Well it almost sneaked up on you, but have no fear because I’ve got the scoop on Record Store Day! This Saturday, April 17^th, independently owned record stores both locally and nationally will collaborate with artists to celebrate music. This is the perfect opportunity for you to support your local record store, artists, and hear some new music!

What is Record Store Day, you say? Watch this little video of Josh Homme, Queens of the Stone Age frontman and Ambassador of Record Store Day 2010, to find out:

Now that we’re all clear on how important this day is, let’s get to the good stuff. Two of my personal favorite record stores in Dallas will each be throwing their own Record Store Day Celebration.

Good Records will be celebrating their 10^th Anniversary on Saturday, complete with food, libations, and plenty of new & limited release vinyl. It will also be a full day of live music from 11 am – 2 pm with bands like Ha Ha Tonka, This Will Destroy You and Hello Lover. Click here for the full day’s music schedule, and here for more information. (All attendees at the Good Records celebration are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the North Texas Food Bank)

Bill’s Records is also throwing a party all day long with plenty of live music (and apparently it’s Bill’s 65^th birthday…again!). Live performances included Jason Castro and Ha Ha Tonka – yes they are performing at both Record Store Day parties! Kudos to them for dedication.

Both parties are free and for all ages!

Rather support your local stores with out the big party? CD Source and Vintage Stock in Dallas will also be celebrating with their own special promotions.

Not in Dallas? Check out a list of participating stores here.

“I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, guardians, and neighborhood ne’er do wells, start taking younger people that look up to them to a real record store and show them what an important part of life music really is. I trust no one who hasn’t time for music. What a shame to Leave a child, or worse, a generation orphaned from one of life’s great beauties. And to the record stores, artists, labels, dj’s, and journalists; we’re all in this together. Show respect for the tangible music that you’ve dedicated your careers and lives to, and help it from becoming nothing more than disposable digital data.”- Jack White

Don’t forget to check your favorite store for limited and special edition releases of CDs and vinyl only available on this day. So go support your local stores and musicians, and maybe pick up some new vinyl…because remember, you can’t roll a joint on an mp3.

~Stephanie, the dreamer.

Stephanie is a Dallasite by way of Tulsa, OK and Lake Charles, LA. When she’s not working as a communicator extraordinaire in the nonprofit world of Dallas, she travels the country with her husband in search of the best possible music experience. Read about her personal life with her little dog at Walks With Roxy. Want to know more? Follow on twitter or be friends on facebook!