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This is my tribute to my old "Record Store": Tape City

Tape City's 3rd and final Athens TN location 1982-1996
1975-1996


PHOTOS WANTED

First Athens TN Location  (Nov '75 - Dec '76): 

 

TAPE CITY
Roses Shopping Center
Decatur Pike
Athens TN 37303
615-745-6231

 

 


TAPE CITY 1st location:

I was on the Southwest corner of the free-standing building out in the parking lot where Rose's Stores was (what was "Roses Plaza", then "Proffitt's Plaza" and now has "Belk's" as the anchor) from Nov 1975 until Dec 1976. I signed a lease for $240 per month that ran through 12-31-1976. The owners of the shopping center tried to screw me by waiting until around 12-15-1976 (when my lease was almost up) before they would meet with me to renew it. When they did send a rep. they wanted to go up $40 per month, make me pay "overage", force me to join the merchant association and force me to sign a 5-year lease. I refused to sign the lease, ran the rep. off, locked the door, put a "gone to lunch" sign up and started looking. I found a vacant location on the Northeast corner of Madison Park Shopping Center and................ (continued below)


Me, Phil Lea, at Tape City in front of wall of 8-tracks
(circa 1976)


 

 
We stamped 8-tracks and cassettes with a date stamp when they were sold.
If they became defective, we replaced them for free the first 30 days.
After 30 days, it cost 50 cents a month to replace ($1.00 minimum).
Abuse or other damage (warping from laying on the dash in the Summer) voided the warranty.


       


Remember 8-Track Tapes ?


Remember under-dash 8-track players?

 

 

WANTED

Any pictures of any of my Tape City stores

WANTED:

Old 8-tracks and cassettes with the TAPE CITY stamp on them

 


 

Second Athens TN Location: 

Tape City
Madison Park Shopping Center
Athens TN 37303
615-745-6231

The owners of the shopping center at my first location tried to screw me by waiting until around 12-15-1976 (when my lease was almost up) before they would meet with me to renew it. When they did send a rep. they wanted to go up $40 per month, make me pay "overage", force me to join the merchant association and force me to sign a 5-year lease. I refused to sign the lease, ran the rep. off, locked the door, put a "gone to lunch" sign up and started looking. I found a vacant location on the Northeast corner of Madison Park Shopping Center and contacted the owner, Kenneth Higgins. I think I paid $150 per month and signed a lease with them. (Kenneth tried to stick in a "overage" clause, but marked it out when I balked at it.)

 

TAPE CITY in Madison Park Shopping Center

I was there from 1977 to 1982

This was probably taken just after Elvis' death as there are lots of Elvis LPs in the end rack.


TAPE CITY in Madison Park. Looking back towards the front door.
Note in the front: T-Shirts and black cloth above them holding buttons.


TAPE CITY signs at Madison Park as seen leaving the Post Office.


Third (and final) Athens TN Location: 

Tape City
1400 Decatur Pike
Athens, TN 37303
423-745-6231

I purchased this building in 1982 from Jim Pitt and DDS Dugan 
(only after good 'ol Mr.. Kenneth Higgins let me out of the lease I had just renewed with him)

I operated Tape City there until I sold the building on or about November 1996.

Tape City
1400 Decatur Pike
Athens TN 37303

(circa 1990)


Vehicles  from left:
Jane Ray's Pontiac, my '75 4x4 Chevy, cust., cust., cust. & my uncle Hoyt Tinsley's '67 2+2 Mustang


Yellow Pages ad



Tape City sign during a snow storm


Snow at Tape City



 


The West side of my Tape City building (Note the 8-track shaped sign on this side.)



TAPE CITY Tennessee Business License

 


I typically purchased my music from one-stop distributors.


 

 

Click 
HERE
 
to see Emails & Letters I've received as a result of this  website.

 



 

 

 

 


 

TAPE CITY #2
127 Keith Street Plaza
Cleveland, TN 37303
615-479-9545

Grand Opening and Ribbon-cutting Ceremonies for Tape City, Keith St. Plaza, Cleveland TN 
[Cleveland Daily Banner photo circa 1978]
From left: Nelom Jackson (Chamber of Commerce), Geoff Cox, Yulonda Shamblin, Donna Hicks, 
Mayor Harry Dethro, Steve Garrett, Philip Lea (Owner), John Chattam of 1st Citizens


Ad in the Cleveland Daily Banner
(circa 1978)


Cleveland Daily Banner notice
(circa 1978)



Phonolog "The all-in one record reporter"

 

 

Phonolog Catalog System (pre-computers)



Music City Record Distributors mug that was given to be for being a good customer.



Music City Record Distributors, Inc SPECIAL ORDER FORM



Hand Williams, Sr. / Hank Williams, Jr. "There's a Tear In My Beer" Promotional button sent to me

 



Kiss Originals songbook


Tape City Employee Teri "Teri-boo" Rose



Me with long hair

I sponsored a WOKI DJ to entertain at a fall festival at TWC
(circa 1976)


CLYDE & SADIE Tape City Calendar


Tape City employee, Melissa Sliger


Tape City employee, Jane Ray




Tape City pin



Tape City tag



Tape City business card I created




TAPE CITY Key Fobs


A Meat Loaf Cassette with a TAPE CITY Stamp.



