RDK Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Looking through some old LPs last weekend and a few import CDs, I had a flash of nostalgia upon seeing that silver, rounded rectangular "Distributed by Rick Ballard Imports" sticker. But a Google search came up empty. Whatever became of Rick and what was his story anyway? Seems the sort of arcane jazz distribution question that's right up this board's alley... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim R Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 I don't know the whole story in terms of the changes that have taken place with his import business, but Rick moved from the waterfront area (Rick Ballard Imports) years (10-15?) ago, and opened "Grooveyard" on Telegraph. I haven't been back up there since, but apparently he moved to Claremont some time ago. A great guy to do business with. http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=10182 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcello Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 I used to get a lot of Japanese vinyl from Dan Serro, in the 70's. I think he is still around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Saw Rick not long ago. Great guy. Really. Seems that he's combined his business (Grooveyard) with Berigan's, though I don't know this for sure. Seems like I picked up a few clues, but, right now, I couldn't even tell you what they were! So anyway, check out Berigan's on Claremont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim R Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Of course (as I'm sure you know), Rick and Berigan were together at the old shop west of the freeway, so it's good to hear that. I have fond memories of their periodic vintage LP consignment sales at that shop. Berigan always seemed like a pretty cool guy too, BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 I used to get a lot of Japanese vinyl from Dan Serro, in the 70's. I think he is still around. ← That name brings back memories - bought a lot of stuff from him in the 80's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Rick's Groove Yard is still in business. I talked to him about 10 days ago. His operation is currently at 5555 Claremont Ave, Oakland. Rick is a great guy to do business with. I have been working with him since 1975. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Welcome back, Chuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 I used to get a lot of Japanese vinyl from Dan Serro, in the 70's. I think he is still around. ← That name brings back memories - bought a lot of stuff from him in the 80's. ← Dan might be/have been a fond memory, but I remember the Kharma lps of great musicians in terrible sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Welcome back, Chuck. ← Thanks Chris. It is good to be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcello Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Goggled Dan Serro. He's in Miami and auctions & sells vinyl. Dan Serro / Kharma Records Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Rick's Groove Yard is still in business. I talked to him about 10 days ago. His operation is currently at 5555 Claremont Ave, Oakland. Rick is a great guy to do business with. I have been working with him since 1975. ← 5555 is the address of Berigan's retail store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim R Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 I bought quite a few LP's from Serro in the 80's also. In terms of imports, though, when I think of Ballard I think of euro imports- especially Steeplechase. Bought a TON of those from Rick, whose prices for new or used were always reasonable. Come to think of it, I even bought a couple of used Mosaic sets from Rick, for very, very good prices. Berigan's store was/is pretty small, without much extra space... I wonder if he expanded the shop...? Of course, Grooveyard on Telegraph was even smaller... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted June 7, 2022 Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 (edited) This is a big "up" - I am wondering what happened to Rick Ballard? I visited his Oakland store as recently as 2015, but cannot find a web presence. I always enjoyed speaking with him over the years at his store(s). Edited June 7, 2022 by Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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