Digital Magazine | Page 78

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE While streaming music , listeners often skip around to different songs , and quite often only download a song or two from an artist versus an entire album . Listening to vinyl , on the other hand , is the activity itself .
Listening to an entire album is often one of the best parts of the experience because it leads to the discovery of other much-loved songs from that artist . It also allows for a richer , more in-depth experience that requires the listener ’ s full attention . Because records must be played on a turntable , the player must be present in the room , which means that there is greater awareness of the music .
Many vinyl devotees make the listening itself an event or communal experience , with a dedicated area of the house set aside for that purpose . For some , the experience is therapeutic , as it requires one to be physically present and totally focused on the music . “ It ' s a more involved listening experience : You go through your record shelf , and you pull out an album , remove the record from the sleeve , put it on the turntable , and on mine where the record arm is manual , I have to be in tune to what ' s going on to raise and lower the needle , so it ' s a whole experience ,” describes Wolfe . “ Then you get into gear . I have mainly vintage gear except for my actual turntable . I have big tower speakers and organize my records alphabetically and chronologically by how the album was released .”
FOR THE LOVE OF ARTISTS The availability of beautiful record cases and racks , turntables and stands means that the entire process is put on display . People often buy vinyl because they like the tangible nature of all these products , which acts as a physical representation of their connection with an artist . “ I think what a lot of people like about collecting vinyl , especially young people , is that they are starting to realize that you can display your fandom of an artist , or your dedication to being a music fan by having an actual physical collection ," notes Michael Sumser , multimedia supervisor and buyer at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland , Ohio . " Over the last 10 to 15 years , that seemed to fall by the wayside with streaming and iPods ."
Many collectors aim to not only purchase every album from a favorite singer or band , but sometimes buy multiple versions of the same album that have different features or song lineups . Artists often offer exclusives , including limited editions , signed copies or bonuses like T-shirts or posters . In October 2022 , Taylor Swift released a special lavender edition of her newest album , “ Midnights ,” available only at certain retailers . In addition to the 13 songs on the LP , the package included a collectible album jacket with unique front and back cover art , a marbled color vinyl disc , album sleeve with a different full-size photo of Taylor on each side , full-size gatefold photo and an eight-page lyric booklet with never-before-seen photos . An interesting record and record cover can have a huge impact on its sales because some collectors are more focused on the artwork than the music . The most iconic album covers of all time call to mind a specific band , era or genre and are difficult to acquire , commanding huge premiums .
Vinyls can be purchased from most artists on their websites or at concerts , which is a great way to support a favorite musician , who usually makes more from vinyl sales than from streaming platforms or chain outlets .
JOINING THE FUN If you would like to jump on the vinyl bandwagon , the first thing you will need is a turntable . Audio brands like Audio-Technica , Crosley , Victrola , Pro-Ject , Sony , Denon and Pioneer offer turntables for just about every budget . “ I tell people : ‘ I guarantee if you buy a record player and buy records , you ' re going to be hooked and get into the hobby ,’” Wolfe offers . His advice , even for beginners , is to invest in a player that is a little better than entry level to avoid the near certain desire to trade it in for a better model quickly thereafter .
For first-time record player owners , an affordable hybrid player , capable of playing digital media and vinyl records , can be great . A suitcase record player is a good option for those who plan to take it on the go , as this all-in-one turntable is plug and play . Advanced audiophiles might look at machinery that is a step above these entrylevel options , which may include a turntable with a separate amplifier and speakers to produce superior sound .
No matter which turntable you choose , the key is placing it somewhere you ’ ll really use it . And then choosing some favorite records and jumping into the vinyl revival .

SKEET SHOOTING WITH FRED MISSILDINE

Not all records are music . Long before podcasts and audiobooks , listeners could learn from instructional records , including the “ Skeet Shooting with Fred Missildine ,” a copy of which can be seen in the Spanish Lounge at The Cloister . Born in Glynn County in 1915 , Missildine started at the Sea Island Gun Club in 1939 as a manager and then head instructor . During his competitive career , Missildine won over 35 national and international skeet-shooting championships with an amazing 98.6 lifetime average . His impressive success landed him on several hall of fame lists , including the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the National Skeet and Trap Shooters Hall of Fame . Missildine was also one of the country ’ s top instructors , producing many champion shooters . During World War II , he served in the 8th Air Force as a shooting instructor . To share his teaching methods with the masses , Missildine authored three books on the subject and also produced the record , which was released in 1967 .
78 SEA ISLAND LIFE | SPRING / SUMMER 2023