Record stores, for many, are more than just retail spaces; they are cultural landmarks. I often think about how future generations might view these havens of music, places that once held so much magic and discovery. For anyone passionate about music, especially genres that thrived outside the mainstream like rap, alternative, and metal, the local record store was a vital lifeline in the pre-internet era.
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Before the digital age transformed entertainment consumption, finding out about your favorite bands or discovering new music required a physical journey. While general stores like Alco might stock popular country tapes or the latest Bon Jovi album, true music enthusiasts had to seek out specialized record stores for a deeper and more diverse selection. Growing up in western Nebraska in the late 80s and early 90s, this often meant a dedicated trip to another town, much like checking the Sioux Falls Tv Guide to plan your week’s viewing in advance.
Record stores were sanctuaries where an entire afternoon could vanish amidst rows of vinyl and CDs, especially those with extensive used sections. The ritual of browsing alphabetically through artists and genres, searching for those elusive ‘must-haves’ and stumbling upon unexpected gems, was an experience in itself. It was a tactile and sensory exploration, a world away from the algorithm-driven recommendations of today’s digital platforms, much like the detailed listings found in a Sioux Falls TV guide offered a curated selection of viewing options.
Beyond the music, record stores were social hubs. They were places to connect with kindred spirits, people who shared a passion for music and often other cultural interests like film and literature. These were spaces where knowledge was exchanged, recommendations were made, and a sense of community thrived amongst music lovers. You could find yourself in conversations as passionate as debates over the best shows listed in the Sioux Falls TV guide.
Explore More Local Nostalgia: Beyond Music and TV Guides
Much like knowing every record store from Cheyenne, WY to Lincoln, NE, people in Sioux Falls also had their go-to spots. During high school, a favorite record store in Sterling, CO, remains vividly in memory – the Janet Jackson Janet album poster in the window is an unforgettable image. The store’s name might be lost to time, but its impact as a source for a burgeoning music collection is not. Snoop Dogg’s first album, The Chronic, Megadeth, Nirvana – so many formative albums were discovered within its walls.
Then there was On Cue in Scottsbluff, NE, a place to sneak away to during band trips. Speaking of band trips, a memorable record store experience occurred during a trip to Denver. A mall stop yielded a treasure trove of early rap albums – NWA, Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy! These discoveries felt as significant then as finding must-watch programs highlighted in the Sioux Falls TV guide each week.
College years in Kearney, NE, brought Dusty’s Records downtown. Dusty’s offered the quintessential ‘High Fidelity’ music snob experience, a place where deep musical knowledge was both expected and celebrated. This was a different vibe, much like comparing a detailed film review to a simple listing in the Sioux Falls TV guide.
Upon moving to Sioux Falls, the discovery of Last Stop CD Shop was a revelation. It became a sanctuary, a place where more time was spent, outside of home and work, than almost anywhere else in town. Even with the vast digital access we have today, the record store experience, the physical browsing and discovery, remains unique and irreplaceable, a contrast to the instant but often overwhelming choices offered by digital streaming and online TV guides.
The documentary All Things Must Pass about the rise and fall of Tower Records sparked reflections on the golden age of record stores and the places in Sioux Falls where music lovers once sought out their records, tapes, and CDs. This nostalgia for physical media and community spaces mirrors a similar fondness for printed guides like the Sioux Falls TV guide, which served as curated portals to entertainment in their time.
Sioux Falls Music History: Echoes Beyond the Airwaves
To delve into Sioux Falls’ musical past, a question was posed on Facebook about the city’s former record store hotspots. The responses highlighted Lewis Drug stores, back when they featured dedicated music departments, as a major player. For a period, Lewis was the place in town to find 45s, a central hub much like the Sioux Falls TV guide was the central source for television listings.
Among the memories shared, Last Stop CD Shop, established in the 90s, and Ernie November, opened in 1983, stood out as survivors. These enduring stores continue to serve the Sioux Falls music community, offering a tangible connection to music that contrasts with the ephemeral nature of digital streaming, much like physical copies of TV guides offer a tangible record of past viewing habits.
The Western Mall in Sioux Falls also played a significant role in the city’s music retail landscape, housing various music stores over the years, including the original location of Last Stop. People fondly recalled Captain Ahab’s and Musicland near the West Mall 7 theater, further enriching the tapestry of Sioux Falls’ music retail history. These physical locations were as important for music discovery as knowing where to pick up your Sioux Falls TV guide to plan your entertainment.
Downtown Sioux Falls also boasted a vibrant music scene in the 60s and 70s, with several record stores and music retailers. Iron Creek and Cat’s Paw at 116 N Phillips, Odlands on 9th Street, Gefke Music on S Main, Askew Music on 10th, and Sioux Falls Music were all mentioned, creating a rich map of musical destinations. These stores were as much a part of the Sioux Falls landscape as landmarks highlighted in a local Sioux Falls TV guide might be for navigating the city’s entertainment offerings.
Other remembered spots included New World Rising, formerly on S Minnesota Avenue, and Budget Tapes and Records at E 10th and Blauvelt, adding further layers to the city’s musical past. Undoubtedly, there were more music stores that have faded from memory, yet each contributed to the city’s cultural soundscape.
The resurgence of vinyl in modern Sioux Falls has sparked a renaissance for local record stores. Stores like Total Drag Records join Last Stop and Ernie November, ensuring that the city’s musical heartbeat continues to resonate. This revival mirrors a potential renewed appreciation for tangible media and curated experiences, perhaps even a nostalgic return to printed TV guides as a counterpoint to overwhelming digital choices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ben Kuhns, a writer based in Sioux Falls South Dakota, shares local insights for Results-Townsquare Media.
EXPLORE LOCAL HISTORY:
Delve into Sioux Falls’ Past: Beyond Record Stores and TV Listings
Explore a collection of Sioux Falls’ historical establishments, from Giovanni’s Steak House to The Rainbow Bar, Harry’s Hamburgers, Eagle Bar and Lounge, Pancake House, Nickel Plate, and more. Reflect on these local landmarks and their place in Sioux Falls’ history, much like reflecting on the role of the Sioux Falls TV guide in the city’s entertainment past.
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