I don't feel like I need any "help" in a record store and I doubt other women feel they do, either. It's not like a gym, where the machines are mysterious and confusing and it helps to have someone else show you how they work the first few times. A record store is by definition pretty low tech and I think we all know how they work. Are you sure you're not projecting a rescue fantasy onto this situation where none is needed? Just a thought....
As to the rest, consider that it's not that there aren't women interested in vinyl, it might be that women aren't that interested, maybe, in talking about vinyl in the way that men seem to be. there's a brute force, cold-blooded aspect to so much of the vinyl world, that focus on technology and trivia, that makes me steer clear.
I can only speak for myself here, but my experience of music seems so different from that of men (at least the men who write about vinyl and music here on substack.) I'm here for love, for the emotional experience of being swept away by the awesome (in the most literal way) power of art. I want to talk about how a song brought me to my knees with joy or tears. or the story behind its creation in terms of the art, not the technology or the trivia. I enjoy the emotional experience of records, the tactile feeling, like I'm interacting with living energy (which I am because that's what music is), the feeling of being physically connected to the music I love. of getting closer to Source.
This is why I often point out -- usually to no avail because people see what they expect to see -- that The Abbey isn't a music substack. It's a substack about love, about magick, about the power of music to take us places we can't access otherwise. (it's not even listed as a music substack, but as a spirituality substack). For me, that's the only reason to care about any of it.
PS Sorry this isn't super articulate. I'm in the last stages of writing the podcast and all my best words are reserved for that...
Thank you for your comment. It is very likely I might be projecting stuff. Who isn’t? I’ve got 12 years of Freudian therapy behind me so I’m well aware of the tricks our mind can play when we least expect it.
I’ll tell you why I said what I said, though: at one of my go-to stores, I overhear two girls (they can’t have been over 20 years old) debating what NM meant and one of them saying it must be New Material.
They were right beside me and I froze. Should I tell them it means Near Mint? Will they know what Mint means? Would this qualify as mansplaining? Should I just mind my own business? What if someone laughs at them?
I know full well what it feels like to be literally told on your face that you don’t belong. I grew up in a society plagued with rampant homophobia. I’ve even crossed oceans partly to escape that.
So all this to say that, as someone who has been on the receiving end of a whole lotta shit, but on the surface always looks like he belongs (white, male, athletic etc.) I sometimes wonder how best to help others feel included but I worry it will come out the wrong way.
As for love v technical stuff, I hear you. I like a little bit of everything, because that’s how I live my own vinyl and music “experience” (for lack of a better word). But I realise this is very subjective as some will always gravitate more towards one of the two “camps” (again sorry for poor wording). Would be interesting to see whether there’s a male/female correlation there. Very likely.
PS: Never apologise for stuff like that. I am really grateful you take the time to read and comment. ♥️
thank you for the NM story -- that clarifies. I've not encountered that before, but tbf, now that I think about it, I rarely see other women in record stores.... and I can see why. There have certainly been times when a particular store felt a little aggressive. For me, I feel protected by my musical knowledge (not trivia, but actual knowledge), and esp my Beatles knowledge. A Beatles scholar can walk into any record store in the world and feel confident in a way that probably other women (or men) often can't. (but don't get me started on the challenge of being a female Beatles scholar and all the mansplaining....)
No worries—thank you for putting the question out and giving me the chance to elaborate.
I also see very few women at record stores in general. It’s gradually changing, but the scale is still very much leaning towards men.
I can see how being a Beatles scholar gives you a certain immunity in record stores, while I can simultaneously imagine that being a female Beatles scholar will come with its own set of challenges.
I actually stopped visiting my local record store (well one of two) because as soon as the proprietor found out I was a Beatles scholar, he decided the thing to do was to talk to me about how underrated Yoko is as a singer... And the store is too small to pretend I can't hear what he's saying.
First off, both of my daughters will stand toe to toe and discuss music. My rule in the the house when they were growing up, be it right or wrong, was that they could listen to any music that they wanted to, as long as they understood and could explain the music. Not just what it was by by genre, but how did the artist get there, where did the music come from?
Did I really appreciate or approve of all that was being listened too by my daughter's, not at all. As you would say, not all of it was my cup of tea.
The result is two young adults that listen to a far wider range of music than most of their peers. I count that as success.
It was awesome a few months back when the were both over at the house dividing the album collection up for when I moved on. A little unsettling, but awesome.
