Closing Shop—And A Life

Sal, I'm surprised you didn't just go online. Costs are low, traffic would be thousands of times better then at your local store. As times change, you either change to meet your customers needs or you go away.
Best wishes.
Scott Neuman
ForeverVinyl.com

Sal-

Sixteen years ago I shut down my two record stores. Thirteen years ago I stopped working in record stores all together. Nevertheless, my passion for music has not waned. Certainly I don???t have my finger on the pulse of all ???the need to know bands???, but like yourself once you learn how to do this, the skill never goes away. Also like you I miss being a retail rock star and I miss the connection with my customers. But overtime you???ll run into them and they will enthusiastically thank you for that rare import LP you found for them or that one CD which changed their way of listening to music forever. And they will ask how you are doing, wish you the best, and you???ll feel like a million bucks for your actions in the past.

Despite these intermittent periods of contact with your past the thirst for 15 more minutes never leaves some of us. Sure, I???ve moved on and become a professional in another field (Clinical Neuropsychology???I???m a Psychometrician). But the endless volume of music knowledge that I have is what makes me tick. I???d drop it all for another chance to enter the music arena again.

People like you and me are rare indeed. We are these odd gatekeepers of knowledge to a form of art that is everywhere but often overlooked due to an industry that has turned it into product. At times I wonder what the real difference between a Twinkie and the endless stream of well-built, but flabby talented, pop stars truly is? But I say people like us need to come together and let the industry know that we are very important to their continued existence. We always moved product in high volumes. From those artists who have the PR machine behind them, to the amazing art projects of the truly talented, we moved it all. We need to show the industry that we are more vital than online blurbs and links like ???other customers who bought this CD also bought____.??? We???ve worked endless hours learning about and listening to one of humanities most unique attributes. We???ve learned about the people behind the art, the personal history and culture that influenced the art, and we watched our culture change because this art. With unbridled passion we played song after song of our favorite artists to any customer who asked. Thus, we improved the lives of so many people when we sold a piece of music. Now, it???s our turn. Our return is necessary to the survival of this beautiful art, it doesn???t just sell itself.

Hang in there my friend???the future is unwritten.

p.s. Check out Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons???a rare talent from the hinterlands of the Midwest.

I hope you eventually find something new to call your own again. I'm sure your former customers miss you as much as you miss them. Human connections don't disappear without some kind of sadness and regret. Best wishes to you, Sal, and may you always carry the music within you.