The download is dead. Music lovers are returning to the turntable in droves due to superior sound quality and the novelty of owning a hard copy of an album.While some consumers are unaware that vinyl is still being pressed, many others are dropping their needles on records from modern artists as well as some from decades past.

Back Door Records in Johnson City is supplying audiophiles with equipment and music in one location.

The store, plastered with images from local artists as well as artists from Miami, Puerto Rico and Palm Springs, originally opened in 1979.

Due to the rise in music downloads, the store closed in 1999, but re-opened March 2010. While the store sells new and used CDs, the main attraction is the vinyl.

The store sells new turntables that hook up to a computer and deals in used equipment when available. New turntables range in price from $150 to $230.

“I will help anyone get a working turntable,” said owner Kelly Davis. “I usually work on them for free. It’s almost always a needle or a belt.”

New albums are available in the store on the album release date, and most used vinyl comes in on trade. Davis places orders every week and can special order albums. He also offers an obscure album locator service.

Customers can spend hours sifting through older records from artists like the Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, Fugazi and Pavement. They can also pick up newer releases from artists like the Cold War Kids, Broken Bells and MGMT.

“I don’t like the cookie-cutter music played on the radio,” said Davis. “The most deserving bands don’t get played.”

Musicians are not the only artists Davis is interested in. He wants the art on the outside of the building to change periodically.

Artists are encouraged to give their ideas to Davis, and he helps with paint and supplies.

Davis buys paint for the building’s artwork from Artopia, an art supply store downtown.

The store recently started selling T-shirts printed by a local business. Back Door Records also sponsors the Little City Roller Girls, Johnson City’s roller derby team. Davis believes small businesses make the community stronger.

“A record store is a social gathering place,” he said, “People hang out there and find new music.”

Back Door Records is located at 737 W. Walnut St.

They are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A 10 percent discount is offered with ETSU ID. For more information, call 423-926-5553.

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