Austin Record Convention

As you probably know, I like a lot of different music. That's why when I took a month off in July, I hit up two music festivals (Bluesfest and RockUSA) in about a week and a half from each other. I am a big fan of CD's and will hit up places like Strictly Discs or Piranha Records, but also have been known to stop by pure record stores like New Day Records.

With that being said, Facebook marketing got to me again. I saw an advertisement for the Austin Record Convention and I decided I needed to go. It was at the Palmer Events Center on the south side of town. Victoria and I got in the car and headed there.

I found out it was $5 to get in (pretty cheap overall), but it was $8 to park (I guess cheap to midrange for Austin parking prices). We bought our parking pass, parked in the packed parking garage, and then made our way down to the main entrance.

Parking garage exit booth with payment signage requesting credit card or exact change, Audi sedan waiting at barrier gate Interior of multi-level parking garage showing parked vehicles under fluorescent lighting with Caution: Two-Way Traffic sign visible Industrial elevator entrance decorated with large stylized number 2 design in black and red on salmon-colored background, Lock Take Hide signage visible White directional sign with black arrow pointing to Palmer Events Center mounted on concrete ceiling in parking structure Covered outdoor walkway with concrete pillars and green directional signs for Palmer Events Center and Long Center, tree-lined street visible beyond Green street directional sign showing Palmer Events Center with right arrow and Long Center with left arrow, mounted on metal pole Open-air covered walkway with concrete pillars and wooden ceiling, Administrative Offices sign visible on column, parkland in background Limestone or light-colored stone colonnade with exposed wooden beam ceiling, people walking through corridor, bicycles parked against wall Person in black t-shirt approaching glass entrance doors under covered walkway with limestone columns and wooden ceiling beams Crowd of people queued at box office window inside venue with limestone walls and modern ceiling design

They stamped our hands with this cool pizza logo once we paid.

Close-up of person's hand showing temporary pizza slice tattoo or stamp on back of hand

Soon we were inside. The sheer size and amount of different vendors was the first thing I noticed. I also noticed some really cool albums out in display out front and also a concession stand if I got hungry.

Large convention hall interior with many volunteers at long tables assembling or packing items, industrial ceiling with exposed ductwork and lighting Convention floor showing vendor booths and attendees browsing, industrial warehouse-style venue with exposed ceiling infrastructure Concessions area with illuminated signage on textured wall, refrigerated drink cooler visible below Vinyl record display mounted on pegboard showing various album covers including classic rock and pop artists

Like I said, the sheer volume of stuff there was amazing! I just walked around and took pictures of everything. While this was mainly based on records, I did find there was other stuff like CD's, cassette tapes, 8-tracks, toys, posters, t-shirts, and some cool artwork.

Vendor table with white cardboard boxes containing organized vinyl records, hand-written signs indicating pricing categories including Recent arrivals, Collectable, and We take Credit Cards Convention floor view showing vendor setup area with easels, cork boards, and folding tables, attendees visible in background Wide angle view of busy convention floor with numerous vendor tables displaying merchandise, many attendees browsing Close-up of vinyl records organized in white storage boxes on vendor table, hand-written pricing labels showing $5 and 45s categories Expansive view of convention hall showing rows of vendor tables with attendees browsing records and merchandise throughout the space Wide view of convention hall center aisle with vendor tables lining both sides, attendees browsing records and merchandise, polished concrete floor reflecting overhead lighting Vendor table with organized white storage boxes labeled by music genre including Rock N Roll, Blues, Soul, Country, and Jazz, attendees examining records Convention floor showing vendors with cardboard boxes and plastic crates filled with records, multiple attendees browsing merchandise scattered throughout space Convention hall view with vendor booths, white promotional feather banners, and attendees browsing records organized in boxes on folding tables Vendor booth displaying rows of 45 rpm singles in brown paper sleeves with colorful record labels, hand-written signs reading Northern Soul and Rare Texas, KGSR 97.9 FM radio station branding visible on table skirt Overhead view of multiple cardboard boxes filled with organized CDs standing upright on vendor table Close-up overhead view of CDs organized in cardboard storage boxes arranged in grid pattern on table Wide angle view of convention hall showing vendor tables with white record storage boxes, numerous attendees browsing throughout space Convention floor with attendees examining records, vendor booth with cardboard boxes and promotional materials visible Vendor booth area featuring red tablecloth with Half Price promotional signage, attendees browsing records and merchandise Vendor business sign for RoadRunner Records & Antiques from Baton Rouge displaying phone number 225-333-8885, designed with vinyl record graphic and mounted on easel Vendor booth with McSound Music & Grooves branding on cork board divider panels, person seated at table with white storage boxes containing records Vendor table displaying vinyl records and clear plastic storage bins with alphabetical divider tabs for organization Person kneeling while browsing through white boxes of records at vendor table, fluorescent pricing signs and additional merchandise visible Pegboard display wall showcasing mounted vinyl album covers including Beatles, classic rock albums, and vintage record artwork White plastic storage crates containing vinyl records organized alphabetically with visible dividers, classic rock albums from AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and Rolling Stones visible in front sections Panoramic view of convention floor with multiple vendor tables displaying white record storage boxes, attendees browsing throughout hall Convention attendees browsing vendor tables with records, person in orange shirt prominent in foreground, wire display racks visible in background Long view down convention hall aisle showing vendors on both sides with attendees examining records at various tables Vendor section with cardboard boxes of records displaying hand-written price labels, wire grid display racks, attendees browsing merchandise in background Art vendor booth displaying colorful painted portraits of musicians and celebrities on canvas and vinyl records, person in black shirt examining artwork at table Chalkboard A-frame sign advertising ten dollar prints listing artists Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jack Johnson, and Bob Marley in chalk lettering Close-up of painted vinyl records featuring colorful portrait artwork of musicians with distinctive faces rendered on record surfaces, displayed on black table Art vendor booth with person working at table, colorful painted portraits and musical-themed artwork displayed on shelves and hanging panels Bright pink concert posters advertising Cheap Trick with L.A. Rocks at Palace December 22 and Go-Go's with The Ventures at Roxy January 30-31 Overhead view of vendor table with records, cassettes, and CDs organized in cardboard boxes including Geezer brand box with hand-written fifty cent price sign Overhead view of cardboard box containing organized cassette tapes with visible labels and yellow price sticker reading one dollar Colorful painted portrait artwork depicting figure in blue and purple tones wearing orange and red clothing, handwritten text including It was all a dream and Salt 'n Pepa Wide view of vendor booth with wooden record display shelving, white storage boxes, attendees browsing, cardboard box labeled Rock with green sign Vendor booth with wooden shelving units displaying mounted album covers in grid format, white storage boxes with alphabetical dividers, hand-written signs reading Ask About Our Expat Trx! and This is a Safe Space Vendor table displaying various vinyl albums and publications laid flat including Beatles materials, folding chairs visible in background Close-up of vinyl records including Beatles Please Please Me album, green colored vinyl record, and various albums in protective sleeves Convention hall view with vendor booths featuring vinyl displays, pegboard walls with album covers, attendees browsing white storage boxes Wide angle view of crowded convention floor with multiple vendor tables and numerous attendees browsing records throughout space Busy convention floor showing vendor booths with displayed artwork, framed records, promotional banners, and many attendees shopping Vendor table with red tablecloth displaying 8-track tapes and cassettes in organized grid pattern, wooden shelving unit with cassettes in background, signs for vinyl record necklaces and music tape cassettes visible Convention floor view showing person walking past vendor tables filled with white storage boxes of records, various vendor booths in background Close-up of vendor table displaying vinyl albums including classic rock titles and Guns N' Roses, albums in protective sleeves, Priority Mail box visible White cardboard storage box filled with vinyl records, hand-written promotional label visible on box side Vendor table with repurposed cardboard produce boxes from Sonio and Tomatoes brands used as storage for 45 rpm records with colorful labels visible Attendees viewing large display wall featuring grid of mounted album covers with white storage boxes organized alphabetically at vendor booth base Vendor seated at booth with extensive wall display of album covers mounted in grid pattern, white record storage boxes with alphabetical dividers below Close-up of white storage bins with alphabetical divider tabs including sections labeled W-Z, As Priced, and other organizational categories for browsing records Convention floor scene with person in chambray shirt examining white storage boxes at vendor booth, crowded exhibition hall visible in background Vendor booth area with attendees browsing through white record storage boxes and cardboard containers Convention attendees walking and browsing vendor booths, person wearing cowboy hat prominent in frame among crowd Wide view of convention floor showing multiple vendor tables and attendees dispersed throughout exhibition space Display of vintage concert posters including yellow poster advertising Hank Williams performing at Cain's in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1952, alongside other promotional materials White storage boxes containing records with alphabetical dividers including Female category label, vintage concert posters visible in background Busy convention floor with vendor booths and numerous attendees browsing records, vintage red concert