Keystone Record Collectors - A Brief History

The Keystone Record Collectors Club (known as KRC) has the distinction of being 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.

These music aficionados, who have always enjoyed the club policy of free admission, converge on the Pennsylvania Jaycees Bingo Hall, in Lancaster on the second Sunday of every month 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. 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 negotiation with Columbia, PA 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, In October, 2007 our 302nd show took place at 2460 New Holland Pike in the Pennsylvania Jaycees Bingo Hall. Organization officials have embraced the KRC partnership, adding another activity in addition to their Wednesday and Friday evening bingo operations.

The name of the show continued to change as time went on. For years, it was simply know 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 90’s, the “Pennsylvania Music Expo”.

The success of the club relies on the leadership it attracts. In 29 years, ten 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 officer teams to numerous other positions. These areas have included: Special Projects, Site Coordinator, Newsletter and Communications, Market Master, Phone Reservationist, Flyer Box Coordinator, Website Liaison, Club Photographer, Show Coordinator 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. “Re-Collections” is our newest publication. It keeps track of artists who have made a big impact in our region, generally coming out once or twice a year.

Autograph parties, started in Columbia, continue at the Pennsylvania Music Expo. The show has been host to rock-a-billy artist Charlie Gracie three times, the Kalin Twins twice, the Magnificent Men, Little Duck and the Drakes, the Maxwell Project, Gerry Granahan, Kenny Chandler, Eddie Holman and others. Former national promotion man for Motown Records, Weldon McDougal, has attended as well. Bobby Fulton former owner of the Harrisburg labels Jay Walking and Soulville participated in one of our shows too.  

We’ve also had our share of authors including: rock-a-billy singer/author Billy Poore (on numerous occasions); Stan Blitz who authored a pre Dick Clark book on Bandstand; Jeff Kreiter author of the Teen Guide Book and Group Records Guide Book; James Rosin, author of “Rock, Rhythm & Blues”, a Philadelphia music guidebook; Joe Vaccarino, author of “Baltimore Sounds” (an illustrated encyclopedia of Baltimore area pop musicians, bands & recordings 1950-1980); John Clemente author of “Girl Groups, Fabulous Females that Rocked the World”; Chuck Miller author of “Warman’s American Records 1950-2000: Identification and Price Guide” and Marc Taylor, author of “A Touch of Classic Soul”, a book about soul singers of the early 1970’s. "Won’t Get Fooled Again" a rock fantasy novel by Colette Shaw, was featured at one of our shows. The book is a fiction tale about a business executive by day and a rock and roll free spirit by night. We even had a doo-wop mystery author, L. Ellis McCutcheon, with his book, “The Playground”.

Twice a year, April and November, we partner with the American Historic Juke Association. Their club, based out of Philadelphia, was formed in 1985 to restore juke boxes and perpetuate the hobby of juke box collecting. Society members feel juke boxes are to be appreciated as a work of art, not to mention their historical value. They usually bring at least a half dozen vintage juke boxes to show and sell.

Every April, we join forces with the Lancaster County Cruisers. They are a popular Lancaster County and Central Pennsylvania vintage car club, bringing at least a dozen vintage vehicles for attendees to see and enjoy in the show parking lot.

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 KRC will continue to promote and advance the hobby of music collecting, as only we can. 

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Revised (10/07 Shaw)