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| From | Michael McCartney <michaelmccartney@yahoo.com> |
| Subject | Re: The loss of music retailing / Jeff Daniels and Anya Marina |
| Date | Fri, 16 Dec 2005 22:29:56 -0800 (PST) |
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I know that times are changing and that the major labels and retailers need to do something. I won't get into this debate now but rather want to remember a record store from my not so distant past. There was an indie store that opened 28 years ago after it had another location for two years prior right smack dab in the middle of my little town. In fact, I purchased my copy of "My Little Town" by Simon and Garfunkel from that very store when it came out on Paul Simon's "Still Crazy
After All These Years". It went thru several names over the years from The Record Stop to finally Request Of The West. I actually got to be behind the counter in the early days and loved "Hi Fidelity" for capturing my record store and employees so accurately. It had been part of a chain now and then (Moby Disc and Tempo) over the years but mostly had a small business owner running it. This place was my temple and the last eight or nine years was a place to stop by to make a purchase but mostly just a wonderful hangout with great friends. We argued and talked about a lot of the same topics discussed here and a lot of topics that would never see the light of day here as well. It was like "Politically Incorrect" had its set in a record store and all of us appreciated our musical watering hole.
Well, after 30 years, it is gone. My friend behind the counter had to be checked into the hospital while I was out of town. I had been doing a lot of traveling these past six months and although my friend is in much better health now...the store was closed down by the owner who didn't have the time to run it as he had another store that needed his attention.
I cannot put into words the hole inside of me now that place no longer exists. It is now a moped store and both my wife and I constantly catch ourselves looking at the store as we drive by on our way home everyday. It's a habit to see who's parked in the store's parking lot. I know that will take some time to shake but I don't know if I will find another place like it in the years to come. I highly doubt it because I haven't found myself in Boarders searching out a new release. I've continued to place orders online (Watch out Bruce - I will be making more appearances on your order line) and have only ventured into a music store like Tower on my travels. Economics closed the store down but it will always have a place in my heart.
Now before Oprah or Barbara ask me a question that will make me cry, I'd thought I'd pass on some radio info. Not power pop, but fine singer-songwriters who are also actors will be guests on my public radio show this Saturday afternoon. Jeff Daniels (he just got nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe) and Anya Marina (her song "Miss Halfway" was recently featured on ABC Television's "Grey's Anatomy". Jeff's album is a live album and Anya's is a studio but both have some wonderful and fun songs on them.
4:15 PM - West Coast Time
7:15 PM - East Coast Time
Here's the link:
http://www.manaoradio.com
Looking forward to everyone's list this year. Every year always shows the diversity and tastes of our list members that is always a fun and infomative read for me.
Aloha,
Michael McCartney
KEAO / KONI / KPMW / KTOH
http://www.THETIMEMACHINE.fm
http://www.burnlounge.com/thetimemachine
http://www.myspace.com/thetimemachineradioshow
Now Playing: "Everybody's Out Of Town" - B.J. Thomas
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