Radio Station WMTS-FM Hosts Vinyl Fair in Murfreesboro

By Sarah Nichols

Raider Shakedown Reporter

WMTS-FM Vinyl Fair Flyer

          MURFREESBORO, Tenn.--Middle Tennessee State University’s student-run radio station hosted "Vinyl Fair" at Mayday Brewery on April 12 to mark the growing vinyl sales across the world and to share music with the community. 

        Mayday Brewery, which is located at 521 Old Salem Road, opened its doors at 10 a.m. to a line of music enthusiasts eager to sift through the various treasures awaiting them inside. Record dealers, vintage companies, printmaking vendors, live music and food trucks from across the Southeast were all invited by WMTS-FM.

       Attendees even had the opportunity to win tickets to the "Shaky Knees Music Festival" in Atlanta. The atmosphere inside was buzzing with good food, good people, and good music. 

                The "Vinyl Fair" used to be a favorite among students of MTSU, but tapered off a few years ago due to lack of interest in vinyl. However, it looks like 2015 will be singing a different tune.

            According to survey company Nielsen Sound, more than 9.2 million vinyl records were sold in America last year, marking a 52 percent increase. In fact, Nielsen reports a 260 percent growth since 2009.

            "The new generation is finding out there's something special about putting a record in rather than downloading an MP3 -- it's just different,” said Little Shop of Records employee Chase Price when he was asked why records were becoming so popular.

Nielsen's report proved to be true when WMTS-FM experienced one of the biggest turnouts for the festival on Sunday. Local artists and bands such as Clay Cages, Oh Grandpa, Mountains Like Wax, and Night Sabers preformed as the lively crowd sipped on locally brewed beers and rummaged through endless cases of rare vinyl records.

       "I believe this is a really special event because it’s a community affair,” said event promoter and WMTS-FM DJ Patty Greer. "It isn't one of our Friday night fundraisers that, let’s face it, only one niche of people will be attending. At this event we have people of all ages, sharing a love for music and helping the community. I also like this event because it has such a variety of local environment, local beer, local art, and local music. It all just really helps solidify WMTS's place in the community.”

       A community affair it was.  "I came to Vinyl Fair a few years back when my sister was going to MTSU and we had a blast," said one Blackman High School attendee Patrick Odom. "When I found out they were doing another one this year I brought some friends to make a day of it. I haven't been disappointed so far."

       Greer promises to have an even bigger and better fair next year. As more students and members of the community embrace vinyl, records and record stores will begin to thrive like they once did. With events like "Vinyl Fair", "Record Store Day" and record conventions reviving physical music, the recording industry will surely change for the better.

        For more information about future events WMTS-FM and Mayday Brewery will hold, visit www.wmts.org/community.html and www.maydaybrewery.com, as well as their Facebook pages.