So what does this have to do with your question? I think it points out to just talk as you would to anyone about something you are passionate about. At this point, you are not talking to a "man or woman" , but simply another music fan
However, you still open the door for the ladies. It's the gentleman thing to do
Thank you, Bob, for your comment, and for sharing your beautiful story with your daughters.
I love the fact you encouraged them to learn more about their favourite artists and records. This "understanding" that you talk about, the going further into the roots of how this and that sound may have come about, is certainly what helped me become a better listener and collector. It's fascinating how much more music you can discover when you dig a little deeper into an artist's influences and inspirations.
It must have been kinda surreal to see them dividing up your collection for when you pass. I can totally see how it can be unsettling though 😂 but it is beautiful in its own unique, if bittersweet, way.
Talking to fellow collectors and music fans beyond their gender is certainly a good way make everyone feel equal. And yes, I agree that a bit of chivalry and gentlemanly manners never go out of fashion.
I think one of the most surprising things when they were going through the collection, was them fighting over certain albums that I would have never expected them to want. As a parent, you sometimes feel you're not reaching your kids, only to find out that was one of their most vivid memories growing up?.
It was my mom who was the record collector that likely helped me form my relationship to music. It was also her “neglect” when I was young - I was left to my own devices a lot, so learned how to work the record player somewhere around the age of 3. I also taught myself to read around that same time, and I’m assuming reading the album covers and inserts was the inspiration for that.
Because of when I grew up, vinyl was my first collection. I had a decent collection when I was in college, but I was also poor and records were the only thing of value I had. I sold a lot to feed myself in college. I kept my absolute favorites. I kept them for almost a couple of decades where I didn’t even have a record player.
I’ve thought a lot specifically about the gap between males and females writing about music. I believe those same issues come into play with collecting as well. You will probably see a big gap in ages where women collect. Younger women - teens through early 20s, and then older women. When I was in my early parenting years, “in the trenches” I like to call it…there just wasn’t the time or energy to focus on anything that didn’t revolve around my children. And probably during those (child rearing) mid twenties to mid forties, women are supposed to have more domestic hobbies like sewing or knitting lol. Not leisure hobbies like music, gaming, golfing… This is all short answer, general, and stereotypical - but, also my own experience.
The record stores I frequent- I know the owners, so they haven’t ever felt the need to mansplain anything to me unless I ask them to 😂
Thank you, Kristin, for sharing. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. We all know what they say — whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and such like — but it’s one thing to say it and another to experience it in the flesh. Thanks again for sharing your story here.
By the sound of your experience with records and music in general, it would be utterly ridiculous for someone to try and mansplain stuff to you. It should be the other way around! 😅
A very thought provoking post Andy. I don’t recall the last time I’ve been in a record store (even when they were only selling CDs we still called them that), let alone one that sells vinyl, so I haven’t witnessed this first hand (and certainly back when I was in these places I was blissfully unaware of my privilege). But I have to say I’m not surprised. To Brad’s point, it does seem to be a stereotypically male thing to collect and catalog.
It’s very insightful for you to acknowledge your privilege and I think it’s honorable to want to make female vinyl enthusiasts feel more welcome. Given your understanding of the way privilege works I feel like you know enough and have authentic intentions in wanting to be helpful. Certainly you’re less likely than most to veer into vinyl bro territory by not being the “gatekeeper” or the “technical aficionado” or the “audiophile” or generally “the most knowledgeable person in the room”.
Your idea of simply “making space” and Faith’s suggestion about responding to the discussion you overheard on the meaning of NM, I think you’re on the right track.
Such an important topic, thanks for writing about it.
Thank you so much, Mark, for your kind words. They really mean a lot to me.
Thank you also for reading the comments. This sort of discussion is not perhaps the most comfortable to have, especially for us guys, but I think it's enriching and necessary.
I was, as you can imagine, a bit nervous -- what if I get stuff wrong? what if I offend someone? what if I assume too much? etc. -- but I'd rather get stuff wrong and learn from different perspectives than avoid the topic altogether (and thus never get the chance to learn).
Thank you also for what you say about my intentions being genuine -- this is exactly what I wanted to convey, so I'm glad it's come across the right way (because, again, there's always a risk there as well).
