Music Retailers Celebrate Record Store Day

Record Store Day was created by Chris Brown of Bull Moose record stores, a chain located in Maine and New Hampshire, according to the Associated Press. What started as a small celebration has turned into quite the tribute to music stores. This is the second year in which Record Store Day is recognized, and over 1,000 independent music stores are participating, both in the U.S. and in 17 other countries, the AP reported.

Internet music sales have become increasingly popular, causing many independent music retailers to go out of business. The AP reported that about 1,000 stores have closed since 2003, but about 2,000 survived the Internet takeover.

Many stores host concerts or special events while musicians join in the festivities by releasing special vinyl singles. Artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, the Smiths and Sonic Youth released exclusive singles and stores across the country held in-store shows, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Brown implemented the idea of Record Store Day as a way to thank his customers and promote local stores. "I wanted to have a fun kind of party event at Bull Moose where we could thank our customers and just have a fun time. I realized that it would be a much better party if we got the other stores involved, just make it a national thing," Brown said.