World renowned record shop architects have given us blueprints for a newer, (better?) Western Avenue facade.  Our question to you the record shop enthuiast is, should we update or do you like us just the way we are?
Facade Poll
( polls)

From The mail bag:

I’m searching for an album by an artist named Lowrell. The album itself is also titled “Lowrell”. The album has the vocal and instrumental versions of the song “Mellow Mellow Right On.” I would prefer a CD format for this album.
Etrina, Country Club Hills.

Thank you for your request Etrina, Unfortunately Mellow Mellow Right On by Lowrell has never been released on CD. Beverly Records can get you a copy on 12″ or LP. Email us at info@beverlyrecords.com or give us a call at 773-779-0066.
Having trouble locating that special song? email us at info@beverlyrecords.com . We will do our best to locate it for you.

For The Record’s good friend Kevin Montgomery (whose dad happened to be Buddy Holly’s best friend) has made this videologue of his trek to do 50 tour dates in 50 days!

Latest from Kevin’s Journey

>> Good day! Hope you are doing well. I’m home recuperating from the 50
>> States in 50 Days tour. The tour was alot of work, but well worth it.
>> One of the best things i’ve done in awhile.
>>    We made so many new friends along the way, and have some stories
>> to tell. Jill Jackson was a real asset on the tour……she sang
>> great, played great guitar, and drove even better…..a solid driver!
>>    I’m really excited that Jill will be joining me on the upcoming UK
>> tour……..i was looking for a reason to get excited about it, and i
>> finally did last week when she confirmed that she could do the dates.
>>     It is true that the “Roadtrippers” won’t be joining me on this
>> tour…….somethings are not meant to be……timing is everything

Remember, buying vinyl is also good for the environment!

In 2009, around the 50th Anniversary of the deaths of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s favorite sons, a commemorative Tour will play at three of the original venues that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper played during that infamous January and February back in 1959. The Milwaukee and Mankato performances will be on the exact 50th Anniversary of the original shows.
Two other venues will be played, one at Medina MN near to where the 1959 Tour played at St Paul and another at Waterloo IA where Buddy Holly had played in 1958 on the Summer Dance Party Tour.

Tommy Allsup was Buddy Holly’s guitarist on the original Tour in 1959 and has had a long career in country and rock ‘n’ roll music ever since. He is a Grammy Award winner and his guitar work was a feature on many on Holly’s hit recordings. Appearing on around 7,000 recordings, he has recorded and produced a great many artists over the years and is still in demand here in the USA and in Europe where he tours each year. Tommy will be accompanied on The Last Tour by Chicago’s Johnny Rogers, reckoned by many to be the finest Buddy Holly tribute artist around, 18 year old rock ‘n’ roll sensation Richie Lee from Des Moines IA and the renowned Shackshakers from Duluth MN.

From the “Record Store Day” Guys
Home stretch time, and we trust you guys are super-busy this week, but we wanted to take a moment to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS and THANKS for a great event this year. We had such a blast at Record Store Day and can’t believe how great it was that you all were involved. We heart you tremendously. So here’s hoping you have a great holiday season, a great 2009 and are looking forward to Record Store Day, Volume 2 (April 18, 2009).

We’ve teamed up with a band we love (trust us on this one) and we’ve got a little gift for you and your customers: a free download on http://www.recordstoreday.com/ on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Like all good gifts, we’ve promised to keep it a secret until it’s opened, so we’re asking you to use this banner (attached) to let your customers know that on Christmas Eve and Christm! as Day ONLY, they can download a wacky holiday ditty from XXX XXXXX and their special guest. We promise it’s worth the suspense.

So have a great week, and a happy holiday. We’ll see you in 2009!

The movie hit the mark in the entertainment category, but we’re not sure what happened when it came to actually telling the story of Chess Records? We think they were just making it up as they went.  So we decided to make a list of things we liked about the movie and things we didn’t like.  Feel free to log in and comment to add to our list!

Things we liked:

• Beyonce as Etta James… Schawing!
• Eamonn Walker as Howlin’ Wolf.  Spine chilling and spot on.
• The Music, all songs were re-recorded for the movie and done very well
• A soundtrack released on vinyl!
• Entertaining story line.

Things We didn’t like

• No Mention of PHIL CHESS!
• No mention of Artistocrat records
• Seriously, why leave this stuff out?
• We don’t get it.  A 30 second blurb, Phil’s in the bathroom, SOMETHING!
• Could have done more with Chess soul music from the 60′s.  Just mentioned Etta with no mention of Billy Stewart, The Dells, Fontella Bass, etc. etc. etc.

So there you have it.  Over all 3 out of 5 stars for this one.  The better news is this could just be a Hollywood Mulligan because another Chess Records story comes out soon starring Matt Dillon as Leonard Chess.  Hey Matt when you coming back out to visit us?

I’m looking for the song “Zat You Santa Claus” done by Louis Armstrong  would you have a 45 rpm reissue of this ? and if so how much would it cost? I have just placed an online order for 6 other christmas songs but didn’t see this listed as recorded by Louis Armstrong. I’m also looking for two by Dean Martin “Let It Snow” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, Could you please get back to me on any availability for the above named titles. If they are available I would like to hve them shipped. Thank you so much for keeping the 45 alive.

Susan H.

First Thanks Susan for you enquiry these 45′s can be found NEED MORE INFO!