This was going to be a JR musing on the main site. But I thought it fit far better here.
Would you believe we have better shops in Nashville than in Memphis? Memphis has a pretty good (limited in what they have) shop in midtown that occasionally have some "goodies" but at a premium. And a shop owner that doesn't know an original from a later 70's pressing (and doesn't want to learn the easy steps as described above by others, because they said they are "experts". Pfffft.....)
Then a few years ago I had to go to Vanderbilt in Nashville for... Reasons we all know. After my 6 night stay in the hospital, we had three extra days on the agenda - (hence 3 prepaid hotel nights) that were "just in case days" that we now had nothing to fill them with.
I got out the almighty Google and typed in "record store near me", and wouldn't you know there was one in walking distance near me. I smiled at one of the reviews, because in the picture (taken 2 days prior) they had an ENTIRE JAM PACKED Elvis section.
SO, my plans on having a walk after not being able to move out of bed (after a continuous EEG for 6 days, where even if I shifted towards the edge of the bed an alarm went off...... HELL!) I was rather excited for a walk in a new place to explore. But after seeing the section I knew the return 2.5 mile walk back to the hotel would be impossible.
I don't even remember the name of the shop. I do remember their motto "notice there are no prices on our items? If you're nice to us, you're in for a surprise!"
They had quite a few originals in VG+ to EX condition that I plugged a few "holes" in my collection with. Even 45's with mint sleeves.
I was in heaven but thought to myself "there's no way in hell they would accept the minimal amount of funds I brought with me (after all this was a medical trip, not a "hunting" one.)
But I took them at their word, their motto. I think in the end I had 40+ LP's - Including a first pressing of EP's first album VG++/VG++, and a couple dozen 45s and a few STONE MINT EP's.
I got everything to the counter and the owner asked what brings you to town? I guess my southern accent isn't thick enough yet
I explained everything. Told him I had come from Memphis. You could tell he was a fan of EP and SUN artists because he was like a machine gun of questions!
Then the moment of reckoning.
He went thru my pile. Very carefully...
Asked what I had to spend (again not very much).
He pulled out the above mentioned first album.
Then the bombshell! He said you can have EVERYTHING ELSE you had brought to the counter!
I asked if he was sure (in a sort of unintentional "are you crazy?" way in retrospect.) And he asked "do you want me to change my mind? And i blurted out "Hell noooo. Sir!"
And he said tax is included in our agreed upon price. I was FLOORED.
I wish I remember the name of the shop for those that also go to Nashville in Aug/Jan.
For the upcoming question, I asked "why don't you price your records?" His response I will never forget.
He stated "watching you and others going through the rows of records, with delight in your eyes is payment enough. It reminds me of my youth (though I'm not a youngster but I guess to this guy I guess I was). He said since opening his shop decades ago, his two goals were to:
1. Pay the rent.
2. Make lasting friendships.
I got back to the hotel went to the in-laws room and told my FIL what went down (he didn't go). He said "there's no....." And before he could finish his sentence I plopped a portion of my "treasures" on the bed. The rest were in me and my wife's room.
The rest of the day was filled with reminiscing on their part. Into the night by the outdoor fire pit (A Hilton is still the place to stay, in any city! Except Memphis....) It was the highligh to the obviously hellish medical trip to Nashville.
Only if more folks could be like that man in the world.
But I understand why they can't.
This guy and his wife (girlfriend?) were true "diamonds in the rough."
J.R.
Thanks for sharing JohnnyByeBye.
. And I hope you are well now.