Record Store Day, like so many other 2020 events, will be much different this year.
The annual celebration of more than 100 independent record stores nationwide has been split into three days: Aug. 29, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. (It usually take place on a single day in April.) Having a trio of dates is designed to allow stores to limit crowds for social distancing.
There’s also a financial reason Record Store Day, which started in 2008, has been spread out, founder Michael Kurtz told USA TODAY.
“If we hadn’t done that, the stores would not have had enough money to buy the 500 special edition Record Store Day releases all at one time,” he said.
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Paul McCartney, Elton John, David Bowie, Gary Clark Jr., Britney Spears, Johnny Cash and Eminem are among the musicians with special drops scheduled for this year’s three days.
Missing this year, for the most part, will be the live, in-store performances fans have come to love. That’s because there’s simply not enough space at most participating businesses to allow for proper social distancing. Still, Kurtz says he’s confident the event will give record stores the boost they desperately need right now.
“This one day keeps these record stores alive financially and provides a soul for the music industry,” he said. “You can never have too much money or too much soul. We need both, especially when the entire world we know has been turned upside down.”
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Doyle Davis, co-owner of Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music in Nashville, told USA TODAY he’s noticed a spike in new customers during the coronavirus pandemic. He’s been pleasantly surprised, he says, that people seem to have purposefully set out to patronize small businesses instead of retail giants.
“I’m getting demand for records I’ve never sold before,” he said. “There’s a lot of goodwill out there.”
Performers, perhaps more than ever before, have been doing their part to help promote the event, as well.
Natalie Maines with The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks) told fans in a video promoting new album “Gaslighter,” “We are huge supporters of independent music stores. Put on your face mask, social distance and go pick it up.”
That support from artists who reach millions on social media could very well mean the difference between life and death for many record shops teetering on the verge right now, Kurtz says.
“We’ve seen an outpouring of support from artists globally imploring their fans to go support record stores in a way we haven’t seen since the initial launch of Record Store Day so, ironically, COVID-19 made record stores extremely relevant again,” Kurtz said.
In May, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell released new album, “Reunions,” in a Record Store Day special promotion. In April, news broke that Taylor Swift stepped up to help Grimey’s make payroll and cover health insurance for its workers. And Steve Earle, among other performers, offered bonus livestreams for people who purchased new music from indie stores during the pandemic.
“Overall, people have been very nice and business is returning to normal for these record stores,” Kurtz said.
Matt Vaughan, owner of Easy Street Records in Seattle, puts it a little more bluntly. Back open now, he spent weeks delivering records to doorsteps while his brick-and-mortar shop was closed.
“A kick in the (expletive) is still a step forward,” he said.
Al Green
“Green Is Blues,” the soul superstar’s 50-year-old album is being re-released.
Billie Eilish
“Live at Third Man Records” is a live recording of Eilish’s acoustic set at Nashville’s Third Man Records.
David Bowie
“ChangesNowBowie” is a nine-track set recorded for the BBC to mark Bowie’s 50th birthday in 1997.
Gorillaz
“G-Sides” was originally released in Japan in 2001, followed by Europe and the US in 2002. It’s being offered on vinyl for the first time.
The Cure
A special 20th anniversary re-release of studio album “Bloodflowers” will be available on picture disc.
The Weeknd
No. 1 album “My Dear Melancholy,” originally released in 2018, is out on vinyl for the first time.
Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges
