NASHVILLE, Tenn. — During the six decades since United Record Pressing stamped out the Beatles’ first U.S. single, the country’s oldest vinyl record maker survived 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs, Napster, iPods and streaming services.
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Now, the Nashville-based company rebounded so dramatically that some of its equipment and technology was retrofitted to keep pace with an ever-growing demand for old-school vinyl.
The 75-year-old company adjusted its business from filling jukeboxes to helping DJs spin and stocking shelves despite the COVID-19 pandemic . On shelves in its warehouse are master versions by Johnny Cash, Kanye West and The Black Crowes.
When Mark Michaels bought the company in 2007, vinyl was fading — its 38 employees mostly made singles for rap artists, often promos for clubs. Michaels wanted a hands-on chance to build a business and thought he could keep this one steady, but not grow it substantially.