Meghan, Digital Promotions Guru

The legendary folk-poprock singer and songwriter Donovan performed, two classics on Conan. The eclectic musician played “Sunshine Superman,” which aired live and kept “Season of the Witch” as a Conan web exclusive. The live performance also came at an opportune time before Donovan is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The talented British musician is one of the leading recording artists of his day. Best known for his laid-back track “Mellow Yellow,” which was released in 1967. Donovan produced a string of eleven Top 40 hits in a row from 1966 through 1969. In the past decade, Donovan completed a new album, Beat Café; a new box set, Try for the Sun: The Journey of Donovan; and a book, The Autobiography of Donovan: The Hurdy Gurdy Man. Now 65 years young, Donovan remains a prominent figure in the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace with his 40-year interest in Transcendental Meditation.

“It is my great pleasure to announce the vinyl release of MUSIC THAT CHANGES THE WORLD on Record Store Day,” said Donovan. “As head of the Musical Wing of The David Lynch Foundation, I wish to thank all the amazing artists who have contributed. From the beginning, when The Beatles and I were writing songs to promote Maharishi’s meditation, it was always my dream to bring all the musical fraternity onto one great label to Promote True Peace. This day has arrived and now the world can know as we knew then, that change begins within.”

The episode aired on Wednesday, March 28, and Conan gave fans a sneak peak at the David Lynch Foundation Music, vinyl box-set cover of, “Music That Changes The World,” to be released on April 21, 2012. Donovan’s exclusive track “Listen,” is featured among the 34 assorted tracks from world-renowned artists.

Donovan represents the finest level of singer, songwriter, and performer, as a true icon of Rock and Roll super-fame. He continues to present his unique vision of peace, awareness and understanding in his lifestyle and music. Tune into the 27^th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of fame induction ceremony on Saturday, April 14, 2012 to see Donovan accept this monumental achievement.

The holidays come on the third Saturday of April every year for musicians and independent retailers, internationally and across the United States. Introducing Record Store Day, celebrated by fans, artists, and over 950 independently owned record stores. The purpose of this holiday is to set aside one day each year that features independently owned record stores and musicians as they come together with fans to celebrate the art of music.

The original idea was conceived by an independent record store employee, Chris Brown, and was founded in 2007 by Erik Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner. Various rare and exclusive promotional products are distributed specifically for the day, including special vinyl and CD releases, in addition to hundreds of artists from the United States and across the globe debuting special appearances and performances. There are lots of festivities such as cook outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and so on. Levin, one of Record Store Day’s key architects, declared the event “more important” than Christmas or Christmas week, in terms of boosting sales at independent outlets.

Find a participating record store near you. (Photo credit: Nicoze)

Record store day continues to grow exponentially every year and have a positive impact on the industry and local retailers. It was in April 19, 2008 that Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco with approximately ten special releases offered at the time. According to Billboard Magazine, the 182,000 bump in unit sales for the week of Record Store Day 2011, was directly attributed to the success of Record Store Day itself. For its fifth anniversary this year, Record Store Day has announced Iggy Pop, the innovator of punk rock, as the official ambassador for 2012.

Iggy Pop can also be found on a very special Record Store Day release: It’s the David Lynch Foundation’s contribution this year called, “Music That Changes The World,” a Special Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set compilation featuring 34 world-renowned artists that will be (you hope!) available at a record store near you! Only 2,500 will be going out… so make sure to get in line for your copy!

We here at Altavoz look forward to this year’s Record Store Day. Get out there and support your local music retailer and make a difference. As we like to say: “Buy Indie — Support Local.” That’s what we’ll be doing.

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Ode to Donovan

Record Store Day: 65 days 11 hours and counting