For Music Lovers, the Dr. Is in

When I walked through the doors on Sunday to find a free music party just getting started, I immediately felt welcome at Dr. Freecloud's Record Shoppe in Fountain Valley. Owners Ron Dedmon and his wife Helen Liang introduced themselves and offered to me some tasty treats from the free taco bar. We chatted as music played and party guests circulated through the shoppe.

Dedmon grew up in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. As a teenager, he worked in record stores and began collecting records. Next, he learned how to be a DJ and became known as Ron D Core. He's been leading people on the dance floors for 15 years.

"I met Ron at a cheesy club in Orange County" Liang said. "We were together for years, and then we opened the record shop in Costa Mesa."

Liang and Dedmon ran a store in Costa Mesa, then decided to move to Fountain Valley.  

"I wish I would have started my business here, Dedmon said. "Fountain Valley is very welcoming."

Demon and Liang liked the center at the northeast corner of Brookhurst and Garfield because the center is vintage with an eclectic mix of restaurants. 

"The landlord is very flexible and encourages our special events," said Dedmon.

The special events at Dr. Freecloud's involve music playing over the sound system and guest DJs performing at the tables. The events always have a theme. Sometimes, free food and beverages are provided.  

While in the shoppe, guests can search through rare vinyl records, CDs and tapes. Magazines and books are also available, as well as a selection of clothing designed by local artists. The store hosts instructional classes for DJs and supplies DJ equipment. People can just sit and listen to the music on sofas and chairs throughout the store.

DJs and their families were at the store that day. Jenny Gonzales brought her daughter, Nadia Arias, 5, and her niece, Lilah Rodriguez, 9, to watch DJ Sergio Arias aka Relaps.

"Nadia was really excited to see her dad play," Gonzales said. "She's always heard us talk about it, and now she gets to see him."

Melissa and DJ Robert Wright were in attendance on Sunday. Melissa was helping set up the free gourmet taco bar.  Robert was preparing to DJ.  

Robert met Ron in the 1990s and, "just to help out Ron," produced video projections for Ron's dance events. He and Melissa have been friends with Ron and Helen ever since.

"It's definitely become a family vibe here at the shoppe," Wright said.

If you're looking for rare records or CDs or tapes, Ron and Helen are here to serve you.

Helen said, "We love the customer service part of the job.  We love saying, 'I have the record you've been looking for!'"