Music stores band together to celebrate their pop culture

A reggae beat pumps through the speakers, and a 6-year-old shows off his break-dancing skills. Hamburgers sizzle on the grill, their aroma making mouths water. Rows of cellophane-wrapped CDs wait to be picked up, turned over, discovered.

This is nothing like shopping online. The West Ashley music store made sure of that.

Kristen Hankla
The Post and Courier

Khaleb White and brother Ronald White dance to the music of Tropix International at Monster Music in West Ashley.

Monster Music was one of hundreds of independently owned music stores across the country to celebrate the first Record Store Day on April 19. Their purpose? Celebrate the culture and unique place record stores occupy in their communities, and reconnect with music consumers.

"This is an alternative too many people have forgotten about," said Galen Hudson, district manager of Monster Music and Cat's Music, of the ways people buy music.

The event aimed to refute the idea that the music industry is dying, and record stores are nearly extinct.

"We're here," Hudson said. "We're a lot of fun to shop in."

Various local bands took the stage inside Monster Music, while a disc jockey outside kept sidewalk-sale shoppers entertained. Manager Aaron Stoney served up free hamburgers and hot dogs along with his usual free music advice.

"You get the feeling these people really like music," said Wendy McCabe of the employees. The fact that they help select the music carried "is much better than having dozens of the same album that just came out."

Kristen Hankla
The Post and Courier

Mandy Glover flips through CDs inside Monster Music in West Ashley during Record Store Day.

McCabe, who had never been to Monster Music, was impressed it had items that appealed to her and her daughters, who are in their 20s. She was thrilled to find "The Essential Kingston Trio" CD, which had "all the songs I remember and a few I haven't heard," she said.

Jim Voight, a DJ known as "The Critic" on The Bridge 105.5, visits the record store about three times a week, he said. They know their music, have the best service and the best bargains, he said. Plus, he sometimes finds a "hidden gem."

"It's very important to support your local store to keep them in business," Voight said, adding that their demise is greatly exaggerated.

Record Store Day was kicked off at a music store in San Francisco by Metallica.

In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford proclaimed it Record Store Day, recognizing that the industry is facing "a number of challenges such as legal and illegal downloading, counterfeiting and discount prices at larger stores" and encouraging "all South Carolinians to recognize the important role independent music retailers play in our state's economy."

Hudson says the Internet cannot replace record stores, particularly their role as gathering places. Record stores allow people to handle the product they're looking for, as well as experience the joy of discovering music they didn't know existed, he said.

"I'm pretty optimistic," he said. "I don't think we're going anywhere. There will always be people in the market for quality.

"There won't be a record store on every corner, but there will be one in every major town."

Reach Kristen Hankla at 937-5548 or khankla@postandcourier.com.