Street Corner Music

Street Corner Music has served metro Detroit since 1993, beginning with a focus on jazz and R&B before broadening its selection across genres. In this interview, the owner discusses the area’s record history, collection buying, and the practical realities of keeping music in circulation.

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Interview with Street Corner Music

Street Corner Music has a real name in Detroit for soul and R&B. How would you describe what the shop's about, and how did that focus come together?

Back in 1993 when we opened we really didn't have enough moolah to cover all genres. Since Detroit was well populated with rock-oriented stores we figured we would start by trying to represent jazz and R&B as best we could. We now try to do a better job with everything. At that time too we were very involved with new and used. A lot of new and as much used as possible. I was the coordinator of the used department at my previous employer "Sam's Jams" which was a store with a huge used LP business and I was used to buying large collections.

You're on Greenfield in Oak Park, just outside the city proper. What does the shop mean to that stretch of metro Detroit, and who's coming through?

We are 2 miles north of Northwest Detroit and near the famed Woodward Corridor, a well known cultural area. Famous for night clubs and many many record stores back in the day. Music is ingrained in lots of these homes and families. Passed through generations. In the nearby suburbs too where a lot of people moved to.

Detroit's record history runs deep — Motown, techno, jazz, hip-hop. Where does Street Corner Music sit on that map?

We are (1993) late to the game obviously. Still a week doesn't go by without a story from someone or someone's parent who grew up with a Motown or related star. Dilla shopped here weekly in his early years. Techno records have flowed through here regularly, not as much these days admittedly. Many Detroit jazz musicians too and children of. Motown writers, arrangers etc. whoever is left.

Record Store Day at the shop has a bit of a reputation. What do those days look like from behind the counter?

It's fun to see crowds of people. It's high finance but we manage to keep our sanity. It feels a little like working for the man but give the people what they want I guess

When a collection lands on the counter to sell, what tells you in the first minute it's worth digging into?

You usually know by the tenth record what kind of collection. Promo stickers are always interesting. The same Detroit record collection keeps showing up. Records that got airplay on WJZZ and WJLB or rock stations. Collections from other cities stand out.

With soul and R&B especially, what quietly turns out worth more than sellers expect — the stuff they'd almost leave out?

Everybody in the business knows sometimes the more obscure the more valuable it is. We need regular top 40 stock too and lots of it and if it's clean I don't mind paying well. In the latest vinyl revival there are lots of HITS buyers

And the flip side — what's the record people always think is worth more than it is?

Thriller of course. Nancy Wilson records. She was massive here and people treasure them

How much more is store credit worth than cash here, and does anyone ever regret taking the cash?

20%. Not sure

Michigan winters and basement storage aren't kind to records. What damage do you see most, and what would you tell a seller to do differently?

Put boxes on top of empty milk crates and away from exterior walls and radiators. Mold grows anyway. Get a dehumidifier.

What's the wildest record or collection that's ever walked in?

A record collection from a distributor that was only open for 2 years. '67-'68

Last updated: 2026-09-30

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