By Matthew Olson
Raider Shakedown Reporter
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Little
Shop of Records in downtown Murfreesboro held its third annual event for "Record
Store Day" with free food and live music on April 18 to help increase the
store's vinyl and CD sales.
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| Cringey of Culture Cringe at Little Shop of Records. (Photo by Dante Haley) |
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| Sign for record store day. (Photo by Dante Haley) |
“Record Store Day” is an
international holiday that first began in 2007 and is now celebrated on the
third Saturday of every April. In 2007, Metallica was the first known band to
be ambassadors. This year’s ambassador is Dave Grohl.
“Artists sell exclusive albums
through record stores to benefit stores,” said Jake Umberger, drummer of the
band Tomato Face. “Record stores around you like Little Shop will sell albums
you can’t get anywhere else to promote them.”
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| Grant Polson on left. Matthew Olson on right. (Photo by Dante Haley) |
Grant Polston, owner of the
popular record store at 109 E. Main St., in town square, was surprised to see customers
eagerly waiting at 7 a.m. Vinyl record collectors were lined up from the
store's front door to the end of the block.
“We had more people after the
initial rush then we did last year,” said Polson.
A continuous flow of business
occurred throughout the day. Customers seemed tense as they struggled to find
rare records by their favorite artists.
The guests were excited by the
store's hospitality at 2 p.m., as they enjoyed free pizza and drinks. Live bands
entertained record and CD buyers throughout the afternoon and evening.
Blues artists Robert Eskew and
Everett Brown were the first acts to perform. A recording of their set will be
released later this year.
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| Robert Eskew (Photo by Dante Haley) |
“Pleased to
play 'Record Store Day', and I just want to keep the Blues tradition alive...
Eskew to the rescue,” said Eskew.
Eight O' Five Jive followed with the second set of the night, playing Big Band and Swing
music. The band brought copies of its “Five to Five Jam”, which was available
on vinyl and CD.
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| Lee Shropshire of Eight O' Five Jive (Photo by Dante Haley) |
“I’ve never
played a 'Record Store Day,'” said Patrick Mosser, saxophone player for Eight O' Five Jive. "I am very impressed by the turnout.”
Bill Steber
and Sammy Davis of The Hoodoo men, a local Delta Blues-influenced band, played
next. It was the third time they have played on "Record Sore Day".
“The great
thing about record store day, and the return of record stores in general, is
that it creates a gathering place for people who are excited about music to
come together and learn from each other face to face,” said Steber. “The
Internet is great for connecting people, but nothing can replace the kind of
community you create from people coming together and flipping through stacks of
vinyl and listening to live bands.”
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| Chase Price of Tomato Face (Photo by Dante Haley |
Tomato Face
was the last band of the night. It played every song from the new album, “The
Eggs”, which was released on vinyl and CD for the event, along with only 20
copies of the act's album, “Don’t walk”.
Little Shop of Records can be found on their Facebook page
or at www.lileshopofrecords.net.
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| Chase Price on left and Jake Umerger on right (photo by Dante Haley) |
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