I found this image in my Google drive and don't remember saving it, but thought it was cool so went out trying to find the story behind it at Tim in Bovey Facebook and webpages. Couldn't find it, still don't know from where it originated. But during the search I came across a newscast from June of this year where the reporter visits kis KEBS Record Store ("smallest record store in the world") and interviews Tim. I've seen other videos where he's been interviewed before, but this one's new. I found it striking that his station his not mentioned (nor do I think it was mention in the one a few years ago), nothing about it in the video nor in the accompanying article, although the camera did pan the station logo on the screen for a few seconds
I get the idea Tim intentionally steers his station away from getting any media attention. If that's true then Ican understand the reasoning in that, but not sure I agree. Nor do I even know if that's what his attitude is. Anyway, check it out, I couldn't figure a way to post the video here.
KEBS Records ‘shouldn’t be working’ – but it is
https://www.wdio.com/lift-online/kebs-records-shouldnt-be-working-but-it-is/
Here's the one PBS aired last year (2024), but I recall there was also another about 4 or 5 years ago (seems so anyway), but I'm not finding it now.
Here's another from last year (The Slice) where he shows off his vintage tube audio gear and microphones, it seems like the beginning is cut off or something, it starts as Tim in walking across the room (of his record store saying something about how he prefers the "mono sound"..
https://video.wttw.com/video/see-a-vintage-collection-of-audio-gear-rzdkpy
Still haven't found the one from a couple years ago, I bet it's another one of "The Slice" features, it seems they feature Tim a lot.
The 2017 thread "KEBS/Iron Range Country Going Retail!" is an interesting look back at when Tim first transformed his tiny Part 15 station studio/office space to include a record store. It's three pages long. Below are highlights of Tim's post chronicling that first month.
https://www.part15.org/community/temp/kebs-iron-range-country-going-retail /
Highlights:
Posted : 29/01/2017 6:09 pm
Going to try a little experiment this spring.
We have a storefront office for the station on mainstreet. It's a very small office, about 10x8, but it has a big display window and front door and I have an 8 foot wide sign with the call letters on the facade above the door. .... .. So, I'm going to open a very tiny record store in the station "office". See if this little spot can generate some revenue on the weekends .. .. We'll see if it works out. If not, nothing lost since I already lease the space, .... .. Working on the sign addition now. We have "KEBS" on a 8 foot wide sign above the building now, going to add an additional sign in smaller letters under that that will say "Radio -- Records -- Music" ...
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Posted : 07/04/2017 5:34 am
Well gang, tomorrow is the day. KEBS Radio and Records opens to the public as the worlds smallest record store. All the antique and specialty shops, coffee shops, restaurants, etc in main street in Bovey open tomorrow for the "Vintage North Shop Hop". Hundreds will converge on our little town Friday and Saturday.
Will anyone possibly care that vinyl records are available?
We shall see.
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Posted : 08/04/2017 5:53 pm
Day one at KEBS Records was pretty good! Sold enough to cover a couple months rent for the space (which is pretty cheap LOL) which I was leasing anyway. Gave out lots of station bumper stickers and store business cards. I was quite pleased with the number of 16-17 year olds buying real rock and roll albums. ... ..Today should be even better, there will be a LOT of people ..
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Posted : 09/04/2017 6:15 pm
The 22nd we'll open for Record Store Day and do some advertising and do some promotions. ...
We had several people comment something like "Look! The radio station is open"! LOL. This spot, as you may know has been my Part 15 station "office" for nearly three years. Rarely were we in there -- the studio is at the house -- but I would meet clients there, people who wanted to record their own ads, etc. But now it was open to the public for two days in a row, racks of records waiting, the station playing. We got quite a few listener comments, gave out a bunch of station bumper stickers, etc.
So, good PR for the station, generated revenue, and was fun on top of that! ...
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Posted : 16/04/2017 5:19 pm
Opening the Worlds Smallest Record Store, where there is no place to buy vinyl for 100 miles has generated interest. This week I'm being interviewed for TWO slots on the area 100,000 watt FM public station about the store and my lifelong passion for vinyl. This is simulcast on a second 100,000 watt FM in another market 100 miles away.