As you correctly point out, there's so much of this "gatekeeping" going on, not just with vinyl but in music writng in general. I notice it quite often here on Substack as well, particularly when it comes to music genres (i.e. indie/quirky/non-commercial stuff is always celebrated whereas mainstream pop or hugely successful records tend to be "snubbed" or frowned upon).
I also notice some people are "ashamed" or embarrassed to admit they enjoy a certain record even if it's not "intellectually approved".
Heck, I'm also guilty of doing this.
For the most part, this sort of prejudice operates on a subsconscious level, at least here on Substack, and it's mostly us male writers who are unaware of it. But if I may say so, I think it's predominantly straight male writers who sometimes seem completely oblivious to it.
Every single one of us will swear we want to be inclusive. I believe us when we say this, but then you see certain jokes, or a certain remark in a post or in the comments section, and it's typically men teasing each other for liking something that is not "cool enough" or, lo and behold, tends to be associated with a "female" or "girly" audience.
I worry that we talk too much here on Substack about openness, diversity, inclusion, etc. -- we duly tick all the socially progressive boxes -- but not enough of us are keeping our privilege in check.
Thanks a lot once again for reading, commenting and joining the discussion!
So entertaining, Andy, and pretty dang hilarious, but, please know we're all chuckling WITH you, because you've got us all comfortably and snuggly fitting in your pocket, and we're loving every second of it! And, yes, I was editing feverishly in my head when I heard your "Bat signal" go up! Not gonna lie, there's also some white-out on my screen, now!😂
The Whether-It-Gives-Me-Any-Credibility-At-All-Or-Not-Dept.:
As a long-time collector of things ranging (over 6+ decades) from rocks, stamps, coins, leather-craft (thanks, Tandy!), Peanuts paperback compendiums, and MAD Magazines to records (of course), baseball cards, autographed sports cards, press kits, and rock mags, I'll take a stab at your first over-arching question, rather than your end-of-post questions:
Real or imagined, and GENERALLY SPEAKING, the fixation on COLLECTING "things" (in this case, vinyl) seems to have been the domain of the gents (has the editor of "Goldmine" ever been a woman?), and the stuff that's on those things (still.....vinyl) is what's (again, GENERALLY), attractive to the ladies, i.e. the music (which usually contains, and elicits....emotions).😱
For what it's worth: The current masthead of "Goldmine": Editor: Patrick Prince, Copy Editor: Chris M. Junior, and, Contributing Editors John M. Borack, Ray Chelstowski, John Curley, Frank Daniels, John French, Mike Greenblatt, Chris M. Junior, Bill Kopp, Warren Kurtz, Ivor Levene, Bruce Sylvester, Carol Anne Szel, Dave Thompson, Frank White and Lee Zimmerman. 14 of 15 of their contributing editors seem to be male. Apropos of nothing? Possibly. Just laying out the facts...no value judgment.
So, while (GENERALLY SPEAKING), females prefer streaming and listening to records/radio/streams, the guys (GENERALLY SPEAKING) will also listen to the above, but also feel compelled, if not genetically dispositioned/pre-disposed to COLLECT those things (in this case, vinyl) that effectively "houses" these same sounds. Men, GENERALLY SPEAKING, good ole hunter/gatherers that we've been for what seems like eons, now, love collecting, cataloging, and proudly bragging about the size of their....uh, collections (and stylus, while they're at it)!
Ladies, it seems, less so, GENERALLY SPEAKING. But, your mileage may, in fact, vary.
Thank you, Brad! Your kind words of support and encouragement mean the world to me because this morning I was in a very vulnerable place when finishing the text and recording that voiceover. But one thing I learned with age and more than a decade living in self-depricating, humour-prone England is that if you’re going to be an emotional mess, you’d better make a show out of it 😅
You and your decades of professional writing experience instantly came to my mind as your posts are always so beautifully crafted, every note “in its place”, the Ts all crossed, the Is not missing a dot, and on top of this, with tons of creativity and punchy lines to boot!
It was also a stressful situation because I was literally racing against the clock. But I made it (just about! 😅).
Very interesting facts not just on the demographics of collectors but also (and this is rarely touched upon) the individuals/narrators/sources of authority/masterminds behind it.
It makes a lot of sense when you compare it with the hunter gatherer tendencies you mention. And — just thinking out loud — you can see it in so many other areas as well such as cars, sports, gaming and the like.
Thanks again!
