Roots of Rock TONIGHT at Nicky's of Beverly to Beat Thursday Rain

Even Woodstock had to work around the rain in 1969 to pull off the historical concert.

Organizers of this week’s “Roots of Rock” show at Nicky’s of Beverly are “weather permitting” re-scheduling the event for tonight at 6 p.m. in anticipation of more severe weather predicted for Thursday evening.

“Safety first when hosting an outdoor event for our customers,” said Nicky’s of Beverly owner Paul Kostopanagiotou. “If we can get it in tonight, we don’t have to take chances tomorrow evening.”

The “Roots of Rock” party is an eclectic presentation of songs from all genres and eras that thread together today’s hit sounds with “those of yesteryear.”

“We’ll have something for all music lovers and it’s selected to entertain and enlighten,” said Beverly Records DJ John Dreznes. “We appreciate that Nicky’s of Beverly is building momentum for this second record drop two days later.”

Nicky’s of Beverly and Beverly Records’ are the two business establishments embarking on another celebration of vinyl July 17, 2021 – the industry’s unprecedented second drop for Record Store Day 2021.

“I love vinyl and that’s why we started playing it for our customers,” said Kostopanagiotou. “Customers dig hearing records, whether it’s in their own collection or something they’ve never heard before.”

Beverly Records enjoyed its strongest single day of sales in its 54-year history on last month’s Record Store Day. There was a run on new, used and pre-order albums, as well as the annual tee shirts customized with a new theme each year.

“We began taking orders for the tee shirts as soon as we ran out,” said storeowner Jack Dreznes, John’s father. “We’ll have more Saturday.”

The uniquely designed tee shirts of years gone by were on display – if not fashion statements - sometime after midnight, worn by those who wanted in when the doors opened at 8 a.m.

According to social media posts on June 11th, the first record enthusiasts queued up at Beverly Records’ entrance at 1:52 a.m. Because they are never at a loss for words, vinyl collectors always have common grooves to share while lounging in chairs, stools or against the wall.

Beverly Records’ brisk sales reflects what Jack Dreznes calls the “rekindling of the love affair” music enthusiasts have for vinyl, the sound and the process of buying a full, theme-driven album and playing it over and over while reading the liner notes from the sleeves of the LP.

According to current industry messaging, the focus of the second record drop was to generate revenue at the stores, as well as “for the artists, labels, distributors and every other business behind the scenes making record stores operate in a fiscally and socially responsible way.

They further reasoned that the spread of titles over two dates built in flexibility for the struggling vinyl pressing plants and distribution companies. Ultimately, the stores were able to commit to sensible budgets by placing sound and money-wise orders.

“No small business record store wants to get burned by over ordering,” said Dreznes. “But we also have a commitment to our loyal customers who have helped us survive. It’s a high wire act some years but we’re lucky to have our community of people who keep filling the aisles and flipping through the crates.”

Dreznes is already looking forward to 2022 when he’ll have live bands playing at Beverly Records, 11612 South Western Avenue in Chicago.

For now he can take comfort in knowing Nicky’s of Beverly can fill a patio with patrons and the air with the sounds of summer “when it’s not raining.”