Say Goodbye to Village Music

Since LeRoy Stevens started his Favorite Recorded Scream project, several of the 42 record stores that participated have closed.

Online downloads have cut CD sales dramatically, but the industry is finding a bright spot in an unexpected place: vinyl records. Nielsen SoundScan predicts vinyl sales will reach 2.8 million units this year, up from 1.9 million in 2008. That’s a record since SoundScan began tracking sales data in 1991.

The vinyl renaissance is being driven by baby boomer nostalgia and young people inspired by the look and feel of those old records. This news comes a little too late for vinyl fans in Mill Valley, California. Their local record shop closed its doors last year after 60 years in business. KALX North Gate Radio producer Julie Napolin brings us this profile of the historic Village Music record store.

(Photo of Village Music by Michael Scannell)