Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Paul Simon

My friend George Tzougros (CEO of the Wisconsin Arts Board and an early guest on DMOU) sends me (and thousands of others) a daily e-mail with inspirational quotes, great musical finds and news of the Arts. Earlier this week, he shared this quote from Paul Simon:

“I write from instinct, from inexplicable sparkle. I don't know why I'm writing what I'm writing. Usually, I sit and I let my hands wander on my guitar. And I sing anything. I play anything. And I wait till I come across a pleasing accident."

There have been so many pleasing accidents in the over 60 years he's been making magic that it's impossible to pick just one. So, on this Music Friday, I'll go with three (and still miss a pile of his genius).

One of my first loves was "America," here exquisitely performed when Paul and Art Garfunkel rejoined for a concert in Central Park.

Then there's the title track to his pivot album entitled "Graceland," one of his most haunting lyrical explorations and backed by a South African band.

And then there is this. The song that always stops me in my tracks and conjures up the memories of time cherished with my daughters. This is "Father and Daughter."

Pleasing accidents, indeed.

Happy 80th, Paul.

I Love You Desperately

Sitting on the back porch the other evening, enjoying a fire and the last few sensational evenings of the season, Terri had loaded up a classic rock internet station while I tended steaks and scallops on the Egg. And a song shuffled forward that made me laugh out loud.

Decades before we met, I played softball four times a week. My girlfriend played twice a week...so yeah, it was a softball love affair. A member of her team was sweet on a guy and shared a mix tape with him to express her feelings.

Except the song she thought said "I love you desperately" actually was "Our love's in jeopardy." When I corrected her in a bar after a game, she was mortified. Decades later, I can't remember if they ever got together...but I remember how hard we laughed that night.

On this Music Friday, this is Greg Kihn and "Jeopardy."

Twenty Years. Never Forget.

Today dawned as crystal clear of a morning as it was that day 20 years ago. While I was scheduled to fly that afternoon (and obviously didn't), I'm not scheduled to be anywhere on this Saturday morning. Only left to contemplate.

And consider this song by Yellowcard.

The Yin and Yang of Travel

Destination Marketing Organizations pursue the visitor economy in a number of different markets. But for our hotel partners, they often view our responsibility in two distinct segments of the week...weekdays and weekends.

Weekdays are filled with corporate business and meetings & conventions. Weekends are when sports tournaments and family group activities fill rooms. And as we have all seen, the pent up demand in leisure travel, after a year and a half of being cooped up, is also filling weekends in this nation's hotels.

But, make no mistake. The most lucrative portion of the week for hotels is often weekdays. Depending on the destination, hotels can often make more on corporate and convention travel than weekend travel...and that's why this new study from the American Hotel & Lodging Association is so troubling. 67% of business travelers now say they will take fewer and shorter trips. Over 50% say they plan to cancel upcoming trips with no plan to reschedule. And, 66% say they will only travel to places they can drive to, unconvinced that air travel is safer. When it comes to Meetings and Conventions, 71% say they will attend fewer events. We were so hopeful for recovery...and that hope is now waning.

The Delta variant, and the remaining Americans that refuse to be vaccinated, is to blame for this. Political posturing is to blame for this. Bad actors on Social Media are to blame for this.

I understand why so many are resistant to getting vaccinated for political reasons or a fairly unwarranted fear of complications. I do.

But, if you knew there was a less than .01% chance of dying when you could rescue someone trapped in a burning building, would you spring to action? I believe you wouldn't hesitate.

There's a less than .01% chance of dying from the VAX, and, by getting a free shot in the arm, you can help save America's travel economy...and millions of jobs of good people who are looking to you for help. Begging for your help.

What's it gonna be?

The Loss of Some Kool

Kool and the Gang owned two eras of American music. In the '70s, they were a funk band of the highest standard. My fraternity's party mix tapes were never complete without a Kool song.

In the '80s, they turned into a hit machine, culminating into the every New Year's Eve anthem, "Celebrate."

Founding member Dennis Thomas departed terra firma last week, surrounded by his family in New Jersey.

On this Music Friday, we say farewell to a man that made our college parties rock and our celebrations merry. The world is a little less kool.

This is "Hollywood Swinging."

The Painful Retreat

As one might expect, the spike in infections from the Plague has spooked travelers and residents alike. In both the Destinations Analysts and Longwoods International traveler sentiment studies, the guidance indicates turbulence for destinations and local hospitality businesses. The record-breaking pace of revenge-tourism enjoyed in the first half of the Summer is likely to falter in the weeks ahead. Indeed, a restaurateur in our extended family followed New York City's lead yesterday and said proof of vaccination will be required for music events in his courtyard.

Which is in line with how Americans are viewing inbound international travel. According to Longwoods, half of Americans want proof of vaccination before allowing international travelers into the country. But, with Florida leading the nation in infections...wouldn't this be the same for those of us "welcoming" Sunshine State residents to the rest of the country to escape their heat?

As I suggested yesterday, this may be the time for more of us to say "No VAX, No Admission." While I certainly understand that there are those among us that have been medically advised to not get the vaccine, the vast majority of people who are clogging our hospitals are those that have willfully said "no." And, these are citizens that have put millions of Americans (indeed, citizens of the world) at risk because of their indignant belief that their "rights" come first.

Nothing comes before the collective good. The needs of the many, ya know (click the image).

 

Oh, What the Hell

How is it so hard for some to connect the dots between the States in which cases of the Plague are spiking and the States that have dropped any pretense of attempting to adhere to CDC guidance. Indeed, at least two of those States have gone as far as to ban vaccine passports altogether.

Throwing in the towel by saying, "well, we tried," is kind of like being down by 14 with a minute to go in a football game and you send in the second string. Except, you have Tom Brady, Travis Kelce, Davante Adams, Derek Henry and Stefon Diggs on your team...and you have the freakin' ball.

That's the attitude in New York City, where later this month (I actually think it should be tomorrow), the City will begin requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms, entertainment and performances.  It's clear that appealing to some people's sense of community and concern for the health (and life) of others doesn't work in this country like it once did. Taking experiences away from people that refuse to be part of the cure may be the only solution left to effectively stop this killer.

And, for those that are unvaccinated (by choice) that are gonna pitch a fit over restrictions like these, remember that this is on you.

Best Places to Wait Out the End of Days

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...

DMOU: Getting LGBTQ+ Right

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!

Good Feeling to Know

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."