Additionally yesterday I was interviewed for the local paper as well.
Naturally since KEBS Records is associated with KEBS Radio this will be good PR.
All leading up to National Record Store day on Saturday the 22nd.
Who knew it would be this big of a deal!
TIB
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Posted : 11/06/2017 10:22 pm
I remain shocked at how successful a 10x8 foot record store in a town of 681 people can be. of course customers are coming from 60-70 miles away. And we're only open one or two weekends a month.
I've been interviewed on two 100,000 watt FM stations about the store, had an article in the local paper and several articles in surrounding papers and business organization magazines. The novelty of a record store, the worlds smallest record store, and being in a tiny town all seem to pique interest. Friday we have a Duluth TV station here interviewing me and shooting video of the store for a couple hours! Supposed to be on the news next week.
I remain astounded. ... ..
... But thats a heck of a lot of records for a store that's only been open 4 weekends so far! Obviously there are no new artists on here as we're not selling any new vinyl ... ..
Wow! I was kind of surprised to see this thread pop up! I rarely visit the group, I'm too busy doing my thing and at this point don't know that I have much to contribute.
The station "KEBS" continues to run 24-7 with no issues since I put it on the air 13 years ago. Heck, still using the same used iMac I bought for the purpose. I basically have continued to grow the music library, and continue the same programing. Still run Feature Story News, still pay for music licensing, and still sell local spots. Still have the station on the local cable TV system. Still 100% flawless up-time on the Chezradio Procaster.
The record store has been a huge success. My daughter and I run it and only open 2 weekends a month. I have made no effort to ignore the radio station when we get media publicity - it's just not the focus of the stories. For the general public the store is the story, as it's widely available to the public. The station is only heard locally so no one else really cares. The neon logo sign is still on in the window, the highway cleanup sign is still on the highway, and of course the record store simply used the station letters as the store name. Everyone local knows we're here. I originally rented that space to have a place on main street to hang the call letters. We do sell both station and store T-shirts.
The store is so successful we rented the rest of the main floor commercial space behind the store (the store is still only 8x10 feet) but it gives me room to store and sort records (rather than doing that in the dining room and kitchen, which makes the wife much happier). It also allows a nice big desk and I've put together a vintage style recording studio with all vintage tube gear, mono full track tape machines and a record lathe (just another hobby I've entertained for decades but I don't think it ever came up here) so people can come in and record a tune or an album on old school gear, and cut a few records and take them with them! Even have a Hammond organ in the studio.
The record store has garnered a lot of media attention over the 9+ years we've been open. Lots of TV and newspaper/magazine people. It's still just a hobby. I'm still working commercial broadcast radio. Now at 53 years on the air, 38 at my current stations, live morning show on the AM, 2 hour midday show on the classic rock FM, and still chief engineer for the now 4 station group. I am never bored.
TiminBovey
Glad you stopped by! There's only a small handful of us that even pop in anymore. You probably know Carl has passed, and for the most part it's only Artisan, Mark and myself keeping this place breathing until this extending lull of interest in the hobby again experiences a revival. Which I still expect to happen eventually.
I realize it's your record store that drawing the public attention, but it seems such a prime opportunity to say "Oh and hey, I also broadcast these classic albums on our LPAM station, it only covers the town but we like it" - or whatever, it could inspire further interest, if not from the interviewer then from those who see the numerous times you've been featured.
But you know, I get it, it's just a side novelty of yours and not what's keeping your wheels turning! I mean I get it, so don't think that I'm giving you crap or anything, it's just something I've wondered about.
Out of curiosity, if you don't mind the question, are you just paying BMI or ASCAP too? I know there was some body who was also paying ASCAP for LPFM rate for their part 15 station years ago but forget who it was.
Anyway good to see you around, and your success and notoriety with KEBS records is fantastic. Glad to hear everything is still going strong.
@timinbovey Me too, nice to see you again. Drop by more often. We still remember your tests you did on transmitters and it comes up sometimes. A great way to promote the hobby station at the record store, having it playing in the store and outside the door.