Mansfield, OH | ‘Operation Fandom’ Completes Move and Reopens in Larger Fourth Street Location: Mansfield pop culture collectible shop and record store Operation Fandom / Blackbird Records has officially reopened in a new location. The store now occupies the space where “Uncommon Nostalgia” was operating from at 36 West Fourth Street. Owner Joshua Lehman says that having something to offer to people of all ages is a tough balancing act, but believes that the store is accessible to anyone. “We started Operation Fandom about six years ago in Wooster in the fall of 2020, during COVID,” recalled Lehman. “We actually decided to expand because so many people were coming from all over the state to our Wooster store, spending more time and money on collectibles and music. They wanted to obviously have more entertainment at home. We popped over in September of 2020 to 31 West Fourth Street, over by City Grill and, we were there for a little bit—over three years—and we were just kind of bursting at the seams.”
Washington, DC | Local record and vintage store Joint Custody showcases old treasures: Local record and vintage store Joint Custody joined Good Morning Washington to showcase all things second-hand. The store offers unique items such as old records and clothing. Brian van de Graaff took us to the DC brick-and-mortar store to talk to co-owner Gene Melkisethian and employee Jose Hernandez about the deeply-rooted vintage culture. They also described various rare items Joint Custody sells. Co-owner Gene Melkisethian discussed his appreciation for vintage apparel and music. “Since I was a little kid, I collected records, I collected shirts, I collected old magazines. Anything old I’ve always been into it, it’s my passion.”
Pontypool, UK | Record store owner frames moment he confronted Boris Johnson: A record store owner said he took off his jacket and pointed to his,‘The Stupids’ punk band shirt when Boris Johnson asked if the conservatives could rely on his vote. Mark James, 60, of Pontypool, a retired community mental health nurse and senior lecturer met the former prime minister at a record store at Newport Market back in 2017. Boris Johnson became leader of the Conservatives back in 2019 and became prime minister when they won a majority in the general election that year. The country has seen a lot of change since Mr Johnsons visit to Newport market and with the next general election now just days away, Mr James recalled the encounter. At the time, Boris Johnson was foreign secretary and visiting Newport Market to meet stall owners and support Angela Jones Evans, the conservative candidate for Newport West.
Atlanta, GA | Atlanta legend DJ Jaycee ‘always gravitated towards the record player.’ When it comes to the Mount Rushmore of DJs in Atlanta, Greg Street, DJ Nabs, DJ Jelly, DJ Toomp, DJ Drama, and DJ Jaycee are among the names often mentioned as among the best and who paved the way for future generations. WSB Radio spoke to DJ Jaycee during Black Music Month about his life, career and the art of DJing. DJ Jaycee, whose real name is Jayson Reid, said his undying love for music came from his family growing up in Detroit. “I have had a love for records since I was a baby in the crib,” DJ Jaycee told WSB Radio. “There are pictures of me in the crib sleeping with records. There are pictures of me in a highchair holding records. I was always fascinated with records and that is where it started.” Music is truly in his blood, he says.