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Hi Everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi Everyone,
This week I want to call out and celebrate our CIMS Board member Terry Currier and his store Music Millennium in Portland, Oregon. Tomorrow marks 55 years since Terry first opened his doors to serve the Portland community with all their musical needs. Music Millennium is one of our founding members of CIMS, and Terry is a treasured member of our indie community. Running a record store, as we all know, is no easy feat- but what has always been one of my favorite things about Terry is what a true music fan he is. He is still like a kid in a candy shop (or a record shop) when he hears new music he is excited about and that right there is probably the secret to his store's longevity; never losing that love for what you do.
Music Milliennium will be celebrating tomorrow so be sure to show them some love.
Congrats Terry!
Wanted to share this with you all as well.
On the Ides of March, March 15th Music Millennium will turn 55! It all started when we opened our doors in 1969 at 3pm to the sounds of The Beatles "It's All Too Much." Join us at 3pm as we commemorate the moment by playing "It's All Too Much." Join us again at 6pm for free cake and refreshments, a $4 Pint Happy Hour Special and a discount coupon good all day long!
It was The Ides of March, March 15th of 1969, when Don MacLeod, his wife Laureen and brother-in-law Dan Lissy first opened an 800-square-foot record store on the corner of 32nd & East Burnside. Specializing in mostly underground music not found in the department stores, drugstores or the couple of record stores that existed at the time, Music Millennium filled a niche for the Portland music community.
Titles by Fairport Convention, Frank Zappa, John Fahey, The Fugs and Holy Modal Rounders were stocked in the small store along with the sounds heard on the then three-month-old FM station, KINK- The Underground Link.
The store quickly grew in the first five years to its current size, including the addition of a classical store called The Musical Offering, later known as Classical Millennium (closed in 2012). A second Music Millennium store was also added next to the now-defunct Purple Earth Tavern at NW 21st & Irving, later located at 23rd & Johnson.
It's 55 years later and Music Millennium is the oldest record store in existence in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout our history, we've stocked the ever-evolving gamut of formats including LP, 45, reel-to-reel, 8-track, cassette, DAT, compact disc, mini-disc, DCC and CD-ROM and have now come full circle with vinyl sales soaring and up over 14% worldwide!
Here are the charts.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi Everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi Everyone,
Music Biz just announced all their finalists for the upcoming Bizzy Awards. Lots of great contenders for awards this year, especially for the Frontline Innovators Award. This is an award that is given to a retail store who has shown exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in their practices during the past year in their interactions with consumers. I am thrilled that we have two CIMS stores that are finalists for the award, T-Bones in Hattiesburg Mississippi and Park Ave in Orlando Florida! The other two finalists are DBS Sounds and Gallery of Sound. I would like to send a massive congrats out to each one of you and I am looking forward to celebrating the recipient of this award at Music Biz in May.
For more info on the Bizzy Awards go to musicbiz.org
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi Everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
View this email in your browser
Hi Everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Drayton Farley
Twenty On High
(Thirty Tigers / Hargrove Records)
Scott Register - ThinkIndie A&R
Love when my pick gets to be a homeboy. Farley lives in Alabaster, AL (a suburb of Birmingham) and he has suddenly burst on the scene with his new album. Why? It’s the songs. This is a collection of excellent songs. “Norfolk Blues,” ”Wasted Youth,” ”Something Wrong Inside My Head,” “The Alabama Moon” (I had a listener text me in tears about this one)…HELL! They are all good. This one is full of Bama. Give it a listen from start to finish.
Hi Everyone,
Ben Kweller has been a longtime friend of CIMS, ThinkIndie and indie retail in general, and it is with great sadness that we learned that he and his wife Liz lost their son Dorian last week.
News of the loss of someone so young with so much life ahead of them is always so hard, so I wanted to extend our condolences to Ben and his family while they are going through such a heartbreaking time. May they one day find peace with this devastating event in their lives.
I am also sharing their note remembering their son Dorian Zev Kweller.
