John Prine, Jimmie Allen, Willie Nelson & Johnny Paycheck Among Special Record Store Day Releases This Summer

After an underwhelming list of country music and Americana vinyl releases on Record Store Day last year, it's good to see that this year's list, while still lighter than it should be, has some big names on it that music collector's will be excited about.  Record Store Day will be over two different days this summer (in an effort to spread folks out and keep semi-socially distanced) on June 12th and July 17th. An early list of releases include some of the following roots music names:

Hazy-O! - Jimmie Allen - Stoney Creek Records - Vinyl - RSD Drops Jun 12th

The Windows of the World - Bobbie Gentry - Capitol Nashville - LP - RSD Drops Jul 17th

Right Now - Willie Jones - The Penthouse/EMPIRE - LP - RSD Drops Jul 17th

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For/my future - Sarah Jarosz - Rounder Records - 12" Vinyl - RSD Drops Jun 12th

Undercover - The Infamous Stringdusters - Americana Vibes - LP - RSD Drops Jul 17th

Stay Independent: The Oh Boy Years Curated By Indie Record Stores - John Prine - Oh Boy Records - LP - RSD Drops Jul 17th

Live At The Other End, December 1975 - John Prine - Atlantic - 4 x LP - RSD Drops Jul 17th

Uncovered: The First Recordings - Johnny Paycheck - Lightning Rod Records - LP - RSD Drops Jul 17th

Willie Nelson American Outlaw (Live At Bridgestone Arena / 2019) - Various Artists - Blackbird Presents - RSD Drops Jun 12th

Vinyl has made a massive comeback and is poised to surpass dollar sales in CD's this year or next. Vinyl records earned $224.1 million (on 8.6 million units) in the first half of 2019, closing in on the $247.9 million (on 18.6 million units) generated by CD sales. Vinyl revenue grew by 12.8% in the second half of 2018 and 12.9% in the first six months of 2019, while the revenue from CDs barely budged. If these trends hold, records will soon be generating more money than compact discs.

With that mindset, RSD works with labels, artists, managers and distribution companies who feel the same, and puts together a list of titles for that season that are available at participating record stores.