Bristol Record Store Celebrates National Record Store Day

Cheap Thrills Records sees long lines of vinyl enthusiasts seeking exclusive releases.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:51pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration composed of bold, jagged black shapes against a stark white background, conceptually representing the excitement and community of a record store celebration.The vibrant energy of National Record Store Day brings music fans together to celebrate the enduring appeal of physical formats.Bristol Today

Cheap Thrills Records in Bristol, Virginia experienced a surge of customers on National Record Store Day as vinyl lovers lined up to purchase exclusive records from their favorite artists. The store's owner, Wyatt Lilly, expressed feeling validated by the event, noting that physical album listening allows for a more intimate connection with music compared to streaming. One of the younger customers in line was searching for records from decades before his time to expand his AC/DC collection.

Why it matters

National Record Store Day is an annual celebration that highlights the enduring appeal of physical music formats, especially vinyl, in an era dominated by digital streaming. For independent record stores like Cheap Thrills, the event provides a boost in sales and foot traffic, reinforcing their role as community hubs for music enthusiasts.

The details

Customers eagerly waited in line outside Cheap Thrills Records to browse the store's selection of exclusive National Record Store Day releases. Owner Wyatt Lilly emphasized that listening to full albums on vinyl fosters a deeper connection with artists and their music, compared to the more fragmented experience of streaming. One of the younger customers in the line was searching for records by classic rock band AC/DC to add to his growing collection.

  • National Record Store Day was celebrated on April 18, 2026.

The players

Wyatt Lilly

The owner of Cheap Thrills Records in Bristol, Virginia.

Ethel Cain

A musician whose album was sought after by customers at Cheap Thrills Records.

AC/DC

A classic rock band whose albums were being collected by one of the younger customers at Cheap Thrills Records.

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What they’re saying

“When you put the record online or even a CD, you know, you're playing the full album and you form that that connection with the artists, which is really why we listen to music anyway, because it's more of an intimate thing. Actually play an album instead of clicking, clicking, and streaming and that kind of thing. And so it's really about that connection with the music and the artist.”

— Wyatt Lilly, Owner, Cheap Thrills Records

“We just wanted to come and see what records they had. We were like, mainly looking for the Ethel Cain album. That's what we were looking for. I started collecting AC/DC, and I have every single one of their studio albums.”

— Unnamed customer

What’s next

Cheap Thrills Records will host live music performances later in the day as part of the National Record Store Day celebration.

The takeaway

National Record Store Day underscores the enduring appeal of physical music formats, especially vinyl, and the important role independent record stores like Cheap Thrills play in fostering a sense of community and connection among music enthusiasts.