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Vinyl record sale draws crowds, former star

Seventeen years ago Don Burnett of Brandon wanted to share his love of vinyl records and organized the first record show outside of Winnipeg. It was a small event at first but over the years it grew.
vinyl
Ed James with Alex Fraser at record album sale.

Seventeen years ago Don Burnett of Brandon wanted to share his love of vinyl records and organized the first record show outside of Winnipeg.

It was a small event at first but over the years it grew. The event is now a major record festival held twice a year.

The most recent sale had buyers and sellers from Winnipeg to Regina and a lot of places in between. They came in all ages, several with want lists or binders listing their collections. 

At this event you will not only find 33, 45 and 78 rpm records but new and vintage record players, CDs, rock and roll T-shirts, books and photos of rock stars, and musical instruments; plus a great wealth of knowledge of R&R facts and fiction. Did you know that at the August 1969 Woodstock Rock Festival, Roy Rogers was asked to perform and close the show with “Happy Trails To You”? He declined!

Among the buyers are older people looking for a rock and roll memory of their youth such as a song they played on a first date, at the Saturday Sock Hop, or maybe their wedding.

The younger people are looking for the great songs of the 50s, 60s, 70s and just maybe a few from the 80s. One teen told me that we had the best music back in the 60s!

Other teens and twenties said they were buying the old records not only for the music but because its message was timeless and for the most part happy.

Some said they liked the great cover art and liner notes while another said they liked the feel and smell of vinyl. Only one person wanted the cheaper records to decorate their basement.

Surprise Visitor

During the event a customer came by and pulled out a few LPs and asked me if I knew who he was. It turned out to be Alex Fraser, a well-known musician from Fleming, Saskatchewan. During the 70s and 80s, he was well known on the music scene with his group, The Alex Fraser Combo.

The group was together for 12 years and had a number of songs on the pop music charts. When the band parted ways, Fraser went on to become a successful auctioneer in Westman and is still active in the used car business in Brandon where he lives in semi-retirement with his wife Eva.

He told me that back in the day the group played all over Canada at dances, on the radio and TV. However, now he just plays for his family and friends. He said he always enjoyed entertaining people and seeing them having fun.

So the fall vinyl sale is over but it will be back in the spring with lots more great music from yesteryear and who knows, maybe some other music maker from the past will show up. You know, two of the Beatles are still with us!  

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