Check Out Rock ‘n’ Roll Record Convention This Sunday

Vinyl fiends, come one and all to the area’s longest running record convention, happening Sunday, March 12 at the Ramada Hotel Seekonk on Route 44 (right near Tasca). Billed as the “The Original Southern New England Rock ‘n’ Roll Collectors Convention,” the show gives rock fans a chance to treat themselves to 50 tables worth of vinyl, CDs and other rock memorabilia from dealers from all over New England for a small entry fee.

This year, local blues legend Duke Robillard and recent RI Music Hall of Fame inductees Deb and Eric from the band Plan 9 will have tables. The show also offers early admission. For a slightly larger entry fee, you can go into the show from 8:30 – 10am and have first dibs on all the treasures.

For over 40 years, the record show has been bringing music to the masses. Jeff Heiser, one of the event’s organizers, has been involved since the ’70s, soon after the show was started by John Peck Olsen.

“Now, with the resurgence of vinyl, we’re seeing more and more young people coming out to the shows, which is really exciting,” said Heiser. “New generations have discovered the collectability and great sound of vinyl. For folks like me in the older crowd, it’s a good opportunity to buy records that we may not have been able to afford decades ago.”

The show has taken place in a number of locations around Rhode Island and Southeastern Mass, but the Ramada is the largest venue ever. “We have a lot of people who have been coming out to the shows for decades, so it’s a nice reunion,” said Heiser. Another Rock ‘n’ Roll Collectors Convention is usually held in the fall.

This event is a must for hardcore collectors, but it’s also a good opportunity for casual fans. Most of the records fall within the $10 or less range, so it can be a cheap way to take a chance on an album and discover the magic of wax.

The Original Southern New England Rock ‘n’ Roll Collectors Convention will take place on March 12 from 10am – 3pm at the Seekonk Ramada, located at 213 Taunton Ave.