The Westchester Record and CD Show is a must-attend event for music lovers and collectors of all ages.
This recurring show which takes place several times a year offers an incredible opportunity to explore, buy, and sell a wide variety of vinyl records, CDs, and music memorabilia.
From rare vintage LPs to more recent music releases, the Westchester Record and CD Show has something for everyone.
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First Time at the Westchester Record and CD Show
I’d like to share my own experience attending a recent show. It was my first time attending the Westchester Record and CD Show and I really did not know what to expect.
On an otherwise dreary and rainy Sunday, I got lucky and landed what seemed to be the best parking spot right by the covered entrance of the Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, New York. I go into the lobby and follow the signs to the Record Show and quickly realize that it is on a specific side of the hotel in one of the event rooms which it turns out is not that near where I parked.
With the anticipation building as I snake around the hotel hallways seeing people holding LPs and music posters, I spot the check-in desk in the distance.
I had prepaid and bought my ticket in advance for $4 instead of the $5 cash at the door. Got a great deal and I haven’t even bought anything yet!
There is a memorabilia and poster shop by the entrance and I start by browsing there before taking a deep breath and stepping into the main room. The room is filled with many different sellers who set up tables with a huge variety of vinyl, CDs with some other things like DVDs and posters here and there.
I got sucked in early and bought two R&B LPs from the very first seller by the entrance but don’t do this. My suggestion is to take a quick walk around the entire show and get a feel for who sells what and then figure out which tables you want to spend your time.
Westchester Record and CD Show Tips
The pro move is to take a quick tour because there is a very big range of price points and specialties.
High-End Record Vendors at the Westchester Record and CD Show
There are sellers at the Westchester Record and CD Show that focus on highly curated desirable records in good shape or even sealed and the prices reflect the high-quality selection. Individual records can be $50, $75, or hundreds of dollars.
Vinyl Record Vendors by Genre at the Westchester Record and CD Show
Other sellers have wide selections and are strong in specific genres. For example, there was a seller by the entrance that had a lot of Soul and R&B.
There was a table in the back that went really deep into Metal and had his offerings organized by sub-genres within the broader Metal category.
Another guy had a lot of Latin and Irish music as well as 80s New Wave.
Look for Deals at the Westchester Record and CD Show
Another tip is to look for deals at the Westchester Record and CD Show. While certain sellers focused on $75 records, there were just as many that had selections of $2, $5 and 4 for $10 bargain vinyl record deals.
Shop around and you might get lucky like I did. While not particularly rare or anything, I had a few good scores including clean copies of “The Cars” and “Candy-O” by the Cars for $5 a piece.
I mean, “The Cars” is probably one of the greatest debut albums of all time! Side One has “Good Times Roll”, “My Best Friend’s Girl”, “Just What I Needed” and “Don’t Cha Stop”. Insane. And $5.
I found “Can’t Slow Down” by Lionel Richie in the 4 for $10 crates. Score! So this is the album where Lionel is on the cover sitting the wrong way on a chair. You know the one. It has “All Night Long”, “Hello”, “Stuck on You” and more. Another album that is like a greatest hits compilation.
The thing is I already have a copy of “Can’t Slow Down” but for whatever reason, my particular copy never sounded great even though there are no apparent scratches or anything.
I’ve cleaned it multiple times, used the Milty Zerostat 3 gun (more on that another time), and brushed it with a carbon anti-static brush but it always snap, crackle and pop.
When I saw another copy in the 4 for $10 bin, I had to grab it. I’m happy to report that this new super-cheap copy sounds much better!
Bring Cash to the Westchester Record and CD Show
One other thing to know is cash is king at the Westchester Record and CD Show. Bring cash. Really.
Yes, some vendors take Venmo but cash is much simpler and be forewarned that most sellers are unable to accept credit cards.
Get Ready to Negotiate at the Westchester Record and CD Show
Also, keep in mind that you can negotiate at the Westchester Record and CD Show. Now, be realistic but if you are buying multiple records from the same seller, see if they will knock a few bucks off the total price.
Or if you are buying a $90 collectible album, ask if the seller might be willing to sell it for $80. Be reasonable but know that in general, everything is somewhat negotiable.
Great Place to Meet Fellow Vinyl Record Collectors at the Westchester Record and CD Show
Throughout the day, I encountered several other vinyl record collectors who shared anecdotes about their rare finds or love for certain bands.
The sense of camaraderie among the attendees at the Westchester Record and CD Show was refreshing and a unique experience.
Sure, you can probably sit at home and find everything on eBay or Discogs but there is something about the atmosphere and the people.
Also, it’s not easy to “browse” online. If I know exactly what I want, shopping online is great as I can find it quickly in a search bar but it’s hard to stumble onto something that I like but wasn’t necessarily looking for online but visiting a record show is all about the unexpected.
It’s really a treasure hunt where you may not know you want something until you see it. That’s a big part of the appeal.
The Westchester Record and CD Show not only provided me with great deals on sought-after albums but also offered a memorable experience of connecting with fellow music lovers.
Happy hunting and I am already looking forward to attending other record and cd shows! As Ice Cube would say “today was a good day”.
Westchester Record and CD Show Address
The Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
When is the Westchester Record and CD Show?
April 30, 2023, from 10 am-3 pm. Westchester Record and CD Show take place several times a year.
How Much is Admission at the Westchester Record and CD Show?
- General Admission (after 10 am): $5.00 but discounts are available if you are on the mailing list or prepay via the website
- Early Admission (8:00 am- 10:00 am): $15.00
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