethereal guitar solo by Nils Lofgren that captures my heart.

So, let's do a two-fer. Here's Bruce and the band in Brooklyn.

And, here's Prince at the Super Bowl.

RIP.

When Tourism and Residents Collide

It's like that Def Leppard song.

Both sides in their respective corners...one side acting like they want to work it out, the other saying there cannot be a solution as long as the other takes breath. So, maybe it's more like the theme song of Rocky IV.

My friend, brand-meister Duane Knapp, and I have been bouncing this conversation around for a few months: the term "Over-Tourism" needs to be stricken from our shared lexicon. It does nothing but inflame...and isn't even accurate. Communities do not suffer from too many tourists. If they suffer, it is from poor management of the visitors that, at one time, sounded like a pretty good idea.

After all, let's not forget, the residents causing the most ruckus surely benefit from non-resident taxes, lower unemployment and more cool stuff to do in their towns than if visitors didn't drop off boatloads of cash each year. And, yes...their counter-arguments are just as valid. Tourists can be self-absorbed pigs.

But, a recent story from Juneau AK exemplifies why we need to stop the name calling. Some local activists, calling themselves "Juneau Neighborhoods Affected by Tourism," called a meeting to discuss their grievances about the travel industry...without the travel industry in the room.

Organizers were beyond miffed when some industry representatives showed up to the meeting, one even asking them to vacate seats up front so that those that wanted to bitch could be seated. Astonished, representatives from cruise-lines and other hospitality businesses replied that they were only there to hear the concerns so they could attempt some form of mitigation.

But, no. Let's not enter into meaningful conversation to find a mutually beneficial solution. Let's just keep pointing fingers.

Destination Marketing Organizations have a role here...and we need to engage, pronto.

Image Credit: Der Spiegel

Martin Sexton

It was another one of those moments that I'll always cherish.

I told Terri that I had scored great seats for Martin Sexton at City Winery in Chicago. The response was one of those arched eyebrow, WTF reactions. Though Martin's music occasionally shuffles forward on my playlist, she didn't instantly recognize the name.

We, as they say, "marinated" in his soul, warmth and truth last Friday night. Her grateful hug after the encore (which, as pictured, he did on the floor amidst the audience) was magical. And, that's what matters most.

Today's Music Friday offering is from his TedXBigSky performance last year. It's 22 minutes long and worth every one. If you are pressed for time, jump to the 15:00 minute mark.

You'll probably double back :)

He's playing with the very cool Chris Trapper tonight in Nashville and tomorrow evening in Birmingham.

If you're near, go.

Keith Flint

Aloneness.

For some of us...those days to luxuriate in solitude are heavenly. For those that crave connectivity...not so much.

As we process the loss of The Prodigy's Keith Flint, Johnny Rotten has opined that it was Keith's feeling of utter aloneness that was likely the catalyst for the artist taking his life this week.

How alone can one be when 105 million fans have viewed your biggest song? How alone can you be when you know you've touched that many people that love your work? That your new album is less than a few months old and fans can't wait for you to come to their town to tear it down?

Obviously...very alone. And hopeless.

On this Music Friday, we go with their biggest...with one of the greatest grooves ever. This is "Firestarter."

I Need You More Than Want You

Possibly the most evocative lyric of all time.

The genius of Jimmy Webb has been honored by artists for decades. But, it was Glen Campbell that provided his songs flight. By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Galveston...and our fave, Wichita Lineman.

The shared love of a song says a lot about two people. I opined on that concept about a surprising shared affinity of a song with one of my daughters years ago. It happened with Terri and me a number of years ago when Wichita Lineman shuffled forward in the office and she swung around to my desk and said, "I love this song."

And, years later...it's who we have become.

On this Music Friday, we offer up a rare duet from Jimmy and Billy Joel. As the story goes, Billy went on record to express his love of the lyric because it held that even a laborer could be a poet. It caused Jimmy to invite Billy to a duet.

Here are two musical icons with one of the most sensational songs of our era: Wichita Lineman.

I need you more than want you. And, I want you for all time.

How Long

OK. Last year's year-end song was wishful thinking. Apparently, most of us are frogs in slowly warming water.

So, as we bid farewell to 2018, we shift gears to a path on which we may be more able to congregate.

This is Jackson Browne's "How Long."

Here's to a New Year of compassion. 

The Power of a Gift

As we begin the month of Holiday-inspired Music Friday finds, it’s not a Holiday song…but a Holiday ad.

Celebrating the power of a gift to a young child, a British retailer has launched a stunning video centered around Elton John’s “Your Song.”

That’s all I’m going to say.

If you’ve yet to see this sensation, just watch…

Thankful

It is again that time of year to give thanks. We think of our friends across the country that have suffered unfathomable losses from natural disaster, cancer, terrorism, gun violence or dumb blind lack of luck. Other friends are facing political battles that are otherworldly. But, we're all still standing. And that's something.

For us, it’s been a mixed bag this year. We left behind neighbors we love…but are thankful that we have stayed connected. We left behind our first house together…but found one that makes us smile every day. And, we left the city that I love…but have found a home in the country that is close enough that we still get back every week.

I have found love like I’ve never known…and an inner peace that provides a warmth I cannot describe. We revel in the time we get to spend with lifelong friends…and can’t wait to get to know our new neighbors. Our clients stimulate our minds and creative juices…and allow us to give back every day.

And, to those that follow this blog (and Facebook hasn’t made that easy this year)…thank you for tagging along on this journey.

May this day elicit a similar recounting of your gifts as we prepare for the Holiday Season.

Thankful.

The Cordovas

When Rolling Stone named them one of the 10 Country Artists You Need To Know last summer, I cringed a bit. In this bifurcated world where music is unfairly categorized by broad genres, I thought calling the Cordovas "Country" was limiting; that people who say "I don't like Country," would miss out.

I hear more Americana than Country with this band. I hear more CSN mixed with The Band (and a touch of Poco). And, I love this song.

On this Music Friday, check these guys out. This is "All I Found."

I've been down to see the devil once before
And all found is I love you still.
And I know, I know I always will.

The Other Bill Geist

After inadvertently starting a small online ruckus after posting a piece entitled "Saying Farewell" (I was just moving...not stepping away), all the online pieces about Bill Geist's retirement are bound to raise a few eyebrows.

That would be the CBS Bill Geist...not me.

We two Bills have had led curiously connected lives. Both from Illinois. Both authored books (his sold considerably more than mine). Both of us have spent time on TV (he on CBS Sunday Morning; me on the CBS affiliate in Madison WI). And, we both have daughters named Elizabeth (his goes by Libby; mine by Liz). We have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (but he earned it).

We've never met face-to-face, but corresponded via e-mail. That I own the billgeist.com domain, I would often receive story ideas meant for him. I would dutifully pass them on.

I met his son Willie a couple years ago. When I introduced myself, he said, "Oh yeah...you're the guy from Wisconsin." Too funny.

Bill leaves a legacy of fascinating stories, told in a style that are all his own. A handful were excerpted yesterday as he said farewell on CBS Sunday Morning. My all-time favorite was his visit to the Heart Attack Grill.

Thanks for the smiles, Bill. Sunday mornings will never be the same.