garage sale vinyl: A Photo Gallery

I've enjoyed a personal friendship and creative partnership with Garage Sale Vinyl co-author, Bryan Dumas (aka Dingus), since we first began making poor life choices together back in high school. This photo of me, Bryan, and his then-girlfriend was taken in the fall of 1981. I still have, and still wear this shirt. It belonged to my dad during the mid-70s.

Only 20 at the time I reached out to her about contributing to Garage Sale Vinyl, my personal connection to guitarist Bella Perron had already been 17 years in the making - I've been friends with her mom since we first met in 2006 when I worked for the band Poison. This photo was taken in February 2024 while Bella and her band Plush were on a US arena concert tour with the band Disturbed.

 While Garage Sale Vinyl still was in its infancy, I staged a fun promotional photoshoot with a dozen or so talented young singers and dancers, actors and actresses in my local area of Melbourne, Florida. Sisters Brooke and Rylie were my lead models. As a result, they got the full hair and makeup treatment from the pros at Karma Hair and Nail Lounge, also in Melbourne.

I've worked with model Rylie Tucker on a couple of different projects. She's not only a pro, but she's also so cool, she HAD to be the model for Chapter Two: Alice Cooper — Killer.

  The Beach Boys were the first band my parents ever allowed me to see in concert, back in January 1977. To me, their music remains magical and timeless. So, I was thrilled (and honored) to appear with Beach Boys historian Balsa Bill Yerkes at a 2013 Florida book signing event. Read about that and more in Chapter Three: The Beach Boys — Endless Summer.

 During my lively 2023 backstage conversation with UK pop-rock princess, Lauran Hibberd, we discussed Phoebe Bridgers, All Time Low, and — The Beatles. Get the scoop in Chapter Four: The Beatles — Let It Be.

  During my 2021 phone interview with TV personality, comedian, and best-selling author, Kat Timpf, we talked about politics, her role on the Gutfeld! show, and — The Beatles. Read about her on-air "Fab Four dust-up" in Chapter Four: The Beatles — Let It Be.

  Chapter Nine takes me back to Chicago X, the 1976 classic from the band, Chicago. Many years after stealing my sister's copy of the album, I met the band when I covered their 2013 Melbourne, Florida concert for Ink19.com, along with staff photographer, Michelle Wilson.

  In Chapter Ten: Cinderella — Heartbreak Station, I revisit my favorite album from my favorite band. I also discuss what it was like hanging out with the guys when I toured with them in 2006. This is me with Jeff LaBar from back then. 

  Truth be told, I wouldn't be a writer today, if not for the support and encouragement of rock and roll trailblazer, Cherrie Currie. Get the phat skinny in Chapter 12: Cherie Currie — Beauty's Only Skin Deep.

If we're really fortunate, we're blessed to have at least one very special teacher who truly helps shape who we become, years later. For me, it was my fifth-grade teacher and choir director, Bernice Rephlo. Don't miss my personal tribute to Mrs. Rephlo in Chapter 14: John Denver — Poems, Prayers & Promises.

It was Mrs. Rephlo's '73-'74 fifth-grade class that would define my future. Read about it in Chapter 14: John Denver — Poems, Prayers & Promises. Can you spot me?

Thanks to a very special friend, I met Mick Fleetwood in 2015 — bucket list complete! How the heck did that happen? Find out in Chapter 17: Fleetwood Mac — Fleetwood Mac.

 One of my all-time favorite writing assignments was my hour-long 2020 phone interview with legendary drummer, Roger Earl. Get the lowdown in Chapter 18: Foghat — Fool for the City. Mad props to model Noelle Maginness for the bear suit onesie!

  In Chapter 21: The Go-Go's — Beauty and the Beat, I mention scoring my latest vinyl copy of the 1981 pop-rock classic while record shopping in Charleston with my favorite green-haired 20-something, Cat Strickland, in 2023.

 My girlfriend actually stole this record from me after I'd stolen it from my sister. What gall! Read all about the double crime caper in Chapter 22: Daryl Hall & Oates — Daryl Hall & John Oates. 

  I scored my latest vinyl copy of one of my favorite albums while on a thrifting expedition with rising Blue Grass princess, Mary Kate Brennan in 2023. 

