Mountain Music

Mountain Music in Rutland, Vermont grew out of Mountain Man Jewelry, a family jewelry store started by the owner's father about 30 years ago. Over time it became a record shop while keeping the Mountain name and some of the jewelry side intact. Today the shop mixes new and used vinyl, vintage audio, and unique jewelry, with a local feel that fits central Vermont's record-store circuit.

The shop draws from a wide radius: Rutland locals, visitors from the New York Capital Region, the Lebanon, New Hampshire area, and people coming down from Burlington's vinyl scene. Classic rock and Grateful Dead are steady sellers, but the bins also move heavy metal, punk, outlaw country, post-hardcore, and newer Vermont-connected favorites like Noah Kahan.

For sellers, Mountain Music is always buying records and will look at almost anything. Artist, title, vinyl condition, and cover condition matter most. Old Vermont basements, barns, and farmhouses can mean mold, damp covers, grime, and warped records, but the shop still digs carefully because special finds can hide in rough boxes.

Interview with Mountain Music

Mountain Music in Rutland - the name fits the place perfectly. What's the shop's story?

My father started a jewelry store in Rutland 30 years ago called Mountain Man Jewelry. I took it over 13 years ago and slowly converted it to a record store. We still sell jewelry today, but kept Mountain in the name for continuity.

Being one of the record stops for central Vermont means serving a wide radius. Who makes the drive?

We do serve a large radius. We get a lot of people from the Capital Region and north in New York, the Lebanon, New Hampshire area, and Burlington's great vinyl scene trickles down to us as well.

What do Vermonters hunt for - and is there a taste up there that would surprise flatlanders?

Vermonters are quite open to all kinds of good music. Classic rock is a staple, Grateful Dead is a consistent best seller, and heavy metal, punk rock, and outlaw country stay popular. Among the younger crew we have a big post-hardcore scene, with lots of Title Fight and La Dispute.

Which section has been quietly strong lately?

We are in Noah Kahan country, and his albums have consistently been our best sellers for the last couple years.

Do collections come in with real Vermont history - records that lived in farmhouses for fifty years?

Yes, lots of damp, moldy basements and farmhouses. Over the years I have been more selective with what types of grime I will spend time cleaning, but we did find a pretty clean second-state Butcher album in a pile of mostly destroyed boxes in a barn a few years back. You always have to flip through.

You meet some interesting old Vermont characters too, good and bad. I always make sure someone knows what backroad, no-cell-service shed I am headed to.

If someone wants to sell records, what's the best first step - and what makes a collection worth the look?

We are always buying records and will look at anything. It is more about seeing the things I am not interested in. Old country collections like Eddy Arnold and Charlie Rich show up all the time, and big band records like Bert Kaempfert and Guy Lombardo can be tough, but you still have to dig. Sometimes the kids had a couple hair metal LPs mixed in.

What condition problems do old Vermont houses inflict on vinyl - damp cellars, wood heat, all of it?

Damp and moldy basements are common, along with farmhouses and barn storage. Grime, musty covers, and poor storage can be a real issue, so condition matters a lot.

First visit to Mountain Music - what should someone check first?

We have a great new-arrival used record bin right up front. That is where all the new finds rest for a few weeks before they get sorted into the regular A-Z bins, so regulars who pop in every few weeks do not miss much. We also have a half-price new vinyl clearance section at the back that is pretty unique.

FAQ

Does Mountain Music buy used records?

Yes. Mountain Music is always buying records and will look at collections across many genres.

What should sellers tell Mountain Music first?

Artist, title, vinyl condition, and cover condition are the most useful starting points.

What genres sell well at Mountain Music?

Classic rock, Grateful Dead, heavy metal, punk, outlaw country, post-hardcore, and Noah Kahan have all been strong sellers.

What condition issues matter most?

Damp basement storage, moldy covers, grime, warping, and rough barn or farmhouse storage can affect whether records are worth cleaning and reselling.

What should first-time visitors check first?

Start with the new-arrival used record bin near the front, then check the half-price new vinyl clearance section at the back.

Last updated: 2026-07-11