Every year that April rolls around something shakes me at my core. I adore Easter and Earth Day, and Tax Day definitely stirs something inside me, but it’s Record Store Day that really makes my heart beat a little faster.
This year, the 12th annual Record Store Day is being held on April 13 with hundreds of independent, family-owned record stores participating. Stores on every continent except Antarctica will be open and catering to music lovers all over the world.
Record Store Day is a time when the world likes to draw attention to the small independent record store owners, and I would especially like to thank Naperville’s very own Purple Dog Records. Since 2014, Purple Dog has been keeping some of the most cherished memories of my childhood alive.
Aside from a few little bits of school work, I spent every waking hour of my youth in front of my turntable with music in my ears and liner notes in my hands. If I weren’t in front of the turntable, I was at my local record store slapping down my allowance for more black circles. There really is nothing like the camaraderie between the independent record store owner and the music lover. Friendly, old-fashioned corner store conversation often reveals the business owners as impassioned music lovers themselves, running their businesses from a special place in their hearts.
When was the last time you had an interesting or stimulating conversation with a business owner? When was the last time you bought a record?
Whadda ya say we head down to Purple Dog Records on April 13, celebrate Record Store Day, spend our allowance, and keep our childhood dreams alive and well? See you there!
Visit Purple Dog Records at 329 Center St. in Naperville or online at www.purpledogrecordsonline.com.
