Ryan ChartrandIt’s 2008 and music is available in all sorts of shapes and forms, from MP3s to compact discs, and most nostalgically, vinyl. This Saturday, record stores across the nation will observe the first annual National Record Store Day to celebrate the culture and unique place these small businesses hold in their communities.
“We’re spreading awareness about independent and local businesses, not just record stores,” said Ryan East, an employee of Boo Boo Records. “Bigger stores are kind of taking over, and we want to spread the word about local musicians and independent music in general.”
As part of the celebration, Boo Boo Records will have live bands and local musicians perform every hour on the hour beginning at 11 a.m. Featured acts, which were designed to appeal to a variety of musical taste, will include Inga Swearingen, Guy Budd, Sparrow’s Gate and the Hot and Cool Orchestra.
There will also be free silk-screening of various Boo Boo Records logos for those who bring t-shirts or totes, free hot dogs given with purchases, and 20 percent off their entire selection of used merchandise.
Customers who make a purchase will be entered into a raffle to win prizes such as tickets to see Duran Duran, free attendance to the Avila Beach Reggae Festival, or a portable turntable.
According to Boo Boo Records Manager Mike White, the day is meant for everyone to acknowledge local record stores, especially as digital music becomes more prominent and major companies are conquering small businesses.
“I just think people sometimes take it for granted,” White said. “Two hundred record stores went out of business last year, and this is just a reminder to keep supporting your local community.”
East, who will be performing with his band Fighting Champ as part of the festivities, feels smaller record stores have something special to offer customers and should be recognized for the unique selections they offer.
“You can come in here and hear about music that you really can’t go into Best Buy and hear about,” he said. “We have new independent artists from around the country that they don’t even carry.”
Cheap Thrills, another record shop located downtown, will also be celebrating the day with deals and special savings on LPs and other merchandise, according to store manager Anthony Roseloi.
“We’ve gotta keep vinyl alive,” Roseloi said. “There are definitely a lot of people out there who feel it’s the best way to listen to music and that’s why we’re here. With so much other media out there it seems like there’s a dying breed of people listening to vinyl and soon it will be CDs as well.”
The bottom line, according to White, is to remind the public that smaller stores value and appreciate their support, and plan on sticking around for a long time.
“There’s an underlying importance of supporting your local businesses,” White said. “If you don’t, they might very well go away and you’ll be stuck buying your music at Best Buy forever.”