Music Alley

Music Alley has been part of Wellsville since 1991, built from radio experience, used records, and decades of small-town music conversation. Rick's answers move from classic-rock bins and local history to condition, 45s, 78s, and the records people tend to overvalue.

Interview with Music Alley

Music Alley's been a funky fixture in Wellsville since 1991 — how did the shop start, and what's kept its character all these years?

I was on-air DJ/Music Director of a local Wellsville station in 1991, the station had recently sold to out-of-town owner with the intention of changing the format to Easy Listening/Adult Contemporary. I was 25 years old at the time and did not see myself being fulfilled with the shift in format or ownership. Early in 1991 myself and a friend began laying the groundwork for retail music store, eventually including a third partner to the mix. Music lovers had recently began replacing their vinyl record collections with compact discs, so it felt like a good time to take a chance. We have always strived to be welcoming environment while maintaining a funky "one of a kind" feel.

You've got several thousand used records with a big classic-rock backbone and "a little of everything" — how would you describe the personality of your bins?

Our initial stock of new Cd's and Cassettes was chosen from my knowledge of music, radio programming experience and the current music charts. Our stock going forward was completely influenced by our customers, shifting quickly. I was learning everyday about artists outside of my classic rock and blues background that I knew very little about. I tried to pay very close attention. Our initial used CD inventory of about 600 came straight from the collections of my partner Dan Peters and myself and was heavily steeped in classics from the 60's,70's and 80's. We initially sold home stereo components as well.

Wellsville's a small town in the Southern Tier — who comes through Music Alley, and how's the local scene?

Maybe it's the rhythm of the Genessee river passing through Wellsville as this area has always had many great musicians and up until recently venues to support live music. There isn't a lot to do in rural Western New York, so music has always been at the forefront of activities. We are now and have been for most of our 35-year history the only retail CD/Record/Music store in the entire county. Music lovers will find you as we routinely have customers travel from Buffalo, Rochester and beyond.

What's the most valuable or surprising record that's come through the door?

I bought a huge collection in 2014 that had a little of everything, including many records that may never sell. It had a record by Spanky Lee and Johnny Lee in the discount bin at .99 cents for two years. I had never heard of the artists, so I decided to look it up to find it was very rare and collectible. I listed it for $600 and it sold immediately. I should have listed it at $700!

When someone brings in a collection, how do you approach figuring out what it's worth?

I know this sounds like a broken record but... condition is everything. No collector wants a tattered, unplayable record no matter how rare. There are well over 500 different pressings of records like "Abbey Road". You can't possibly know all that instantly, so you take the good with bad and try to be fair. That's my approach.

Roughly what does a common record fetch versus something you're genuinely excited to buy?

Record stores are likely to have hundreds of unsold titles by Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Herb Alpert and even artists like Dan Fogelberg ect.. But most sellers prefer an all or none approach so they don't have to haul records over and over. The market is constantly fluctuating. I used to have 5-6 copies of The Stranger or Rumors in all the time (both are in most collections) but now can't keep them in stock! I try to keep prices as reasonable as possible. Anyone that frequents record stores always mentions that at the register.

In a shop built on used vinyl, do the 45s and 78s still turn up and still sell, or is it mostly LPs walking in?

45's (routinely) and 78's (occasionally) show up. At Music Alley I have found that they are almost a completely different type of collector and often do not cross over to the 33-rpm collector. My well of knowledge is concentrated in the 33 record lp format. In 35 years, the most I have ever sold a 78 for is .50 cents!! Just not worth the time or effort in this market.

What do people most often overvalue about their records — and what quietly sells better than they'd guess?

The most overvalued records are mega-artists like Elvis and The Beatles. Both were often played on sub-standard turntables and come into the store with heavy miles on them. It's always the strange stuff, often pressed in very small quantities, that have they highest collectors value. There will always be a "flavor of the week", but artists like Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Springsteen, Rolling Stones, CCR, Tom Petty ect. will always be the foundation of many collections.

Historic Relevance

We opened on September 9th of 1991. We were lucky... I was lucky! Groundbreaking recordings were dropping with regularity at that time including Metallica - Black Album, Nirvana - Nevermind, Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood, Sugar, Guns 'n' Roses - Use Your Illusion I & II, Pearl Jam - Ten. Great established artists like Tom Petty, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd and so many others releasing huge sellers. In short order new bands breaking out including Green Day, Hootie & Blowfish, Dave Matthews Band, Garth Brooks, Counting Crows, Snoop Dogg among so many others. Much of that music has stood the test of time and now sells on vinyl. I am by far the luckiest to have met so many great people along the way!

Cheers, Rick Whitwood - Music Alley

FAQ

What matters most when Music Alley buys records?

Condition is central. Rick says no collector wants a scratched record, and the album jacket condition matters too.

Do 45s and 78s sell at Music Alley?

45s routinely show up and can sell, especially non-LP singles. 78s appear occasionally and are a niche market.

Last updated: 2026-08-12

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