I can't testify to the virtues of Record Exchange enough. When I was a 
reporter at the Winston-Salem Journal in 97-98, I used to frequent the store 
at Hanes Mall Blvd. all the time.
I was relatively new there, didn't really know anyone, and always found the 
shop to be something of a haven. Sam, sounds like we just missed each other.

Although I haven't been there for a while (and am not even sure if it's 
still open) Record Connection in Ephrata, Pa., was a must-stop every when I 
first moved to central Pa. It was the first record store I ever frequented 
where an entire bin was proudly marked "Power Pop."

Really have to get back there soon.
John Micek.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sam Smith" <sam@lullabypit.com>
To: "Audities" <audities@smoe.org>
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 2:55 PM
Subject: record stores - oh how the mighty have fallen


> 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
>
>
>