Records spin with the times

Jerry "DJ" West's 40-year-old record shop is his pride and joy.

By Jim Schoettler

Forty years ago, Jerry "DJ" West began supplementing his custom jewelry business by buying 30 45-rpm records and selling them to customers from a Northwest Jacksonville shop.

Every time West would sell one record, he'd buy two more to sell. And two more. And two more.

Today, West's collection of all types of new and used vinyl records tops 15,000, with specialities in gospel and rhythm and blues. There are selections of disco, rock and country. He also dabbles in casettes, CDs, DVDs and something called 8-tracks. And if you're in need of a turntable needle, West probably has the right one.

West's music is stored and sold in DJ's Record Shop, a delightfully cramped, drafty, dimly lit business at Edison and McDuff avenues in Lackawanna. The independent record store has been in the same spot for 35 years, serving generations of families with interests ranging from the Temptations to Billy Joel to Beyonce.

"Some of the people I deal with now, now they have great-grandchildren they brought in and they tell them, 'He was here when I was young,' " said West, 60. "That makes me feel good."

West has raised three children with the money he's made off his business. Having something for everyone's taste and adjusting to the changing methods of how people listen to music has helped.

But making money isn't West's only motivation to keep working six days a week, especially through some difficult times. DJ's - West was once a DJ, hence the nickname - has become a second home to West and some of his friends. It's a place to relax, talk about the "oldies" and listen to the sounds of Otis Redding, James Brown, Ray Charles and many others.

"This is what I call my empire," said West, stretching his long arms out over a sea of records. "This is one of the things I live for. To some people it may look like junk, but this is what I enjoy doing."

West said he's accumulated the collection mainly from private sales, though it's not unusual for people to donate their unwanted music to him. West sells his records for anywhere from $1.99 up, but there's little doubt he'll leave some room for negotiation.

He said he enjoys watching people flip through his many boxes and shelves, some for hours. He said people buy the records not only for nostalgia purposes, but also to hear a certain sound. Rather than quality vinyl, he said, some people simply enjoy listening to something old.

"It's the cracking sound that people love to hear," West said.

Younger customers who venture into his shop amuse West when they ask about the strange looking vinyl discs.

"I've had teenagers come in and they'll look at a record and say, 'What is this?' " he said.

Regular customers include Joanne Brumfield, 61, who said she visits the shop a few times a week from her home in Arlington. She said the store brings back old memories of music to which she used to dance and sing. It also reminds her of her first boyfriend.

"There's a lot here that reminds me of me and Freddie, my first love," Brumfield said with a big smile. "Otis Redding. Johnny Taylor. It reminds me of our past and how good it was."

Reginald Dillon popped in the store one day recently looking for some Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin. Dillon, 41, has been buying music from West for 27 years.

"I like to shop for oldies music. If nobody's got it, DJ's got it," Dillon said. "When you come in this store, it takes you back. It makes me feel great."

West said he may retire one day, but don't expect that to come anytime soon.

"I'm always happy when I get here," West said.

And the beat goes on.

SOURCE: http://www.jacksonville.com
Reprinted by Permission