Get the scoop in Chapter 23: Heart — Bébé le Strange

 Florida models, Brooke and Symme, brought a bit of extra fun factor to another of my favorite albums in Chapter 27: Elton John — Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.

 I hired my longtime personal nail tech, Lisa Johnson, and her team from Karma Hair and Nail Lounge in Melbourne, Florida to provide hair and makeup services for the Garage Sale Vinyl promo photo shoot. We all were having such a good time, that I managed to talk Lisa and her colleagues into a few fun shots. This is one of my favorite shots, from Chapter 29: KISS — Dynasty.

 To say I was an obnoxious teenage KISS fan would be an understatement. This photo was taken during my high school's "Spirit Week" back in the fall of 1979. That's me, as Paul Stanley. Believe it or not, I also was class president. It's a super-fun and appropriate illustration for Chapter 29: KISS — Dynasty.

 During the 2023 writing of Chapter 30: Led Zeppelin — Zeppelin III, I discovered this Zeppelin III pinball machine coincidentally in the lobby of the hotel when I picked up my old elementary school buddy, Jared Scott, while he was visiting Cocoa Beach.

Read all about this true American treasure in Chapter 32: Willie Nelson — Willie and Family Live.

  After nearly 50 years, I still can't believe that my conservative parents allowed me to own an album with a nekked lady on the cover. Read my confessions in Chapter 33: Ohio Players — Honey.

 In 2023, I traveled back to my beloved Ozarks to see one of my favorite bands. Dig my personal interview with bassist Michael "Supe" Granda in Chapter 34: The Ozark Mountain Daredevils — Don't Look Down.

 This is the album that launched my weekly Garage Sale Vinyl music column, which ultimately gave birth to my Garage Sale Vinyl book. Discover this true classic in Chapter 37: Bonnie Raitt — Streetlights.

In Chapter 39: Boots Randolph — Sweet Talk, I reflect on my wide-eyed wonder years, listening to wholesome LPs on my grandmother's classic Victrola. Yeah, that's me sitting on my Uncle Mike's lap. I wasn't yet five.  At the time, I thought everyone was SO old. Looking back, other than Mr. Hughes (far left), nobody in this pic was even 50. In fact, my mom and my Aunt Trudy were still in their 20s!

Also in Chapter 39: Boots Randolph — Sweet Talk, I reference my family's near-death experience, escaping this fiery car crash, way back in the summer of nineteen-huh'nerd and sixty-eight. 

   In 2022, I drove from Melbourne, Florida to Athens, Georgia for a fun-filled record shopping spree with country singer / songwriter, Kimberly Morgan York. And I was honored when she offered some personal commentary in Chapter 41: Linda Ronstadt — Heart Like a Wheel.

A week before my 1981 high school graduation, my parents let me borrow the family station wagon to take a few friends on a fantastic concert excursion. Get the full story in Chapter 43: Shalamar — Three for Love. Years later, I realized that Shalamar was misspelled on my old-fashioned ticket stub!

 My original 1984 yellow vinyl EP from Chapter 46: Stryper — The Yellow and Black Attack.

  At the 2023 promo photo shoot, I told model, Kendyl Allison, to make a face like she'd just tasted the worst thing ever. Bingo! Kendyl was only about ten years old, so she had no idea who Zappa even was. But, what a fun pic! Chapter 49: Frank Zappa — Joe's Garage Acts II & III is one of my favorites.

  It was such a pleasure to work with the incredibly talented and super-fun cast of young models and performers from Arts for All Studio in Melbourne, Florida.

I was so grateful to receive hilarious chapter commentary from badass FOX News TV / radio host, Jimmy Failla. A class act, to be sure!

 A respected, decades-long radio vet, Steve Keller delivered consistent, insightful music observations throughout Garage Sale Vinyl.

 Known to her closest confidants as Snap, Savvy Vinyl Records owner, Michelle Pessaro, continues to be my go-to local source for seasoned LPs, as well as sparkly new colored vinyl releases. She even let me borrow the now infamous crate I'm holding on the back cover of Garage Sale Vinyl.

Thank you for your support!