PS: Name the tune! If there’s one reader who’s up to this challenge…. 😉
I kept thinking back to the record shows/conventions I've attended (and rented a table at more than a few)....Had the other tables been rented and run by 10% men, with male attendees averaging in the 25-percent range (or less), detractors (should there be any) may have a point!
May the record otherwise show that it was always Fred who was placing the bird's beak on the latest granite album of The Rolling Rocks, and rarely, if ever, Wilma!
Thank you! Yes, I remember you used to go to record conventions and would occasionally rent a table. I can imagine it must have been full of Johns and Chrises and not so many Carols and Susans, especially back then!
What a potent shape it had, eh! 🤣 The Led Zep fellas were not effing about!!
Now seriously, the fact they were numbered was everything. Do you remember how it came into your possession? Was it for sale at record stores back then?
Yes, as obelisks go, an imposing, if not biologically accommodating, specimen!😱
Well, in spring '76, when "Presence" was released, I would've been at Houston's KLOL-FM commercial radio (I was 21). Probably, the WEA (Warner/Elektra/Atlantic) rep fell by the station, and handed these promo items out. They were numbered one out of 1,000, so no, never were they available at retail....simply promo items for radio personnel and record industry types! But, that's when I first heard, and learned the meaning of the word, "obelisk."
Thank you for your comment. Of course. I never said they were the absolute best. This is just my point of view if I had to name my absolute favourite blues musicians. The “arguing my case” bit means that I love hearing others’ points of view and exchanging ideas. That’s where most of the fun lies. Thanks again for stopping by!
I don't feel like I need any "help" in a record store and I doubt other women feel they do, either. It's not like a gym, where the machines are mysterious and confusing and it helps to have someone else show you how they work the first few times. A record store is by definition pretty low tech and I think we all know how they work. Are you sure you're not projecting a rescue fantasy onto this situation where none is needed? Just a thought....
As to the rest, consider that it's not that there aren't women interested in vinyl, it might be that women aren't that interested, maybe, in talking about vinyl in the way that men seem to be. there's a brute force, cold-blooded aspect to so much of the vinyl world, that focus on technology and trivia, that makes me steer clear.
I can only speak for myself here, but my experience of music seems so different from that of men (at least the men who write about vinyl and music here on substack.) I'm here for love, for the emotional experience of being swept away by the awesome (in the most literal way) power of art. I want to talk about how a song brought me to my knees with joy or tears. or the story behind its creation in terms of the art, not the technology or the trivia. I enjoy the emotional experience of records, the tactile feeling, like I'm interacting with living energy (which I am because that's what music is), the feeling of being physically connected to the music I love. of getting closer to Source.
This is why I often point out -- usually to no avail because people see what they expect to see -- that The Abbey isn't a music substack. It's a substack about love, about magick, about the power of music to take us places we can't access otherwise. (it's not even listed as a music substack, but as a spirituality substack). For me, that's the only reason to care about any of it.
PS Sorry this isn't super articulate. I'm in the last stages of writing the podcast and all my best words are reserved for that...
Thank you for your comment. It is very likely I might be projecting stuff. Who isn’t? I’ve got 12 years of Freudian therapy behind me so I’m well aware of the tricks our mind can play when we least expect it.
I’ll tell you why I said what I said, though: at one of my go-to stores, I overhear two girls (they can’t have been over 20 years old) debating what NM meant and one of them saying it must be New Material.
They were right beside me and I froze. Should I tell them it means Near Mint? Will they know what Mint means? Would this qualify as mansplaining? Should I just mind my own business? What if someone laughs at them?
I know full well what it feels like to be literally told on your face that you don’t belong. I grew up in a society plagued with rampant homophobia. I’ve even crossed oceans partly to escape that.
So all this to say that, as someone who has been on the receiving end of a whole lotta shit, but on the surface always looks like he belongs (white, male, athletic etc.) I sometimes wonder how best to help others feel included but I worry it will come out the wrong way.
As for love v technical stuff, I hear you. I like a little bit of everything, because that’s how I live my own vinyl and music “experience” (for lack of a better word). But I realise this is very subjective as some will always gravitate more towards one of the two “camps” (again sorry for poor wording). Would be interesting to see whether there’s a male/female correlation there. Very likely.
