Keystone Record Collectors – A Brief History

The Keystone Record Collectors Club known as KRC is the largest, longest running organization of its type in the world. Since our humble beginnings in 1979, KRC has attracted collectors from all over the world to our monthly music swap meets, and has had dues-paying members from as far away as Scotland and Japan.

These music aficionados, who have always enjoyed the club policy of free admission, converge on Spooky Nook Sports – LANCO, East Petersburg, Pa. on the second Sunday of every month (except May and when Easter falls then) to create a “happening” which the casual observer may have a hard time comprehending. Whatever your musical preference, there is always a good selection each month. You can find everything from pre-war 78’s to newly released CD’s and DVD’s, along with a good stash of 1960’s – 90’s vinyl (LP’s, 45’s, EP’s). Recent shopping trends have gone to niche collecting, such as jazz and blues music, although R & B, doo-wop and soul are still quite popular at our shows.

For the first year or so of its existence, club meetings were held round-robin fashion, at various members’ homes. The ever-present swap sessions were usually accompanied by a segment in which a member, often the host, would give an educational presentation about a favorite area of interest within the hobby, or show some prized items from their own collection. Official club meetings were held separately from the flea market swap meets.

By late 1980, it was apparent that club members were focusing on the flea market shows. Club officers entered into negotiations with Columbia, Pennsylvania Borough Council to obtain exclusive use of the Market House for ten shows per year. It became the show to attend. Indeed, many high-level transactions occurred in and around the show site. Volume dealers found it a convenient place to come to check out the offerings while they often bought and
sold hundreds of pieces at a time in the surrounding parking lots.

The Blue Ball Market House was home between January, 1992 and February, 1995. Lancaster Catholic High School served as our home for the next 12½ years yielding 145 shows. 13 shows took place at two different locations: the Pennsylvania Jaycees Bingo Hall in Leola and the German Trading Post, Denver, Pa. One show took place at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center, in Lancaster, Pa. It was put on “winter lockdown” until the new owners of the property determined the future of that facility. In February 2010 and for the next 8½ years, our show took place at the Continental Inn, until May 2018 for our 428th show, we moved to Spooky Nook Sports – LANCO, East Petersburg, Pa. January 2024 marked our 492nd show.

The name of the show continued to evolve as time went on. For years, it was simply known as the “Columbia Show”. In the early 1980’s it was called the “Record Collector’s Convention”, then the “KRC Show and Sale”. By 1990 it became the “Central Pennsylvania Music Expo”, and finally in the late 1990’s, the “Pennsylvania Music Expo”.

The success of the club relies on the leadership it attracts. In 45 years, 14 people have served as President. There have been countless others who have been either elected to the Vice 
President, Secretary or Treasurer positions or appointed by the various officer teams for numerous other positions. These areas have included: Show Coordinator, Special Projects, Site Coordinator, Newsletter and Communications, Phone Reservationist, Show Announcer,
Show Calendar/Craig’s List Coordinator, Flier Box Envoy, Facebook Administrator and others. “Key-Notes”, the club newsletter, comes out every other month, filled with current club news; book, music and music supply offers and photos of club members. “Key-Notes” (cyber edition) comes out each month a few days before the show via the internet, to let members know the latest info on what to expect at the show that month. Autograph parties along with “meet and greet” sessions, started in Columbia and continue at the Pennsylvania Music Expo in our current location at the Spooky Nook Sports – LANCO.

Our show has been host to many prolific regional acts, such as The Magnificent Men, The Soul Clinic, Class Act featuring Rita, Pentagon, Billy Carlucci, Quiet Storm, Frankie and the Fashions, Steven Kelly (of the Volcanos and the Trammps), The Tridels, The Jordan Brothers, The Maxwell Project, Little Duck and The Drakes and country singer, Al Shade, naming only a few. In April 2017 the “Best of Berks County,” seven artists/groups who contributed to the rich musical heritage of that area were in attendance. In 2023, we had four different local hard rock/heavy metal bands appear for meet and greets. We also have been honored to have visits from numerous nationally acclaimed artists including The Dovells, Bobby Rydell, Ronnie Dove, Danny & The Juniors, Charlie Gracie, The Rip Chords, Jimmy Clanton, Eddie Holman, Jimmy Merchant (Frankie Lymon’s Teenagers) Kenny Chandler, Gerry Granahan, Kenny Jeremiah (Soul Survivors), Gary DeCarlo, lead vocalist of Steam (Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye), Napoleon XIV (Jerry Samuels) and more. Many of these artists also entertained our guests with live performances as well. Among the music industry dignitaries who have visited the Pennsylvania Music Expo, are famed radio disc jockeys such as ‘Giant’ Gene Arnold (WIBG, WIFI), Cool Bobby B (‘The DooWop Stop’) and Lou Simon (SirusXM), “60s Satellite Survey”, and “The Diner” host along with many Central Pennsylvania radio air personalities.

We’ve hosted legendary record promotion moguls, such as Motown’s Weldon McDougal and Bobby Fulton, former owner of the Harrisburg based labels Jay Walking and Soulville, along with Frank Lipsius, son of the original Jamie/Guyden label owner, Harold. Film documentary producer Shawn Swords has also attended our shows promoting his DVD releases “Fabulous,” and “Wages Of Spin” series. The show has welcomed our share of authors including: Concert promoter and author Pat DiCesare, DiCesare-Engler Productions, (“Hard Days, Hard Nights”); rock-a-billy singer/ author Billy Poore (“Rock A Billy – a Forty Year Journey”); Bill Carroll, reference book author, (“Ranking the Rock Writers”); Mike Devlin (“Doo-Wop! and The G-Clefs”); Stan Blitz (“Bandstand: The Untold Story”); Jason Thornton (“The Philly Sound: Philadelphia Soul Music and its R&B roots: From Gospel & Bandstand to TSOP”); Jeff Kreiter (“Teen Price Guide” and “Group Collectors Record Guide”); James Rosin (“Philly Pop, Rock, Rhythm & Blues”); Joe Vaccarino (“Baltimore Sounds”), John Clemente (“Girl Groups, Fabulous Females that Rocked the World”); Chuck Miller (“Warman’s American Records 1950-2000: Identification and Price Guide”); Marc Taylor (“A Touch of Classic Soul”), Colette Shaw (“Won’t Get Fooled Again”); Mike Argento (“Don’t Be Cruel” – a novel); L. Ellis McCutcheon, (“Jazz On The Cheap”); and LinDee Rochelle (“Blast From Your Past!”). These are just some of the talented writers who have attended our shows over the years.

We also had our first television star/female artist, actress/singer Geri Reischl aka ‘Jan Brady’ of ABC’s ‘The Brady Bunch Variety Hour’ (1976-77). She played Eve Plumb’s part. Perhaps the driving force responsible for our success is an overwhelming passion for collecting music and sharing that passion with anyone who will listen. The Keystone Record Collectors will continue to promote and advance the hobby of music collecting, as only we can.

  (Keystone Record Collectors) Revised (1/24 Shaw)