MUSIC NEWS - You may have to search out some great new music this holiday season as Independent record stores around the USA will be the exclusive source for some of the most sought-after music releases this year. The “Back to Black" program hits Friday, November 26, 2010 at indie record stores with exclusive and limited LP and CD releases by Metallica, U2, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, Cee-Lo, Iron & Wine, and many other top-name artists.
The day after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday) has long been the red-letter day for big-box and
the national chain retailers. This year, indie record stores will be the center of attention among true music fans, who will find special releases not available anywhere else, thanks to the cooperation of some major artists, their management and record labels in a show of support and gratitude for the
independent record store community.
Most of the special releases are being issued as vinyl records; so the “Back to Black” name. The vinyl format has experienced a huge surge in popularity in recent years, spearheaded almost entirely by independent stores. “These exclusive pieces not only create nice sales, but a lasting memory and
connection between the customer, the store, the employee and the artist whose importance can’t be overstated,” said Mike Batt, owner of Seattle indie music store Silver Platters.
“Back to Black Friday” is being organized by Record Store Day, a cooperative project of hundreds of independent record stores. Organizers hope that it will follow the “bigger-than-Christmas” success of their annual April event, which in 2010 saw the participation of nearly 1,400 indie record stores worldwide.
Said Patterson Hood of participating band, Drive-By Truckers, “Many of the great indies have disappeared in recent years, but Record Store Day is giving us yet another chance to show appreciation to this wonderful endangered slice of Americana. LONG LIVE THE INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES.
LONG LIVE VINYL!"
In addition to the aforementioned artists, fans can expect exclusive reissues of *George Harrison*’s masterwork All Things Must Pass and* Jimi Hendrix’s Christmas EP, Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year, among other noteworthy releases, including U2.
More information on exclusive Record Store Day events, products and participants @ www.recordstoreday.com
Comments