PS: Never apologise for stuff like that. I am really grateful you take the time to read and comment. ♥️
thank you for the NM story -- that clarifies. I've not encountered that before, but tbf, now that I think about it, I rarely see other women in record stores.... and I can see why. There have certainly been times when a particular store felt a little aggressive. For me, I feel protected by my musical knowledge (not trivia, but actual knowledge), and esp my Beatles knowledge. A Beatles scholar can walk into any record store in the world and feel confident in a way that probably other women (or men) often can't. (but don't get me started on the challenge of being a female Beatles scholar and all the mansplaining....)
No worries—thank you for putting the question out and giving me the chance to elaborate.
I also see very few women at record stores in general. It’s gradually changing, but the scale is still very much leaning towards men.
I can see how being a Beatles scholar gives you a certain immunity in record stores, while I can simultaneously imagine that being a female Beatles scholar will come with its own set of challenges.
Thanks again!
Mostly being a Beatles scholar in record stores means I get shown a lot of moldy copies of the butcher cover stored in the back room....
🤣🤣🤣🤣 “for better or for worse” 😂😂😂
I actually stopped visiting my local record store (well one of two) because as soon as the proprietor found out I was a Beatles scholar, he decided the thing to do was to talk to me about how underrated Yoko is as a singer... And the store is too small to pretend I can't hear what he's saying.
First off, both of my daughters will stand toe to toe and discuss music. My rule in the the house when they were growing up, be it right or wrong, was that they could listen to any music that they wanted to, as long as they understood and could explain the music. Not just what it was by by genre, but how did the artist get there, where did the music come from?
Did I really appreciate or approve of all that was being listened too by my daughter's, not at all. As you would say, not all of it was my cup of tea.
The result is two young adults that listen to a far wider range of music than most of their peers. I count that as success.
It was awesome a few months back when the were both over at the house dividing the album collection up for when I moved on. A little unsettling, but awesome.
So what does this have to do with your question? I think it points out to just talk as you would to anyone about something you are passionate about. At this point, you are not talking to a "man or woman" , but simply another music fan
However, you still open the door for the ladies. It's the gentleman thing to do
Thank you, Bob, for your comment, and for sharing your beautiful story with your daughters.
I love the fact you encouraged them to learn more about their favourite artists and records. This "understanding" that you talk about, the going further into the roots of how this and that sound may have come about, is certainly what helped me become a better listener and collector. It's fascinating how much more music you can discover when you dig a little deeper into an artist's influences and inspirations.
It must have been kinda surreal to see them dividing up your collection for when you pass. I can totally see how it can be unsettling though 😂 but it is beautiful in its own unique, if bittersweet, way.
Talking to fellow collectors and music fans beyond their gender is certainly a good way make everyone feel equal. And yes, I agree that a bit of chivalry and gentlemanly manners never go out of fashion.
Thank you
I think one of the most surprising things when they were going through the collection, was them fighting over certain albums that I would have never expected them to want. As a parent, you sometimes feel you're not reaching your kids, only to find out that was one of their most vivid memories growing up?.
That must have been such a nice surprise. It's one of those moments where you can take stock, pat yourself on the back and say: they were listening.
Or just hope that moment of good parenting offset one of the bad moments....lol
Lol. Fair enough!
It was my mom who was the record collector that likely helped me form my relationship to music. It was also her “neglect” when I was young - I was left to my own devices a lot, so learned how to work the record player somewhere around the age of 3. I also taught myself to read around that same time, and I’m assuming reading the album covers and inserts was the inspiration for that.
Because of when I grew up, vinyl was my first collection. I had a decent collection when I was in college, but I was also poor and records were the only thing of value I had. I sold a lot to feed myself in college. I kept my absolute favorites. I kept them for almost a couple of decades where I didn’t even have a record player.
I’ve thought a lot specifically about the gap between males and females writing about music. I believe those same issues come into play with collecting as well. You will probably see a big gap in ages where women collect. Younger women - teens through early 20s, and then older women. When I was in my early parenting years, “in the trenches” I like to call it…there just wasn’t the time or energy to focus on anything that didn’t revolve around my children. And probably during those (child rearing) mid twenties to mid forties, women are supposed to have more domestic hobbies like sewing or knitting lol. Not leisure hobbies like music, gaming, golfing… This is all short answer, general, and stereotypical - but, also my own experience.
