Howlin' Books and Grimey's Too

I am a sucker for book stores and used record stores; combine the two and I can become disoriented.  That happened this weekend when I attended the grand opening of Grimey's Too, the new expansion of Mike Grimes and Doyle Davis’ Grimey's Records operation.  This was a natural expansion, Grimey's needed more room for its “gently used” records.  The real surprise was the inclusion of Howlin’ Books in the mix.  This store is the new joint venture from my long-time friends Jessica Kimbrough and Gwil Owen and it is a wonder.  In addition to being a genuinely gifted song writer, Gwil has been a book scout for years and his collection is mind boggling.  The music book section alone is staggering. On Saturday, I kept bouncing like a pinball between books and records.  As in all great book/record store experiences, I found several things I didn’t know I needed. 

            The store also has a nice selection of new books, magazines and a coffee shop.  I am really excited about this addition to the landscape.  With Rhino Books, Book Man/Book Woman, Elders, Joel Tomlin’s place in Franklin and new ventures like Parnassus and the fascinating minimalist East Side Story,  Nashville is really becoming an interesting place for book lovers and it continues to be a great place for record geeks like myself.  Please support Howlin’ Books and Grimey's Too. 

Let Us Now Praise Phonoluxe

I love used record stores. My favorite job ever was working at the Great Escape in Nashville where my duties included running the store’s rare record auctions. Accordingly, I have been honored to represent Phonluxe Records since the company’s founding in 1987. The store is run by Mike Smyth, an Englishman who knows more about American music than anyone I know and Jeff Knutson, ably assisted by a dedicated group of music aficionados, who are friendly and lack the whole High Fidelity vibe.

Mike is one of those people who truly understand the consumer side of the record business. When the CD revolution began in earnest in the early 90’s, Mike began buying the vinyl records everyone was so happy to get rid of. Now, having carefully preserved these treasures, he’s happily selling them back to these same people. I imagine that he’s now buying up used CD’s patiently waiting for the day that America’s youth tire of MP3’s.

Earlier this year, the store switched from a traditional 7 days a week schedule to being open only Friday through Sunday. The results appear to be really positive; it somehow emphasizes the special, rewarding experience of shopping at Phonoluxe. I love the fact that I can go in there with a record in mind and leave with something else that I didn’t know I needed until I found it.

Here’s to another 25 rockin’ years.