On Saturday, Vertigo Music, Dodds Record Shop, Corner Record Shop, Green Light Music and more across West Michigan will celebrate their independence like never before. Check out the live music schedules.
Embracing Vinyl, Showcasing Local Music: Indie record shops will be packed again on Saturday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LOCAL SPINS LIVE RADIO PODCAST FEATURING CHARLES PRESTON SMITH. AND CLICK HERE FOR A LOCAL SPINS EXCLUSIVE STREAM OF A SONG FROM VOX VIDORRA’S RECORD STORE DAY RELEASE.
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Vinyl-ly, it’s arrived.
It’s that time of year when independent record stores nationwide remind everyone what they’re all about: music and community.
In honor of Record Store Day, West Michigan record shops once again plan to celebrate on Saturday with live entertainment by local and regional bands, giveaways, deals, refreshments and good times to preserve the long history and culture of record stores.
PODCAST: Local Spins Live with Charles Preston Smith (4/13/16)
“For me personally, it’s a chance to relive my childhood,” said Rev Charles Preston Smith, lead singer for The PotatoeBabies and owner of Dodds Record Shop, which has moved to a new location on Bridge Street NW since last year’s Record Store Day.
“I remember running to the local store to get the new-released LPs. Actually, for my 11th Christmas, I received an 8-track player.”
Live Performances: Part of Record Store Day at Vertigo Music, Corner Record Shop and Dodds. (Photo/Anna Sink)
For many, record stores have always brought a sense of nostalgia and history, and record stores aim to continue that tradition.
“In my life, there are so many things that have gone away, from both progress and lack of interest. Eventually, we forget where something even began. We need to preserve the history,” said Smith, who even subtitles the name of the record shop as “Rev Charles’ Museum of Music and Memorabilia.”
His favorite thing about Record Store Day every April?
“Watching people’s eyes light up,” he said. “Many are going to a record shop for the very first time.”
A GOOD TIME AND BRINGING HOME GREAT MEMORIES
Herm Baker, manager of Vertigo Music on S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids, said the annual Record Store Day celebration symbolizes the importance and value of community.
“We have big sales and unique items on that given day, “ he said, “but it’s all about getting together as a community and hanging together at a record shop and listening to music.”
Of course, it also means bringing home some great memories because many shoppers plan to line up and purchase timeless – or brand new – vinyl LPs.
Lining Up for Deals, Special Releases: Corner Record Shop in Grandville (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
“We do bring in tons of new inventory,” said Baker, noting that 80 percent of that inventory is vinyl these days, “and we have some amazing used records that we will be putting out as well. The store will never look as good as it will next Saturday, in terms of inventory. Come on down, and have a good time. That’s all we hope for.”
There’s a serious side to the celebration, too. Record Store Day reminds the community the role these stores play locally and why they need customer support to continue that legacy.
“For the record enthusiasts,” said Smith, “I hope they enjoy the experience of the event and make a point to visit the brick and mortar more often. For the surrounding businesses, I hope they see the need to promote all events in order to drive the community forward.”
(Check out Smith’s rendition of his original song, “Vinyl,” below, performed during the Local Spins Live radio show.)
Record Store Day activities at various shops across West Michigan range from special vinyl releases – varying from store to store – to refreshments and food to giveaways, such as the one at Kalamazoo’s Green Light Music where the first 50 people in the store will receive a limited edition Record Store Day poster signed by local artist Paul Sizer.
Here’s the lineup for several area retail stores and you can search for independent record stores in your area at recordstoreday.com.
RECORD STORE DAY LINEUPS
Vertigo Music
129 S. Division Ave.
Grand Rapids
Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
PERFORMANCE LINEUP
Noon – Brandon Sykes
1 p.m. – Zen Star Beat Cult
2 p.m. – Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish
3 p.m. – Vox Vidorra
4 p.m. – Forever Grey
5 p.m. – Lost System
6 p.m. – The Bootstrap Boys
DJs will spin music between sets
Dodds Record Shop
808 Bridge St. NW
Grand Rapids
Open: Noon-1:30 a.m.
PERFORMANCE LINEUP
Noon- Channing & Quinn
1:30 p.m. – Stubborn Strays
2:15 p.m. – The Legal Immigrants
3 p.m. –Record Store Day Parade
3:45 p.m. – The Bullets
4:30 p.m. – Joe
5 p.m. – Emma Loo & Sam
5:30 p.m. – Charlie Darling
6 p.m. – Swinehart
6:30 p.m. – Honest John Kowalko
7 p.m. – Otis Blueswell Jr.
Dodds RSD Party Continues at
Flamingo Lounge
930 Bridge St. NW
8 p.m. – The Bitters
8:50 p.m. – Raven Griffin & The Hellions
9:40 p.m. – The Legal Immigrants
10:30 p.m. – Otis Blueswell Jr.
11:10 p.m. – Lectra Lux
Midnight- Swinehart
12:45 a.m.-. PotatoeBabies
12:50 a.m.- Bruce Jenner’s Breast Milk
Corner Record Shop
3562 Chicago Dr. SW
Grandville
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Performances start at noon
Brief Candles
Overly Polite Tornadoes
Great Black Night
Vida Eterna
Green Light Music
4717 W. KL Ave.
Kalamazoo
Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
DJs will spin music throughout the day
Satellite Records
808 S. Westnedge Ave.
Kalamazoo
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
DJ will spin music throughout the day
Corner Record Shop
1114 Washington Ave.
Grand Haven
Hours 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
VIDEO: Rev Charles Preston Smith, “Vinyl” (Local Spins Live, 4/13/16)
VIDEO: Record Store Day 2015
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