If You Ever Wanted to Play Disc Jockey For George Gimarc, Tomorrow Night's Your Shot

By Robert Wilonsky Tue., Jan. 18 2011 at 2:57 PM

Categories: Events, Music

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From the Vinyl Preservation Society of Texas Facebook page

Just last night I was telling the wife about how, like, about 20 years ago I was part of a small group of music freaks and geeks who'd gather 'round the turntable every so often to drink bourbon and swap songs and stories about why this guitar solo was, like, the best ever or how you can totally tell this guy ripped off that guy or what, like, this song means to me, man. And then George Gimarc calls me this afternoon, asking me to extend this invitation to you -- if, that is, you're a fan of that "moldy fig" (his words) known as the vinyl record.

Tomorrow night beginning at 7 p.m. the old farts known as the Vinyl Preservation Society of Texas are having their semi-bi-quarterly show-and-tell at the Bryan Street Tavern. Tomorrow night's theme, says George, is: "Bring the record that changed everything for you."

No pressure. (Introducing the Beatles? Maybe. The first Clash record? Possibly. The Who Sings My Generation? Hard to say.) George says he hasn't quite decided on his offering -- either something by Spike Jones ("who turned me into a record collector") or the Ramones ("who changed my music tastes forever").

Way it works is: Someone (usually Darin Robinson) serves as host, and those who show take their turn at the turntable to play one song while explaining why. The loosely assembled group consists of about 200 members, with somewhere between 15 to 20 actually showing during these get-togethers (including Big Bucks Burnett and Mark Ridlen). That said, the former host of The Rock and Roll Alternative -- who I'm pretty sure is responsible for playing a record that changed everything for me -- is offering door prizes tomorrow night: "I'll grab a big stack of 45s before I leave the house and just give away records."

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That was a whole heckuva lot of fun!!!!
I've described "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene as best filed under "torture music"
oh, and the contest, naming rock songs performed by marching bands was a gas
what a grand evening. Thanks for all the hard work. It was nice to meet new people. I loved the range of music. Exotica to the Jam to Ramones. I can't wait for the next theme!
It was a great evening all the way around! The Ramones to Ohio Players to Zappa to The Jam to Emmylou to....well....it was across the board and...perfect. Thanks to all who came out, hope to see ya next time. The 9th of Feb.
This event is totally f-in awesome. People are awesome. Get a babysitter, next time, Robert. Seriously, this is a music lovefest.
I would love to play some camp music like.....I've Never Been To Me by Charlene or Watching Scotty Grow by Bobby Goldsboro or Funny Face by Donna Fargo...... It would just be a blast to play music with Girmac.
will you be there tonite Jimmy. It's been too long.
We played 'Someday Man' a few meetings ago, but that's firmly from the post-Kirshner period for the Monkees (1969). More thaqn one of us considers 'Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd' to be a classic album, for that matter. I'd go along with you on the Neil Diamond if it's Bang-era or early MCA. :)
Great concept. If I still lived in Dallas I'd go for sure. Gimarc's R&R Alternative show changed and helped shape my tastes as a kid, absolutely.
How about a little Monkeys, in honor of Don Kirshner, No? He also helped launch Prince and the Police, Maybe some Niel Diamond?
Okay, made my pick. This was hard.
That fold shot is from Leo's in Houston. They closed in the mid 90's. The pic is about right..mounds and mounds of Tex-Mex Goodness.
When I bought Tres Hombres in San Rafael, CA in 1976, the kid working behind the counter laughed at me. So I kicked his ass after school the next day. True story. I'd never even been to Texas, and didn't know I'd be living there in a couple of years. When I opened the LP, and saw the picture inside, I was really confused. I'd never seen Tex-Mex food http://tinyurl.com/64o534z http://tinyurl.com/64o534z
A lot of what I've heard that changed my life I heard on The Rock & Roll Alternative.
Thank you and George for the plug for tomorrow night...much appreciated!
Actually, about half of the people who show up at the meetings are female!
Ken Nordine's "Word Jazz", specifically the track "Sound Museum". Dad used to listen to them all the time and the first time I heard that track, Dad lifted the needle just as Ken said, "I won't be able to keep it open very long, and you'll soon see why." For YEARS I tried to imagine what kind of horrible sound was behind the black door. It gave me nightmares.
None of my vinyl fits in my e drive. I do have a Tom Jones 45 that will run Facebook on my Magnavox.
Terry Allen's "Lubbock on Everything" might be the greatest album ever to come out of the Lone Star State. Rob't Earl Keen has made a career off covering the songs off that seminal effort. Produced by the legendary Lloyd Maines, Terry Allen, a noted sculptor, shows his humor, wit and feminist bent. Greater still is that many of the landmarks on that 1977 release still exist in the seemingly immutable Lubbock, as are the need "to get away," the stupidity of the average American, their pretenses, their pluck, wit and resilience.
What up satchel? Girls night out? Wasn't born til the 80s, but, I think this boys club could use a lil x-chromin' don't you? Ugh. I am a WAY better date than Wilonsky. I actually buy.
"Looks like tonight will entail a bottle of wine, the rest of that joint out on the patio, and three boxes of albums." Best Tuesday ever?
Looks like tonight will entail a bottle of wine, the rest of that joint out on the patio, and three boxes of albums. I'm pretty sure I can rule out The Blitz, but Headhunter has surprisingly kept Krokus kicking, after a shocking defeat over FASTWAY.
Bring it!
You can just hang, enjoy a beverage or two and listen to the music and the stories. It's a good time, it goes by fast, BST also has great pizza...Music, Pizza and Seating. Not a shabby combination on a Wed night.
"It wasn't even his terrible taste, it was his daughters" No......It's not like that at all.
I will consider it. Although it sounds like a scene from High Fidelity -- you know the "I just called to say I love you" bit. Will get back witcha.
"Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" almost gets played every meeting. , It actually may get played tomorrow night..just saying..There's a lot of girls that go. It IS a good time for all involved.
Hey, you wanna go, I'll escort ya. You and your Joni Mitchell records.
This is right up my alley. But I am a girl....a singer/songwriter 70's kind of girl and would never subject myself to the humiliation. But maybe I'll send my husband. He is a boy.
What record has the best version of Aerosmith's "Love in an Elevator", and where can I buy it NOW? I LOVE this kind of event, stories are spectacular. But, for those of us born in the CD generation, who don't even have use for record players, what are we to say for ourselves & do at something like this?
That, right there, is a superior choice. I must now dig deeper. And deeper still.
Easter Everywhere - 13th Floor Elevators Three-eyed men are not complaining. They can yo-yo where they will. They slip inside this house as they pass by
can't wait!
going home to look through the Vinyl. I have several in mind. But, I believe I might have to pick a Country Album. Or Blues. hmm