Award-winning talk show host John St. Augustine shares his inspiring story and introduces the Local Legends series &nbsp; Transcript: ANNOUNCER: National Car Rentals Presents: Local Legends, with John St. Augustine. John is an award-winning talk show host, an inspirational speaker, and a best-selling author. But there is so much more to his story. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: Legend. A person who’s fame and notoriety makes him or her, a source of inspiration. Someone whose actions make them larger than life.&nbsp; Someone who’s creating a legacy by finding the best in themselves, and bringing it to the world in concrete, constructive ways that creates a ripple effect that basically gives anyone touched by their path and story, permission to find their own higher ground. And that is exactly what the Local Legends Podcast is all about. Conversation that leads to information, to create transformation. &nbsp;It’s the podcast where you’ll cross paths with some of the best and brightest, the most driven and passionate people you could ever hope to meet. I’m John St. Augustine, and I am thrilled to be hosting the Local Legends series, this digital, audio journey we take together. And part of the big takeaway is as a business traveler we often get stuck in majoring in minor things… the millions of details that distract us from seeing the bigger picture. And oftentimes the people, the legends, that are part of creating that picture in ay city we visit, and work in. My radio career that’s 20 years in the making, and it all came from a time in my life when a business failure created an opportunity for me to find pieces of myself I didn’t even know existed. The big deal fell through, I lost everything I’d worked so hard for. &nbsp; At the age of 37, I found myself living in a small motel in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my family, having left Chicago behind. I felt like a failure, and worse than that, I felt a sense of hopelessness that my life would never again be of value, to myself and to anyone else. Back in 1996 I took a very long walk in the middle of all that chaos, of 1000 miles roundtrip, from the Canadian to Chicago and back again. On foot. It was on that quest the idea to go on radio came forth. I had no experience, no training, no agent, no producers, no sponsors, but I did have one very important thing, I had a new thought. And after completing the walk, I eventually acted on that radio idea, and 19 stations turned me down—because I didn’t just want to talk about sports and politics all day, neither of which would help me get out of the hotel at the age of 37 with a college degree in my pocket. I wanted to talk about what it takes to get up, once you’ve been knocked down. How oftentimes a setback is really a set up for a comeback. And that sometimes business is just something that keeps us busy. And we forget that there are so many ways to pay rent for the space we take up on the planet. And how far too often we confuse who we are with what we do. But a station eventually gave me a chance. An hour a week, for five weeks. And then, a couple more hours a week. And after a year I was snagged by an ABC affiliate to replace Dr. Laura in the Midwest. And then a cable company approached me to put a camera in my studio. And I thought, “Who in the world is going to watch a guy on the radio on their television?” Huh. Little did I know that that one move would put me in 80 markets with the flip of a switch. A very very long story short, I would go on to be awarded the best talk show radio host in Michigan- three times. Put over 7500 shows in the can we call it, from 1997 to 2004, with thousands of guests who are legends in their own right. I put my mic on hold in 2006 to be part of the team to implement the Oprah radio network, become the senior producer of the Dr. Oz show, and the Gene Chatsky show on SiriusXM. And, get listed as one of 500 world visionaries along with names like Jimmy Carter and Nelson...

