collectingvinyl

this is the first post from me about the subject, I just interviewed Eric yesterday!

Celebrate Record Store Day April 19th, 2008 by Robert Benson When Neilsen Soundscan releases their sales data regarding vinyl records, did you know that they do not count hundreds of ‘indie’ vinyl record shops in their totals? So when you read ‘vinyl sales have risen….such and such a percentage,’ that these numbers woefully underestimate the true sales of vinyl. But local independent and national record stores want to be counted and included in the vinyl sales figures because it is at these smaller record stores where vinyl records are selling the best. So to help bring attention to this dilemma and to help celebrate the record store culture, hundreds of independently owned music stores across the country will celebrate the first annual “Record Store Day” on April 19th. I spoke with Eric Levin, who owns Criminal Records (www.criminal.com) a independent record store in Atlanta about the concept and celebratory plans of Record Store Day (www.recordstoreday.com). “We came up with the concept at the annual Noise in the Basement convention in Baltimore, a gathering of independent record stores hosted by the Music Monitor Network (www.monitorthis.com). It is similar to “Free Comic Book Day (www.freecomicbookday.com), in that we decided to help bring attention to our stores by saying- we are out here, enjoy what we have to offer,” said Eric. “So on this day, all of the stores that choose to participate will simultaneously link together and act as one with the purpose of celebrating the culture and unique place that they occupy both in their local communities and nationally.” “We have over 200 independent record stores that have signed up for the event, with more signing on each day. Each store will be doing something different to celebrate Record Store Day. Some stores may opt to have an ‘in store’ performance, special sale events, demonstrations, dances, swap meets or ‘an afternoon at a record store’ promotion as well as provide a ‘goodie bag’ that promotes new formats, new releases and exciting information about music, theatrical and gaming releases. Everything that makes an indie store unique should be on display,” related Eric. Music stores have been part of our culture for decades and it is important to note that, while there may not be as many of them as there used to be, there are still those unique music shops that continue to thrive and are still part of our local and national music culture. In fact, many music related entities have signed on to be part of Record Store Day as Eric explains: “We have many groups involved including the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (www.cimsmusic.com), the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (www.thealliancerocks.com), Newbury Comics (www.newburycomics.com) & The Music Monitor Network (www.monitorthis.com). One can find links to some of the best indie record shops around the country; with many more organizations signing up each day.” “In fact, all indie record stores are invited to participate by making April 19th, 2008 a day of celebration at their place of business. Some music labels are getting involved as well by releasing special editions marking the day and the celebration of the music and the record store,” said Eric. Moreover, many famous musicians are chiming in and doing their best to, not only promote Record Store Day, but the culture that encompasses it. Here are a few quotes: Paul McCartney - “There’s nothing as glamorous to me as a record store. When I recently played Amoeba in LA, I realised what fantastic memories such a collection of music brings back when you see it all in one place. This is why I’m more than happy to support Record Store Day and I hope that these kinds of stores will be there for us all for many years to come. Cheers!" Norah Jones - “It’s important to keep indie record stores alive because their unique environments introduce music lovers to things in a very personal way.” John Doe - “The physical act of picking up a recording (CD, vinyl, cassette), checking it out, finding something unavailable, etc.; is an experience you will NEVER get online. And now it's becoming common knowledge that CDs have more digital information than most files, so they sound better. A great or even good record store is like no other." Chuck Berry - "Music is an important part of our culture and record stores play a vital part in keeping the power of music alive." Joan Jett - “The indie record stores are the backbone of the recorded music culture. It's where we go to network, browse around, and find new songs to love. The stores whose owners and staff live for music have spread the word about exciting new things faster and with more essence than either radio or the press. Any artist that doesn't support the wonderful ma and pa record stores across America is contributing to our own extinction.” Ziggy Marley - "Record stores keep the human social contact alive it brings people together. Without the independent record stores the community breaks down with everyone sitting in front of their computers" Ben Watt (Everything But The Girl) - "It is hard to underestimate the role of independent retail in the music industry. As the world continues to try and cram every purchase they make onto their computer, turning music into binary digits and artwork into pixelated packshots, we can only sit and wait for them to wake up from their dream and realize that ultimately human interaction in shops, with informed good people, handling cherishable artefacts is good for the soul. In the meantime we need to support the people who keep this world alive for the moment we all realize we need it again." Sam Phillips (A&R/producer for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and many others) - “There would be no Elvis. There would be no Johnny Cash. There’d be no B.B King. There’d be no Roscoe Gordon. There’d be no Carl Perkins. There would be no Jerry Lee Lewis. There would be no Roy Orbison. I can just tell you. We owe all of that to the independents and the independent people that work so hard for us to have something that could be accepted through their efforts,hard work, and desire to keep a personal feeling in every record..” Dean Wareham (Luna) - “We are drowning in a sea of Myspace, blather, and too much information. Music is everywhere and nowhere. The independent record store is the solution, a place staffed by friendly (or not) people who are actually paid to weed through this crap and help you find the good stuff.” G. Love- “Independent record stores are where kids like me learned about the music that made them the musicians they are today. Independent record stores are about the love of records not the love of money!” So as you have just read, the passion that these musicians have for the independent record shops is immeasurable. These are the professionals who know a little something about the music industry and embrace the concepts, culture and meaning of Record Store Day. Let’s make Record Store Day a national celebration of the independent record store, the musicians who love them and the historical culture that each individual store brings to each and every one of us.

