Check out the article. I spent a couple of hours at the reception last night. Lots of fun. Carlos Hernandez' paintings were wonderful. Cool new space with an art exhibition space attached to it. And they sell vinyl!!!. I bought 3 LPs...Meters, Otis Spann & Jimmy Reed. Plus a T-Shirt for my lady. All is right with the world! http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/entertainment/5266289.html Dead rock icons have their day at reincarnated Cactus Gallery at new Cactus store showcases Day of the Dead portraits How appropriate today, Day of the Dead, to celebrate the resurrection of Cactus Music & Video. The venerable Houston store that died and was buried a year and a half ago is coming back to life. "Finally, I get to go buy records again," said local singer-songwriter Tody Castillo, who was helping set the place up on Thursday. The store won't open until sometime next week — managing partner Quinn Bishop was purposely vague about the details — but those wanting a sneak peek are invited to an art opening tonight at the new incarnation, Cactus Music, at 2110 Portsmouth. That's across from the eclectic little shopping center that is home to everything from Amy's Ice Creams and the Stag's Head Pub to the Tuesday Morning discount retailer. "It's a weird little corner at Portsmouth and Sandman," said Bishop, who will be circulating and showing off the new digs at tonight's reception. "But it's a great space. I think people will be knocked out by it. This is our way of having a little fun and building the anticipation." Cactus returns as a full-service store, with vinyl records as well as CDs, but it also will house a showplace for music-themed art called the Record Ranch Gallery. The first exhibit is Day of the Dead Rock Stars, a series of Day of the Dead-inspired portraits of deceased music icons such as Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Patsy Cline and Jimi Hendrix. "We want to focus on the artwork tonight," said Bishop, who was general manager of the old Cactus for 20 years. "But we thought it might be fun to stir things up a little bit. This is a little icebreaker, a peek at what is to come." Next door to the Bookstop in the Alabama Shepherd Shopping Center, Cactus Music & Video was a community landmark for 30 years. In 2003, the community rallied around the store when the property manager and developer announced plans to remove the store's marquee — a green, 29-foot-tall, cactus-shaped sign that announced what was for sale or rent and who would be performing next inside the store. The sign was allowed to stay, but the victory proved short-lived. The store closed in spring 2006. Brenda Gunter, a longtime Cactus patron who recalled taking her daughter to the store "since before she could walk," said the closure was distressing for music fans who wanted an alternative to chain stores. Cactus, she said, boasted a knowledgeable staff and supported local artists by selling their music and playing it for customers while they browsed the shelves. That, along with in-store performances by such artists as Todd Snider or the Stone Coyotes, introduced Houstonians to songs they couldn't hear on commercial radio. "Cactus had this essence about it that was purely Houston," Gunter said. "There was nothing else like it." She doesn't have to use the past tense any more. "I've got someplace to spend my Saturdays again," she said. "And my money. I used to tell people I was putting my money in CDs, and I was."
Hallelujah!!! Compared to other major metropolitan areas, Houston seems to really be lacking in this area. I know we have some excellent record stores like Soundexchange, Vinyl Edge, and Sig's Lagoon. Cactus was a legend. It's good to have them back. p.s. The Dailey family(they own Cactus) still has stacks of lp's behind C&D Hardware (Cobb & Dailey) on 11th St. Pappy Dailey ran a recording studio out of that building. Legendary artists like Hank Williams, the Big Bopper, George Strait, and Willie Nelson all recorded there. Some older folks who have shopped there for years swear Hanks ghosts rests in that building.
I used to work at C&D. I never had the chance to pilfer through the records. I was only able to take a peek. Its amazing how many stacks there were.
They sure have lots of great vinyl at the new Cactus. I see myself spending lots of money there in the future.