John St. Augustine’s Introduction

One of Chicago’s most well-known restauranteurs talks Chicago &nbsp; Transcript: TOM LEHMAN: I wasn’t all about golf. Um you know I loved to play football, basketball, I liked to go play hockey on the ice rink in the wintertime. And that was really kind of what I did. I grew up, you know, around sports, in the wintertime go to basketball practice, and then at night after homework I’d go down to the pond and skate and play hockey with the guys. And mess around and that’s what we did. FEMALE NARRATOR: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends, an inside look at some special cities and the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: During your business travels you meet people from all walks of life, might be sitting at the airport bar, might be in the hotel gym working out, or just hanging about in the lobby. And every now and then you connect with someone truly legendary. Someone that makes that chance encounter unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these local legends and in this episode you’ll meet Tom Lehman, who, as a young man, forged his skills on the golf courses of Minnesota. Sometimes frozen. And his thousands of hours of practice would eventually lead him to be awarded player of the year honors on all three PGA Tours. From 1995 to 97, Tom held the 54 hole lead at the US Open, but each time, he failed to win. During this period he won his only Championship to date, The British Open in 1996. In April of 97 he spent a week at number one in the world golf rankings. He’s won five times on the PGA Tour, but in addition to his British Open win, his victories have included the season-ending tour championship, and Memorial Tournament. And he’s won at least 19, 19 professional events in total. He was captain of the Ryder Cup team in 96, and while he remains humble about his talents, many experts say that Tom Lehman has the most perfect swing in golf. Now, while golf is what he does, who Tom Lehman is and what drives him to be the best, that’s the stuff legends are made of. I caught up with Tom at the historic Hazeltine Golf Course near Minneapolis. FEMALE NARRATOR: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: We’ve been talking about really how golf obviously has played a central role in your life and at one point maybe you wanted to be Bobby Orr, that really didn’t work out. You pick up a hockey stick and then you put it back down. You pick up some golf sticks and then you go on with that. And it’s interesting to me that the lessons of hockey and the lessons of golf really play out as lessons in life later on. And so all these years later, you know you look back to Alexandria and how you started with all this, what are the things that come to mind most for you with your travels and playing so much golf with so many incredible people, but still maintaining your sense of self? TOM LEHMAN: I think you can’t get anywhere in anything unless you’re single-minded and focused with it and committed to it and willing to sacrifice. And I think that’s how you become, uh that’s how you get to the point where you can start to trust and believe in yourself. So if you’re committed and you sacrifice and you work hard, then at some point you learn to believe it and you learn to have confidence in it. And once you do that you start to achieve. Uh and then when you start to achieve then life can get really crazy. (Uh huh) You know so the balance in life, the real trick, the real difficulty comes when you get to that point and now the whole world is throwing itself at you and and how do you live a balanced, you know normal life at that point? You know how do you, I mean all you have to do is watch TV (oh yeah), and watch some biography channel about a Rock n’ Roll star. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: The rise and the fall. TOM LEHMAN:&nbsp; The rise and the fall, and typically that’s what happens. You know you’re hoping that...

Tom Lehman’s Hazeltine

The Winemaker and Sommelier talks Brooklyn Transcript: ANDRE MACK: I don’t really believe in luck, I believe in opportunities present themselves and you either rise to the occasion or you don’t, either you’re prepared or you’re not. And so and I think by putting yourself out there, you create more opportunities for yourself. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities. And the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: As a business road warrior you’re bumping into people from all walks of life, all the time. Grabbing a bite to eat at the airport, or sitting around the lobby bar having a glass of wine. And every now and then you connect with someone… someone legendary. We’ve traveled America to find these Local Legends, and in this episode, you’ll meet Andre Mack. In 2003, he won the coveted title of the best young sommelier in America, and he was the first African- American to be awarded the title. That would launch him into the world of wine-making. And creating his own label, Mouton Noir, which means; Black Sheep. And it’s that mindset of not following the flock that has made him an international sensation. Now, while he’s known worldwide, Brooklyn, New York is where he’s put down his roots. And nestled in a row of brown stones, I learned a little bit more about the life and the legacy of Andre Mack. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental presents Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I’m in one of my favorite cities uh, that I haven’t been in in about five years, visiting someone who not that long ago was working in the fast-food industry and now has become a local legend.&nbsp; Andre Mack, great to have you.&nbsp; ANDRE MACK:&nbsp; Pleasure to be here.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Your journey to me is fascinating, we’re gonna get into all the creative things that you do, but really when you start looking back at your life uh, where you started, where you came from; literally you said your mom was wearing combat boots.&nbsp; I mean it’s really uh, an uncanny journey you’ve (Chuckles) been on.&nbsp; ANDRE MACK:&nbsp; That’s right.&nbsp; That age old joke uh, your momma wears cowboy boots uh, (Combat boots) she wore, she wore, she wore cowboy boots and combat boots (Laughter) as well too right, we used to live in Texas.&nbsp; Um, but Yeah, that actually rang true, Yeah.&nbsp; So I was a military brat growing up, an army brat to be exact.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; And you still travel a lot, so maybe some of that helped you it- later on in life to be able to deal with all of that.&nbsp; [Crosstalk] ANDRE MACK:&nbsp; Oh totally, totally.&nbsp; I think uh, the person who I am is, is because we traveled, right because we lived in Europe for a while and that you know really broadened my horizons as a, as a young child.&nbsp; And for me like I think it was every two years we moved.&nbsp; (Yeah) Um, and so you know I really have that, that travel itch.&nbsp; You know after two years I kind of get like unsettled and ready to go somewhere else, so.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Well the reason you’re on the show is you’ve become p-po-possibly the most famous guy on the eastern seaboard, whether you know it or not.&nbsp; And i- almost a internet sensation in many ways, because these videos that you’re doing, you’re really educating people about wine and culture and creativity.&nbsp; And I was fa- my first question was even though this is probably the third question at this point (Chuckles) was where does this come from in you?&nbsp; I mean a lot of people have the drive to do things, but man you’re taking it to like the Nth degree here.&nbsp; ANDRE MACK:&nbsp; Um, you know I never considered myself to be a creative person, it wasn’t until I had met my wife many years later that she says “Hey, you know what, you’re a creative, you’re pretty creative guy.”&nbsp;...