Our son Dorian died in a freak car accident on Monday, February 27th, 2023. He was 16 years old. He was going the speed limit, phone in its holder, seatbelt on, doing everything right. He was freestyle rapping to his favorite instrumental playlist when an oncoming truck drifted towards him. Dorian swerved into the shoulder to avoid the oncoming truck. While in the shoulder, a downed broken tree branch from the recent freeze came through the window and hit him on the right side of his head. He died instantly. The airbags didn’t go off, the car wasn’t overly damaged. He would’ve walked away from this had it not been for that one branch. When Dorian was born, our main wish for him was to have a zest for life. That wish came true times a hundred. Our baby was riding high until his final minute on earth.
Lizzy and I are starting a foundation in his honor. It will serve young musicians and skateboarders (Dorian's two favorite things). We've set up a GoFundMe to get everything off the ground. Please consider donating something, even if it's $1. We are going to do great things for young people and I'd love to have you along for the ride. www.gofundme.com/doriankweller
Dorian Zev Kweller came into this world on May 30th, 2006. He took his first breath in a tiny NYC delivery room while the music of Mason Jennings played in the background. Dorian received his first drum set at the age of 2 and played a 4/4 rock beat before his father could show him how. He was a wordsmith from the time he could speak - rhyming and freestyling from his car seat to the backyard, to the bed.
In 2008 we relocated to Austin, TX where we spent countless days hiking the greenbelt and swimming in local swimming holes. When Dorian had his mind set on something he was unstoppable. His first mission was to learn how to skateboard. Music and skating ultimately became his two lifelong passions.
Dorian attended Habibi’s Hutch preschool and Zilker Elementary school where he made lifelong friends. During his time at Zilker, he received the “Friend To All'' and “Do It My Own Way” awards. While these accolades became loving jokes inside the household, they were spot on. He truly was a unique, outside of the box thinking ‘friend to all’. One of his strongest bonds was with his brother Judah, who was born in 2010. Dorian protected and adored Judah and they were deeply intertwined. Dorian was a spiritual person who perceived deeper meaning in life. He was authentic, kind and generous. He saw the good in everyone and was never embarrassed to be himself because he was confident in who he was.
In 2018 we moved to Dripping Springs where Dorian attended Skybridge Academy (now known as The Appamada School) then Dripping Springs High where he continued to expand his vast circle of friends. He was heavily involved in the local Dripping Springs Skate Club and the Austin skate scene at large. Dorian cherished every minute he had with his skate friends and knew every public and private skate spot in central Texas. Dorian was an integral member of the acclaimed DSHS music program where he played the bass drum and tenor/quad drums. His expressive drumming helped bring DSHS to the State Finals two years in a row.
His knack for wordplay came alive in high school as did his guitar playing and audio production skills. 2021 was the year that Dorian got serious about his life as an artist. He worked under his middle name, ZEV, which is Hebrew for “wolf”. Every day after school, he oscillated between hip-hop beats, acoustic ballads, indie-guitar rockers, and lofi chill-wave grooves. One of the last traits that Dorian developed, and perhaps the most stunning, was his lush singing voice. ZEV released music to the public for the first time on July 1st, 2022.
On February 25th, 2023, two days before Dorian’s passing, TikTok superstar, Masked Mortal discovered his song “SH3” and noted ZEV’s “voice that could cut butter.” ZEV was scheduled to make his live debut at SXSW on March 17th, 2023. He was looking forward to his senior year of High School and visiting potential colleges with his eye on Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Music was looking like a viable career path for him and at the same time Volatile Skateboards offered him a sponsorship deal just six hours before the car crash.
On Friday, March 3rd, 2023, we laid Dorian to rest on our family’s ranch. The outpouring of love from our Dripping Springs, Austin, and worldwide communities has been incredible. In his short life, Dorian radiated positivity and spread it to everyone he touched. He was brave, adventurous, and lived each day to the fullest. He was witty and loved making people laugh even when it was at his own expense. He loved deeply and was loved deeply. We know that his powerful light and music will continue to make this world a happier, more peaceful place.
xo Ben and Lizzy
P.S. Here's his rad music.