poster for Chester's Big Dance visible in foreground Convention floor view showing vendor booths with cardboard boxes and white storage containers, moderate crowd of attendees browsing Vendor display featuring wall of mounted black and white photographs and album covers, white storage boxes below labeled with Rock N Roll branding Person in purple shirt examining records at vendor booth with display wall of black and white album covers and photography Convention vendor tables displaying white storage boxes, gray plastic milk crates, and bright yellow promotional signs for merchandise Convention hallway with attendees queuing and browsing near vendor booths against plain walls Hallway area showing attendees walking and examining merchandise at vendor tables with white storage boxes White storage containers filled with organized CDs standing upright, hand-written pricing note indicating 10 for $5 promotion Crowded convention floor showing dense gathering of attendees browsing vendor booths with records and merchandise Four framed black and white band photographs with white matting displayed in black frames, vintage concert tickets incorporated into presentation Three large framed black and white photographs of musical performances displayed on black tablecloth, concert memorabilia integrated into frames Vendor display featuring rotating white wire stands with miniature collectible electric guitars, framed music photographs visible on left side Vendor table with black tablecloth displaying rows of picture disc vinyl records showing colorful album artwork and band imagery Overhead close-up view of picture disc vinyl records with vibrant labels and album artwork arranged on black display table, hand reaching across Convention attendees browsing vendor booth, person in orange shirt and person in gray examining record selections at table Expansive view of busy convention hall with numerous attendees at vendor tables, Reservations directional sign visible on wall Long vendor display with organized wooden boxes containing records, hand-written four dollar price signs, pegboard wall with album covers behind Vendor booth for direct audio featuring tall white feather banner and white storage boxes with circular branding displayed on tables Large banner reading HIGH COUNTRY ROCKIN' RECORDS in orange lettering above vendor booth with white storage boxes priced at four dollars Close-up of wooden boxes filled with alphabetically organized vinyl records, hand-written category labels including Rock N-S, all marked four dollars Vendor booth with wire grid display rack showing album covers, red New Arrivals sign overhead, person in white shirt at gray checkout table Convention area near Barton Springs Exit sign with attendees examining merchandise at vendor tables and wooden display shelving Vendor tables with white record storage boxes, burgundy leather jacket hanging on pegboard display, attendees shopping in background Person in camouflage shorts carrying KISS Army tote bag browsing white storage boxes of records near exit area Vendor booth displaying records, apparel, and various music merchandise on tables with bright yellow promotional signage Framed vintage concert posters propped against wall featuring Led Zeppelin and Jerry Lee Lewis advertisements Vendor booth with bright yellow VINA Records & Compact Disc Electronic banner, albums and merchandise on wooden shelving display Extended vendor table with white storage boxes organized by genre labels including soundtracks, soul, jazz, oldies, customers browsing Vendor display showing multiple white storage boxes labeled pop/rock with alphabetical subdivisions arranged systematically on folding tables Convention floor perspective with vendor tables featuring white boxes labeled METAL and POP ROCK, attendees shopping throughout hall Wide panoramic view of convention space with vendor tables displaying white storage boxes and gray plastic crates, attendees dispersed across floor Indoor convention center with vendor tables and attendees browsing music memorabilia, featuring exposed industrial ceiling and polished concrete floors Vendor booth displaying extensive wall collage of vintage music posters, album covers, and memorabilia with exposed merchandise below Vendor table featuring vinyl records, music memorabilia, and novelty items including conspiracy-themed displays and Billy Idol albums Close-up of packaged action figure displayed on vendor table alongside music-related collectibles Blue Jay Way Galleries Texas booth with two vendors seated at table surrounded by organized record bins and vintage album displays Wooden tiered display rack showcasing vinyl record box sets including prominent Kinks collection and Eric Clapton albums Vendor in red shirt organizing long table with white storage boxes labeled by music genres including Rock and Jazz Convention attendees browsing through vinyl records at vendor tables with curved architectural feature visible on wall Wide view of busy record show floor with numerous vendor tables, white storage bins, and attendees throughout the space Large Led Zeppelin promotional poster featuring Icarus figure with angel wings against orange sunset sky Vendor booth displaying Beatles memorabilia including iconic group photo and vintage album covers, with vendors working at counter Panoramic view of convention floor showing multiple vendor setups with white record storage boxes and browsing collectors Record show floor with vendors and cardboard boxes on tables, attendees examining music collections Display table featuring Kiss collectibles including boxed neon telephone, action figures, and band memorabilia Heritage Auctions booth with Beatles-focused display including Ask Me Why The Beatles promotional materials and vendor at table Convention floor view showing restrooms signage and various vendor booths with framed music artwork Queue of attendees waiting at white-draped table, likely for check-in or purchase processing Dense crowd of collectors browsing through cardboard boxes of records at multiple vendor tables Attendees examining vinyl records stored in white boxes organized along vendor tables Large pile of band t-shirts including James Taylor and various rock artists stacked on convention floor Multiple clear plastic storage bins filled with hundreds of CDs organized vertically on vendor tables at music convention Vendor booth displaying CD collections in transparent bins with NICK MERCADO AUCTIONS sign, attendees browsing in background Attendee with shoulder bag examining vendor booth featuring portable display panels with vintage music memorabilia and album artwork Convention floor vendor setup with music memorabilia display panels, U-Haul storage boxes, and crowds of attendees throughout space

I walked around and looked at everything. I didn't really find any CD's I wanted. I'm sure if I would have spent a bunch more time, I probably would have came out with stacks of them, but for the time being I was just looking to see if any caught my eye right away. We walked back to the car and I took a wrong turn in the parking garage. This led me up to the top floor, which was completely empty. That worked to my benefit as I was able to get a nice view of the city.

Austin, Texas downtown skyline viewed from parking garage rooftop featuring prominent Frost Bank Tower under clear blue sky Close-up view of Austin skyline dominated by tall Frost Bank Tower with mixed architectural styles of surrounding office buildings Detail of Austin downtown office towers showing varied building facades including distinctive angular stepped architecture Panoramic Austin cityscape with downtown skyscrapers, Frost Bank Tower, green parkland and parking areas in foreground

Going to this record convention was really cool. It appears they do it twice a year, so I'm sure I'll be back to see what else they have. I'll probably end up spending a lot more time (and money) the next time I do go there.

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