Andre Mack’s Brooklyn

Third generation ferryman and Sea Captain talks Seattle. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Transcript: JOEL MICHELSON: You travel around the world you see icons and you come to Seattle, you see the ferry boats, the Space Needle, and maybe a Seahawk game, ANNOUNCER: National Presents: Local Legends, an inside look at some special cities and the people who make them great. JOEL MICHELSON: things that people know and are fun to experience, so I don't know how you couldn’t leave not loving it.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: During your business travels you meet people from all walks of life… at the airport bar, at the hotel gym, just sitting in the lobby checking your cell phone messages. And every now and again you connect with someone truly legendary. Someone that makes that chance encounter, unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these Local Legends, and in this episode you’re going to meet a guy who calls the waters of Puget Sound, his office. Captain Joel Michelson is most at home on the bridge of a ferry boat, continuing the legacy of his father and grandfather before him. We’re in Seattle, which has the largest ferry system in the United States talking with Joel about the absolute best places to spend time. From cruising Bainbridge Island on a bike to hanging out at Pike Place or going up in a space needle, it’s all about the real Emerald City. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents Local Legends. With award-winning talk show host John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; So welcome to another episode of Local Legends.&nbsp; I am thrilled to be in one of my favorite cities on the entire planet.&nbsp; When I came here the first time, I was struck with two things, water and trees.&nbsp; (Mm-hmm) And I came back again yesterday and I’m even more struck with water and trees.&nbsp; (Right) The backdrop of Seattle really is nature at its finest. JOEL MICHELSON:&nbsp; Yeah, those water and trees hopefully will never go away.&nbsp; (Laughs) JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; There’s been some challenges I think trying to keep this because the growth is immense since I was here thirty-five, forty years ago.&nbsp; JOEL MICHELSON:&nbsp; Right, correct, yeah.&nbsp; I mean I live out on the Kitsap Peninsula and we have a lot more trees, it’s a little bit more rural than it is downtown Seattle.&nbsp; And you're; I, I think in the last several years, you're even seeing uh, with the tunnel project and the things that are going on in Seattle, you're starting to see a lot more high-rises and things popping up and buildings being taken out or refurbished.&nbsp; And yeah, there's some change going on right now.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; And there's a lot of people maybe not exactly having the same pattern that I have but they come out to Seattle, they spend a little bit of time, they think, “Maybe I’ll stay a little bit longer,” (Right) and they end up staying a lot longer, and there's a lot of reasons for that.&nbsp; JOEL MICHELSON:&nbsp; Right.&nbsp; Like I was; uh, you know, people come out here during the summer months and you know, it’s beautiful, seventy, eighty, ninety degrees sometimes, and stay out here for a week or two.&nbsp; And then you, you decide maybe you wanna relocate and then you know, October comes around (Yeah) and you, you deal with some grey weather for (Yeah) six months.&nbsp; And… JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Is that what you call it, the grey? JOEL MICHELSON:&nbsp; The grey, yeah. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; It's the grey.&nbsp; That’s the time when the Seahawks are at their best (Yeah) and the weather’s at the worst.&nbsp; JOEL MICHELSON:&nbsp; So it's a, it's a coping mechanism, the Seahawks. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; The reason we asked you to come onto Local Legends Podcast uh, is, is I think one of the most unique stories I’ve heard in this series.&nbsp; Uh, you're a ferry boat captain. JOEL MICHELSON:&nbsp; I am, yeah. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; And I should be saluting you really....

