Stories
Life & Work with Dustin Soper of Nashville
In a feature with Nashville Voyager, Dustin Soper shares the experiences, passions, and relationships that have shaped his life inside and outside of work. From his early work with Reba McEntire to his role as Corporate Social Media Manager at Spire Hospitality, Dustin reflects on his unexpected path into hospitality, his creative approach to marketing, and the lessons learned along the way. He also discusses his passion for preserving music catalogs and archival material, his love of photography and travel, and the friends, mentors, and colleagues who have supported his journey.
Why Revisiting an Album Can Create a Whole New Generation of Fans
Yesterday, I was sitting in a Starbucks finishing up my workday before heading to dinner with a friend when I finally decided to listen to an album social media had been advertising to me for months: the 10th anniversary reissue of case/lang/veirs.
Five Years with Spire Hospitality: The People, Places and Moments Along the Way
Five years ago today, I joined Spire Hospitality as Corporate Social Media Manager.
I was working at the front desk of a hotel in downtown Nashville and knew I wanted to get back to corporate hospitality marketing. I missed working with multiple hotels, telling their stories and helping their teams reach their marketing goals.
Five years later, it's incredible to look back at everything that's happened.
It's More Than Paper: Why Guest-Facing Collateral Matters
One of the first things I notice when I check into a hotel isn't the lobby, the guest room, or even the amenities.
It's what's inside the key packet.
A Thank You Goes a Long Way: Celebrating Catch Me at My Best
"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Maybe not for everyone, but it definitely is for me!
I was just telling someone yesterday, "Forget Christmas. 'Catch Me' season is my favorite time of the year!" 🤣
“…that’s the power of music.”
Tonight’s inaugural Music Heals Live! event at highlighted the incredible impact music can have during some of life’s most difficult moments. The evening brought together artists, industry leaders, and supporters to celebrate the volunteers and advocates helping make that mission possible.
The Music Streaming Forgot
Here I am again on my soapbox about artists preserving their catalogs on digital music platforms for future generations to discover.
Nine Binders of Memories (and Counting)
From LiveJournal memories to mini binder time capsules, I’m trying to find a better way to capture life’s small moments.
Unreleased Songs, Deluxe Editions, and the Future of Catalog Music
Picture it. It’s 2012. I’m sitting on Music Row in the office of Rolling Thunder Management trying to figure out how to get a few albums my friend Deborah Allen recorded for Capitol Records, RCA Records, and Giant Records onto digital music platforms. Spotify was just getting started. Apple Music didn’t exist yet. iTunes was king.
Behind the Build: Creating the Baywatch Casting Website
A big thank you to Fremantle US for including me on this new Baywatch project for FOX Entertainment! Check out the website I designed at baywatchcastingcall.com and learn more in Variety’s announcement about the reboot here.
Through the Lens at Sin City Classic 2025
See highlights from Sin City Classic 2025, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ sports festival, including multi-sport coverage and community moments.
Rediscovering Family Memories: A Holiday Visit, Old Home Videos, and a Grandmother’s Kiss
During a recent holiday visit, I revisited decades-old family home videos—including reunion footage from my dad’s side of the family—and discovered a moment I had never noticed before: my grandmother pulling me close and kissing me on the cheek.
It’s The Most Wonderful…
This year, I once again tried to rein in my holiday card list—and while I still sent more than I planned, I’m happy to report I didn’t quite hit the 200-card milestone of years past. That said, I wanted to share the year-in-review insert that went out with my cards—consider this a little sneak peek.
Why Updating One Hotel Sign Became One of My Most Meaningful Hospitality Wins
I hope this project isn’t the pinnacle of my hospitality career, but it is one of the most meaningful challenges I’ve conquered so far.
How a Neon Sign Sparked a Full Restaurant Rebrand at DoubleTree Nashville
It all started with a "neon" sign.
Why Brand Consistency Matters in Hotel Marketing and Design
When designing for hotels, I take pride in aligning closely with each brand’s identity standards — not only to ensure consistency but to capture the essence of what makes each brand recognizable. At this point, I’ve even earned the affectionate nickname “Brand Police” for my dedication to maintaining those standards.
AGT Auditions
Due to a bit of perfect timing, I was invited to redesign the official auditions website for NBC’s hit talent competition series, America’s Got Talent. Thanks to Nick and Meg for the opportunity!
Keep Your Marketing Team In The Loop
Thank you to CJ Arlotta from CJ Media Solutions, LLC for asking me to write a column for his "cj's weekly check-in" Substack newsletter this week! In this article, I talk about the importance of keeping your marketing team in the loop, early AND often.
Sin City Classic
Last week, I attended the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas, where I helped my best friend, Nick, a board member, with event preparations and photography. This year I photographed Pickleball, Kickball, Softball, Soccer and various other events, including the closing party with Melanie C of The Spice Girls fame. I also visited the Neon Boneyard for some photos, making it a fun and productive trip.