Researches from Anglia Ruskin University have determined that the best places to live out the final days of humanity would be New Zealand and Australia (especially Tasmania), along with a few other island nations.
Not to be dismissive of their work...but, if we read or saw "On the Beach," didn't we already know that?
Just sayin...
Authentic. It's the word we often hear when Destination Marketers attempt to develop messaging for consumers. But when reaching out to a market that doesn't look or live like you, achieving authentic is often elusive. Last month, HospitableMe's Billy Kolber and Kenny Porpora joined me on the DMOU Podcast to break down how DMO pros should approach the LGBTQ+ market. From working with the local community to determine whether your destination is ready to designing and executing authentic messaging, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Plus, they revealed details on their new Master Class, with a discount for DMOU listeners that expires at midnight tonight.
Check it out!
Keeping with the Poco vibe, as I was searching for last week's Music Friday feature, I stumbled upon this gem, featuring former Poco standouts Richie Furay and Timothy B. Schmit, from a 50th Anniversary gig at the Troubador in 2018.
This is one of the songs that invariably shuffles forward in my brain's internal playlist as I prepare to return home from a gig.
"When I Need Good Loving,
I Always Come Home To You.
You Free My Lifetime Of The Blues.
Oh, It's A Good Feeling To Know Somebody Loves You."
The original studio version just oozes with sweetness and harmony
But, this re-pairing of Richie and Timothy is so perfect. This is "Good Feeling to Know."
One of the greatest lessons I ever learned came from the greatest teacher I ever knew, a humble yet passionate man named Guisto Patinella. And yet, I today acknowledge that I haven't lived up to that learning, once again.
"Mr. Pat" once told me the story of a student a few years ahead of me that tragically died after falling from a scaffold while decorating the Eastridge High School gym for a dance. He was the President of the Student Council and universally loved by his classmates...but he had confided in Mr. Pat that he didn't think people liked him because no one ever invited him to parties or nights of cruising the Square. In retrospect, he never got those invites because everyone assumed he had other plans...because he was the most popular guy in school. So, he had no way of knowing how loved he was.
I remember the evening Mr. Pat told me...don't ever let an opportunity pass in which you don't tell someone how much they mean to you. Because they may not know...and they could be gone tomorrow.
With Terri...that's easy. We share those words of affection, admiration and respect every day. And often each day, even when I'm on the road. But, to many of my friends...I have failed to follow Mr. Pat's advice more often than not.
I was friends with almost everyone in my High School class. Not unlike Ferris Bueller and Matthew McConaughey, I hung with with the stoners and the preppies, the jocks and the nerds, the rockers and the kids in band. But, I have stayed connected with too few.
One of the kids in band turned out to be an amazing entrepreneur, author and columnist. His name is Gary Moore (pictured above) and, after decades pursuing our own paths, we reconnected five or six years ago after I saw one of his uplifting columns that was syndicated in my hometown newspaper. I discovered that we were both published authors. I attempted to arrange a book signing and reading here in Madison for him, but it never panned out.
And then, through Facebook, I watched as he struggled with a disease that was robbing him of his body...but not his spirit. He was going to beat this insidious illness...until he wasn't. He inspired people through his column and online. Until the other day, when he posted what he called his "hardest column."
Gary...your books are an inspiration and I've shared my copies with several friends (sorry, I should have made them buy their own). You've led an outstanding life and created an amazing family. And, you made a boatload of money helping others. It doesn't get any better than that. Yours has been a life extraordinarily well lived.
I love you, brother. And, I can only hope we can reconnect in the next life where I can thank you for enriching the lives of so many (and give you a big hug).
Godspeed and safe passage, my long lost friend.
Last month, we bid farewell to Poco's Rusty Young. In the background intel surrounding our featured track, we discussed the role he played in holding that band together when other members wandered off to try their hand at other projects. Richie Furay to the Souther, Hillman Furay Band. Timothy B. Schmit to The Eagles. And, then there was Jim Messina.
Jim was exhausted from the non-stop touring of the day...and wanted to be a record producer. Columbia records pushed him toward a songwriter (but yet to be a performer) named Ken Loggins in 1970. He agreed to produce Kenny if he could play alongside the rookie and, thus, the first album was called "Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In," released 40 years ago.
So successful was that first album that the two decided to formalize the relation and became Loggins & Messina and uncorked "Angry Eyes" the following year.
On this Music Friday, we share this reunion video of one of their biggest FM hits. Still cooks.
On an episode of the DMOU podcast, Visit Nashville's Butch Spyridon quipped that he never thought he'd be a film producer. But, with last year's release of the sensational "It All Begins with a Song," he did.
I'm guessing Visit St. Pete/Clearwater's Steve Hayes could say the same thing after "Life's Rewards" premiered on Amazon Prime last week. A story of a guy who loses everything (except his billions of hotel points), the series is shot on location at the Don CeSar hotel on St. Pete Beach (TripAdvisor's 2001 Best American Beach).
The first DMO-produced TV series designed to stream on a major platform, "Life's Rewards" is a joint project by Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the St. Pete Clearwater Film Commission and Visit Florida and stars Sebastian Rocha. You can check out the trailer here.
Gotta love it!
The notion of gum commercials and exhilarating creativity rarely appear in the same sentence. With this new video from Extra...that ends right here, right now.
I know, I know...we are so not out of the woods yet. But, if this video doesn't move the unvaccinated to jump onboard, nothing will.
Enjoy...and thanks to TravelAbility's Jake Steinman for the catch.
Or is it the other way around?
Discover Puerto Rico has launched a campaign to encourage people to work (very) remotely from the sensationally colorful island this summer. And honestly, for those of us that can work remotely, why not do it in paradise?
Terri and I have often dreamed of such a life...but the sheer joy of a grand daughter within 5 minutes cuts those conversations short every time. But a two week sabbatical? Oh, hell yeah.
Discover Puerto Rico is offering remote workers a "desk makeover" as part of its Deskover Puerto Rico program. Six two-week workations to the Island will be awarded and, to enter, all applicants need to do is visit www.discoverpuertorico.com/deskover and share what they would accomplish if they had two weeks to work in full color from paradise.
Write a book? Launch a new business? Change your life?
I did just that one day, alone on a beach where I had nothing to do but think as I watched an undulating surf, unencumbered by life's demands. And, my life has been richer beyond my wildest expectations ever since from the decisions I made that day.
Enter.
On a recent assignment (damn, it's good to be back on the road), I interviewed a community stakeholder who told me, "C- is easy; A+ is hard."
Are you ready for an A+ week?
Do it.
The story line behind this song (and the album "Room 41") is that it is a recounting of Paul Cauthen's descent into an alcohol and drug-fueled period after a painful break-up. And, while some of us may not have gone as far as he did, we all have had that moment.
This track blends a sinister, sexual groove with lyrics that perfectly capture life after Midnight. On this Music Friday, it's some "Cocaine Country Dancing," filmed at the Electric Cowboy in Fort Worth.
"It's a quarter to two, whatcha wanna do?"
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