Joel Michelson’s Seattle

One of Chicago’s most well-known restauranteurs talks Chicago &nbsp; Transcript: BILLY DEC:&nbsp; It’s a relationship based city where if you earn the respect of others by giving instead of always taking, you (Laughs) build this community within a community of diverse backgrounds and strengths and passions that will contribute to your path. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities. And the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: You’re taking care of business, 24-7. And your travels have connected you with people buckling up for another trip at 35,000 feet, or just hanging out at the lobby bar of your hotel. And every now and then, every now and then, you connect with someone truly legendary. Someone that makes that chance encounter more than memorable, literally unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these local legends, and in this episode, I’m in my hometown of Chicago with a guy who knows what it’s like to build his brand and his business, from the ground up. An Emmy award winning TV personality, entrepreneur, restauranteur, and force of nature. You’ve seen him on the Today Show and Criminal Minds. And if there’s one person who truly has the pulse of the Windy City in the palm of his hand… it’s the one and only Billy Dec. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; So, when Carl Sandburg talked about the city of broad shoulders, he must’ve been thinking about this guy sitting here in front of me.&nbsp; You can't walk the streets of Chicago without knowing the name Billy Dec.&nbsp; And that’s a, that’s a really uh, a testament to your presence of this city that you love so much.&nbsp; So, thanks for spending time with us today. BILLY DEC:&nbsp; **Tsk** Oh, my gosh, my honor.&nbsp; I can't even; I don't even; I’m uncomfortable with that intro.&nbsp; It’s too kind.&nbsp; You should be... JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; The Carl Sandburg part (You should be...) or the broad shoulders part. BILLY DEC:&nbsp; All of it, all of it. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Eh, well, but it’s true.&nbsp; Look, and you know, before we uh, jump into a lot of this stuff of why you do what you do and who you are, I was fascinated because I think this sets up the rest of it.&nbsp; I was fascinated by the encounter with the late great Prince, (T- yeah) which to me, which to me; let me see if I can set this up a little bit 'cause w- to me, this was like, explains all that you've been doing all these years.&nbsp; So, tell the folks who haven’t heard about this, how this went down. BILLY DEC:&nbsp; Well, I had to work many jobs early on in my teens.&nbsp; My father got sick, my brother got sick um, lost them both early.&nbsp; I had to support the family, and what people didn’t know was (Clears throat) you can only work so many hours in a day at minimum wage, my day job.&nbsp; I had my after uh, five o’clock job, working in restaurants, and then, when those closed, I needed another job.&nbsp; And so, I went to nightclubs, and even though I was nineteen, I leveraged uh... JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; You looked a lot older. BILLY DEC:&nbsp; (Laughs)&nbsp; No, I actually didn’t, (Laughs) although, it was the ‘90s, so I did have a ponytail and h- (Laughs) and hoop earrings in Chicago, which was the thing.&nbsp; (Yeah) **Tsk** Um, and I convinced people I trained with, basically in martial arts, to help me get on this bouncer force at this nightclub called Shelter.&nbsp; Uh, this nightclub took off.&nbsp; They kept me towards the front door because I was the smallest um, and I could speak kindly to people because I actually did care, and I looked at people as hopefully, a way to uh, relationship-build with and potentially get jobs from and to kinda help my situation. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; So, network even while you're working. BILLY DEC:&nbsp; **Tsk** Well, I...

