It's obviously tough to make a living in the CD business these days, and 
I was recently hit in the head with that reality.

Before I left Winston-Salem to move to Colorado back in the early '90s I 
shopped a lot at Record Exchange. Like a lot of good indie stores, it 
had great selection, smart staff, competitive prices, and just about 
anything else you needed. I met Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms there. 
I stood next to Joey Ramone as we sifted through the used bins. And the 
guy from 2 lb. Planet was one of the great clerks who knew everything.

I moved back to W-S last fall and couldn't wait to drop by the place 
again. I wanted to cry. It had gone to hell in just about every way 
possible - selection was shot (barely any new stuff at all), and the one 
guy working that day had neither the time nor the inclination to bother 
with me. I have no idea how they're still in business, honestly.

I guess I should feel lucky that I got to experience the phenomenon of 
Great Independent Music Store" before it died, huh?

-- 
Sam Smith, PhD

mobile:   336.480.6179
skype:    docsammy22
e-mail:   sam@lullabypit.com
web:      http://www.lullabypit.com
usps:     1805 Brantley St.
          Winston-Salem NC 27103

...it's a lonesome thing to be passing small towns with the 
lights shining sideways when the night is down, or going in 
strange places with a dog nosing before you and a dog nosing 
behind, or drawn to the cities where you'd hear a voice 
kissing and talking deep love in every shadow of the ditch, 
and you passing on with an empty, hungry stomach failing 
from your heart. 

                    - John Millington Synge