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Wrecka Stow Day 2016 event list now available.

Don’t forget that Record Store Day is April 16th. Don’t forget to visit your local wrecka stow and show them your support. There are always prime releases on Record Store Day from hundreds of artists, and many places have live performances to boot.

The list of wrecka stows hosting live events on the 16th is now available at the RSD website and will surely be updated as the date grows closer. Don’t miss the chance to see some good gigs and score great stuff for your collection.

There’s plenty of stuff I’d like to snag: the Bee Gees / Faith No More 7″ single. a double Buzzcocks album, two classic Johnny Cash records, a Dark Shadows TV film score re-release, a Flaming Lips CD I haven’t heard before, a Buddy Guy / Junior Wells re-release, a live James Brown double album re-release, new stuff from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, a Daft Punk remix of a Junior Kimbrough song, a psychedelic samba record, a live double Ravi Shankar LP, a cover of “John the Revelator” by The Sword on 7″ vinyl, a new Rhino Records psychedelic rock compilation, another psychedelic compilation (from the UK), a compilation of Cambodian 1960’s rock, a live Muddy Waters record, an Italian horror film soundtrack by Goblin, two Japanese garage / psychedelic rock compilations, and a Stooges re-release.

Keep your mind open.

Wrecka Stow: 606 Records – Chicago, IL

Located at 1808 South Allport Street in Chicago, Illinois, 606 Records is a nice vinyl and cassette store (as well as books and magazines devoted to music) conveniently located across from Thalia Hall and in a booming part of the city. There’s a large Hispanic community in the area, so there are some good Mexican restaurants nearby as well.

606 Records has neat art inside and a wide selection of good vinyl ranging from gospel and world music to rock and rap.

They were playing some neat psychedelic rock when I arrived there on March 10, 2016. I was tempted to flip through the rock records while I was there, but I was running short on time and wanted to get to the Levitation Chicago festival at Thalia Hall before the first band started. I spotted this groovy graffiti art as I left.

It’s a neat store with a slick look. I recommend it for vinyl lovers and for anyone checking out a show at Thalia Hall.

Keep your mind open.

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The Smoke House: Come for the smoked turkey, stay for the Louvin Brothers Museum.

I was hungry while on my way back from Chattanooga a couple weeks ago and discovered The Smoke House Restaurant and Trading Post in Monteagle, Tennessee. It’s an impressive place with enough cured meats, spice rubs, barbecue sauces, and jams and jellies for an army. I opted for the smoked turkey open-faced sandwich with cole slaw and mashed potatoes.

Good grief, it was delicious. The smoked turkey was the best I’d eaten in years. I’m sure the rest of the menu is just as delicious, and I’ll probably try the fried chicken and / or frog legs if I ever get back there.

You pay for your meal in the gift shop on the way out. As I walked through their expansive gift shop, I twice passed a room that appeared to be another alcove full of knick-knacks for sale before I noticed the sign above the entryway.

Yes, tucked along one back wall of this place, with a light-up reindeer atop it, is a museum dedicated to country music legends Ira and Charlie Louvin.

It’s full of plaques, photos, and memorabilia from the duo who popularized country harmony music and were well-known for their gospel songs.

There is so much here that I couldn’t photograph all of it without burning up more time on my trip home. There are display cases full of show tickets, recording notes, family photos, and personal effects. The number of photos and commendations from various music venues, writers, and associations is staggering.

There’s also a display case dedicated to the car crash death of Ira Louvin and his fourth wife, Anne Young.

That photo was taken three days before their car was struck by a drunk driver on June 20, 1965. In a weird twist, a DUI warrant had been issued for Ira’s arrest around the same time.

The museum also has a complete collection of the Louvin Brothers’ records, so many that I couldn’t get them all into one shot.

It’s a cool place that is easy to miss, but you owe it to yourself to see it if you’re a fan of classic country or gospel music. There’s a lot of neat stuff in there. Like this, a laminated picture of Grandpa Jones on a piece of wood.

Keep your mind open.