Indie Day at NARM

NARM'S SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE: During NARM’s first day, one of the highlights was the first of two Record Store Day town hall meetings. Following yet another RSD smashing success this year, a capacity crowd showed up with most, if not all, the indie retailers here at the convention, not to mention representatives from every major and independent label to help move the needle even further on the brick-and-mortar phenomenon that started some four years ago. In a pre-convention meeting on Monday, Music Millenium’s Terry Currier gathered for the second year in a row an A-list of industry hitters to work on supporting physical product in the marketplace. The meeting included Sony’s Darren Stupak, UMG’s Jim Urie and Candace Berry, EMM’s Dominic Pandiscia, WEA’s Mike Jbara, INgrooves Fontana’s Ron Spaulding, eOne’s Jim Cuomo, ADA’s David Orleans, Hastings’ Phil McConnell, Trans World’s Ish Cuebas, Homer’s Mike Fratt, Newbury Comics’ Duncan Browne and Waterloo’s John Kunz. The respect was palpable in the room for what these indies are trying to accomplish while they drilled down on everything from credit lines to loose pick charges. Kudos to Currier for making it happen. (5/9p)