Goodbye, Empty Music Store
Another record store by my house just closed. And already I’m nostalgic for the days when I could take my time browsing CDs new and old. I could spend an hour in that place, asking random strangers what they thought of so-and-so’s latest single or which sub-genre of country they were most into.
One of my most treasured finds was a fresh new copy of Tim McGraw’s “Not a Moment Too Soon” to replace the one I’d worn out years ago. It was also a good place to restock my Garth Brooks collection, when friends would borrow a CD. And by “borrow,” I mean take and never ever return. I spent so much time there, in fact, that the manager and I struck up a friendship and quickly realized we had a mutual love for all things Sara Evans. When she was coming to town, he’d make sure I knew the ticket on-sale date before it was officially announced.
I know, I know. The Internet has made things much easier for concert-goers. If tickets go on sale for a show at 10 a.m., you could feasibly be printing yours out at 10:05. And iTunes and other online music services make buying music lightning fast and pretty affordable once you get the hang of it. But the old-fashioned music lover in me will always pine for what I unearthed out in the real world instead of sitting in front of my laptop.
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jmr61 says:
Hey Alison, I couldn’t agree more about your local record store and particularly about SARA! As you can see by my e-mail address I’m a big fan too.
Cheers to you.
Cole Edwards (JensBoyfriend) says:
I agree with every word Alison. I still love the idea of “discovering” a new and/or great album, old or new, going through the CD section at Wal-Mart. I have never- and I mean NEVER- bought one single full album off of iTunes. I mean if I am willing to pay full price to download an album through the Internet, then I’m going to buy the actual hand-held album at the store (in the words of Garth Brooks….wink,wink). The only thing I buy on iTunes is new singles when they go up, which, usually in turn, inspire me to buy the whole album when it comes out months or weeks later.
I still regret not taking time to stop at the now shut-down record store in Nashville that was replaced by a Rite Aid near downtown. I can’t even remember the name of it, but I wish so badly that I had taken the time.
And by the way, Sara is awesome. I share in your likness. :)
Kaylee says:
I buy fewer CDs now than I used to. In the past, I would go into the store to buy a particular CD and usually end up with 2 or 3 others too just by browsing, seeing what deals I could find, or just seeing something that caught my eye or sounded interesting. Now I have to buy most CDs online (even Target & WalMart have next to nothing for Country CDs these days) and I just buy just the one CD because nothing else “catches my eye.” Search on a CD title and that’s what you get.
I can’t get into the downloading yet because you pay full price, but you’re really only renting the music. I know too many people who have to downlaod a song or CD again because they had computer problems and lost the music, or transferred it one too many times.
The CD is mine forever - at least until the record companies decide it’s too expensive to make them.
B.W. LaRoy says:
I still have Sara Evans’ first Nashville album….vinyl…album…sealed. It was produced by Pete Anderson. I don’t know if that was a limited release on vinyl or whut. Let me know if you want it. I owe you an record for all of your better blogs…and they have gottun mucho betta.
MiaT says:
OMG! I was just thinking about this last week when I passed my vacant Tower records store. I how how I miss just going in there for hours just checking out the new & old stuff. I guess the internet makes it easier but I still think we learned much more about music when we got to just Brouse. I miss brousing….. :(