Billy Dec’s Chicago

Denver’s Director of Cultural Affairs talks Denver &nbsp; Transcript: DENISE QUINTANILLA: I love sharing the view, I love sharing the story, and giving people access to experiences that they probably couldn’t otherwise get. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities and the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: During your business travels you meet people from all walks of life, grabbing a bite at your favorite on the road restaurant, or charging your phone at the airport or just sitting around the lobby at the hotel. And every now and again, you connect with someone, a little bit different. A little legendary perhaps. Someone that makes that chance encounter unforgettable. We’ve traveled&nbsp; America to find these local legends, and in this episode you’ll meet Denise Quintanilla… who might just have the coolest job in Austin. I mean, who would’ve thought that Denise’s hobby of going to music clubs and posting videos online, would then create a one of a kind career as the editor of Rockstar magazine.&nbsp; I talk with Denise against the backdrop of the fortieth anniversary of the longest running music show on television; Austin City Limits. About the time she was just too busy to take her mom’s phone call, she was hanging out with John Legend, and why she feels the live music capitol of the world is really the Fountain of Youth. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends, with award winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I am deep in the heart of Texas, I’m actually in Austin, Texas. &nbsp;And uh, it is the eleventh largest city in the country, but it’s only the fourth largest in Texas, which tells you how big this state really is.&nbsp; And I’m here with Denise Quintanilla, so great to have you with us this week.&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; Thank you. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; No, thank you.&nbsp; (Chuckles) For getting up and doing this with us.&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; It doesn’t feel like a big city, does it?&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; No, it doesn’t feel like a big city at all, it feels like a neighborhood that just has a lot of, a lot of [Crosstalk] really big buildings in it.&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; Yeah, like you go to Houston and you know I get; a little bit of anxiety sets in, but… JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; You get anxiety in Houston?&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; A lit- the traffic is insane.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; You ever been to Chicago?&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; No.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Good.&nbsp; (Laughter) No, it’s a great place too.&nbsp; But you know what, so I get off the plane yesterday and I-, this electricity hits me, it’s been over two decades since I’ve been here, things have changed, we’ll talk a little bit about that later.&nbsp; But literally I forgot what it’s like to get off the plane and at the airport, and everything is electric.&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; The air is even different, isn’t it?&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; It is different, it is different.&nbsp; How do you, how do you explain that?&nbsp; DENISE QUINTANILLA:&nbsp; I have no idea.&nbsp; I remember the first time I came to Austin; I grew up in South Texas in McCallen, so it’s not that far, but it could be a completely different world.&nbsp; Um, once you hit north of San Antonio, it’s like you left the country.&nbsp; (Really?)&nbsp; I mean everything south of San Antonio kind of feels the same, but I remember coming up to Austin and as soon as we hit South Austin, we opened the windows and I believe it was for ACL many, many years ago.&nbsp; And the music is different on the radio right away you know, college radio.&nbsp; And then the air, it was really, really weird and it’s the same exact same buzz that happens every time.&nbsp; And it lasted for a good five years.&nbsp; (Laughter) JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Obviously it...

