One Memphis record shop sells hard-to-find tunes on more formats than most people own players for. Another in Murfreesboro mixes vinyl with comic books and toys.
I love that a simple errand for one album can turn into three hours of flipping.
Tennessee runs on music, and these shops prove it in the quietest way. Many stock new releases right beside used LPs, 45s, CDs, and even cassette tapes.
A few host live music events too.
I can’t think of a better rainy Saturday plan. The prices tend to stay friendly, and the bins reward patience.
You walk in curious and leave with a stack you never planned to buy.
So which shop should anchor your next weekend drive? Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga each claim a spot, plus a few smaller towns that deserve the trip.
Your turntable is about to get very busy.
1. Grimey’s New & Preloved Music
Nashville already owns the title of Music City, so its record stores carry some serious pressure. Grimey’s handles that pressure by keeping things laid-back.
The shop specializes in vintage and pressed recordings, along with CDs and cassette tapes. That mix means you can chase a classic LP and a forgotten tape in the same trip.
Used vinyl is the big draw here. The selection of preloved records ranks among the best in the city, and the prices stay friendly for regular diggers.
Its reputation stretches well past East Nashville, too. Music fans across Middle Tennessee count it among the region’s top record shops, which is high praise in this neighborhood.
Plan your visit around the clock, because hours shift a little through the week. Monday through Thursday runs 11 AM to 6 PM, while Friday and Saturday stretch until 7 PM.
Sunday is the short day, open from noon until 5 PM. Show up early on a weekend and you’ll have extra time for one more bin.
Parking won’t wreck your mood either. Free lot spaces and free street parking are both options, with a paid lot nearby if those fill up.
Families can bring the kids along without worry. The shop counts as good for children, which makes it an easy way to pass vinyl love down the line.
Fair warning, though. A planned quick visit here rarely stays quick once the used crates start talking.
Address: 1060 E Trinity Ln, Nashville, TN 37216
2. Shangri-La Records
Memphis gave the world a mountain of music history, and this Madison Avenue shop keeps feeding that legacy. Shangri-La Records is a venerable source for used LPs, 45s, and CDs.
New releases share the floor with the used stock. You’ll find records from independent local bands alongside national acts, which makes it a great place to discover your next favorite Memphis group.
Volume is the word here. The selection is huge, and the range of genres covers far more ground than you might expect from one storefront.
Prices land in reasonable territory, so a big haul won’t sting too much. The staff has a friendly reputation, which helps when you need a nudge toward something new.
Got a stack of 45s on your wish list? Small singles often hide the best surprises, so give those bins a slow look.
The schedule couldn’t be simpler. Doors open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week.
Logistics stay easy too. A free parking lot is on site, and free Wi-Fi is available while you shop.
In-store pickup is an option if you’ve already spotted something you want. The shop also welcomes an LGBTQ+ friendly crowd, so everyone can dig in comfort.
If you’re driving in from Nashville or Jackson, make it a full Memphis music day. This stop deserves a generous chunk of the afternoon.
Address: 1916 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
3. Lost and Found Records
Ever flipped through a bin so packed your fingers ached? Knoxville’s Lost and Found Records skips that struggle, because the records aren’t crammed into the bins.
That little detail matters more than you’d think. Room to flip means you actually see each sleeve instead of wrestling the whole row.
The store offers an extensive selection of new and used vinyl. CDs and tapes round out the stock, along with other items worth a browse.
Longtime shoppers have followed this store for decades, including a move to its current North Broadway location. That kind of loyalty says plenty about how it treats its East Tennessee fans.
Pricing stays fair, and the folks behind the counter are known for being friendly. Some lucky browsers even leave with store stickers.
Cassette fans should take note. The tape section is part of the massive array here, so bring your Walkman energy.
Hours run later than many shops, which suits after-work digging. Monday through Thursday goes from 11 AM to 7 PM, and Friday and Saturday stay open until 8 PM.
Sunday opens later, from 1 PM to 6 PM. That gives you a slow morning before the crates call.
Kids are welcome, so the whole family can join the search. Knoxville locals might call this their go-to, and visitors from nearby states will quickly see why.
Address: 3710 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917
4. Yellow Racket Records
Chattanooga’s Main Street corridor has a soundtrack, and Yellow Racket Records helps supply it. Few shops in the Scenic City make crate digging this tempting.
