Rant #1,876: Shop Around

On April 22, I know where I will be, at least in the morning.

And thousands of people around the country will join me in doing the same thing.

We will be at our local record stores, where the 10th annual Record Store Day will be held.

What is Record Store Day?

It is a day to not only celebrate the music that we love, but the local stores that bring us this music.

No, I am not talking about the big box electronics and department stores that just happen to have CDs in their assortment.

I am talking about the local mom and pop record stores, a dying breed just a few years back but with the resurgence of vinyl records, have once again become vital, not just for record collectors like myself, but for main streets across the country.

Big box stores are fine in what they do, but for records, you absolutely must shop your local record stores, for their personal attention, for their knowledge, and yes, for the fun of finding that one record you have been looking for forever and that you can only find at your local record store.

And there will be numerous Record Store Day releases to whet your appetite, many bringing you music you didn't know existed.

The newer stuff will bring you current artists and classic artists, and people will be lined up to get their favorites, stuff specifically put out for the day.

Me, I will be interested in that, but I will still gravitate towards 45s and LPs from the past, because that is my main musical interest.

To me, there is nothing like shopping in your local record store, and finding something that you classify as extraordinary.

Others might not characterize this particular item the same way, but that is the beauty of it all: what is your treasure is someone else's trash, and vice versa.

And vinyl ... I am glad today's kids have picked up on this format. There is nothing like listening to music on vinyl. It just comes across as purer than on a CD or an MP3.

So whatever your personal tastes, give your local record store a spin. Not only will you be participating in a nice event, but you will be helping to boost main streets across the country.

Remember, April 22--circle the date on your calendar. You won't be sorry that you did.