The record stores I frequent- I know the owners, so they haven’t ever felt the need to mansplain anything to me unless I ask them to 😂
Thank you, Kristin, for sharing. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. We all know what they say — whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and such like — but it’s one thing to say it and another to experience it in the flesh. Thanks again for sharing your story here.
By the sound of your experience with records and music in general, it would be utterly ridiculous for someone to try and mansplain stuff to you. It should be the other way around! 😅
A very thought provoking post Andy. I don’t recall the last time I’ve been in a record store (even when they were only selling CDs we still called them that), let alone one that sells vinyl, so I haven’t witnessed this first hand (and certainly back when I was in these places I was blissfully unaware of my privilege). But I have to say I’m not surprised. To Brad’s point, it does seem to be a stereotypically male thing to collect and catalog.
It’s very insightful for you to acknowledge your privilege and I think it’s honorable to want to make female vinyl enthusiasts feel more welcome. Given your understanding of the way privilege works I feel like you know enough and have authentic intentions in wanting to be helpful. Certainly you’re less likely than most to veer into vinyl bro territory by not being the “gatekeeper” or the “technical aficionado” or the “audiophile” or generally “the most knowledgeable person in the room”.
Your idea of simply “making space” and Faith’s suggestion about responding to the discussion you overheard on the meaning of NM, I think you’re on the right track.
Such an important topic, thanks for writing about it.
Thank you so much, Mark, for your kind words. They really mean a lot to me.
Thank you also for reading the comments. This sort of discussion is not perhaps the most comfortable to have, especially for us guys, but I think it's enriching and necessary.
I was, as you can imagine, a bit nervous -- what if I get stuff wrong? what if I offend someone? what if I assume too much? etc. -- but I'd rather get stuff wrong and learn from different perspectives than avoid the topic altogether (and thus never get the chance to learn).
Thank you also for what you say about my intentions being genuine -- this is exactly what I wanted to convey, so I'm glad it's come across the right way (because, again, there's always a risk there as well).
As you correctly point out, there's so much of this "gatekeeping" going on, not just with vinyl but in music writng in general. I notice it quite often here on Substack as well, particularly when it comes to music genres (i.e. indie/quirky/non-commercial stuff is always celebrated whereas mainstream pop or hugely successful records tend to be "snubbed" or frowned upon).
I also notice some people are "ashamed" or embarrassed to admit they enjoy a certain record even if it's not "intellectually approved".
Heck, I'm also guilty of doing this.
For the most part, this sort of prejudice operates on a subsconscious level, at least here on Substack, and it's mostly us male writers who are unaware of it. But if I may say so, I think it's predominantly straight male writers who sometimes seem completely oblivious to it.
Every single one of us will swear we want to be inclusive. I believe us when we say this, but then you see certain jokes, or a certain remark in a post or in the comments section, and it's typically men teasing each other for liking something that is not "cool enough" or, lo and behold, tends to be associated with a "female" or "girly" audience.
I worry that we talk too much here on Substack about openness, diversity, inclusion, etc. -- we duly tick all the socially progressive boxes -- but not enough of us are keeping our privilege in check.
Thanks a lot once again for reading, commenting and joining the discussion!
So entertaining, Andy, and pretty dang hilarious, but, please know we're all chuckling WITH you, because you've got us all comfortably and snuggly fitting in your pocket, and we're loving every second of it! And, yes, I was editing feverishly in my head when I heard your "Bat signal" go up! Not gonna lie, there's also some white-out on my screen, now!😂
The Whether-It-Gives-Me-Any-Credibility-At-All-Or-Not-Dept.:
As a long-time collector of things ranging (over 6+ decades) from rocks, stamps, coins, leather-craft (thanks, Tandy!), Peanuts paperback compendiums, and MAD Magazines to records (of course), baseball cards, autographed sports cards, press kits, and rock mags, I'll take a stab at your first over-arching question, rather than your end-of-post questions:
Real or imagined, and GENERALLY SPEAKING, the fixation on COLLECTING "things" (in this case, vinyl) seems to have been the domain of the gents (has the editor of "Goldmine" ever been a woman?), and the stuff that's on those things (still.....vinyl) is what's (again, GENERALLY), attractive to the ladies, i.e. the music (which usually contains, and elicits....emotions).😱
For what it's worth: The current masthead of "Goldmine": Editor: Patrick Prince, Copy Editor: Chris M. Junior, and, Contributing Editors John M. Borack, Ray Chelstowski, John Curley, Frank Daniels, John French, Mike Greenblatt, Chris M. Junior, Bill Kopp, Warren Kurtz, Ivor Levene, Bruce Sylvester, Carol Anne Szel, Dave Thompson, Frank White and Lee Zimmerman. 14 of 15 of their contributing editors seem to be male. Apropos of nothing? Possibly. Just laying out the facts...no value judgment.
