Making Vinyl Memphis

The journalist Robert Gordon recently wrote: "Nashville is where you go to make a hit that sounds like everyone else. Memphis is where you make a hit that sounds like no one else. That’s what distinguishes the record labels, recording studios, and recording artists that Memphis is known for: They stayed in Memphis to pursue their independent visions outside the corporate headquarters in Nashville and on the coasts." Our opening panel features a who's who of the city's rich scene.

Just when we thought the vinyl pressing industry was getting used to a post-pandemic "new normal," uncertainty prompted by Washington, DC drives the global economy into a frenzy. We'll get an up-to-date pulse on the situation from the heads of five U.S. manufacturers regarding how their businesses are faring. Has there been any ripple effect from tariffs on supply chains, prices, raw materials, etc.?

Small to medium-sized pressing plants have different challenges than their larger counterparts, especially amid an uncertain economy. One way they can stay ahead of the curve while best serving their customers is introducing innovation in their production processes, infrastructure and products. The panelists will discuss some of the trends emerging in 2025.

In January 2025 several fires completely large swaths of the sprawling Los Angeles metropolitan area. The flames came within blocks of these two boutique pressing plants. Hear what was going through minds. Btw, among those from our industry who lost homes include mastering/cutting legend Bernie Grundman, who Making Vinyl honored in 2019 with a Lifetime Achievement Award, renown mixing engineer Bob Clearmountain, and AIX Records owner Mark Waldrep. . 

Clifton Muhammad just finished his MBA when he inherited a record store from his uncle, who passed away. Clifton's first inclination was to sell the business but then his wife Connie Anderson suggested he reconsider. Their store The Record Track has become an important pillar of their Chicago community, in a similar manner that Goner Records and Shangri-la Records have been in Memphis for years.

In today's data-driven world, the adage "Can't manage what you can't measure" is particularly relevant to environmental sustainability. This discussion will explore the critical role of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in evaluating and managing the environmental impacts of vinyl products. An LCA is a comprehensive framework that assesses a product's environmental footprint from raw material extraction to end-of-life treatment. By offering a bottom-up scientific approach, LCAs provide detailed insights into a product's environmental performance, helping to identify hotspots and areas for improvement. This session will highlight the importance of rigorous and precise LCAs in providing actionable insights, particularly for vinyl manufacturers, and demonstrate how these assessments can drive sustainable practices, innovation, and enhanced environmental performance. The discussion will go beyond the basics of LCAs by focusing on important considerations during the development of LCAs and specifics of the hotspots.

There's no shortage of sustainable packaging options thse days, as we'll hear from industry suppliers.

As anyone in the vinyl manufacturing industry knows, a hiccup can impair a record at any point in the complicated process, including mastering, lacquer cutting, plating, and pressing — to name just four. Our all-star panel will trade war stories and the latest trends, such as supply chain issues, test pressings, and quality control.