That is right, you read it correctly. 106.1 KISS FM in Seattle thinks Des Moines is a ‘crappy town.’ They are currently running a contest for their listeners entitled ‘Cool Bands in Crappy Towns.’ The gist is they picked numerous ‘crappy towns’ across the nation that are hosting cool music concerts. Each week they pick a concert, and town, and ask for listeners to call in to win the contest, which is a trip to the crappy town for the concert.
Yep, you can guess where I am going with this. KISS’ contest will send a set of their listeners to Des Moines to hear the Black Eyed Peas on March 25.
On the surface, it looks like KISS considers Des Moines a crappy town…hey, they picked us and it’s their contest. But, I think there is more at the root of this contest that needs to be explored. For instance, KISS obviously couldn’t consider truly crappy towns, because no truly crappy town would be on the Black Eyed Peas tour calendar. Luckily, KISS didn’t have to just stick with the Black Eyed Peas tour dates, because Des Moines has had 6 of the 10 top grossing live shows come to one of our venues, so any of those tour dates could have worked and actually made Des Moines a very appealing place for their selection committee.
It is likely KISS’s readers do not have a good grasp on Des Moines, and that is understandable since our cities are so far apart. Luckily, thanks to KISS, the winners of this contest are going to find out all sorts of great things about Des Moines when they search online, such as:
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New $40 million Pappajohn Sculpture Park was featured in the New York Times, Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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Des Moines was just rated one of the top places to start a small business by CNNMoney.
Actually, there are too many accolades for Des Moines to go around, or to discuss here, but I might suggest their readers just Google to find out more.
Plus, I have to imagine the acoustics in our Wells Fargo Arena –opened in 2005 – are much better than in the Tacoma Dome –BEP play there in April — since it was built over 25 years ago. It actually appears as though KISS is interested in doing the work of our great people over at the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Iowa Events Center, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership a favor, and I am sure they appreciate the assistance.
I understand KISS wants to help spread the word of our great city, and for that we are grateful. Thank you KISS for taking part in promoting Des Moines to your listeners, we truly appreciate your efforts and promise to take good care when they arrive in Des Moines.
Here is more info about Des Moines for your readers that I initially failed to include.
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Hey I bet the sun isn’t shining in Seattle today – and is it ever beautiful here!
Yes, today is beautiful…I forgot what the sun looked like. Thanks for the comment Cindy.
Having been to shows at the Tacoma Dome, I can assure you WF Arena has much, much better acoustics (as do most places). Also, I wouldn’t put muh credence in anything Kiss FM in Seattle does. It’s not what most would consider a credible source of anything.
I was offended at first, to be honest. But, then I was flattered since KISS took the time to direct the spotlight on Des Moines.
I grew up near Seattle, and relocated to Des Moines a few years ago. My Seattle friends that come to visit always leave saying how they didn’t expect Des Moines to be such a neat city – bring it, KISS. Just a couple more people who’ll leave with a positive view of our fabulous city.
Interesting to hear the perspective of a Native. Thanks Roxi!
@Cindy The sun is shining beautifully in Seattle this afternoon
quite a bit of sun in seattle today actually.
Actually…if you knew anything about Seattle, you would know that the Tacoma Dome (located in Tacoma, WA – not Seattle) has not been the premier concert venue out here in about 20 years. You might want to check out the Gorge in George, WA which is an ampitheatre that is the best place by far to see a concert (and it has some amazing views as well). Not sure the Tacoma Dome is used for anything these days except High School Football Finals and Monster Truck shows.
BTW…the sun has been shining bright here for a majority of the last two weeks – mild weather – high around 60.
Would love to make a trip to Des Moines one day…I’m sure it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Tami – I looked it up, Black Eyed Peas are playing the Tacoma Dome in April…thus my comparison. I love Seattle, have been there twice, and realize Tacoma is another city all together. Actually, I incidently took a bus ride to Tuckwilla while I was there…but that is another story.
Isn’t Seattle the suicide-capitol of the U.S.?
Not sure about that Bunny.
