In a marketplace that threatens their existence, supporters of the independent record store banded together in 2007 to come up with an annual "celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally." The first Record Store Day was held April 19, 2008, and it has been scheduled now to take place the third Saturday of April every year.
It is designed as the one weekend that all independently owned record stores come together to celebrate their unique contributions to the world of music. Local stores host live bands, DJs, meet and greets with artists, cookouts, and much more. This year in excess of 1,000 stores will be participating hosting hundreds of live performances across the country. Many independent record stores report that last year's Record Store Day was their biggest sales day of the year including the holidays. In addition, many record labels have put together special releases that will be available first on Record Store Day.
Don't miss this great opportunity to see amazing local talent as well as support your local independent record store. Check the list below to find out which stores in your area are participating and visit their web sites to see the events lined up.
- Record Store Day participating independent record stores
Jack White of White Stripes:
“I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, guardians, and neighborhood ne’er do wells, start taking younger people that look up to them to a real record store and show them what an important part of life music really is. I trust no one who hasn’t time for music. What a shame to Leave a child, or worse, a generation orphaned from one of life’s great beauties. And to the record stores, artists, labels, dj’s, and journalists; we’re all in this together. Show respect for the tangible music that you’ve dedicated your careers and lives to, and help It from becoming nothing more than disposable digital data.”
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