Here are the charts.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hey everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hey everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hi Everyone,
This week brought some exciting news amongst the CIMS group. After building the amazing store that Twist and Shout is, and an incredible 33-year run, Paul and Jill Epstein are passing the torch to their long-time manager Patrick Brown. Patrick certainly knows the ropes, as he has been a part of the Twist family for 30 of the 33 years, so I know that nothing will skip a beat.
Paul has always had a way with words, maybe thanks to his former life as an English teacher,
and I wanted to share his announcement below in case you missed it.
To Patrick, we are so thrilled to be along for the ride on this new journey of yours.
To Paul & Jill, we love you and we are going to miss you being a part of the day-to-day of our group, but until we meet again (I have no doubts we will), Fare thee well.
Friends,
The time has come. After 33 years of running Twist And Shout, Jill and I have decided it is time to retire. This decision did not come easily, and we do not take our responsibility to our customers and employees lightly. We have understood for a while that our ability to retire had to dovetail with a plan to keep Twist And Shout going far into the future. We believe that the store has become part of Denver life, and if it were to disappear that a huge hole in the cultural and musical life of our city would appear.
In the early months of the pandemic as Jill and I walked around deserted streets we talked a lot about what our stepping down might look like. At the same time, our manager of 30 years, Patrick Brown, stepped up in a life-saving and heroic way. He let us know immediately that he, and a small group of employees would keep the store going. They collected mail, kept the lights on and helped grow our small mail order business into a substantial service. As we slowly came back to life, Patrick’s dedication to the store and energy for the job never waned. Simply put, he has been the employee of a lifetime.
2020 was such a challenge for all of us. We worked so hard to bring the store back, keep the community together, create new ways of doing an old business. And we succeeded! 2021 was our best year in a couple of decades. In spite of lock downs, mask mandates, supply-chain issues and Covid outbreaks we have come back stronger than ever. The store is a bigger refuge for music, musicians and music lovers than it’s ever been. Thanks folks - really. We did this together.
When I approached Patrick about taking over the store, not only did he immediately say yes, he assured me that nothing would change. The employees, product mix, special events, policies and overall vibe of our beloved Twist And Shout will remain the same. Patrick will bring 30 years of institutional knowledge to his management as well as the beating heart of true music scholar. He’s every bit the nut that I am for this stuff, but he is 11 years younger than me and his energy will carry the store way into the future. I’m excited for the store and have no trepidation about this move. Thank you, Patrick. We did this together.
As for me… It’s time. I’ve been in Twist And Shout for more than half my life. I’ve given everything I have to it. I love it so much. I’m so proud of it. I love you, our customers beyond what you could imagine. You, the third generation kid whose grandfather brought you in the first time - I see you. You, who came to all those in-store performances - I see you. First person in line for Record Store Day - I see you. Girl who bought her first record at the store when she was 12 and is now bringing her 12 -year-old in to buy a turntable - I see you. Deadheads who I waved to at so many shows over the years -I see you. I see all of you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m not going anywhere. I want to continue living in a city with a great record store. So, I say with full heart for the final time.
See You In The Aisles,
Paul Epstein
Here are the charts,
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hey everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Morgan Wade
Reckless
(Thirty Tigers/Ladylike Records)
Scott Register - ThinkIndie A&R
I put on Morgan Wade’s Reckless album and it ran me the fuck over. This album turned me inside out. Big things coming for this talented artist. Call this music what you want as long as you call it authentic and outstanding. Damn!
Today I wanted to put the spotlight on one of our stores celebrating a big moment this year.