Vegas is the suicide capitol of the U.S.
I’m pretty sure it’s the people in Des Moines that make it awesome! People are the driving force in making the city what it is, and we’re on the up and up.
Amen Sheena. Des Moines has the best people in the world, thus our amazing city and lack of need to bash other cities.
Wow…people of Des Moines are taking this WAY WAY to seriously…it’s a joke…If anything take pride in your city rather than just bashing Seattle…Doesn’t that make people of Des Moines just as petty? Just saying…and then talk about the hospitality of the people…kinda funny.
Everyone knows how much it rains in Seattle…we all know. Find something new…it’s getting a little old. I mean, for God sakes it was advertised in freaking Twilight.
Seanna – Sorry you took my THANK YOU to KISS 106.1 as taking it seriously. KISS Just needed a way to get listeners to listen, I get it, Ryan Seacrest was not working for them. Luckily, Des Moines is going to have the last laugh when the KISS guests go back to Seattle missing Des Moines and our hospitality.
I think the reason the people of Des Moines are taking this (quasi) seriously is because we are sick of having our cultural identity defined by outsiders. Because we are an agricultural state, we all must ride cows to work, right? To call Des Moines a “crappy” down is lazy stereotyping of the worst kind – and we get it here all the time.
I’m sure the people of Seattle get tired of outsiders think there’s nothing more to their city than grunge, coffee and crappy weather. So why point a finger at another city and claim it’s all a joke that we’re taking too seriously?
I mean, I’m fine with people making fun of Des Moines… *if it’s funny.* But to say “You live in a crappy town!” without any humor to back that up is kind of like saying “Boy, you sure are fat and ugly looking! GET IT?!” Without humor, all you’re left with is the insult. And most sensible people don’t like to be insulted.
Tom, thanks for the comment. It is sort a like posting a blog about Des Moines, or specifically this website, to make a statement but not allowing a conversation on the matter, which is Social Media by the way, since comments are not allowed.
The fact that this one story is making such a HUGE riff in Des Moines is proving their point. Is this all you have to talk about, really?
Ashton – Thanks for the comment. We understand you cannot comprehend the sense of community we have here in Des Moines. We (I) just decided it would be good to use this platform to discuss the contest since it is truly a one-way slander of the city we love.
First, lets start with Seattle’s Kiss FM has listeners not readers. If you want to compare what Des Moines has to offer compared to Seattle. There is no comparison.
Well, Buttercup, the only comparision made was to the Tacoma Dome…since our venue is 5 years old. There are readers at KISS, check out their blog…
In regards to this being “all we have to talk about,” consider the context.
I’m pretty sure there are lots of bloggers in Seattle covering stories about their city that no one outside their zip code cares about. Same goes for your local news.
Hey man! Don’t forget about the Iowa Comedy Festival, which will be held October 13-16, 2010 entirely within downtown Des Moines!
http://www.iacomedyfest.wordpress.com
I do have to admit, we need to get better with our radio stations first off!
It’s bad when the two dominate radio stations in Des Moines, IA are a “KISS” station and WHO-AM. one of which is geared towards a mainstream/popular radio demographic (the former) and the other is a news-type & almost conservative/rural leaning radio demographic (the latter).
the one i definitely don’t agree with the most is WHO-AM. yes, its local, but they push it way too far. Van & Bonnie (morning show hosts), one would think they have their egos way over their head, but also have no complete idea when it comes to anything in today’s popular culture or current events. It seems they are stuck in a time warp and need a reality check that yes, Iowa is a great state, but don’t overdue it. much of their programming during the day has syndicated hosts or local hosts that pretty much have conservative leaning politcal views.
I don’t think it’s cool to bring up suicide in this discussion.
@sheila I couldn’t agree more. I nearly declined the comment, but since it was not vulger I went ahead and approved it.
@matt Been back in the past 5 years? Tried to explore Des Moines in that time frame? If not, and I assume the answer is now…come back and check Des Moines out…it has changed drastically in that time.
@mike Bigfish. I would say the same thing that I said to Matt. Come back and check it out rather than casting stones from where ever you are today.
