UK | New Independent Music Chart Launches to Challenge the Official Chart’s Grip on the Industry: Fanfare’s twin charts will track physical sales only—no streaming, no legacy acts—when they launch on 1 September. Independent musicians, labels and managers are being urged to sign up to a new national music chart set to challenge the dominance of the Official Chart. The Fanfare Independent Music Chart and Fanfare Independent Merch Chart launch on 1 September, tracking physical sales made online and at gigs—the first charts of their kind built entirely without streaming data, with legacy acts also excluded. Organisers say the charts will give a genuine indication of the popularity of musicians shut out of the Official Chart, which is dominated by streaming and carries barriers to entry that independent acts and labels often cannot overcome.
Salt Lake City, UT | Dolly Parton shrine memorializes legend outside Salt Lake City record store: As fans throughout Utah mourn the death of country legend Dolly Parton, a Salt Lake City record store has set up a memorial to bring everyone together. Randy’s Record Shop is a legend in its own right as a haven for music and vinyl lovers along 900 South. After Parton’s death was announced, the shrine mysteriously appeared in front of the store, with no one knowing who had placed it there. The memorial features flowers and a place for fans to leave messages for the icon. Those visiting the shrine share memories of Parton and what she meant to their own lives, including Emerald Jade, who honored Dolly with a bouffant hairstyle.
Asheville, NC | Dolly Parton’s music lives on in western NC as records fly off shelves: Dolly Parton’s music reached generations of fans around the world, but her songs have a particularly strong connection to the mountains. Following Parton’s death at age 80, that connection is being felt across western North Carolina—including inside Asheville record stores and through local musicians inspired by her work. At Records in the RAD in west Asheville, owner Susan Haynes says customers are already looking for Parton’s music. “Everyone loved Dolly,” Haynes said. Haynes said she sold three Dolly Parton records the day of Parton’s death, and the first record she sold the following morning was another Dolly album.
Bloomsburg, PA | Bloomsburg record shop reflects on Dolly Parton’s legacy in music: Country music legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton passed away Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Inside Endless Records in Bloomsburg, owner Nick McGaw is looking through some of his Dolly Parton CDs that are for sale. The country music icon and philanthropist passed away on Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer. Dolly Parton was known for doing so many things during her life. However, McGaw says her music will always be top of mind. “She comes from this really authentic place of traditional country music. You could hear that through her entire career; she never betrayed that, but at the same time, Dolly Parton had five hit singles on the disco charts,” said McGaw, Endless Records Owner.
Melbourne, AU | Rare Records celebrates 35 years with Halloween bash: Thirty five years is a long time to keep anything alive in the music business. A record store? That’s bordering on miraculous. Doug Bear started Rare Records in Melbourne in 1991 as a mail-order business run from home, which quickly moved to a regular weekend market stall in Cheltenham. If an independent artist wanted Rare Records to stock their CD, Doug put it on the shelf. Some of those artists started hanging around the shop like it was a scene out of Clerks. Members of Karnivool, Full Scale, Mammal, Rook, .hinge, Bushido and Sydonia became regular visitors. All of them would eventually play inside Rare Records. Then there were the slightly bigger visitors.
Pittsburgh, PA | Longtime Pittsburgh music staple Jerry’s Records turns 50: If you’re in Squirrel Hill this Saturday and pass by Jerry’s Records, you might see folks hurling 45 rpm records across the sidewalk like Frisbees. They’ll be aiming for a bucket. But rest assured, it’s one of the few times you’ll catch anyone at Jerry’s throwing records away. The store, which this weekend celebrates a half-century since its late namesake founder began selling used vinyl, has an estimated 1 million records on site, some nearly 80 years old. And the vast majority of the time, it’s focused on coddling those discs and chaperoning them to the turntables of customers who might like anything from Elvis and Beethoven to Roberta Flack, Cannonball Adderly, Metallica, Tone Loc or “24 Popular Irish Dance Favorites.”
Sale, UK | New independent record and film store GATEKEEP to open in Sale: Music and film fans will have a new place to rummage for records, rare finds and old-school media from this Friday (28 August), as independent record and film store GATEKEEP opens in Sale town centre. The new business is the creation of Sale residents and couple Jess Campbell and Billy Goodwin and is located on the ground floor of Emporium M33 on Tatton Road. GATEKEEP will have its soft launch from Friday, with an online store also set to follow. Jess previously managed popular Altrincham record shop Tasty Records and has now bought stock from the business to set up a record store of her own—something she says has “always been her ambition.”
Atlanta, GA | Crate-diggers alert! VinylCon record fair returns Aug. 29-30: VinylCon! makes its long-awaited return to Atlanta this weekend with a two-day celebration of vinyl culture at the Yaarab Shrine Center on Aug. 29-30. After drawing thousands of music lovers to their first Atlanta event back in February, VinylCon! brings its second iteration of its unique blend of community, culture, and crate-digging for one of the largest record fairs in Georgia. There will be more than 50 record sellers from all over the region and country, according to a press release. In addition to vendors, the show will feature a full lineup of local and nationally known vinyl DJs. There will also be giveaways, a full bar, sponsor activations, and food from local food trucks.
Hollywood, CA | Spinning Sunset gets into the groove: Spinning Sunset returns to West Hollywood on Saturday, Aug. 29, bringing vinyl vendors, DJs, vintage cars and activities to the Sunset Strip from 1-7 p.m. Presented by the Sunset Strip Business Improvement District, the free event will move to a larger location in the lower parking lot at Sunset Plaza after organizers reported more than 3,500 people attended the inaugural edition in 2025. More than 80 vendors will offer vinyl records, music memorabilia and vintage clothing. The event will also include DJ sets, a vintage car show, food trucks, a beer garden and giveaways. Businesses throughout the Sunset Strip will offer additional programming, including cocktail specials, after-parties and specialty menus.
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