CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/19/26

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Hey Everyone,
 
I think at least for most of us, it feels good to get recognized for our time, efforts, and just good old-fashioned hard work. So this week, I would like to call out and recognize several of the CIMS stores that have been nominated for awards this season.

First up, Easy Street in Seattle, WA is a finalist in the Indie Retailer of the Year Award. This award is given to a retail store that has shown exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in its practices during the past year in its interactions with consumers.

They are also involved in the Marketing Superstar Award, an award that honors a marketing campaign that was innovative and thought-provoking. Candidates can be from any sector of the industry, and campaigns can be physical or virtual.

Shout out to CIMS pals Christina Meloche, Mike Martorano, and Brandi Carlile for being a finalist for this award for the “Brandi Carlile Campaign at Easy Street Records”!

In other news, we also have a few of our stores that are nominated for the A2IM 2026 Libera awards for INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE OF THE YEAR:

  • The Electric Fetus- Minneapolis, MN

  • Music Millennium- Portland, OR

  • Waterloo Records- Austin, TX


Congrats to all of you for being finalists for these awards, and best of luck to you all!

Here are the charts,
Andrea


Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/7/24

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Hi Everyone,
 
This week I want to call out and celebrate our CIMS Board member Terry Currier and his store Music Millennium in Portland, Oregon. Tomorrow marks 55 years since Terry first opened his doors to serve the Portland community with all their musical needs. Music Millennium is one of our founding members of CIMS, and Terry is a treasured member of our indie community. Running a record store, as we all know, is no easy feat- but what has always been one of my favorite things about Terry is what a true music fan he is.  He is still like a kid in a candy shop (or a record shop) when he hears new music he is excited about and that right there is probably the secret to his store's longevity;  never losing that love for what you do.
 
Music Milliennium will be celebrating tomorrow so be sure to show them some love.
 
Congrats Terry!
 

Wanted to share this with you all as well.

On the Ides of March, March 15th Music Millennium will turn 55! It all started when we opened our doors in 1969 at 3pm to the sounds of The Beatles "It's All Too Much." Join us at 3pm as we commemorate the moment by playing "It's All Too Much." Join us again at 6pm for free cake and refreshments, a $4 Pint Happy Hour Special and a discount coupon good all day long!

It was The Ides of March, March 15th of 1969, when Don MacLeod, his wife Laureen and brother-in-law Dan Lissy first opened an 800-square-foot record store on the corner of 32nd & East Burnside. Specializing in mostly underground music not found in the department stores, drugstores or the couple of record stores that existed at the time, Music Millennium filled a niche for the Portland music community.

Titles by Fairport Convention, Frank Zappa, John Fahey, The Fugs and Holy Modal Rounders were stocked in the small store along with the sounds heard on the then three-month-old FM station, KINK- The Underground Link.

The store quickly grew in the first five years to its current size, including the addition of a classical store called The Musical Offering, later known as Classical Millennium (closed in 2012). A second Music Millennium store was also added next to the now-defunct Purple Earth Tavern at NW 21st & Irving, later located at 23rd & Johnson. 

It's 55 years later and Music Millennium is the oldest record store in existence in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout our history, we've stocked the ever-evolving gamut of formats including LP, 45, reel-to-reel, 8-track, cassette, DAT, compact disc, mini-disc, DCC and CD-ROM and have now come full circle with vinyl sales soaring and up over 14% worldwide!


Here are the charts.
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/23/23

in

Hi Everyone,
 
Music Biz just announced all their finalists for the upcoming Bizzy Awards. Lots of great contenders for awards this year, especially for the Frontline Innovators Award. This is an award that is given to a retail store who has shown exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in their practices during the past year in their interactions with consumers. I am thrilled that we have two CIMS stores that are finalists for the award, T-Bones in Hattiesburg Mississippi and Park Ave in Orlando Florida! The other two finalists are DBS Sounds and Gallery of Sound. I would like to send a massive congrats out to each one of you and I am looking forward to celebrating the recipient of this award at Music Biz in May.
 
For more info on the Bizzy Awards go to musicbiz.org
 
Here are the charts for the week.

Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/9/23

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Hi Everyone,
 
Here are the charts for the week.

Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Drayton Farley
Twenty On High
(Thirty Tigers / Hargrove Records)
 

Scott Register - ThinkIndie A&R
Love when my pick gets to be a homeboy. Farley lives in Alabaster, AL (a suburb of Birmingham) and he has suddenly burst on the scene with his new album. Why? It’s the songs. This is a collection of excellent songs. “Norfolk Blues,” ”Wasted Youth,” ”Something Wrong Inside My Head,” “The Alabama Moon” (I had a listener text me in tears about this one)…HELL! They are all good. This one is full of Bama. Give it a listen from start to finish.

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/2/23

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Hi Everyone,
 
Ben Kweller has been a longtime friend of CIMS, ThinkIndie and indie retail in general, and it is with great sadness that we learned that he and his wife Liz lost their son Dorian last week.
 
News of the loss of someone so young with so much life ahead of them is always so hard, so I wanted to extend our condolences to Ben and his family while they are going through such a heartbreaking time. May they one day find peace with this devastating event in their lives.
 
I am also sharing their note remembering their son Dorian Zev Kweller.

Our son Dorian died in a freak car accident on Monday, February 27th, 2023. He was 16 years old. He was going the speed limit, phone in its holder, seatbelt on, doing everything right. He was freestyle rapping to his favorite instrumental playlist when an oncoming truck drifted towards him. Dorian swerved into the shoulder to avoid the oncoming truck. While in the shoulder, a downed broken tree branch from the recent freeze came through the window and hit him on the right side of his head. He died instantly. The airbags didn’t go off, the car wasn’t overly damaged. He would’ve walked away from this had it not been for that one branch. When Dorian was born, our main wish for him was to have a zest for life. That wish came true times a hundred. Our baby was riding high until his final minute on earth. 

Lizzy and I are starting a foundation in his honor. It will serve young musicians and skateboarders (Dorian's two favorite things). We've set up a GoFundMe to get everything off the ground. Please consider donating something, even if it's $1. We are going to do great things for young people and I'd love to have you along for the ride. www.gofundme.com/doriankweller

Dorian Zev Kweller came into this world on May 30th, 2006. He took his first breath in a tiny NYC delivery room while the music of Mason Jennings played in the background. Dorian received his first drum set at the age of 2 and played a 4/4 rock beat before his father could show him how. He was a wordsmith from the time he could speak - rhyming and freestyling from his car seat to the backyard, to the bed. 

In 2008 we relocated to Austin, TX where we spent countless days hiking the greenbelt and swimming in local swimming holes. When Dorian had his mind set on something he was unstoppable. His first mission was to learn how to skateboard. Music and skating ultimately became his two lifelong passions.  

Dorian attended Habibi’s Hutch preschool and Zilker Elementary school where he made lifelong friends. During his time at Zilker, he received the “Friend To All'' and “Do It My Own Way” awards. While these accolades became loving jokes inside the household, they were spot on. He truly was a unique, outside of the box thinking ‘friend to all’.  One of his strongest bonds was with his brother Judah, who was born in 2010. Dorian protected and adored Judah and they were deeply intertwined. Dorian was a spiritual person who perceived deeper meaning in life. He was authentic, kind and generous. He saw the good in everyone and was never embarrassed to be himself because he was confident in who he was. 

In 2018 we moved to Dripping Springs where Dorian attended Skybridge Academy (now known as The Appamada School) then Dripping Springs High where he continued to expand his vast circle of friends. He was heavily involved in the local Dripping Springs Skate Club and the Austin skate scene at large. Dorian cherished every minute he had with his skate friends and knew every public and private skate spot in central Texas. Dorian was an integral member of the acclaimed DSHS music program where he played the bass drum and tenor/quad drums. His expressive drumming helped bring DSHS to the State Finals two years in a row. 

His knack for wordplay came alive in high school as did his guitar playing and audio production skills. 2021 was the year that Dorian got serious about his life as an artist. He worked under his middle name, ZEV, which is Hebrew for “wolf”. Every day after school, he oscillated between hip-hop beats, acoustic ballads, indie-guitar rockers, and lofi chill-wave grooves. One of the last traits that Dorian developed, and perhaps the most stunning, was his lush singing voice. ZEV released music to the public for the first time on July 1st, 2022. 

