Surely as Santa worries about his cholesterol, we all go a little fruitcake at this time of year. Between the holiday parties, in-law invasions, and high stakes gift roulette, it’s inevitable.
One way to reduce your stress AND increase your pleasure quota is to do your holiday shopping at local independent music outlets. There, you can park next to the store (and not in a separate zip code) and pick up unique gifts that won’t be forgotten by New Year’s Eve. Plus, you’ll be smiling bigger than a peppermint Schnapps-soaked elf. Even after all this time, music is still your best entertainment value.
Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music | First, a word about Grimey’s, Too. While Mike and Doyle had every intention of opening the addition by Thanksgiving, when city permits and codes are involved, it always takes a little longer than planned. Mike says they are aiming for a January grand opening celebration, so watch this spot and the Grimey’s newsletter for a firm date. Meanwhile, Grimey’s proper is stuffed to the gills with terrific new and used music for your gifting needs. A good selection of Xmas vinyl, including some new local singles, is in stock near the front of the store, so don’t forget to pick up a few for your pending Yuletide DJ throw down.
Speaking of throwing down, Grimey’s will be doing it in spades during their annual Xmas Party! Happening on Saturday, 12/15 from 11:00 AM-8:00 PM, it will be a libacious good time with everything in the store on sale. Partake of free snacks while you peruse the aisles and sit on Naughty Santa’s lap if you dare! Once you’ve finished shopping, proceed directly downstairs to The Basement where some of Nashville’s finest will be playing Christmas music from 4:00-6:00 PM. The lineup is still being finalized, but already confirmed are The Kenny Vaughan Trio, Will Kimbrough, Grandfather Child and The GED Soul Xmas Spectacular! It will be a show guaranteed to warm your toddy.
Before the Xmas party, Grimey’s will host Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale for the final instore event of the year on Friday, 12/14, at 6:00 PM. Buddy and Jim are kings of the Nashville scene and they are celebrating the release of their New West album Buddy & Jim. This is a free, all-ages event but it is certain to fill up quickly, so give the boss the slip a little early on Friday and make sure you claim your spot.
The Stone Fox Holiday Market | Nashville’s excellent new restaurant/music venue The Stone Fox will host their inaugural HOLIDAY MARKET on Saturday, 12/15, from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. They will feature a variety of local vendors, from Third Man Records Rolling Record Store, Cumberland Valley Kombucha, Buttermilk Road Sunday Suppers, Acorn + Archer handmade jewelry, Emily Leonard fine art, Green Bee Designs, Baby Bear Shop, DCXV Clothing, Be Simple Massage, Bang Candy Company, as well as over a dozen local artisans and crafters (and at least one cool freelance record vendor). All this plus yours truly, DJ Tim Hibbs, spinning a curated selection of misfit Xmas vinyl.
Xmas brings out both the best and the worst in people and Xmas music is not immune to this schism. Come experience some of the finest as well as some of the most confounding, head-scratching holiday recordings ever committed to wax. I’ll also be mixing in some pieces from my long ago “Brave New Radio” Xmas shows, so listen closely for specially recorded holiday greetings and song selections from Joey Ramone, John Hiatt, Andy Partridge, Jonathan Richman, and more! Once the Holiday Market ends and they’ve shown me the door, The Stone Fox stage will come alive with local musicians playing holiday favorites and more: Heypenny, Promised Land, The Tyler Family Band, JP5 (Joey Plunkett 5), Birdcloud, plus more to be confirmed.
The Great Escape | This week, The Great Escape’s Madison location has 20% off vinyl LPs, so make a point to stop by and dig through the bins. At the Charlotte Avenue Superstore location, Rob Baker says they just acquired an extremely clean jazz (‘60s-‘70s), country and blues collection from a former music industry executive, so swing by and see the new additions. Rob also notes that he is consolidating the remaining Black Friday Releases from the other Great Escape locations to the Charlotte store, so if you are still in the hunt for an elusive title, they just might have it. Keep your eyes on their Facebook page and Twitter feed for a big announcement coming before year’s end.
The Groove | The Groove still has a few select Black Friday titles in stock, so shop them now before they’re all gone. As always, the store has an eclectic mix of new and used vinyl, making it a perfect place to take visiting friends and relatives who are jonesing for a vinyl fix. Groove t-shirts make excellent stocking stuffers!
Phonoluxe Records, Music & Movies | Now in its 24th year, Phonoluxe continues to be a valued source for vinyl hounds. Proprietor Mike Smyth has an encyclopedic knowledge that spans many genres, so if the internets can’t answer your music question, maybe Mike can. Note that they altered their hours this year to weekends only: Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM-6:00 PM.
Little Shop of Records | It is with great pleasure that we welcome Little Shop of Records to the local indie record store cabal! Located at 109 E. Main Street “on the Square” in downtown Murfreesboro, the shop has a nice selection of new and used vinyl and more. We’ll have a full feature coming soon, but stop by and say “hey” when you’re in the ‘Boro.
Derek Hoke’s “$2 Tuesday” at The 5 Spot | Mr. Hoke always puts together an outstanding array of local and touring artists, so no need to check the schedule, just know that EVERY “$2 Tuesday” will be terrific. I start spinning 45s at 8:30 PM, bands start at 9:30-ish, and I continue to spin in the set breaks. Each week, I select a vinyl theme and this week’s episode will be “Spiked Eggnog: Off-kilter Songs of the Season.” Stop by and enjoy the best live music bargain in town!
Though we sit on the precipice of the Mayan meltdown, I am hoping that your holidays are apocalypse free and full of joy. Think globally, shop locally and leave some low fat treats out for Santa. He needs his LDL to be a little less LOL.