Denise Quintanilla’s Austin

Denver’s Director of Cultural Affairs talks Denver &nbsp; Transcript: TARIANA NAVAS-NIEVES:&nbsp; I truly love my city, and I think arts, culture and entertainment should be at the heart of, of our city decisions, and I get to do that. So it is, so easy for me to speak highly about our city, and about our commitment. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities. And the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: As a business road warrior, you meet people from all walks of life. Having a sandwich, standing in line at the TSA, sitting around the lobby bar having a glass of wine, but every now and again, your path intersects with someone truly legendary. Someone that makes that chance encounter more than memorable, it makes it unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these local legends and in this episode you’ll meet Tariana Navas-Nieves, who’s career can be traced all the way back to seeing the super group U2 perform at Red Rocks on film in 1983, in her native Puerto Rico. And now, that very same venue, she oversees as part of her job as director of cultural affairs for the city of Denver. We are in one of my favorite places in the world- the Rocky Mountains, as Tariana walks us through the mile high city and how it’s fast becoming state of the art, for the world of art. And so much more. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: (Loud inhale/exhale) You know what that is?&nbsp; That’s what the air smells like at about seventy-eight hundred feet above sea level.&nbsp; I’m here at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and I am thrilled to be at one of my favorite places and cities on the planet: Denver, Colorado, even more thrilled to be with Tariana Navas-Nieves, (Sigh) the cultural director for the City of Denver.&nbsp; Welcome to the show. TARIANA NAVAS-NIEVES:&nbsp; Thank you.&nbsp; Thank you for having me. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; My pleasure. We’re sitting here in this really, this amphitheater created by Mother Nature, was the original architect, (Mm-hmm) but worked on by so many humans over the years.&nbsp; And the odds of you (Laughs) sitting here today are about a billion to one.&nbsp; Going back to 1983, you're a kid, you're watching a documentary on, on the great, super group U2 **tsk** (Correct.) (Laughs) right here at Red Rocks, pretty amazing, isn't it? TARIANA NAVAS-NIEVES:&nbsp; It is.&nbsp; It just takes me back.&nbsp; I mean, I grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico.&nbsp; Uh, we were spending a night uh, in the beach, and I will never forget, we were uh, listening to U2, “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” and years later, here I am and being part of such an incredible city team, leading one of the most spectacular venues in the world. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Anyone who’s everyone has ever played here. It’s like a magnet in some ways. I’ve, I’ve been walking around the facility, and I see people kinda just you know, connecting with all the different things because, as you point out, it’s not just about the music.&nbsp; This is really an immersive experience for people when they come here, (Mm-hmm) o-on many levels, for a lot of different reasons. TARIANA NAVAS-NIEVES:&nbsp; **Tsk** Well, I experience Red Rocks in many different ways.&nbsp; You know, there's yoga uh, there is I mean w- you see people working out uh, (Doing the steps.) every day.&nbsp; Yes, (Yeah.) I’ve done that, (Have you?) the fitness challenge, (Yeah.) which is definitely a challenge uh, but just visitors, just uh, it, this is park, this is a park, so just hiking.&nbsp; It’s just a beautiful place to experience in many different ways and not just about music, but... JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Yeah, John Denver, my, my late, great friend once said that if he could do all his concerts here and fly the audiences in, he wouldn’t wanna go in- anywhere else.&nbsp; And in so many ways,...

Tariana Navas-Nieves’ Denver

Emmy winning writer and comedian talks L.A. &nbsp; Transcript: AMY RHODES: Most people when they think of LA they think of Hollywood, but really there’s a great theatre community here, and locals can come together, they can learn their craft, they can share with each other, they can mentor each other, they can help each other out, and support each other. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities. And the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: During your business travels you meet people from all walks of life. The airport bar, the hotel gym, sitting in the lobby hanging out and every now and then you connect with someone who’s truly legendary, someone that makes that chance encounter, unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these Local Legends, and in this episode it’s all about the journey of Amy Rhodes. From watching Lucille Ball on television in Iowa growing up as a kid, to landing on the Ellen Degeneres, first as a writer, and then out front in front of millions as an on the spot reporter for Ellen, all over the world. Including the now-famous YouTube video with 15 million views and counting, of Amy being chased through a haunted house, screaming like Faye Raye gave her lessons. Los Angeles can be overwhelming, but Emmy Award winner Amy Rhodes knows where to hang out, what to eat, and what to see when you’re in the City of Angels. &nbsp; ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I’m overlooking Los Angeles today, the City of Angels.&nbsp; I was out (Laughter) and about last night and it’s a little smoggy this morning, but that stuff tends to burn off, right?&nbsp; What a glorious city it is to spend time in and, and when we do these series, these podcasts of Local Legends, the main thrust really is to, is to find someone to have a conversation with, it’s really indicative of the place that we’re visiting.&nbsp; And so, when it came down to figure out who we’re gonna talk to in L.A., you got everybody here, you know, you’ve got all these big names like- wait a minute, we have to connect with Amy Rhodes, (Laughter) because if no other person, really, to me uh, speaks to what this city’s about uh, what people experience when they come here, and really your journey uh, to getting here.&nbsp; So thanks for come- you know, spending time with us today. AMY RHODES:&nbsp; Thanks for having me JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I’m all about full disclosure.&nbsp; We had a phenomenal conversation... AMY RHODES: Yeah I know! JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Earlier this morning?&nbsp; (We did) Which was fantastic.&nbsp; And I don’t wanna recreate that, but some of the stuff that I learned about you, and I kinda knew some of it already, (Mm-hmm) was so fascinating to me, (Mm-hmm) that I think it bears repeating (Okay) in this.&nbsp; And we were having this conversation about, you know, here we are in Los Angeles, this is the, the mecca really of entertainment. But you’ve been able to make your way here in Los Angeles in a, in-in a business that is not easy, you know?&nbsp; (Right) Most businesses anymore, but entertainment and media?&nbsp; (Yeah) Nmm, not the most stable of conditions.&nbsp; That, that aside, what was the biggest, fascinating piece of your journey to me?&nbsp; Was I’m trying to imagine you, I mean, we’ll get into you working with Ellen and all in just a few minutes, (Mm-hmm) but what was most uh, fascinating to me is that I tried to imagine you as a young girl, (Mm-hmm) in Iowa, watching television, and I’m thinking, who is she watching on TV that’s bringing this out, that has made you so successful in what you do?&nbsp; (Mm-hmm) Who was the comedic influence for you? AMY RHODES:&nbsp; Um, my biggest influence was Lucille Ball.&nbsp; (Hmm) Uh, when I was little, my mom loved that show and um, so that I, she exposed it to me when I was...

