Los Angeles, CA | Facing an uncertain future, Amoeba Music launches GoFundMe campaign: ‘We are in trouble’: Things were looking bleak for Amoeba Music even before the COVID-19 crisis closed in on California. Foot traffic was dropping. The flow of tourists was dwindling. And the familiar faces often obscured by rows of endless records had all but disappeared as they grew apprehensive of their tactile, treasure-seeking hobby. On the Monday that Amoeba shuttered for the foreseeable future, all three of their record shops had collectively generated about a third of the sales they normally make in a day. Now, as the duration of the closure creeps past a month, San Francisco manager Tony Green says there’s very little money coming in — and the bills aren’t going away. “It’s been tough going for all three stores, and COVID-19 has taken our condition from serious to critical,” he said.
Chicago, IL | Pandemic can’t scratch virtual Record Store Day: Beverly Records, 11612 S. Western Ave., has always displayed a knack for staying on the cutting edge of a business linked to yesterday. Its “Facebook Live Shopping Event” on Thursday, April 23, at 7 p.m., will be the most recent example of an old hound dog coming up with cheap tricks to give the people what they want. With Record Store Day 2020 shelved during the pandemic, Beverly Records’ men at work ironed out the kinks to connect directly through technology to help shut-ins get the latest in vinyl releases and re-releases that they otherwise would have purchased after standing in line in the morning dew. “We have been busy picking out some really cool records, and now they are ready for distribution,” said Beverly Records Owner Jack Dreznes, whose connections in the industry have helped him secure many coveted recordings. Facebook users can tap into Beverly Records’ live video feed, and they can expect the following from the comfort of home: Two records will go up for sale at the same time. The viewer posts the comment “claimed” to purchase the record displayed. After the Facebook event, Beverly Records will contact the buyer to complete the sale.
Scarborough, UK | Bill Broadmore, owner of Scarborough shop Dyscworld Music, has died aged 61: The owner of well-known Scarborough record store Dyscworld Music on St Thomas Street has died. William Broadmore, known as Bill, died suddenly on Monday April 6 at Scarborough Hospital at the age of 61. Bill was born in Birmingham to the late Sylvia and Brian on January 25 1959 and leaves behind one brother, Christopher. His parents had first visited Scarborough for their honeymoon and the family visited the town almost every year for a holiday before moving permanently in 1982. Bill became good friends with a couple Pete and Jill Smith who ran bookshops in Scarborough. He helped out in the shops and sold some of his own vinyl record collection in them before Pete and Jill opened Books and Records on St Thomas Street. This went on to become Dyscworld Music when Bill purchased the shop and quickly grew a stock of music to suit all tastes, attracting both locals and holiday makers. Speaking to The Scarborough Evening News in 2009, Bill said: “For me it’s just fantastic to be running a business that is also your hobby.
Cornwall, ON | Cornwall area mourns the loss of local musician and business owner: The Cornwall community is reeling from the unexpected passing of Larry “Bud” O’Byrne on Thursday. The 40-year-old father of two was an avid musician and participated in stand-up comedy shows. He was perhaps most well-known as owner and operator of Buds Records and Kool Things, which he opened last year. Located in Leduc’s shopping centre, the store was a headquarters for several of the city’s record collectors and lovers of music alike. Following O’Byrne’s passing, several members of an online vinyl collector’s group he founded shared their fondest memories of the man. “He will be greatly missed in the vinyl community and as a good community member of Cornwall,” said Richard Houle. “Between his shop, the record shows he put on, his auctions, and his Facebook group, Bud gave us something this city never had; a sense of community among us collectors,” stated another member. “He loved vinyl and was an immediate friend to anyone who loved vinyl too. His shop was a hang out, I’d go once a week just to flip through records and I know I’m not alone.”
A list of albums delayed due to coronavirus: Music artists are being forced to postpone their upcoming albums amid the coronavirus pandemic. As the coronavirus crisis develops and lockdown continues, many music acts are postpone album releases they had scheduled in for the coming months. The current climate means artists are unable to condut their full promotional schedules as they would have originally intended – including radio, TV and other public appearances – as they would have originally intended. Closure to CD manufacturing and vinyl pressing sites has also led to some projects being held off. Another big factor is HMV’s absence from the high street; they temporarily shut their doors from March 22 and are operating online only. Read HMV’s full statement here. HMV, along with major supermarkets, are among the leading retailers for CD and vinyl in the UK. Supermarkets stated they are currently not prioritising entertainment products in their shops.
