Have I ever told you my daughter loves music? She has a record 
collection and most of the contents were purchased at "The Music Exchange" here in Kansas City, Missouri.
Ron Rooks owned The Music Exchange and it was a fixture of Kansas City for decades.
There you would find my daughter in the store in Westport where she would finger through the albums and then after four or more hours would come home with the treasures she'd purchased.
Two years ago Ron passed away as he was setting up his shop after moving to the West Bottoms of Kansas City. He was found in his new shop listening to records.
My daughter says there wasn't anything Ron Rooks didn't know about music. Who sang it, who wrote it and when....... and besides that WHERE it was located in his 250,000 piece collection of albums.
There was an auction that started today for items that Ron referred to as "Americana."
I love a good auction, so I had to go..... with camera in hand.
Dressed in her "Vinyl Saved My Soul" t-shirt off we went to the bottoms and the second floor of 1413 West 13th Terrace.
In a very short time I saw a lifetime collection of Ron's "Americana" which I couldn't resist snapping shots of. You would not believe the wide array of items....... and I couldn't leave without my daughter having a little slice of memorabilia from "The Music Exchange."
The album sale starts next Wednesday....... and there she will be.
When we got home she asked me if she thought Ron was upset that all of his stuff was being sold. I told her I'm sure he was up in heaven watching and spinning
records.
So we walked out of there with this great mirror that's engraved that says:
"Remember The Music Exchange"
and a good sized box of all these different pin-backed buttons that my daughter remembered him having at the store that include music, presidential candidates, silliness and rock stars (The Beatles, Duran Duran, Rollings Stones, etc.)
Fran White, REALTOR®
Reece and Nichols Residential
816-682-3897
www.kansascity-realestate.net
www.franwhite.reeceandnichols.com
I remember The Music Exchange, actually took a few bands there when I was still touring. Great store. I closed down my last 3 stores in 2002 after owning the beat small Indies in Seattle since 1971. Afraid it is happening all over the country.....costs too high, no help from major labels and a public that wants everything for free.....Congrats to you and your daughter for enjoying the store while you could.
Fran - These are some terrific pictures. Nicely done piece for Localism!
Fran, I remember the Music Exchange VERY well! I grew up in KC, and left about 10 years ago. I still miss it, and consider it home.
I remember, years ago, strolling in the Music Exchange in Westport, in search of an old album that I just loved, I couldn't find it anywhere and by golly, he had it. Just as you said, he knew right where to find it also. The man was incredible and he and his business left a fine mark in Kansas City. Great post Fran, and worthy of being featured, for sure! I love your personal experience! Made it an enjoyable read.
Kim: I'm so glad you enjoyed the post...... I have to ask... "While you were touring?" Please give us more details without me having to Meme you!
Jason: You are so kind...... it was from the heart and it showed.
Elizabeth: You are so right...... what a cool place it was. I'm so glad you felt the post. A fellow Kansas Citian....... Pleased to meet you!
Thanks to each of you for stopping by!
God I miss vinyl.......... Great localism ... thanks for sharing
Desiree.......... thanks so much for witnessing. :) Glad to share...... thanks for stopping by!
What a nice testimonial to Ron, and how he made a difference. Think what our lives would be without music. Think about movies, radio, etc, with no music. UGH...we'd be such a more violent society. Music soothes the soul and calms the beast. OR ensights the beast.
Terrylynn: I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks for stopping by!
Was it hard for your daughter to see one of her favorite places dis-assembled?
Kathy: Yes, sure it was...... especially someone with his knowledge of music. She realizes the loss but accepts life.
Thanks for stopping by.
Great post, great pictures, and great piece for localism. It's sad to see when a fixture of a town/city closes.
Teresa: What you said is so true about a fixture of a town. Thanks for stopping by!
Fran,
Thank you for sharing a wonderful historical post. Congratulations on being featured, too! What a loss when someone dies and no one else left to carry on. Hopefully, it will inspire others to do some type of business to add to our history in music or whatever subject they feel is important!
Have a Colorful Day!
Fran, along with Americana like drive-in movies, I hate to see places like the music exchange disappear. I remember spending hours in record shops in my youth. I still have the records, but the shops are gone.
Irene: You are quite welcome! It's sad when someone of his knowledge passes on and there's nothing to document the piece of history he created. We're trying to get the local PBS station interested.
Brian: Great Place wasn't it? Thanks for sharing your participation in a Kansas City Icon.
Both of you.......... thanks for stopping by!
well put my friend!
well put my friend!
well put my friend!
well put my friend!
i didnt mean for that to post 4 times. oops! lol