A few months ago this bright fun logo started showing up in my Instagram suggested posts, tied to great photos and content. After clicking over I found out Red Zeppelin Records based in McKinney Texas is female run and owned, a definite ‘follow’. So, this weekend I’m looking forward to introducing you to Katie Scott, Owner and Bayleigh Cheek, Manager who have burst on the scene, in a time that has felt so uncertain for brick and mortar shops, with their new record store.

Growing up in families that loved music and vinyl, it’s no surprise Katie and Bayleigh found their way here. In their free time, Katie who owns another shop The Groovy Coop spends time with family. “My husband and I have 4 children so that keeps me busy in my free time. I do enjoy writing when I have time to myself.” Bayleigh, a musician, singer / songwriter out of Dallas spends all of her extra time working on her music. “Other than that, I’m really into film, and am kind of a nerd when it comes to it as I like to dive deep into studying films and directors.”

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

Katie: I always wanted to open a record store from the moment I started my own collection years ago.  Music is so important in my life and I wanted to be able to share that love with other people along with my own creative interpretation of what a record store looks and feels like.

Bayleigh: I grew up being surrounded by music, musician parents as well as my dad being in a band and working at a record store when he was my age. I’ve always had a deep tie to music, and there’s an art to vinyl that I’m happy that’s back. There’s something about listening to an album as a whole and having a physical copy that you can’t compare to anything.

What is a day in the life like?

Katie: Bayleigh and work daily to keep an interactive and intriguing social media presence. We have themed days Monday-Thursday which our audience seems to enjoy commenting on. The other constant is staying on top of keeping a diverse array of titles and genres in stock. At this point we are having to order 3 times a week to keep up with the demand for vinyl which is exciting but definitely keeps us busy!

Bayleigh: Yes, definitely busy. Which has been really fun to see people get excited for a place that just opened. On top of keeping up with social media and inventory, I love the fact that I’ve had so many conversations with people about music and different albums that they love, or having a debate on which album by a certain artist is better. Most common has been Radiohead.

What has been your favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

Katie: I would say overall my favorite conversation are with teenagers who are so excited about music. I absolutely love seeing younger people really getting into old school punk and metal. It felt like that excitement had dissipated for awhile and there is a definite resurgence amongst the younger generation.

Bayleigh: I always get really excited when I’m playing vinyl and end up selling it just because they heard it being played. I think it’s such a fun way to spread new music or even classics that one may not have picked up themselves.

In your opinion what has been the coolest thing to come through your shop / the thing you had to keep / almost couldn’t put out for sale?

Katie: My original “Master of Puppets” is one of my favorites that I refuse to part with.  Also, original punk is fun to put on the shelf. It never lasts too long!

Bayleigh: Right before we opened, we got quite a few original punk records in including Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys, and Minor Threat. Uhh it was real hard not keeping them.

What has been the craziest experience that has happened at the shop?

Katie: I think all of the publicity we have received has been overwhelmingly awesome. We’ve been on the news, in newspapers and magazines, all word of mouth based. The attention has been crazy!

Bayleigh: Yea definitely, opening weekend took us by surprise. We just did an announcement on Instagram the night before, nothing formal, and we were slammed everyday that weekend.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you’re doing?

Katie: Just be unabashedly yourself. Do what you love and you will find others who love it too.

Bayleigh: Don’t be afraid to just step out and do it. Especially in the music industry,

…the fearless and the ones that pursue it the most without giving up tend to find success.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself? What drew you to it?

Katie: I’ve been collecting since my parents gave me their old records when I was a teenager. I loved that their collections reflected who they were at the time they bought them. My mom loved Carole King, The Carpenters and Bread while my dad was into CCR, Led Zeppelin, and Chicago.

Bayleigh: I grew up with my dad telling me about when he worked at Peaches when he was my age. He gave me a lot of his collection to start and I’ve been collecting ever since. So I started with a lot of classic rock. At an early age, I developed an interest in vinyl.

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

Katie: Honestly, it’s been more exciting than scary. How can I complain about having a store where we get to blast music all day and help people build their collections and maybe broaden their musical horizons?

Bayleigh: Yea for sure, definitely no complaints. This is honestly my dream job, besides being a musician myself. I’d say the most difficult is keeping up with inventory, which is a good place to be in.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you’re excited or worried about? i.e. innovation, or trends you’re seeing.

Katie: Vinyl sales have been on the rise for years and it is exciting to be a part of such an exploding industry.

Bayleigh: It’s exciting to see punk and some of the heavier rock music sell more. It’s usually younger kids that are getting into the original punk bands/artists and it’s cool to see that music circle around.

During this time we’re currently in, what message do you have for music and vinyl fans? How can we support you, the industry?  

Katie: I think during these trying times

…people are doing a fantastic job of supporting small businesses while expanding something they can enjoy from their home. Just keep shopping small and building that vinyl collection!

Bayleigh: Yea definitely shopping small business is very helpful right now. Also this is the perfect time to really expand your music and vinyl collection and explore different artist you may not have before.

Anything else you want to share?  If not, tell me your favorite musician / band?  

Katie: Bayleigh and I have started recording a podcast which we will be making public in the next month or so on YouTube and other streaming services. Keep an eye and ear out for “Under the Influence” where we interview local musicians and discuss the artists who had the greatest influence on their style and career.  Side note: My favorite musicians vary,  but top ones are David Byrne, Radiohead, Paul Simon, Chris Cornell and David Bowie.

Bayleigh: Literally so hard. Favorite band of all time is Radiohead. But I really do listen to about pretty much anything.

Find Katie & Bayleigh:

Instagram: @redzeppelinrecords

Facebook: @redzeppelinrecords

Website: www.redzeppelinrecords.com