Micheal Jackson, May You Rest In Peace

Dear Mike,
There's a song on your "Dangerous" album titled "Gone Too Soon". You'd never think that the KING OF POP would leave us too soon. I guess GOD has a higher calling for you. Whether it was the music you made with your brothers, or the music you made on your own, you left the world a legacy that will last forever. We'll leave it to all the news & entertainment outlets to go into detail about your life and music. If your spirit can somehow feel the sentiment in these words, know that you will be missed in person, but your music and spirit will be cherished in our hearts, ALWAYS!

From Two Guys Who Loved Your Music,

Marshall & Michael

Mr. "Impeach The President" Visits Memory Lane

We recently had the honor of having Southern Soul legend Roy C. grace us with his presence. Roy makes a yearly appearance in the DC area, usually in the spring, and our store always carries a heavy load of his material. After making an appearance on local radio, he shows up with his new studio & live cd's in tow, ready to do business. We were just excited to finally meet him in stead of speaking to him over the phone. It turned out to being an unplanned "In-Store" without all the hassle of setting up one. Some of his biggest fans were in house. Of course the usual hugs, handshakes, and autographs were given.

Roy informed us, in passing conversation, he's been in the music business "OFFICIALLY" 52 years. First starting out with The Genies, then with his own group Mark IV. I personally know the influence he's had on my love of music, and most lovers of hip-hop, by way of the seminal song "Impeach The President" by another group he produced, The Honey Drippers. That's his voice on the famous vocal sample "Ladies and Gentlemen.....". Plus, as we discussed, "Impeach The President" has been samples so many times, due to it's perfect drum break at the beginning of the song, he gave up counting 20 years ago. Although he did mention he liked the way Asher Roth's producers used the song recently on his new release.

After an hour of pictures, autographs, good talk about business & entertainment, it was time for our newest and biggest fan to get some rest for his big show later that night. Since his visit, he's called us letting us know how much he enjoyed his time in our home away from home. I'm mad he didn't inform us of his appearance beforhand. I would have loved for him to sign my copy of "Impeach The President". For those of you who love his music, and want more of it, come in and check out our full catalog of Roy C. music. As stated earlier, he's got a new studio cd (which has been one of our top 3 selling cd's since it release), and a live cd he recorded last year that has all his best material over that past 30 years. Click on the link below to check out the Washington Post write up on his most recent performance in the DC.

http://http//www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/24/AR2009052402506.html

HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS!!!

Your favorite local record store is getting some love from the local papers. The Gazette is a state newspaper that focuses on current events in Prince George's, Montgomery & Frederick counties. Most of our local customers get theirs every other morning laying on their front porch. Seems as though word got back to some staff writers over at the Gazette about Record Store Day. This is an annual event in which independently owned music stores, coast to coast, celebrate and recognize these businesses that are far too often becoming a thing of the past. We guess the Gazette wanted the local perspective of this annual event. Check the official Record Store Day website, http://recordstoreday.com/Home

It's good every once in a while to get some press, good that is. Double click the title "HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS" to view the full article if you haven't picked up April 16th edition of the Gazette. The print article is on the front page of the Lanham/New Carrollton edition. Thanks to all the patrons mentioned in the article for showing alot of love and goodwill to our store. This edition just hit the street and we're already getting great feedback from the article. Also have to thank Mr. Mattison for the mean grip bestowed upon my man Mike in the picture. We know you found what you were looking for when you came in, but we didn't know the photographer got such a candid shot.

Adding The Rarest Soul Label To Our Collection

For those who don't know about DC's own Shrine Label, it's affectionately known as the "Rarest Soul Label".


