Record Store Day is on April 16 this year, always occurring on the third Saturday of the month. Known to many as “Christmas for the vinyl and music lover,” this day is used to celebrate independent record stores and the culture they bring to the surrounding city.

Record Store Day (RSD) brings artists, owners, fans, and records together for an entire day to simply give thanks to records and music for the impact they have had on people and society as a whole.

Many bands and artists see the importance of record stores since most grew up at their local music store and use this day to really give back by releasing special records (which can be found as a pdf here) that are only available for the one day at the participating music stores across America, including: David Bowie, Madonna, Walk The Moon, Metallica, Johnny Cash, the Doors, and Frank Zappa.

These one-day releases are only available in limited quantity, having pressed anywhere from 200-5,000 vinyls to be released and available that day. Many independent music stores also have live music performances and a day filled with celebration. In Bowling Green, The Great Escape Comic and Record store, Mellow Matt’s Music and More, and CD Warehouse will all be participating in RSD.

The love of records is slowly being brought back by all these independent music stores. With online music being so readily available at the click of an app, record stores and music stores are becoming more and more nonexistent. Record Store Day is the time of year to bring the focus back to music you can hold.

This is especially important to those who see the importance of record stores in our culture. Many of these participants grew up going to the local record store, meeting other fans, and chatting about music all in one location instead of online like today.

Matt Pfefferkorn, the owner of Mellow Matt’s Music & More, said that since he has opened his store in 2013 he has always partnered with other local businesses to participate in Record Store Day. On the 16th, Mellow Matt’s will open at 7 a.m. with the limited releases available for you to buy.

At 11 a.m., live sets will start by Heron & Crane, Plastic Friends, Johnny Thompson, Kenzie Crowe & The Flaming Hots, The Morning Sons, The Cartoons, and Thee Japanese School Girls. Food will be provided by The White Squirrel Brewery Food Truck.  

He says that as a store owner “it is rewarding on so many levels and I’m happy that so many people choose Mellow Matt’s Music & More to celebrate Record Store Day.

Take time on April 16 to visit your local record store to support all the small business who are trying to keep a “dying culture” afloat. Maybe you yourself will experience the magic that record store behold.