The reviews are in, “Atlanta Record Stores: An Oral History” is a bonafide hit! Check out a list of interviews, reviews, and more. … And click below to get a signed copy of the book delivered to your door.
“The new book ‘Atlanta Record Stores: An Oral History’ shares stories of the influence these stores have had over the past half-century.”— “Record stores offer ‘singular take’ on a city’s history” by Peter Biello for Georgia Public Broadcasting/NPR’s All Things Considered
“While Atlanta often operates on the premise that anything not mega-famous must be outdated and worth mercy-killing for profit, Radford’s book is a reminder that—to paraphrase Faulkner—the past isn’t even past. The city’s counterculture is a DIY torch passed to each generation.” — “A new history of Atlanta and Athens record stores meets the subcultural moment” by John Ruch for Saporta Report
“Rather than a straight narrative, Radford let the owners, employees past and present, musicians, and shoppers tell the stories of the record stores in a series of oral histories. It’s a breezy, funny, nostalgic read.” — “New book chronicles the history of Atlanta’s record stores” with Collin Kelly for Rough Draft
In 2008, RSD was created to help drive traffic to record stores, which, at the time, were an endangered species. Times have changed, and vinyl now reigns supreme among music heads. The local shops that the annual hallmark holiday was invented to save now struggle to make room for the flood of limited edition RSD releases that fill the racks each year.
This year, RSD is spread across three Saturdays — August 29, September 26, and October 24. Georgia is still a hotbed for COVID-19, so things are being handled delicately across the board. If you are venturing out in search of that highly coveted Hawkwind At The BBC 1972 2xLP, Billie Eilish Live At Third Man Records, or anything else from Anoushka Shankar to June of 44, wearing a mask and maintaining at least six feet of distance between your fellow record shopping friends and fiends is a must.
No matter where you go, there you are, standing in line for a minute no matter where you go. But that’s never stopped you before. The following list is a field guide of best bets for your Atlanta RSD experience. Be safe, be cool, and check out the list of RSD official drops here.
CD Warehouse generally opens at 10 a.m., but if there’s a line they’ll open the doors early. Plenty of RSD drops in stock. 50 Barrett Pkwy. Marietta. 770-425-3472 and 2175 Pleasant Hill Rd. 770-623-1552.
Comeback Vinyl‘s physical shop will be closed for all in-store shopping and RSD pick ups. The store will be selling RSD title at Comebackvinyl.com beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Keep an eye on their website, email newsletter, Instagram, and Facebook page for a list of titles, prices, and how many of each release they have in stock. 1 South Main St., Alpharetta. 678-580-0583.
DBS Sounds is the place to be at 4 p.m. when CeeLo Green stops by at 4 p.m. to sign copies of his latest album, titled CeeLo Green Is Thomas Callaway (BMG / Easy Eye Sound). He’ll be signing CDs and LPs. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 6610 GA-85, Riverdale. 770-997-5776.
Decatur CD & Vinylis currently closed on the weekends, but they’re posting some RSD drops on the shop’s eBay store beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern time. 356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-371-9090.
Fantasyland Records is stocking as many RSD releases as they can get their hands on, and the shop is opening an hour early (10 a.m). There is no validation required for the entire parking deck for all three RSD dates in August, September, and October—park wherever you’d like on all three levels! Masks are required for entry, and social distancing while waiting in line is a must. Customers may purchase one copy per limited edition RSD title. 360 Pharr Road N.E. 404-237-3193.
Mojo Vinyl is operating at limited capacity from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. Five customers will be allowed in at a time between 10 a.m. and noon. After 12 p.m. the doors are open to everyone. Wearing a mask is required for entry, and hand sanitizer is provided at the door. Outside, wearing a mask and no less than six feet distance must be maintained between each customer. The line should form from the side porch and run down the driveway. Take an Uber or a Lyft, or park at the two large lots at the soccer field next door. Each RSD title is limited to one copy per person— first come, first served. Bring a list, be prompt, and remember that we’re all in this together. 26 Webb St. Ste. 2, Roswell. 678-523-5042.
Moods Music, Little Five Points’ premier neo soul, hip-hop, dance, acid jazz, Afro-Cuban, house, funk, and rare grooves music shop is opening an hour early (11 a.m.), and the store is stocked with RSD drops. 1131 Euclid Ave. N.E. 404-653-0724.
Sweet Melissa Records opens at 9 a.m. and is stocked with plenty of this year’s RSD drops. 146 South Park Square Marietta. 770-429-0434.
Waterloo Sunset is stocked with some but not too many of this year’s RSD drops. Stop by for the sidewalk sale featuring $1 LPs from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. 900 Battery Ave. Ste. 1010. 770-989-1967.
Wax N Facts is opening an hour early (10 a.m.) and serving up RSD drops buffet style. Customers may purchase one copy per title. Five customers at a time are allowed in the shop. Bring a list, and be cool. Wearing a mask is required for entry. 432 Moreland Ave. N.E. 404-525-2275.
Wuxtry Records: The usual rules apply. The shop is open from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m., and is fully stocked with RSD titles. Wearing a face mask is required for entry, and the shop allows eight customers in at a time. 2096 N. Decatur Road, Decatur. 404-329-0020.
Did we forget someone? We tried to be as thorough as possible with this year’s list of participating record shops. Drop us a line and let us know.
Rad/ATL 