The independent store carries a vast selection of new and used vinyl. Around town, its mix of prices and selection gets called unbeatable by local music lovers.
Reasonable is an understatement here. The records are known for being extremely fairly priced, which makes stacking up a pile dangerously easy.
Here’s a fun twist for a record shop. Yellow Racket also hosts live music events, so you might catch a set between browsing sessions.
Wednesday and Friday are the late nights, with doors open until 8 PM. Most other weekdays and Saturday run from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Sunday hours are short and sweet, from noon until 4 PM. Plan accordingly if you’re driving up from Atlanta or over from Nashville.
Convenience gets a nice boost. Curbside pickup and in-store pickup are both offered, and a free parking lot sits on site.
The space is good for kids and welcomes an LGBTQ+ friendly crowd. Bring the whole crew and let everyone hunt for a favorite cover.
Pair your visit with a stroll around the Main Street area afterward. A fresh record under your arm makes a sunny Chattanooga afternoon even better.
Address: 2311 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37404
5. Back Door Records
Some of the best finds come through the back door, and Johnson City has a shop that takes that idea literally. Back Door Records brings serious vinyl to the far corner of East Tennessee.
The local music store features an expansive selection of new and vintage vinyl. It’s a little shop with a deep catalog, which is exactly the kind of combo diggers crave.
Obscure finds sit right next to mainstream favorites. You could grab a classic everyone knows and a record you’ve never heard of in one sweep.
The owner has a reputation for being helpful and friendly. That personal touch goes a long way when you’re hunting something specific.
Timing matters with this one. The shop opens Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM and stays closed on Sundays.
That makes Saturday the sweet spot for a road trip. Drive in from Knoxville or across the line from Virginia and North Carolina, and you’ll have plenty of daylight to browse.
Johnson City sits in a gorgeous part of the state. A record run here pairs nicely with a mountain drive or a lazy downtown lunch.
Bring a list, but don’t marry it. Small shops like this reward the folks who flip slowly and stay open to surprises.
Your stack might end up weirder than planned. Honestly, that’s half the fun.
Address: 737 W Walnut St, Johnson City, TN 37604
6. The Great Escape
Comic books, toys, cassettes, and vinyl all under one roof? Murfreesboro’s The Great Escape might be the most fun detour on this list.
The retro record store offers an extensive selection of vinyl plus pop-culture collectibles. If your interests bounce between superheroes and synth albums, you’re home.
Music remains the backbone, though. New and used records fill the shelves alongside CDs and tapes, giving you plenty of ways to listen.
Self-described vinyl junkies love this place. So do cassette fans, which feels like a growing club these days.
The staff carries a friendly reputation. That makes it easy to ask questions, whether you want a record or an action figure.
Check the calendar before you go. The shop closes Monday and Tuesday, then opens Wednesday through Friday and Sunday from noon to 7 PM.
Saturday is the early bird day, starting at 10 AM and running until 7 PM. That’s a full nine hours of potential crate time.
Kids fit right in, especially with toys and comics in the mix. Parents might end up browsing longer than the little ones.
Murfreesboro sits a short drive southeast of Nashville in Middle Tennessee. Add it to a Saturday loop and you’ll have a strong double feature of record shopping.
Address: 810 NW Broad St #202, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
7. Goner Records
Hard-to-find music is the specialty at this Cooper-Young favorite, and the name alone makes collectors grin. Goner Records closes our list with a true digger’s paradise.
Calling it an all-purpose music store fits nicely. You’ll find tunes on a variety of media, plus band merch for showing off your taste.
Vinyl takes up plenty of room, with a large selection of both new and used records. The used goods section is where patient flippers tend to strike gold.
Rare records don’t always come with rare price tags here. The shop is known for keeping hard-to-find titles at reasonable prices.
Memphis visitors can easily pair this stop with Shangri-La Records. The two sit close enough for a two-shop afternoon in Midtown.
Hours start at noon daily. Monday through Saturday runs until 7 PM, and Sunday wraps up at 5 PM.
In-store pickup is available if something online caught your eye first. The space also welcomes an LGBTQ+ friendly crowd.
Want a souvenir that isn’t a magnet? A band shirt from a Memphis record shop tells a better story back home.
Tennessee’s record scene runs deep, from Johnson City all the way here. Finish your crate tour at Goner, and you might start planning round two before you leave.
Address: 2152 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
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