Des Moines a crappy town? Who are you kidding…Iowa is crappy!! Lived there for 26 years. The majority of the state seems like its about a year behind the rest of the world. Most people hate and resist change there. They like their small town cliques and quasi-nazi cohorts. If you ask me, it’s the outsiders who have seen Iowa for what it really is…lame. My family still lives and farms there. Life is slow, meager and dial-up internet is still used throughout most of the state….not that most of the state is rural or anything. When I visit my family and Iowa now, I feel odd and treated like an outcast vs. just an outsider. So yes, Des Moines sucks. Don’t confuse Des Moines with West Des Moines. Big difference…Star Bucks coffee in West DM, Urbandale, Waukee vs. Casey’s instant mocha everywhere else.
And you see how boring Iowa is right…a radio station 1700mi away called them crappy and Twitter suddenly explodes. well, here’s an Iowa native saying the same thing. maybe i’ll move back when i’m 65, old, AARP, and metamucil diet.
Its really funny ppl trying rationalize DSM as fun. I lived there for 5 years and left the first opportunity I got. Glad I did. Sculpture park is what you consider fun? I wouldn’t disagree about people, definitely have great friends there, but you guys spending more time on trying to prove its fun says it all.
Reading some of these comments ragging on the state comes off like a bunch of whining to me. If you had such negative opinions about your town or the state you lived in while you were here, why didn’t you do something to improve it?
It’s a lot easier to bitch and moan and expect to be entertained than it is to invest in your own community and make it a better place.
Des Moines is crappy? Iowa is lame?! *You’re* lame. Be lazy and mooch off what someone else built. Iowa doesn’t need you.
And by the way, if your idea of a cultured community is one that has a Starbucks, then you’re really not as worldly and informed as you claim to be.
Coffee, grunge, and crappy weather….. What a good combo! Why are you people all so butt hurt? It’s a joke, DES moines is in the middle of nowhere, you guys tak pride in a freaking sculpture park, really a sculpture park? Oh yea Im definatly going to Iowa to check out this park….. Not! Get a life! Seattle Rules and so does coffee!
Andrey Thanks for taking the time to read the blog.
I currently live in Seattle, but I spent my adolescence in Des Moines. Though it wasn’t always the most exciting town, it was a wonderful place to grow up and I wouldn’t change that for anything. I have to agree with some of the above posters, it truly is the people of Des Moines that make the city great. I still have friends who live there and I always look forward to visiting them.
Ultimately, I love Seattle dearly, but I don’t think it’s necessary to bash a random city and its population to feel good about your own.
Alexander – So great to hear a positive perspective on Des Moines from someone living West of here. Des Moines has an amazing community of people passionate about our cities development. We have one of the strongest young professional demographic and entrepreneurial spirits, plus over 60 insurance/financial service businesses to truly have a strong and diverse core.
I’m from St. Louis and I moved to Seattle last year and while I think the idea was a humorous one, as I texted one of the djs at KISS today, I do understand why ya’ll are upset. We in St. Louis were upset when people in San Antonio made a you tube video about what a bad city we were (that made the news too when they did it). Des Moines can feel good about one thing and that’s for sure- people from the midwest are very hospitable (sp?) people, I know from living there for so long. West Coast people are jerks as I’ve experienced living here. So just keep doin whatcha do, the winner from here will see that kind of people the midwest has and that maybe Des Moines isn’t such a “crappy town”.
Wow Pete! Is this a record number of comments on your blog? If so, I hope we can take at least some credit…(prepare for shameless plug) at http://www.desmoinesreport.com for linking to, and highlighting your story on our site.
Anyway, back on topic.
I have never once regretted moving to Des Moines and love living here (although the winters can get a bit long). IMO, if you are bored here or not entertained living in Des Moines, that is on YOU, not the city.
Cheers to our friends in Seattle (my niece just moved there and loves it) as I think it would be a great place to live. That said, it doesn’t mean Des Moines isn’t rockin’ also.
