This Saturday (April 16) marks Record Store Day, the nationwide event designed to bring music lovers out to their local mom-and-pop shops for bargains, limited releases and in-store performances. North Texas is one of the greatest regions in the country for RSD enthusiasts, with parties scattered all over the area that won't cost attendees a thing to enjoy. More money for record shopping, right?
Here's a look at what's happening at participating shops on Saturday. We'll also point out a few of the special RSD record releases that will be available, at least to the early birds.
Dallas
• There's no question that Good Records' RSD celebration is the grandaddy of them all in North Texas. Not only does it go hard from 7 a.m. to midnight, but it offers live sets from both locally respected and nationally known talents. Good wraps in its own anniversary party with the RSD madness. This year's headliners include witty troubadours Kurt Vile and Justin Townes Earle, crystal-voiced chanteuses Sarah Jaffe and Sudie, rising rapper Bobby Sessions, Texas power pop band Mind Spiders and many more. Between the live bands, shoppers will enjoy tunes spun by local DJs and tastemakers. Find the entire schedule at goodrecords.com.
• The sprawling record-hunter's paradise in North Dallas, Josey Records, has its own exciting slate of music and festivities planned from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday (the store will be open at 7 a.m.). Acts taking the stage include Cryptolog, Native Fox, Trai Bo, Taylor Louis & the Legacy, Fogg and Malandros. Be sure to grab a special store-curated compilation of the bands performing while you are there. joseyrecords.com
• Oak Cliff is in on the RSD action now with Spinster Records' big party. The store opens at 8 a.m. for the special-release crowd, but things really get moving at 11 a.m. with beer from Four Corners Brewery and sets from bands and DJs. The lineup at Spinster features Kirk Thurmond, DJ Sober, Geno Young, Midnight Wolf, and more. spinsterrecords.com
- You can also look for RSD releases and discounts at Bill's Records in Dallas, CD Warehouse in Arlington, ZT Records in Frisco and all the Movie Trading Company locations around the area.
Denton
• The downtown Square should be the RSD destination for Little D's music lovers. Used-media megastore Recycled Books (recycledbooks.com) will have all the day's special releases available for purchase starting at 9 a.m., and nearly everything else in the store will be discounted by 20 percent. On the other side of the Square is the smaller and more niche-friendly Mad World Records, which is also listed as an official RSD stop.
• A special Record Store Day vinyl and print sale and silent auction at Dan's Silver Leaf (a couple of blocks from the Square) will benefit the family of the late artist Nevada Hill, who died of cancer earlier this year at age 34. The Baptist Generals, Sarah Ruth Alexander and more are expected to perform. Find out more at nevadahillfamilytrust.tumblr.com.
Fort Worth
Doc's Records (twitter.com/docsrecords) holds it down for the Fort on Record Store Day, with food, drinks, live music and discounts. This year's no different: Used items will be 20 percent off, the limited edition releases will be in stock, kegs will be flowing and local bands will play from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Performing acts include Soy Babies, Fogg (also playing Josey Records), Jake Paleschic, the Cush and Andy Pickett. You can also shop for goodies at Dreamy Life Records.
Grand Prairie
Forever Young is certainly worthy of a jaunt out to Grand Prairie, especially if the sizable store is carrying one of the special RSD releases you're hunting. This should help -- the owners have been posting what will be in their stock on Facebook, at facebook.com/foreveryoungrecords.
RSD releases: Some highlights
Keep reading for a few of the notable special releases I spotted on the crazy-long list, or peruse all of the offerings at recordstoreday.com.
• A 12-inch vinyl edition of Justin Bieber's Purpose, in case you need a Christmas gift for a Belieber
• A variety of David Bowie goodies, including a 12-inch picture disc of The Man Who Sold the World
• A vinyl single of Brandy Clark's infectious new song, "Girl Next Door."
• A new vinyl edition of Dallas rap luminary The D.O.C.'s No One Can Do It Better
• Two special releases from now-Dallas-resident Alejandro Escovedo
• Emmylou Harris' gorgeous Wrecking Ball album on vinyl
• A re-released early Madonna compilation called Like a Virgin & Other Hits
• A colored-vinyl single of Dallas rapper Post Malone's "White Iverson" and "Too Young"
• A 2-LP edition of Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man
• A vinyl single containing versions of "Truck Drivin' Man" by both Willie Nelson and Uncle Tupelo
