Everyone advised against it, but Fred Ehman took his life savings and bought himself a record store. Not a CD store, a vinyl record store. And in the era of iTunes, iPods and downloads, that would be like buying a flashbulb factory.
But while other businesses around him have come and gone, more than 20 years later, Rock and Roll Heaven's reputation continues to grow, and it's now one of the best-known vinyl album stores in the world. Somehow, despite being located in Orlando -- the theme park capital of the world -- it's Rock and Roll Heaven that is the destination of choice for countless tourists and locals.
It all happened not because Fred is a great businessman. It happened because Fred's passion is the music. He loves the records as much as any customer who comes in the store, and he loves his customers even more than the records. Not only is he a relic in terms of believing in albums, he's also one of the few who still believes in customer service.
Find out why Fred passionately believes the analog sound is superior, why our ear is drawn to a physical sound and why digital music exhausts your hearing.
After spending a few minutes with Fred you just might be tempted to dig out your old albums and dust off your old turntable.
Want to see what Rock and Roll Heaven looks like? Click here to check our visit to this unique store.
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Frenchie The Tickler
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Posted 6:10pm June 12th, 2010I hate to disagree with Fred, but a big part of the reason for R&R Heaven's success is the fact that he's dealing with collectibles in a market with little competition. Vinyl and album art appeals to collectors, DJ's and those that want something to have and to hold. It involves a whole culture of wanting to have a hard copy of what music represents in pop culture as an art form. CD's never captured that. It's obvious why digital music on Compact Disc is a dead medium thanks to MP3's, etc.. However, Mr. Ehman never addresses the fact the he's got a lucky combination of factors going for him. Ones that will always keep a good business model afloat, as far as being purveyors to a Special Interest Group. The success of the biz is not based (in majority) on the fact that analog audio quality on vinyl is sooooo superior to digital formats, as he implies. It's kinda like being a used car dealer. Customers buy used cars based on a variety or reasons: wanting something cheaper, collectible, not made any longer or nostalgic. It's not because older model cars are superior. I'm happy that Fred and Ray are lucky and successful in running a business that they do as a personal passion. I think Fred should have added that he's a lucky MOFO! BTW, Jim Morrison called ...he said that's not his autograph on the bathroom wall.