Amy Rhodes’ Los Angeles

America’s First Concierge talks San Francisco &nbsp; Transcript: TOM WOLFE: The first time I came to San Francisco I rode on a cable car and came right down here to Fisherman’s Wharf with this beautiful view, and I said, this is it. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities. And the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: During your business travels you meet people from all walks of life. Whether it’s grabbing a sandwich here or there, charging your phone at the airport, sometimes just sitting at the lobby in the hotel, and every now and then you get to connect with someone truly, legendry. Someone that truly makes that chance encounter, unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these local legends, and in this episode you’ll meet Tom Wolfe, an American original, who brought the concept and occupation of concierge to San Francisco back in the early 1970’s. For over 40 years the man in the bowtie has made it his business to bring out the very best in others. Respect, dignity, and discipline are his motto. I had an opportunity to spend some time with Tom at his beloved Fairmont Hotel in the city by the Bay.&nbsp;&nbsp; ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: I’m overlooking the impressive and really legendary skyline of San Francisco. And the gentleman in front of me really fits in with all of this magnificence, Tom Wolfe, glad to have you. TOM WOLFE: Thank you John, great to be here. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: Listen, I gotta tell you, I’m a huge fan. Out of nowhere, I find out about your profession, and what you do, and where does this calling come from? How does somebody really spend most of their life in service of others? And when you were a kid and started out traveling with your family, how did that really come about? TOM WOLFE: Actually you hit the nail right on the head. When I was, uh, little, uh, my parents used to like to travel a lot and I went with them, and I think the most galvanizing moment was when we went to Mexico together and I checked into the hotel and I actually had my own room, and that was a big deal for me and I remember the bellman going up and opening the curtains and there, there was all of Mexico city glittering before me. And I just thought how wonderful it felt to receive this hospitality. Now I’d felt it in other places, cause we lived in New York and we’d go out to dinner at you know, one of the old school restaurants there, and there’d be a doorman with the buttons, and the maître de would be there in his tuxedo. And I always thought, wow, this is, this is a wonderful feeling because the people who are giving you this experience are themselves enjoying it—it appears. And I kind of put that in the back of my repertoire, and that sort of led me through a very circuitous path—to becoming a hotel man. Then I went to Europe, in 1967 it was, yeah, that’s right. And I started working at the Ritz Hotel. I knew what a concierge was, because I read up on my travels. I had Fielding’s guide to Europe, from several years going. When I got to Europe, and I actually met a concierge, and these were the greats, because the year is 1967. They are not that far removed from the days of Cesar Ritz, who opened the Savoy hotel. And here standing, it was wonderful, in Europe, of course, the concierge was always elevated. Which gave the expression ‘looking down his nose at you’.&nbsp; (Chuckles) Which I’ve never done by the way… JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: Of course. TOM WOLFE: Ever. But they’d be up on, almost a dais? And, uh, I remember Mr. Norton, who was one of the, uh, concierge there, people would come to me, I worked at the reception now mind you, and they’d say “Where can I get a stamp?” and I’d say, “If you’d see Mr. Norton over there he’d be happy to help you.” They’d turn around and here would be this man,...