Homer’s Music in Omaha, Nebraska joined our organization in 1995. They are one of our original CIMS members, and this year they are celebrating their 50th anniversary! This is a huge milestone for not only Homer’s but also for CIMS as well. So, this week I wanted to share a few words from Mike Fratt, General Manager, head buyer for Homer’s, and our CIMS board chair of many years:
Hey Everyone,
Homer’s would like to give everyone a GREAT BIG THANKS for all the support over the years as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary
Established in 1971, Homer’s was one of the founding tenants of Omaha's Old Market, a top tourist attraction comprised of century-old four and five-story brick warehouses renovated into shops, restaurants and bars.
The company grew over 4 decades expanding to almost a dozen locations in Nebraska and Iowa, also birthing a successful One-Stop Distributor, RTI.
Today only one location remains, the Old Market store. Recognized for years as Nebraska's best music retailer, Homer’s has been featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Billboard and numerous music and travel magazines. Homers joined the Coalition of Independent Music Stores twenty-five years ago and Homer’s General Manager, Mike Fratt, currently serves as the CIMS board chairman. Homer’s participation in CIMS is a contributing factor in Homer's success weathering so much change over fifty years. CIMS is a founding member of Record Store Day, the international annual celebration of indie record stores. Selection and service have been the cornerstones of Homer’s identity along with the iconic jingle.
Homer’s currently employs twelve staffers. The store is 3500 sq feet with wood floors and 16-ft ceilings. Marq Manner is Store Manager and Haley Clark is Assistant Manager. Mike Fratt is Head Buyer and General Manager. Tom and Sue Weidner are the owners since 1992.
I joined Homer’s in 1978, after some time at Musicland and Record Shop. During my almost 35 years here I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with some amazing people, meet very creative people, discover awesome music and share that with music lovers. Not only that, but CIMS has given us the opportunity to interact with other indie stores strengthening our efforts. It's been great and 2020 caused us to reflect on how much it means. All the more reason to celebrate.
Cheers,
Mike
http://homersmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HomersMusic
https://www.instagram.com/homersmusic/channel/
Homer’s will be doing special sales and promotions to celebrate this occasion all year. Since we are still in a time that makes celebrating these important moments properly a little more difficult, let’s be sure to show this fantastic store some extra love, and next time you find yourself in Omaha, be sure to go by and say hello!
Congrats to Tom, Sue, Mike and everyone at Homer’s for 50 years of music!
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Dan Sartain
Romance In Stereo
Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director
This week has been such a heavy one for many with the loss of Dan Sartain. For the majority of my life, Dan and I have shared friends, bandmates, stages, laughs about pretty much nothing at all and lots of spaces at shows and record stores together. He was full of contrasts; there was definitely a dark side to him, but his goofy nature and excitement often reminded me of that of a little boy. He could be kind of a mess, yet from the time we were kids, he seemed fully formed. Those stark contradictions are what made him who he was. I remember always thinking Dan was a little like a reverse Marty McFly; not quite from the present, but also not quite from the past. So, today I am taking it back to the early days. I always loved this record. I honestly can’t believe these songs are 20 years old this year, and I can’t believe Dan is gone. Sending lots of love to his family and those closest to him feeling this the most.
Hey everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hey everyone,
Here are the charts for the week.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Body-San
Midnight
(100% Silk)
Blake Wimberly - CIMS/ThinkIndie Spring Bringer
The breeziest of tracks from the silkiest of labels.
Hi everyone,
On a positive note, I am happy to announce that we have added a new member to the CIMS Group; Neat Neat Neat Records in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Previously under the ownership of Morrison Agen, this store was a member of the AIMS coalition. Bob and Chris Roets of Wooden Nickel (already members of the CIMS family) purchased the store at the end of 2019 and we are delighted to add this store to our organization.
