R and V Aftermath

Believe it or not - vinyl is not dead. This past weekend was a testament to the sustained popularity of this old-school musical medium. For two days, the KPBX Recordings and Videos Sale had hundreds of people lined up early to get first grabs at all the pristine vinyl they could buy. As the new kid on the block who had never participated in the event (and who knows relatively nothing about vinyl) I was amazed at the continuous flow of record groupies all day in the Spokane Masonic Center Auditorium, where the event took place.

I lent my time as a volunteer for several hours on Saturday and was given the duty of putting rogue records back into boxes and helping buyers carry their stuff out to their cars. I soon realized why no one else wanted the task: vinyl records are like carrying lead when you get dozens of them stuffed into a box. If I were asked “what is humankinds’ best invention to date?” - I would have to say the dolly. While loading records, equipment, and other dusty treasures, I got a chance to converse a little with sale-goers about the items they purchased. You would have thought that they had discovered gold with the way they described all of their stuff! One gentleman bought a load of old 78s, and as we were putting them in the cab of his ’69 Chevy truck (another potential conversation piece), he told me that it’s a hobby of his to keep “the good stuff of the past.” I guess he gave me the nostalgia fever, because at the silent auction I decided to bid on a turntable that, surprisingly, I won.

Finishing up all the duties for the day with the rest of the volunteers and staff who worked long hours to make sure the event ran smoothly, I felt invigorated. Placing equipment on the tables for the next day’s auction, I now understand why vinyl continues to survive even if digital allows you to access thousands of songs in the palm of your hands. Sure, it could be the quality of the sound or the artistic album covers, but the sense of community and the history are what make it even more special. I’m not quite there yet to join the vintage LP fan club, but I am enthusiastic about next year’s sale. Especially because I can bid on that receiver I forgot I would need to go with my new turntable.