So, while (GENERALLY SPEAKING), females prefer streaming and listening to records/radio/streams, the guys (GENERALLY SPEAKING) will also listen to the above, but also feel compelled, if not genetically dispositioned/pre-disposed to COLLECT those things (in this case, vinyl) that effectively "houses" these same sounds. Men, GENERALLY SPEAKING, good ole hunter/gatherers that we've been for what seems like eons, now, love collecting, cataloging, and proudly bragging about the size of their....uh, collections (and stylus, while they're at it)!
Ladies, it seems, less so, GENERALLY SPEAKING. But, your mileage may, in fact, vary.
Thank you, Brad! Your kind words of support and encouragement mean the world to me because this morning I was in a very vulnerable place when finishing the text and recording that voiceover. But one thing I learned with age and more than a decade living in self-depricating, humour-prone England is that if you’re going to be an emotional mess, you’d better make a show out of it 😅
You and your decades of professional writing experience instantly came to my mind as your posts are always so beautifully crafted, every note “in its place”, the Ts all crossed, the Is not missing a dot, and on top of this, with tons of creativity and punchy lines to boot!
It was also a stressful situation because I was literally racing against the clock. But I made it (just about! 😅).
Very interesting facts not just on the demographics of collectors but also (and this is rarely touched upon) the individuals/narrators/sources of authority/masterminds behind it.
It makes a lot of sense when you compare it with the hunter gatherer tendencies you mention. And — just thinking out loud — you can see it in so many other areas as well such as cars, sports, gaming and the like.
Thanks again!
PS: Name the tune! If there’s one reader who’s up to this challenge…. 😉
I kept thinking back to the record shows/conventions I've attended (and rented a table at more than a few)....Had the other tables been rented and run by 10% men, with male attendees averaging in the 25-percent range (or less), detractors (should there be any) may have a point!
May the record otherwise show that it was always Fred who was placing the bird's beak on the latest granite album of The Rolling Rocks, and rarely, if ever, Wilma!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d815Ame16fg
Thank you! Yes, I remember you used to go to record conventions and would occasionally rent a table. I can imagine it must have been full of Johns and Chrises and not so many Carols and Susans, especially back then!
Lol the Flintstones! The memories!
I had one of these, too....an Atlantic Records promo Led Zep "Presence" obelisk. Numbered and everything! Sometime in the '90s, at an Austin record convo, it managed to walk off! Tough to tie everything down, but I definitely shoulda kept a more careful eye on it!! https://bid.juliensauctions.com/lot-details/index/catalog/529/lot/243152/Led-Zeppelin-Limited-Edition-Presence-Promo-Obelisk
What a potent shape it had, eh! 🤣 The Led Zep fellas were not effing about!!
Now seriously, the fact they were numbered was everything. Do you remember how it came into your possession? Was it for sale at record stores back then?
Yes, as obelisks go, an imposing, if not biologically accommodating, specimen!😱
Well, in spring '76, when "Presence" was released, I would've been at Houston's KLOL-FM commercial radio (I was 21). Probably, the WEA (Warner/Elektra/Atlantic) rep fell by the station, and handed these promo items out. They were numbered one out of 1,000, so no, never were they available at retail....simply promo items for radio personnel and record industry types! But, that's when I first heard, and learned the meaning of the word, "obelisk."
Highly recommend you check out the non profit WOMEN IN VINYL from Jenn D’eugenio in Austin. What she has built is incredible.
Thanks a lot for the heads-up, Kadrian! I’ll be sure to check it out!
Plenty of other great blues musicians. Ranking people is just wrong. Someone always gets left out.
Thank you for your comment. Of course. I never said they were the absolute best. This is just my point of view if I had to name my absolute favourite blues musicians. The “arguing my case” bit means that I love hearing others’ points of view and exchanging ideas. That’s where most of the fun lies. Thanks again for stopping by!
Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Corey Harris, Charlie Parr, Dave Alvin, …
All great. Takin’ My Time is one of my favourite records