According to Wikipedia: Shrine Records was founded in 1964 by songwriter Eddie Singleton and his wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton, also known as Miss Ray, who had previously cofounded the legendary Motown Records with her first husband, Berry Gordy. Its headquarters was a townhouse at 3 Thomas Circle NW, Washington DC. There were a total of 19 Shrine Records singles released, and about six more completed recordings that were never issued. Eddie Singleton wrote many of the songs himself, and the musicians were primarily local Washington acts. Notable artists involved with Shrine included Ray Pollard (who later released material on Decca), Linda Tate, Eddie Daye & The Four Bars, and The Cavaliers. However, none of the Shrine singles were significant hits, and the label ceased operations in 1967. Shrine's stock of unsold records was destroyed in a warehouse fire in the 1968 Martin Luther King riots. As a result, very few Shrine records remain today, and they are highly sought-after by collectors.

The most famous, and well known Shrine recording was....

this is how the label usually looks when you're blessed to come across a Shrine 45.

This is only the second time we've been able to acquire Leroy Taylor and the Four Kays "Taking My Time/I'll Understand", and we've never seen it this clean. It's been a hell of a week already for records in our store. Come in and spend some of that tax return moneyon what will truly get you through some hard economic times. Unlike booze, food, shoes, clothing etc., music is forever

Major Motown Haul!!!!!

If you love Motown, and want to get your hands on some the rarest, minty, and I do mean minty copies of Motown records available. You need to be making plans to come into the store to check out our recent haul of Motown originals. Check just a few of our recent finds......
ALL ORIGINALS!!!!!!

Over 3oo original Motown pieces (Promo Motown, Tamla, & Gordy included).

Two of the rarest Motown records in one haul!

Both minty fresh!

The footsteps you hear are the true vinyl fiends coming in to snatch up these hard to find rare ones. Just because the temperature is dropping doesn't mean you have to be left out in the cold. Call us, email us, or better yet, get your butt in here to get first crack at a haul of Motown rares unavailable anywhere else!

Asbury Park's Finest Comes to Memory Lane. Sorry Bruce :(

This weekend we had the pleasure of welcoming two heavy record aficianados into our home away from home. Gracing the storefront was our bretheren DJ Prestige(center), and Larry Grogan(second from right).

My man Larry controls the http://funky16corners.wordpress.com/ website. Anyone who knows funk, and is akin to record diggin', knows Larry has been on the scene for some time sharing his knowledge and blessing us with some of the finest gems in soul music.

DJ Prestige has, by his own accord been diggin' all his life(well at least since he could work a turntable). He's blessed small clubs to big venues coast to coast. Besides being a self imposed facial hair expert, Pres' collection of funk is obscene. Check out both his sites,
http://fleamarketfunk.wordpress.com/ & http://www.djprestige.net/index.html, for just some of what he's been putting down for all us beat heads, soul gurus, and just music lovers alike.

It was a pleasure to finally meet both of these gentlemen whose sites I've mined for some time. They thanked the both Mike and myself for our hospitality and some good 45's for their future gigs. I had to thank them for the amazing dj set I witnessed Friday night. They are by far some of the nicest, most humble guys I've met on the dj scene.

BRETHEREN, KEEP REPPIN' FOR ASBURY PARK!!!

BTW, my main man on the far is DJ Birdman. He's responsible for getting the guys to come down and bless DC with their presence. He's also my dj partner and would have a fit if I left him out of this conversation. Check his blog (which can also be accessed to the far right of this page): http://jesgrew.blogspot.com/

Who's the Artist? (Part Two)

In our last update, we gave the spotlight to an artist that makes our store a little different from the rest. Well, in part two, we turn the spotlight on our friend, comrade, and fellow music/record fiend, Mr. Ted Neal. According to folklore, Ted purchased his first record in 1939! 70 years of collecting. OFFICIAL!!!!! Like most Washingtonians, Ted came from down south to settle in DC in the 40's. As you imagine he acquired an amazing amount of music, and stories, over the years that guided him to not only start selling off part of his collection, but also taking his records (duplicates of course), and turning into works of art himself. Most recognized are his collages. Some of these collages are on full display in storefront.

It really is amazing what you can do with clapboard and plexiglass!

Two artists conversating on their lives, loves, and music

I know "conversating" is not a real word. I like the way it sounds.

