Highway Jackson Article on Record Store Day

Hi Everyone,

Below is an article from today's (04/16/09) Portland Press Herald. It's on Record Store Day. For those of you who may be unaware National Record Store day is on the 3rd Thursday in April and it celebrates independant record stores across the country. There are a slew of performances going on this weekend at Bullmoose Music and Newbury Comic's locations. I've also posted the link for those who would like to go directly to the PPH site. Hope to see you out!

Highway Jackson@ Bullmoose Music, North Windham, ME
04/18/09
2pm
All Ages!

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=251135&ac=Go

Put your hands together...
...for independent music emporiums – and join the worldwide Record Store Day celebration.

By STEPHANIE BOUCHARD, Staff Writer April 16, 2009

Kris Rodgers, lead singer of the local rock band Highway Jackson, is looking forward to the band's upcoming gig Saturday at the Bull Moose Music store in Windham.
The in-store performance is not just a chance for Highway Jackson to promote its newly-released album, "The Dirty Bar Campaign," it's a way to say thanks to the independent music store on a special day -- Record Store Day.

The brainchild of Bull Moose Music's Chris Brown, Record Store Day celebrates how independent music stores make an impact locally and nationally. Only in its second year, the event is already an international happening, boasting participation of stores in 17 countries.

Around the world, national and international acts including Queensryche, the Del McCoury Band, Erykah Badu, Tower of Power, the Bad Plus and Talib Kweli, as well as local artists, are performing or signing autographs at in-store events.

Here in Maine, singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco is doing an in-store performance at the Scarborough Bull Moose Music store on Friday before her concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland (see page D14 for a related story).

Saturday's Record Store Day events include autograph signings by metal bands Disturbed (see page D15 for a related story) and Killswitch Engage and in-store performances by Sidecar Radio, Dominic and the Lucid, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper and Covered in Bees.

Record Store Day also boasts exclusives such as limited-edition releases by Brandi Carlile, Bruce Springsteen, the Decemberists, Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, Elvis Costello and Jane's Addiction.

Like music fans everywhere, having a local record store to go to was an important part of Rodgers' youth. The 24-year-old grew up in Standish and frequented the Bull Moose Music store in Windham. "That's where I bought every CD as a kid," he said.
With all the competition independent record stores are getting these days, it's important to support them, Rodgers said.

Bill O'Neil, owner of the participating store Bill O'Neil's House of Rock 'n Roll in Saco, couldn't agree more.

"I'm glad there's a concerted effort to support the last remaining record stores," O'Neil said, but in his mind, "every day is Record Store Day."

While O'Neil's store won't be doing any special guest appearances, he's glad for the opportunity to promote his business. Because of the attention given to Record Store Day, he said, "maybe some people will come in for the first time."

Brown, vice president of marketing and operations at Bull Moose -- and the guy who came up with the idea of Record Store Day -- points out that the excitement created by special give-aways, discounted merchandise and in-store appearances by musicians creates a good feeling among all the participants, from those organizing the event to those attending.

That buzz can translate to increased sales for the store, the record companies and the artists, but it also can launch careers as local bands gain new fans and meet record company representatives who are at the event.

While Record Store Day does act as a powerful marketing tool for the stores, record labels and musicians, it's also a way to have some fun and create goodwill, says Brown.

"We've created this Record Store Day thing as a nice opportunity for bands, artists and record companies to join in the fun," he said. "There's nothing wrong with having fun at work."

Staff Writer Stephanie Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6455 or at:
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