On February 25th, 2023, two days before Dorian’s passing, TikTok superstar, Masked Mortal discovered his song “SH3” and noted ZEV’s “voice that could cut butter.” ZEV was scheduled to make his live debut at SXSW on March 17th, 2023. He was looking forward to his senior year of High School and visiting potential colleges with his eye on Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Music was looking like a viable career path for him and at the same time Volatile Skateboards offered him a sponsorship deal just six hours before the car crash.

On Friday, March 3rd, 2023, we laid Dorian to rest on our family’s ranch. The outpouring of love from our Dripping Springs, Austin, and worldwide communities has been incredible. In his short life, Dorian radiated positivity and spread it to everyone he touched. He was brave, adventurous, and lived each day to the fullest. He was witty and loved making people laugh even when it was at his own expense. He loved deeply and was loved deeply. We know that his powerful light and music will continue to make this world a happier, more peaceful place. 

xo Ben and Lizzy
P.S. Here's his rad music.

Here are the charts.

Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/3/22

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Hi Everyone,

This week brought some exciting news amongst the CIMS group. After building the amazing store that Twist and Shout is, and an incredible 33-year run, Paul and Jill Epstein are passing the torch to their long-time manager Patrick Brown. Patrick certainly knows the ropes, as he has been a part of the Twist family for 30 of the 33 years, so I know that nothing will skip a beat.

Paul has always had a way with words, maybe thanks to his former life as an English teacher,
and I wanted to share his announcement below in case you missed it.

To Patrick, we are so thrilled to be along for the ride on this new journey of yours.

To Paul & Jill, we love you and we are going to miss you being a part of the day-to-day of our group, but until we meet again (I have no doubts we will), Fare thee well.

Friends,

The time has come. After 33 years of running Twist And Shout, Jill and I have decided it is time to retire. This decision did not come easily, and we do not take our responsibility to our customers and employees lightly. We have understood for a while that our ability to retire had to dovetail with a plan to keep Twist And Shout going far into the future. We believe that the store has become part of Denver life, and if it were to disappear that a huge hole in the cultural and musical life of our city would appear.

In the early months of the pandemic as Jill and I walked around deserted streets we talked a lot about what our stepping down might look like. At the same time, our manager of 30 years, Patrick Brown, stepped up in a life-saving and heroic way. He let us know immediately that he, and a small group of employees would keep the store going. They collected mail, kept the lights on and helped grow our small mail order business into a substantial service. As we slowly came back to life, Patrick’s dedication to the store and energy for the job never waned. Simply put, he has been the employee of a lifetime.

2020 was such a challenge for all of us. We worked so hard to bring the store back, keep the community together, create new ways of doing an old business. And we succeeded! 2021 was our best year in a couple of decades. In spite of lock downs, mask mandates, supply-chain issues and Covid outbreaks we have come back stronger than ever. The store is a bigger refuge for music, musicians and music lovers than it’s ever been. Thanks folks - really. We did this together.

When I approached Patrick about taking over the store, not only did he immediately say yes, he assured me that nothing would change. The employees, product mix, special events, policies and overall vibe of our beloved Twist And Shout will remain the same. Patrick will bring 30 years of institutional knowledge to his management as well as the beating heart of true music scholar. He’s every bit the nut that I am for this stuff, but he is 11 years younger than me and his energy will carry the store way into the future. I’m excited for the store and have no trepidation about this move. Thank you, Patrick. We did this together.

As for me… It’s time. I’ve been in Twist And Shout for more than half my life. I’ve given everything I have to it. I love it so much. I’m so proud of it. I love you, our customers beyond what you could imagine. You, the third generation kid whose grandfather brought you in the first time - I see you. You, who came to all those in-store performances - I see you. First person in line for Record Store Day - I see you. Girl who bought her first record at the store when she was 12 and is now bringing her 12 -year-old in to buy a turntable - I see you. Deadheads who I waved to at so many shows over the years -I see you. I see all of you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I’m not going anywhere. I want to continue living in a city with a great record store. So, I say with full heart for the final time.

See You In The Aisles,
Paul Epstein

Here are the charts,
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/25/21

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Hey everyone,

Here are the charts for the week.

Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

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Morgan Wade Reckless (Thirty Tigers/Ladylike Records) Scott Register - ThinkIndie A&R I put on Morgan Wade’s Reckless album and it ran me the fuck over. This album turned me inside out. Big things coming for this talented artist. Call this musi…

Morgan Wade
Reckless
(Thirty Tigers/Ladylike Records)

Scott Register - ThinkIndie A&R
I put on Morgan Wade’s Reckless album and it ran me the fuck over. This album turned me inside out. Big things coming for this talented artist. Call this music what you want as long as you call it authentic and outstanding. Damn!

