Thank You Jack White

I genuinely feel sorry for people who love musicians other than the one that I love. Let's pretend for a moment that you are a sad misguided soul who loves Creed. You love Scott Stapp. You live and breathe for the next Creed album, their next tour. You log countless internet hours doing Google, you-tube,and Twitter searches for the latest news, interviews, videos and gossip. I know this is probably difficult to comprehend, but bear with me, I have a point. I purposely used the worst rock band I could think of, to demonstrate the contrast. If you are a Creed fan, what do you get? At best, an new album every two years, followed by a world tour. If you are lucky, one show, one night in your town. Sure, you get non-stop radio airplay on every alternative radio station in the nation, but is that enough for a superfan?


Creed is the worst band in the world.


Maybe I'm not the average superfan. Perhaps, I am spoiled by my favorite artist. Third Man Records owner Jack White is an active band member of the Dead Weather, the Raconteurs and until very recently (sadly), the White Stripes. With three bands and 10 albums under his belt with just these bands, Jack White is arguably the hardest working guy in the music business. There is never a dull moment for a Jack White fan.

First of all, there is the Third Man Records subscription service, the Vault. If you are a Vault member, for $60 a quarter, you can occasionally participate in video and text chats with none other than Jack himself. You automatically receive a limited edition vinyl package in the mail, usually including three components: a previously unreleased double LP of a Third Man Artist that can't be bought anywhere else, a 7" rarity and maybe a t-shirt or DVD or postcards. Every three months, I anxiously wait to hear the announcement of the next package. Then, I routinely stalk my mailman until it arrives. Does a Creed or Lady Gaga fan have this kind of regular, quarterly, release of new tangible, possibly collectible material? I think not.

But, you don't have to shell out the $20 bucks a month as a Vault member to enjoy what Third Man Records has to offer. Although it helps. Have you SEEN this quarters package? Previously unreleased, limited White Stripes? Yes. It's to die for. http://www.thirdmanrecords.com/news.html

Although the excitement is continuous, it is easiest to just tell you about the things so far in 2011. Mostly recently, TMR announced their plans for Record Store Day 2011. They are re-issuing 2 White Stripes seven inches on swirly vinyl. Plus, if you happen to be in Nashville that day (and managed to get tickets) you can catch Jerry Lee Lewis with Jim Keltner on drums right there at the Third Man Venue! You can almost guarantee that Jack will join on stage for at least one song.

In March, Third Man Records unveiled the Third Man Rolling Record store at SXSW with promises to hit the road all over the country. Does it look like a rolling banana? Maybe. Is it getting vinyl into the hands of kids (and adults alike) who can't get to Nashville to visit the original Third Man Records shop? Definitely. Jack made a surprise appearance at South By this year and played 2 songs for a couple hundred VERY lucky fans who were at the right place at the right time.

Jack produced the new album from icon Wanda Jackson's "The party Ain't Over". Earlier this year her tour featured Jack on guitar at the New York and LA shows. I can tell you from experience, it was amazing to witness.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, The Rome project with Danger Mouse featuring Jack White vocals will be released in May. Keep in mind this is only the beginning, a mere four months into the year. I can only imagine what comes next.

It seems every couple months there is something new and thrilling coming out of Third Man. Every time I turn around, there is an announcement of a new album, a new limited edition release, a new collaboration with an icon, or a new up and coming band produced by Jack White. I have to admit, Jack White is a marketing genius. I don't know exactly how he turned me into a vinyl collector. But, he did. He knows just how to keep his fans engaged, excited and willing to buy. I am guilty as any.

Thank you Jack White.