@drea Interesting perspective on West Coast living. As I said previously, I love Seattle and think it is a great town. When I was there it was with friends and we didnt really have much run in with ‘the locals’ so I cannot attest to your statements, although I believe you. Thanks for looking out for DSM, we are excited to hear who won and how long they are willing to stay in DSM.
@chris Yes, by far the most popular blog post I have had in over a years time. I am sure most of that was due to your website, Desmoinesreport.com, so thanks!
As I said on KISS’s air on Tuesday night, people don’t know the amazing changes in Des Moines during the past decade so they have a misconception that was predicated from previous biases. It is up to us to help educate, which is why this Blog exists. Thanks for all you do!
[...] weren’t wondering before why Des Moines is suddenly getting more tour dates from the ‘cool bands‘. Maybe by running contests they are just curious to find out for themselves that Des [...]
I am suprised at how seriously people are taking this whole radio contest. Let’s face it, every state in the union has crappy towns and I am quite sure that the people who live in them would disagree. I actually thought they should have picked Tacoma as the crappy town. That would have been REALLY funny! I have lived in Wa. state for nearly all my life and have seen the best and worst of it. Seattle is wonderful, Tacoma, not so much. I have been to Des Moines Iowa as well. I will keep my opinion to myself but I have to say to you all there… lighten up. It’s just a stupid radio contest. Stop giving it so much attention. You are quite frankly making yourselves look, well, “crappy”.
I have to admit that the premise behind the contest is kind of funny but the bottom line is that anyone who would A. enter a contest to go see the Black Eyed Peas B. waste a few days of their time to go see BEPs and/or C. listen to a bullshit station like KISS FM probably has poor tastes to begin with. I love Des Moines and all but I’m really not worried about the opinion of KISS FM’s target audience.
There’s also no reason to get defensive and attack Seattle. I’ve never been there yet but I would like to and I’m sure it’s a fine place. I would like to think that a 20-something amused by the looping of the same identical-sounding, mindless ten songs does not truly represent Seattle.
Hi Des Moines,
I’m from Seattle and I can assure you KISS FM 106.1 doesn’t speak for the citizens of Seattle. I am sorry to hear and read your great city was targeted by a rude and juvenile contest to get a local radio station that isn’t doing so well in the ratings listeners. I am impressed by the fact that people commenting aren’t calling Seattle names or saying mean things about my city (well other than the rainy weather LOL – mostly true in the winter with the rain, except we like that better than snow – grin).
I imagine Des Moines is a great city simply reading all the comments defending it from it’s citizens. People who take pride in their city or town make it a great city so I have no doubt it is world class.
For what it’s worth, I wasn’t thinking much about Des Moines because it’s simply so far away from the west coast, but because of this controversy I’ve already been to your cities website, googled information about Des Moines and because of reading these comments have a positive opinion of Des Moines from the people who live there and love the city.
Warmest regards from a Seattlite.
p.s., I don’t think Des Moines is a crappy city, I think it is a city with people who take great pride in making it a great city, enough to roll out the red carpet for visitors after being insulted. Definitely my kind of place! I’m impressed and other cities could learn a thing or two about your cities response to this whole thing.
Amen Xavier!! The entire reason I wrote the post was to educate the people in Seattle about how great Des Moines is. I realized the contest was a joke, something that was intended to get readers. I also thought it posed a perfect opportunity, an opportunity which you seemed to have grasped, which is enlightening. Thanks for taking the time to read and post here!
All cities get called crappy at one time or another. When I moved to DM from Minneapolis last year – people went out of their way to tell me how crappy my hometown was. It got to the point where I did not mention where I came from. Des Moines is a great city! But, it will be called crappy, boring, etc by people that don’t know better.
The day after the concert, no one will even remember this. I’m just glad that Des Moines was chosen. We’ll gladly welcome them and I know they will have a wonderful time!
I grew up in southern rural Iowa, which admittedly sucks, but I love Des Moines
[...] may have read about the Black Eyed Peas on this site back in January…you know, when the Seattle Radio station called Des Moines a Crappy Town. Jog [...]