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CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/18/21

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Today I wanted to put the spotlight on one of our stores celebrating a big moment this year.

Homer’s Music in Omaha, Nebraska joined our organization in 1995. They are one of our original CIMS members, and this year they are celebrating their 50th anniversary! This is a huge milestone for not only Homer’s but also for CIMS as well. So, this week I wanted to share a few words from Mike Fratt, General Manager, head buyer for Homer’s, and our CIMS board chair of many years:

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Hey Everyone,

Homer’s would like to give everyone a GREAT BIG THANKS for all the support over the years as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary

Established in 1971, Homer’s was one of the founding tenants of Omaha's Old Market, a top tourist attraction comprised of century-old four and five-story brick warehouses renovated into shops, restaurants and bars.

The company grew over 4 decades expanding to almost a dozen locations in Nebraska and Iowa, also birthing a successful One-Stop Distributor, RTI.

Today only one location remains, the Old Market store. Recognized for years as Nebraska's best music retailer, Homer’s has been featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Billboard and numerous music and travel magazines. Homers joined the Coalition of Independent Music Stores twenty-five years ago and Homer’s General Manager, Mike Fratt, currently serves as the CIMS board chairman. Homer’s participation in CIMS is a contributing factor in Homer's success weathering so much change over fifty years. CIMS is a founding member of Record Store Day, the international annual celebration of indie record stores. Selection and service have been the cornerstones of Homer’s identity along with the iconic jingle.

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Homer’s currently employs twelve staffers. The store is 3500 sq feet with wood floors and 16-ft ceilings. Marq Manner is Store Manager and Haley Clark is Assistant Manager. Mike Fratt is Head Buyer and General Manager. Tom and Sue Weidner are the owners since 1992.

I joined Homer’s in 1978, after some time at Musicland and Record Shop. During my almost 35 years here I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with some amazing people, meet very creative people, discover awesome music and share that with music lovers. Not only that, but CIMS has given us the opportunity to interact with other indie stores strengthening our efforts. It's been great and 2020 caused us to reflect on how much it means. All the more reason to celebrate.

Cheers,
Mike
http://homersmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HomersMusic
https://www.instagram.com/homersmusic/channel/

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Homer’s will be doing special sales and promotions to celebrate this occasion all year. Since we are still in a time that makes celebrating these important moments properly a little more difficult, let’s be sure to show this fantastic store some extra love, and next time you find yourself in Omaha, be sure to go by and say hello!
 
Congrats to Tom, Sue, Mike and everyone at Homer’s for 50 years of music!
 
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic


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Dan Sartain Romance In Stereo Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director This week has been such a heavy one for many with the loss of Dan Sartain. For the majority of my life, Dan and I have shared friends, bandmates, stages, laughs about…

Dan Sartain
Romance In Stereo

Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director
This week has been such a heavy one for many with the loss of Dan Sartain. For the majority of my life, Dan and I have shared friends, bandmates, stages, laughs about pretty much nothing at all and lots of spaces at shows and record stores together. He was full of contrasts; there was definitely a dark side to him, but his goofy nature and excitement often reminded me of that of a little boy. He could be kind of a mess, yet from the time we were kids, he seemed fully formed. Those stark contradictions are what made him who he was. I remember always thinking Dan was a little like a reverse Marty McFly; not quite from the present, but also not quite from the past. So, today I am taking it back to the early days. I always loved this record. I honestly can’t believe these songs are 20 years old this year, and I can’t believe Dan is gone. Sending lots of love to his family and those closest to him feeling this the most.

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CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 3/4/21

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Hey everyone,

Here are the charts for the week.

Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

2b9bf94c-ea8a-4cbb-8079-f617c9b24abb.jpg
Body-San Midnight (100% Silk) Blake Wimberly - CIMS/ThinkIndie Spring Bringer The breeziest of tracks from the silkiest of labels.

Body-San
Midnight
(100% Silk)

Blake Wimberly - CIMS/ThinkIndie Spring Bringer
The breeziest of tracks from the silkiest of labels.

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