One of the main reasons why we did these spotlights were to give honor and respect to two people who added so much more to our store. They added a piece of themselves, and made the atmosphere in the store so much more than just a workplace. If you ever see Mr Ted Neal or Mr. Harold Rice in our store, or on the street, show them some appreciation!

As with Mr. Rice in our previous post, Mr. Neal is also available for commissions. Come into the store to ask for contact information regarding commissions.

Who's the Artist? (Part One)

When you walk into Memory Lane CD's & Records, you are immediately taken in by the friendly atmosphere, the music you hear, the overwhelming amount of music you see, and the artwork hanging prominently on our walls. Everyday, we're asked "Who's the artist?".

Well, fellow art lovers, we're giving the spotlight to our friend Mr. Harold Rice.

Mr. Rice started frequenting our store in 2003, and has become a fixture in our establishment ever since. With no formal training, he started painting a young man and continued with his craft off and on until the late '70's. Having confided in us that he hadn't picked a brush in over 30 years, he started getting the itch again to paint. After he was commissioned to paint sport themed & family portraits, he started bringing in his work to the store. We loved the richness of color and his own unique style of capturing the image of the artist(s).

Many of the portraits have been purchased by fellow art lovers and customers of the store. Similar to how paintings are displayed in a museum, many of the pieces you will see are "On Loan from Private Collector". Come in to see them for yourself. Mr. Rice is at Memory Lane so often you'll end up running into him if not on your first visit, definately any other time your in store. Come in and ask about commissions. In his own words, "There ain't nothing I can't paint".

Be A Celebrity @ Your Local Record Store

So many compliment our dogmatic nature in finding that "Hard to find" or "Out of Print" piece of music that's been missing from their collections, or lives, for that matter. Since some music spots are feeling the financial pinch, and are closing down all together, we at Memory Lane CD's & Records wanted to make it a little more personal for our customers, in particular our regulars.


Ask us to take a picture of you and your recent, cherished purchase, and it's going up on the blog. NUFF SAID!!! BE A RECORD STORE CELEB!
SHOW THAT SUPPORT! Some already have......

This brother is all about that jazz thing!

We know why this guy is happy. As much as we'd like to take credit for the Boney James cd he purchased putting a smile on his face, his paraphernalia speaks volumes also.

Gotta love that super rare vinyl!

This customer came into the store for the first time and found a Shirelles cd that made him wanna holla' like Marvin.

We'll also be taking written testimonials also. Video & written!

Yes We Did!!

For the most part, this blog is dedicated to our storefront, and to the music & people that help us keep it going. Yet, as you can relate, Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 was an historic day for our country. It's pretty safe to say who we sided with in this election, although that doesn't mean that any of our customers who supported Senator McCain were treated any less than grand when they entered our store.

On a day such as this, our thoughts are guided by all of those fought so hard to see this day happen. Either by way of marching and kicking in doors so others may walk through them, or others who simply went about their lives quietly raising their children, being productive citizens, and using their vote(s) to be a part of the political process to bring about a greater good in their community.

As much as I want to sign off with the immortal Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come", this song by D.C. native Marvin Gaye really brings it home!

Senator (oh excuse me...) PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA....YOU'RE THE MAN!!!!!

It's Been A Long Time, We Should'na Left You!

Yeah! Been so Long! Store still going strong!

These men, better known as the Pimp & the Preacher,

(just kidding, gotta love the photo)

are very happy these days. We've come to a greater understanding of how important it is to have a greater online presence, even at the present time it's still in the blog format. We've been promising our loyal customers more online content to satisfy their web surfing appetites. That's why after a long absence from our blog, we've decided to get ourselves back on track to give our customer's more of US outside of the four walls that make up our storefront.

While some music hotspots are "restructuring" their business and trying not to end up like Tower Records, or other beloved music spots that have or are being spoken of in past tense, we at Memory Lane CD's & Records are still going strong. April was our 7yr. anniversary! We're in it to win it and not letting up anytime soon.

Giving you the best in.....

and of course.....

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE!!!!!!!

WEBSITE COMING SOON...THANK YOU FOR HOLDING ON