Salina will become a destination for vinyl record collectors, musicians and music industry professionals this week as Acoustic Sounds celebrates its 40th anniversary with a four-day event expected to bring visitors from across the country and around the world.

The inaugural Vinyl Summit, scheduled for Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 18, will feature live concerts, record collecting, audio equipment demonstrations and behind-the-scenes tours of the company's Salina operations.

Founded in 1986 by Chad Kassem, Acoustic Sounds has grown from a small business operated out of his apartment into an internationally recognized company specializing in high-quality vinyl records, music production and audio equipment.

Today, its Salina operations include Quality Record Pressings, Analogue Productions, The Mastering Lab and Blue Heaven Studios, giving the company a substantial presence in the international audiophile industry.

The anniversary celebration will give visitors an opportunity to tour those facilities and learn how vinyl records are mastered, manufactured and distributed.

Four Days of Music and Events

The celebration begins Thursday evening with jazz performances at Blue Heaven Studios, featuring Chico Freeman and other musicians. Friday's programming shifts to blues, including performances by Mud Morganfield, the eldest son of blues legend Muddy Waters, along with several other artists.

The largest concert takes place Saturday, October 17, at the Stiefel Theatre in downtown Salina, where Taj Mahal, Jimmie Vaughan and Bernard Allison will perform. The concert begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.

In addition to ticketed concerts, the event includes several activities open to the public at no charge.

A two-day record fair will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Homewood Suites in downtown Salina. Record dealers will offer rare, collectible and specialty vinyl records, giving attendees an opportunity to browse collections from vendors representing different parts of the music industry.

Facility tours, live music and other activities are also planned throughout the celebration.

Bringing Visitors and Business to Salina

Beyond the music, Vinyl Summit represents an opportunity to showcase Salina to an international audience.

The event is attracting collectors, musicians and industry professionals who might not otherwise visit central Kansas. Their presence creates potential additional business for local hotels, restaurants, retailers and downtown establishments during the four-day celebration.

The event also highlights a business that has quietly built an international reputation while remaining headquartered in Salina.

Kassem moved to Salina from Louisiana in 1985 and began buying and selling records while working other jobs. What started as a personal interest in collecting rare recordings eventually became a company serving music enthusiasts worldwide.

Forty years later, that business is bringing customers and industry figures to the community where it began.

The celebration concludes Sunday, October 18, with the final day of the record fair and other scheduled activities.

Additional information, schedules and tickets are available at www.vinylsummit.com.