Hope everyone has stopped by and picked up a copy of my ebook, and I certainly hope those who did have had a chance to read it over. That said, I am always open to suggestions and want to keep improving the content. (and no, I won't take Virgil's interview out) Any subjects that need to be addressed further? What else who you like to see written about? I can take the criticism, I am just a guy out of my living room who loves the format, and I certainly never thought I would write an ebook about the subject, but I am not a professional writer and any comments to make it a better product will be extensively explored. It was my pleasure to give it away to Virgil's Army, I am certainly seeing a strong response! Best Reagrds, Robert Benson www.collectingvinylrecords.com

That is why I stay as far away from ebay as possible-the 'grading' of vinyl is so subjective. I don't think I have ever rated or seen a "Mint" vinyl record-to me there is no such thing and I would be especially weary of someone selling a Mint record. Dispute it with PayPal, and try to get your money back, but it is a long and tedious process. You could just say lesson learned and not worry about it

I guess I can agree with some of the comments here, but I think there is one thing that differentiates the vinyl collector from any other collector (stamps, coins, comic books-plug in your collectible) It is the passion that vinyl collectors have, the joy of finding unique pressings, the 'vinyl hunt,' collecting everything and anything that a certain band has released. As for multiple copies, I draw the line at three, one to play, one to look at and one to lend. Anything over that is overkill to me. But, I do agree with the mantra "to each his own" and who can say what is the right way or the wrong way in the world of collecting. I keep coming back to the PASSION that record collectors have, and I would bet that other collectors of various items are envious of this trait that all vinyl collectors have in common. Thanks for letting me 'vent' Robert www.collectingvinylrecords.com

Why a hearty thank you to all, I appreciate and certainly feel welcome. And, me and Virgil do have something 'brewing', I'll let him tell you about it I did just make another purchase, credit cards be damned, I even got a 'Vinyl Collective' T-shirt! Also, can't wait to get the Ramones, haven't heard that one in a long time (Rock n Roll High School) Thank you for the comment about the website, I know it is a bit crude, but I have no design experience and wanted to have an outlet in which to sell my ebook as well as inform people the best I can about the virtues of vinyl. I live in Wisconsin. Today I got a call from an old gent who gave me all his records. What I did (try it, you can add some nice old vinyl to a collection) is place an ad in a local 'pennysaver' paper that said "I will pick up your old vinyl records that are in your way, free pick up and I will haul them away" I got 5 phone calls and added over 200 records to my collection. I did get some 78's, but some I know are worth a few bucks anyway if I were to resell them. (and they make great clay pigeons) I also want to turn everyone on to a man I just interviewed a couple of weeks ago, I cannot explain in words what he does with old records, it is something you have to see. So take a few minutes out of your day and check out his YouTube videos, you will be amazed at what Daniel does...let me know what you think ! here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dedlen (I am not affiliated in any way with Daniel, I have no monetary stake in what he does, just a sincere love for art and vinyl) Again, I appreciate the welcome, and can't wait to get to know people better, this looks like a friendly place and certainly "Vinyl Friendly"! Thanks for your time and keep playing those records! Robert www.collectingvinylrecords.com

Hi All, Just wanted to introduce myself, I am a new member and love what Virgil does for a living, I wish I could do it As my user name says, I love collecting vinyl and right now I am in a 'picture disc' mode, grabbing everything I can afford (or when i find the credit card wherever my wife last hid it) I have a nice collection dating back to the 40's through today and can listen to anything except country and opera (although I will admit, I do listen to some country I help to keep Virgil's freezer stocked with t-bones, and I hope everyone else does their part...can't have the man staving to death on us. Hope to meet up with some cool people in here, just wanted to introduce myself! Regards, Robert www.collectingvinylrecords.com