02/23/2024
As most of you know, I’m a huge Beatles fan. They’ve been a major part of my life and seem to be something of a pillar of change. They appear when change is coming.
Now is one of those times.
Rainbow Records opened in 1981. As I reflect over the last 43 years, my thoughts go to the song that ended an era. In The End McCartney sings, “An in the end. The love you take. Is equal to the love you make.” Well, the end is here for Rainbow Records, and all I feel is love and gratitude for this community which made this little record store something special in the Upstate.
I’m planning to close the doors on this chapter of my life on Saturday, March 23rd.
I look forward to seeing everyone over the next month to share stories, laughs, and probably some tears. It all starts with a deep devotion to music. We love it and it shapes who we are. The music business has drastically changed in the last 43 years. We started with vinyl, to cd’s and tapes, to the downloading/streaming that about took us all out, to the rebirth to vinyl again. Talk about full circle!
To end this post, I’d like to send out some much-needed messages of thanks. Firstly, to my wife Lou Ann, we started this together, and I couldn’t have done it without you. You are the rock that all businesses must have to thrive. To my daughter, Megan Hembree Morlok, it was a joy watching you grow up at Rainbow Records, and I’m beyond thankful that you love music as much as I do. To my granddaughters, who are one the main reasons I’m so looking forward to retiring! To my family that has always been supportive of this crazy dream. To all the past employees of Rainbow Records who made this place so exceptional and fun, to a past & present employee and friend, Rodney Rigsby, who I couldn’t have done the last 3 years without, and finally to you, our customers.
You have made this an adventure of a lifetime.
Look forward to seeing you,
Mark