Dylanland

DC: The Iron Range is a great tourist destination ... interesting and educational ... but like any other place in the world there is always that question ... what could be done to attract more visitors? Some ideas are ... frankly ... outrageous, but none MORE outrageous than the one being offered by consultant and dealmaker Spin Williams, who joins us by phone from his office in Los Angeles. Good morning, Spin.

Spin: (phone) Good morning! Great morning!

DC: I didn't know you were from the Iron Range!

Spin: I'm NOT from ... what did you call it?

DC: The Iron Range?

Spin: Is Hibbing part of that?

DC: Yes it is! So you're not from here?

Spin: It doesn't matter. My idea is the kind of idea that you have to NOT be from there to have.

DC: Most people are not from here.

Spin: Exactly! And we want to get all of the not-from-Hibbing people to bring their money there, so you need a not-from-Hibbing kind of idea. I have that idea. Can you guess what it is?

DC: I don't know.

Spin: Here's a hint: What do people who don't know anything know about Hibbing KNOW about Hibbing?

DC: Uh … I don't know.

Spin: What name comes to mind? (pause) Come on!

DC: Bob Dylan?

Spin: Yes! Exactly! Bob Dylan. And that's my idea. A theme park! Get this: "Dylanland"! Whaddaya think?

DC: Well ...

Spin: I was toying with "ZimmerWorld", but that doesn't have the same zing as "Dylanland", am I right? I think I am!

DC: What is it exactly?

Spin: Dylanland is a theme park where you experience the music and the ideas and the family fun created in the many great songs of Bob Dylan.

DC: Family fun?

Spin: OK … I'll admit it, this would be easier if he had more cute animals in his songs. A talking mouse, a possum , even a spiny anteater. But NO! So ... we work with what we've got. And ... I don't mean to put Bob down. There's a lot there!

DC: So ... are you saying the theme park is built around the songs?

Spin: The answer, my friend, is Blowing in the Wind. Can you see it? A kind of spinning, kite-themed thing.

DC: There's something about it that doesn't feel right.

Spin: It's totally perfect. Even the waiting part is woven into the song. How many roads must a man (or a woman) walk down … before you call him a man (or a woman)? See? Are YOU man (or woman) enough to go "Blowing in the Wind?" Empty your pockets and get ready for the ride of your life!

DC: Not everyone likes a spinning ride.

Spin: How about this .... "It's a hard ... it's a hard ... it's a hard ... it's a hard ... it's a hard Rain Gonna Fall!" Do you know what it is? Give up? It's a log flume! It's all there in the song. Water and a big drop! Almost straight down! Zoom!

DC: These songs MEAN something to people.

Spin: I KNOW! Imagine this. BIG ferris wheel. Huge. You rise up ... you see Hibbing spread out below you ... it rises and rises and you think you're up higher than anything else ... suddenly you see ... at the very peak of the ride ... Not a brass ring .... but ... A Doorway. Your car is going to go "Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven's Door." How about that, huh? And the music ... the music is all there!

DC: I know that ... but ...

Spin: Did I mention the Roller Coaster? Each car looks like a necklace of boulders ... all strung together ... zooming around like ... What?

DC: Uh ...

Tk: Like a Rolling Stone! Zoom! Exciting, huh?

DC: Spin ... I'm not saying it's a BAD idea.

Spin: You're wondering about the little kids, aren't you? There's nothing for them ... is that what you're thinking?

DC: I can't say what I'm thinking.

Spin: Well Don't Think Twice, It's All Right. We've got a bounce house. One of those enclosed jumping things ... and it looks like ... get this ... a big brass bed! Know what it's called? "Play Lady Play!" Huh? How about that? Dylanland! Forever Young!

DC: Spin ... I'm going to need some time. This is a lot to digest.

Spin: Digest! Of course. Thanks for reminding me ... the food court ... It's got all kinds of fast food. And it's got a name. Know what it is?

DC: I don't.

Tk: You gotta get this one. Come on. You know it.

DC: Uh ...

Spin: "Gotta Serve Somebody!" Huh? Whattaya think? And get this: It's all Self Service! Like an Automat. Ironic, huh? Perfect for the Irony Range.

DC: Iron Range.

Spin: Right! Close enough.

DC: Thanks for the ideas, Spin.

Spin: I still own them … each and every one! My ideas are like children to me! Except they ARE for sale!

DC: Spin Williams is a visionary and a dealmaker. He joined us from his office in Los Angeles.