Have you ever heard of the expression “Everything comes back into style”? If so, then you’ve seen how this saying rings true today. Skinny jeans, go-go boots, and even Furbies are making a comeback! Records are also on the rise, as older people are nostalgic for a simpler time, while kids of the digital era want to experience something they never had. According to Nielson Soundscan, 3.9 million records were sold last year, including records newer artists’ albums, like Adele and Lady Gaga.
HFCC radio station WHFR welcomed this new wave of nostalgia by hosting their fifth annual record show on October 6. Music lovers young and old filled the Student Center, flipping through bin after bin of records. With over twenty vendors at the event, there was a wide selection of music to choose from such as Rock, Pop, Jazz, R&B, and Rap. For people not interested in vinyl, VHS tapes, cassettes, CDs, and DVDs were also available.
Student Time Eggert said, “I think records are better [than CDs] because the sound is great.”
“CDs are better because they are easier to find,” said student Porshe Dewberry. “They don’t make records anymore.”
Student Scott Junaca loves record sales because they’re “a good chance to find out about music you never heard of before.” He further proved his statement by showing me the albums he picked out: 1970s classic rock groups Deep Purple and King Crimson. Though Junaca likes records because they’re cheaper, he also likes CDs because the sound quality is clearer.
The record show was a family outing for Brian Tuyburski, his wife and two children. Ever the music enthusiast, Brain attends record shows at least once a month. At this show, he was looking for records by jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.
“I love records,” he said. “I like the package they come in, the artwork. Plus they sound great.”
Not only were customers excited to find their old favorites or discover new ones, vendors were equally delighted to assist them in whatever they were looking for. WHFR operation manager and former WHFR employee Lara Hrycay and Lynn Grunst were two of the many vendors working at the event. Both worked at record shows earlier this year, Hrycay working at Motor City Music Convention and Grunst at the Salem High School record show, where she is now the assistant manager at their radio station.
“I like seeing the passion people have for music,” said Hrycay. “Plus, it benefits the radio station.”
Grunst said she likes “meeting new people and getting interesting donations.”
Seeing as this year’s record show was a success, it’s assumed next year’s will be just as successful. And with the rising popularity of vinyl, maybe younger HFCC students will enjoy the record show experience as well.