A little about Neat, Neat, Neat from new owner Bob Roets:
Neat Neat Neat Records opened on the south side of downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana in February 2011. New/used vinyl along with a selection of stereo equipment was the focus of this small store at the time with the goal of stocking titles the other record stores didn’t have. The store has since expanded twice and now occupies the entire first floor of its building. In 2018 a permanent stage was added for live performances along with an expanded “hi-fi” room and in 2019 a bar was added to serve food and alcohol. Wooden Nickel Records purchased this store and brand in November 2019. Adding a downtown location had been on our wish list for many years and with nearly 40 years in the business, we felt as though this store would satisfy our longtime downtown location wish and we were committed to improving on what was already present. We have been increasing the already large vinyl and stereo selection, increasing the new/used CD selection and adding new inventory items like t-shirts, guitar supplies amongst many other lifestyle departments that had not been available here. The goal is to have this brand and its unique culture and community coexist with Wooden Nickel Records by offering the same great selection but with a twist different from its Wooden Nickel brothers. Neat Neat Neat Records had been a member of the AIMS coalition for several years and is so stoked to be the newest member of CIMS! The future is bright!
Let’s hope that soon we can all be back to visiting and shopping our favorite record stores out there. Until then, please be safe and remember to do what you can to support your favorite independent record store.
Here are the charts,
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Ivy
Apartment Life
(Atlantic)
Andrea Paschal - Executive Director CIMS/ThinkIndie
I was so saddened to hear the news about the loss of Adam Schlesinger, so today I am digging into the vaults for one of my absolute favorites. I have listened to this album so many times (listening to it now) and it always sounds like the perfect walk in the sun.
Hi Everyone,
Well, to say we are in unchartered territory these days seems to be putting it lightly. Almost overnight, not just stores and our industry, the entire country has been turned upside down. It is hard to know where this journey is going to take us all. I have been talking to our stores all over the country and it is a different story for everyone with restrictions and shelters different from town to town.
You know the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention”, well that is definitely true and some of our stores are getting very creative with online efforts, virtual shopping trips, curbside pickup, and even delivery. Matt Vaughan and his son Archie, of Easy Street Records in Seattle, WA. are leading the charge of bringing the music to the people. I wanted to share the news coverage of that below. Not only are they delivering music, they are delivering hope and refuge and putting a smile on people's faces during this very difficult time. Amazon may have decided that music is not a necessary item at this time, but Matt, many of our other record store owners out there, and I would tend to strongly disagree. How many times have you heard the line, “That song (or album) saved my life?” I know for me (and probably many of you reading this) at the end of the day, when I am sick to death of the miserable news, the one thing I can always count on to lift my spirits and bring me through it is music.
So, during this time, please remember all of those people that bring you the music, and do what you can to support them. We have compiled a list over at recordstoreday.com to try to keep you up to date on the status of the stores and how you can do that. RSD is working to keep that as up to date as possible, so check back often.
RSD store status link: https://recordstoreday.com/Page/9509
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Top 5 Albums Getting Me Through It
Matt Vaughan- Easy Street Records
5. Black Pumas- S/T
4. The Waterboys- Fisherman’s Blues
3. Cigarettes After Sex- Cry
2. Spiritualized- Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
1. Aretha Franklin- Amazing Grace
Hi Everyone,
Our hearts are especially heavy this week as we lost a treasured member of our CIMS family, Jim Salzer.
Jim opened his first store in Oxnard in 1966. He also had a store in Thousand Oaks from 1969-1972. The Salzer’s we know today (originally called Salzer’s Mercantile) opened in Ventura, CA in 1972. Salzer's Video was established in 1980 and was known as the first video superstore in the nation.
Before over fifty successful years in the music/video business, Jim lived a whole other life. First, as a musician himself, he then turned to life as a concert promoter. He knew and worked with the Doors, the Stones, Jimi Hendrix and many others that are the musical building blocks for most of us.
In short… the man was a legend.
But beyond and in spite of all that, he was also a good man. He loved his family dearly and was a fixture of his community. If you had the honor of knowing him, this was immediately apparent.
I remember my first visit to the Salzer’s compound over 15 years ago, it was at a CIMS convention. As I walked around the stores, warehouse and office, I remember thinking it truly felt like we were in the musical version of the Wonka Factory, and we were all recipients of the golden tickets that day.
