Chris Penn of Good Records in the ICU After Fall

On Thursday night, Tripping Daisy and Polyphonic Spree frontman Tim DeLaughter posted an update to Facebook.

"This is one of those posts that you don't want to make," he wrote. "Some of you may have heard that our beloved Chris Penn was in an accident."
DeLaughter wrote that Chris Penn, owner of Good Records and pillar of the Dallas music scene, suffered a fall on Monday morning while changing an advertising decal on the record store’s front window. He had a bad fall last year too, which eventually required surgery and led to the discovery that he has a rare condition that caused his spinal canal and spine to fuse together.

The condition, ankylosing spondylitis, causes inflammation of vertebrae and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, which causes the ligament connecting those vertebrae to harden.

The fall bruised Penn’s spinal cord and caused immediate paralysis from the neck down. He’s been in the ICU since.

According to DeLaughter, Penn has been communicating by nodding his head at letters to spell a word out, and one of the first things he spelled out was “order,” in reference to ordering Charley Crockett’s new Lonesome Drifter record for the store. Crockett is performing at Good Records on Saturday at 4 p.m., in celebration of the new album.

"I’m shocked & in tears reading this right now," said Jennifer Frazier Bernstein on the Facebook post. "I don’t even know what to say. He will obviously be in my prayers day & night until his stubborn arse is back on his feet. I’m so sad but I’m glad to hear he’s acting like himself, always thinking about the store."

Mark Salvie wrote: "Man this was hard to read. Chris's generosity, kindness, and cultural mentorship to me and my brother back in high school meant much more than he probably ever realized. I'll never forget kicking with CP 'interning' at Good Records or helping out at the Holiday Extravaganzas, always making me feel valued, included, and COOL. Pillar of the community is an understatement. He's the bedrock. Let us know how we can continue to help during his recovery and send my love."

Musician Kim Herriage also commented: "Broken hearted for all yall in the CeePee / Good Records / Poly Spree family. Much love & good vibes sending your way Chris!"

Penn remains in the ICU, but is in stable condition. GoFundMe and Meal Train fundraisers have been set up for the Penn family, and Dallasites have already been showing their love, with the GoFundMe raising $70,000 of its $100,000 goal overnight.

Updates on Penn’s condition will be posted by DeLaughter via Facebook and Instagram. We hope to get back to chatting with Penn about Alice Cooper deep cuts soon.