Tom Wolfe’s San Francisco

Country Singer and Songwriter talks Nashville &nbsp; Transcript: BRIDGETTE TATUM: There’s no where else like this place on the earth. There’s other places where you can go and try to listen to music, but there’s nothing like this vibe and the creativity that is almost electric in Nashville. It runs through the music, it runs through the people, it runs through the food. No matter how fancy they ever get here… still always gonna be Nashville, Tennessee.&nbsp; ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends. An inside look at some special cities. And the people who make them great. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE: On the road again. It’s more than a Willie Nelson song; it’s the way of life if you’re a business traveler. You connect with people from many different backgrounds, at the airport bar, and the hotel gym, just sitting in the lobby, waiting for a call. And every now and then, you connect with someone a little bit different—legendary even. Someone that makes that chance encounter, unforgettable. We’ve traveled America to find these local legends, and in this episode, we’re in Nashville with the enormously talented Bridgette Tatum. A performer who works her musical magic from the left side of the guitar. Writes hit songs from her own life experiences, and has a voice that honors her gospel roots growing up in South Carolina. Bridgette shares the challenges and the changes along the road less traveled, while living her dream onstage. What it takes to overcome the odds, and what this down home country girl never confuses success with significance. So put your best boots on, let’s go country, with Bridgette Tatum, from Music City, USA. ANNOUNCER: National Car Rental Presents: Local Legends, with award-winning talk show host, John St. Augustine. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; Of all the places I’ve been, and they're all great, Austin, Denver, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, all those places, to be able to be in Nashville, Tennessee, is just, is a, is a thrill.&nbsp; But we're in a Cathedral of Guitars (Oh yeah) and Bridgette Tatum, welcome to the show.&nbsp; Glad to have you with us.&nbsp; BRIDGETTE TATUM:&nbsp; Thanks for having me.&nbsp; Yes, we're in the Cathedral of Guitars, amazing room. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I walked into this place, we're at Two Old Hippies in Nashville, which is, you gotta stop here if you're in town.&nbsp; It’s like this conflagration of different uh, backgrounds and, and energies and all this kind of stuff.&nbsp; So you got all the music stuff going and then you wander around this place and you just; I, I been smiling for two hours. BRIDGETTE TATUM:&nbsp; The vibe. JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I don’t even know why. BRIDGETTE TATUM:&nbsp; You caught the vibe.&nbsp; JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; It's the vibe.&nbsp; (Laughs) It’s the vibe.&nbsp; But listen, so here’s the thing.&nbsp; Uh, I’ve watched everything that you’ve put out and I’m thrilled first of all to say listen, you have something in common with Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix, and another great left-handed guitar player. BRIDGETTE TATUM:&nbsp; Okay, now you're stretching things but… JOHN ST. AUGUSTINE:&nbsp; I had to stretch it, (Laughs) what the; what we're doing here.&nbsp; But you know, I look at your work and I think all this comes from some place, and your journey ha- was fascinating to me because this is a very, very difficult business and (Yes, it is) you’ve been able to endure over a period of time.&nbsp; How’d this all start for you?&nbsp; BRIDGETTE TATUM:&nbsp; Well, I started in gospel music.&nbsp; I was six years old singing in nursing homes, and we moved it to tent revivals, and then we moved it to different churches.&nbsp; And I touched the equipment one day at the house; I wasn’t supposed to touch the equipment.&nbsp; Never touch the equipment.&nbsp; And I did it and my parents initially got mad at me and then they were crying when I sang the song that I finally felt like I was able to...

• Local Legends