A Piece of the Record Pie

Record stores haven't exactly been thriving of late. That's no surprise: Seems we can't go a week these days without stumbling across a story about the death of brick-and-mortar shops or a well-researched study that places record stores near or at the top of some dying industries list.

Dallas stores are no exception. Let's be honest: Most of them are operating with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. But it's not like you didn't already know that.

Hell, even the record stores know it.

But that doesn't stop them from celebrating their national holiday in a big way. On Saturday, April 16, Record Store Day will bring droves of people back to the record store bins for live in-store performances, cheap beer and a chance to rub elbows with like-minded music fans. Who knows?

Those folks might even pick up a record or two.

So, if you're undecided on how to celebrate, allow us to offer you several of the best options in the region.

Once again, the biggest Record Store Day celebration of all will be at Good Records this year. Thanks in part to the fact that they'll be celebrating the store's 11th anniversary on the same day, they seem to have gone all out this year. Which is probably why the motto for the event is "Good Records Goes To Eleven." On top of witty mottos, they've also got as big a Record Store Day lineup of DJs and indie-rock acts as they've ever had. Among those performing on the AstroTurf stage inside the store: Sarah Jaffe, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, True Widow and Octopus Project. Outside in the parking lot, food will be provided by Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse and Taco Joint. And you can wash that grub down with some free Lone Star beer.

This year, CD Source is weighing in with a decent-sized offering of their own. They'll have performances from Rahim Quazi, Ken Demith, Colin Boyd and Montrose & Rhonda Nicole, along with catering from the neighboring Texadelphia, Piggie Pies and Potbelly restaurants.

There won't be bands, food or beer at this Arlington record store on Record Store Day, but the owner promises an extra well-stocked selection. Kind of a cop-out, we think, but you got to give them credit for being the largest record store in the region, right?

The folks at Mad World Records in Denton have been hustling just to develop their identity and keep the lights on since their store opened last month, so putting together a huge shindig on Record Store Day hasn't been high on the owners' priority list. But nonetheless, starting at 2:30 p.m. the store will host performances from such Denton acts as Isaac Hoskins, Ryan Thomas Becker, Young and Brave, Spooky Folk and Manned Missiles. There will be refreshments, as well.

If you just want to go to a good backyard barbecue on Record Store Day, then Fort Worth's Doc's Records and Vintage should do the trick. They'll have your basic burgers and dogs, and, of course, free beer, along with a performance from roots-rocker Douglas Woodlane.

Every year around Record Store Day, Bill Wisener, the man who has owned and run Bill's Records for almost 30 years now, celebrates his birthday. So it just makes sense for Wisener to throw a huge party. This year, Bill's will have performances from Austin singer-songwriter legend Bob Livingston, Nashville's Taylor Davis, C.C. Cross, Joseph Miller and Spencer Shelton. And, of course, the event will be free to attend.