Over the years, I always looked forward to seeing Jim. I knew our time together would always be full of interesting conversations and amazing stories that often left me looking for a time machine. You could also always count on Jim to give it to you straight. If you ever ran into him on Facebook, you know this to be true. Even if you didn’t always agree with him, it was still going to be a fun discussion. His passion, intensity, and love for life were evident in everything he did, and nothing will be quite the same without him.
I was certain there was a best-selling book in the making with that guy. You know the Dos Equis commercials with “the most interesting man in the world”? The first time I saw one of those, I immediately thought to myself, “That character has got to be based on Jim Salzer”.
So, I have one request. At some point today, take a break and pull out your favorite record (the one that brings a smile to your face and really gets you moving) and then just listen… or better yet dance or sing along - whatever feels good. But whatever you do, celebrate the life and times of the Great Jim Salzer. Also, I am pretty certain he would want you to turn it up!
To Nancy, Brandon, Sage and the rest of the Salzer’s family- we send you all our love….
and Jim, we will catch you on the flip side.
Odetta
"Hit or Miss"
(Polydor Records)
Brandon Salzer - Salzer's Records
Odetta's "Hit or Miss" always reminded me of my Dad and was one of his favorites...
Also, in light of current global conditions, we are working on a collective store status page for all independent retailers that will live onrecordstoreday.com.
This page, once it goes live, will be updated to reflect changes in the stores and will hopefully give you one place to point people as to how to support indie retail during these trying times.
In the meantime, I will send updates for our stores here as they are updated. These are the responses as of this morning but please be aware these are all subject to change.
CIMS Store Status 3-19
Here are the charts,
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Hey Everyone,
I don’t know about you all, but it kind of feels like I am living in the first 20-30 minutes of a sci-fi film…you know, that set-up right before things get crazy. From fires and devastating storms to the mystery virus takeover… it is making me almost nostalgic for the days where Direct Shot was the worst thing we were dealing with... well ALMOST.
On a more positive note, we held our annual CIMS Board Meeting in Louisville, KY last week. It was a week of working through issues, exploring ways to solve problems and exchanging new ideas. Despite everything we are dealing with currently, I came away energized and with quite the extended to-do list! I would also like to extend a big thank you to our friends Ken, Wes, Warwick, Terri and the rest of the Alliance team for hosting us and making us feel at home at the AEC Distribution center.
As we walked down Bardstown Road one night after dinner, I passed a building I immediately recognized, and it reminded me of my first trip to Louisville (I was probably 18 or 19 years old). Long before I knew what CIMS was, I knew the record store Ear-X-Tacy, and I knew I had to go there. It was a long weekend road trip from Birmingham with one of my oldest friends, but to us, it was a pilgrimage. At the time, I was so very obsessed with what I considered the “Louisville Sound”; Slint, Rodan, The Rachel’s, Sundowners, My Morning Jacket and of course all things Will Oldham… anyway… you get it. There was just something mysterious to me about those bands and their music and it was something I connected with. I guess I somehow felt if I made it to their town, and inside that record shop, some of those mysteries would be revealed. At the very least, I figured I would probably come home with some really great records- and I did.
So, John Timmons- if you are reading, thanks for that experience and that lovely memory. It is probably part of the reason I am here today.
Here are the charts.
Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
Sharif Laffrey
"Sounds To Come"
(Special Forces Records)
Blake Wimberly - CIMS/ThinkIndie Do-It-All
Here's a smoldering track of lower-fi, trancey techno that actually holds your attention all the way through its 12-minute run. It's no simple feat, but Laffrey is a mastermind when it comes to working in and between space, especially with just a handful of elements. Abrupt pauses, multiple restarts, and odd samples that seem familiar but sit just outside the periphery keep the listener from nodding off into the chasm of repetition. It's made for tiny clubs clogged with random bodies brushing in the dark... or as soon may be the case, your darkest closet filled with your favorite coats (or hazmat suits).