Former Employees (at least the ones I can remember)
(Send me more names of those YOU remember)
  • Rob Arrants
  • Bobby ???
  • Pat Brakebill
  • William Campbell
  • Steve "Earl" Connor
  • Geoff Cox
  • Johnny Daugherty
  • Tonya Denise Frerichs
  • Steve Garrett
  • Bart Green
  • Francis Gregory (Bookkeeper)
  • Randy Hall
  • Shonda Hammonds
  • Paula Hess
  • Donna Hicks
  • Larry ? (of Ten Mile, TN)
  • Kim Lawler (deceased)
  • Mike Lee
  • Craig (Chris, Tyrone Brown) Maes
  • Tracy Mack (1983)
  • Marty Morrow (deceased)k
  • Klaus Ohman
  • Jane Ray
  • Betty Reed (Bookkeeper)
  • Teri Rose (she and Rich Wade fell in love while working at Tape City and lived happily ever after.)

 

  • Ana Selme
  • Timmy Smith
  • Yulonda Shamblin
  • Melissa Sliger
  • Rich Wade (he and Teri Rose fell in love while working at Tape City and lived happily ever after.)
  • ? Wade (Rich's little brother)
  • Linda Wagner of Decatur TN
  • Scott Wallis
  • Kim Warnken
  • Chris Womac


Honorary Employee:

Rupert Westfield (aka: Wes)

(photo wanted)

 



Oh, if only Martina still loved me!!!


 




WANTED: FREE Blank 8-tracks.
(Maxell, Scotch, Memorex, Capital, Columbia, Radio Shack or any major brand)


WANTED: Pre-Recorded 8-Track Tapes


The Animals - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – 8-track - "The Best of B.T.O."

Bad Company - 8-track - "Straight Shooter" (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Beach Boys - 8-track - "Best of the Beach Boys" (or "Endless Summer" or any other Greatest Hits 8-track by them)
Box Tops - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Sam Cooke - 8-track - "Greatest Hits" or "Best of"
The Doobie Brothers - 8-track - "Best of the Doobies"
The Eagles - 8-track - 8-track - "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975"
Foreigner - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
* Peter Frampton - 8-track - Frampton Comes Alive (A&M 3703)


Aretha Franklin - 8-track - Aretha's Gold (Atlantic 8227)
Grass Roots - 8-track - "Golden Grass" (or another "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
James Gang (feat. Joe Walsh) - 8-track - "Best of the James Gang"
Tommy James and the Shondells - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Led Zepplin - 8-track - "Led Zepplin II"
Marshall Tucker Band - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Steve Miller Band - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Ted Nugent - 8-track - Ted Nugent (Epic 33692)
Wilson Pickett - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by him)
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
R E O Speedwagon - Live - 8-track - "You Get What You Play For" (This was a great driving tape!)
Rascals - 8-track - "Time Peace, The Rascals Greatest Hits" (or another "Best Of" type 8-track by them)


Otis Redding and Carla Thomas - 8-track - "The King and Queen of Soul" (This was the first 8-track I ever saw)
Sam & Dave - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Bob Seger - (his double live 8-track)
Percy Sledge - 8-track - The Best of Percy Sledge (Atlantic 8210)
Steppenwolf - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
3 Dog Night / Three Dog Night - 8-track - (a "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" type 8-track by them)
Jackie Wilson - 8-track - "Reet Petite" (The Best of Jackie Wilson) or "Very Best of .." or "Greatest Hits" (Brunswick Records?)
ZZ Top - 8-track - "The Best Of ZZ Top" (WB)

 

Var. Artists 8-Tracks Wanted:


VARIOUS ARTISTS - (I want any great Various Artists with great 50s & 60s Rock 'n  Roll, Motown or Atlantic R&B Hits)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - 8-track wanted - "Atlantic R&B 1947-1974" Vol 1 - Atlantic 81293 (I want Vols 1-9  (or was it 1-10 ??)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "British Invasion * The History of British Rock "  Vols 1-9 (or was it 1-10 ??) - 8-track -
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Complete STAX / VOLT Singles: 1959-1968" Vols 1-9 (or was it 1-10 ??) - 8-track -
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Crusin'" (series 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, etc.... with great oldies!) (I think they were on K-Tel Records)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - (any K-Tel tapes if the have great oldies!) - 8-track -

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Oldies But Goodies" - 8-track - (any and all of this series)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Southern Fried Rock" - 8-track - (K-Tel)


VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Super Hits of the 70's - Have a Nice Day" (I want any of this series)  Rhino Records - 8-track -
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "The Super Hits Vol. 1" Atlantic Recording Stars (Atlantic Records) - 8-track -
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "The Super Hits Vol. 2" Atlantic Recording Stars (Atlantic) - 8-track -
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "The Super Hits Vol. 3" Atlantic Recording Stars (Atlantic) - 8-track -
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "The Super Hits Vol. 4" Atlantic Recording Stars (Atlantic) - 8-track -

Vintage Music: Original Classic Oldies from the 1950's : Vols. 1 & 2
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Vintage Music" (any and all of this series on MCA Records) - 8-track -



 



 

 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 2-door Sedan
For Sale $29,999

$58k Frame-off Restoration, Excellent Condition

www.1950Chevrolet.com

 



 

New-Old-Stock CRAIG 8-Track Tape Player with FM Stereo Radio in my '50 Chevy

 


Check out my Dr. Shock website:
www.drwebman.com/dr_shock  


Check out my tribute to Cleveland TN 
www.PhotosOfCleveland.com



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      Ingrid                 Rebel and
Bob Brandy

Click HERE to see my Tribute To Bob Brandy


John Bean 
1951-1984
(the REAL, the one, the only true Leroy Mercer)

http://drwebman.com/leroymercer/

 

Click HERE to see my Tribute To the REAL Leroy Mercer


www.TroopTrain.com

My website that chronicles the WW-II Troop Train wreck near Jellico TN on July 6, 1944



The BAT CREEK STONE

www.euchee.com/yuchi

My tribute to the Yuchi Indians

(Could the Yuchi be one of the lost tribes of Israel???)

 


 

 


 

 


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