Arthur DeVitalis, Nederland. Ryan Blackwell has continued the tradition of hits, one-offs and B sides with Boogie Records. He’s looking forward to a big celebration of the shop’s second anniversary. Blackwell just finished remodeling the store just in time for the two-year birthday this April 4. The shop has been buying and selling vinyl records, record players and more in Ned since April 2019.
“Business is good. I’d like to invite people to come down and check it out if they haven’t been before,” he said. The store looks out onto the community garden, which features a grassy area and picnic tables. He’s been in talks with the owner of the building, and they’ve envisioned Friday night concerts starting in the summertime, provided Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease up over time.
“When this retail space became available, I had one of those lightbulb moments. I had been dreaming about owning my own business for years,” he explained. “I had been collecting vinyl records for about five years, and had about 1,000 records at home. When I opened up two years ago, I had 1,000 records. Now I have over 10,000 vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes. I sell turntables, stereo equipment, and speakers. I am wall-to-wall, ceiling to ceiling, and I’m really proud of what I’ve built here over the last two years.”
Heavy metal, hard rock and punk are big themes for Blackwell’s store, but he provides all genres and particularly, the bands popular in Nederland.
“Up here, the Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, especially Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia. As soon as I get any Grateful Dead on vinyl, it’s gone that day,” he laughed. “That is by far my most popular. As far as my favorite, heavy metal, punk, rock, especially 80s, 90s-era.”
He carries as many local artists in-shop as he can find. Blackwell estimates that he carries half a dozen local artists on both CD and vinyl.
“I will gladly carry it for anyone without an upcharge or surcharge. I’m all for supporting local music,” he continued. “When live music was a thing, local bands would hang up flyers to promote their shows. That’s all part of being a record store; supporting local music and like I say, I’d like to encourage more local artists to bring me their music and I’ll happily sell it here for them.”
He has a personal connection to music as well, self-described as a campfire guitarist at best. For him, it all started with Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath.
“The most influential; Jimi Hendrix. I have Jimi Hendrix, framed, front-and-center in my store, and I personally have a pretty extensive Hendrix vinyl collection at home. It all starts with Hendrix,” he laughed.
Once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, he wants to extend store hours. By summer, Boogie Records will likely be open six days a week. Merchandise, custom t-shirts, and accessories for vinyl collectors can also be found. The renovations have really opened space in the shop.
Currently, the store is open Thursday through Sunday, but another part of the business has developed to address that in the meantime. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and extended 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Those looking to dig through the extensive collection can stop by the shop.
“I feel that my inventory will compare to any record store around,” he says. “I’m putting the last final touches on reorganizing everything, and putting everything together.”
Now, Boogie Records has entered the online arena with a full-fledge online store finished recently. Visit www.boogierecordsnederland.com to find the online catalog, and more. The site includes updates on inventory on a regular basis, announcements, and more information for the discerning music lover.
“I can special order almost anything at any time. My store is small, but I have some incredible records in here,” Blackwell smiled. “I figure if I can make it two years through a pandemic, I can survive anything. I’m feeling really optimistic for the future. Now more than ever, people need music.”
Boogie Records is located at 34 E. 1st Street, #3 Nederland. Find them on Facebook at @BoogieRecordsNederland or check out their website at https://boogierecordsnederland.com/
(Originally published in the April 1, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)
