The annual holiday we’ve been waiting all year for is upon us yet again, dear vinyl-loving friends, and after the wonderful year we’ve had we are ecstatic to celebrate with you, the enthusiastic music lovers who support every crazy endeavor we embark on. Record Store Day is Saturday, April 22nd, and we’re ready to share a few of our favorite things we have in store for our 9th year in the game.

First off, Third Man Records is ecstatic to partner with the Seger camp in the first vinyl reissue of Bob Seger System's "2+2=?" in nearly four decades. Remastered directly from the analog tapes by Robert Vosgien and cut by Ron McMaster at Capitol Mastering, Third Man will release a limited edition yellow-colored vinyl version for Record Store Day, April 22nd, with a standard black vinyl version to follow. Fittingly, both versions are being manufactured at Third Man's new pressing plant in Detroit.

As the debut release under the Bob Seger System moniker, "2+2=?" is a landmark moment in the evolution and career of Bob Seger. The January 1968 release of "2+2=?", Seger's first single on Capitol Records, is an emotional, spirited anti-war protest delivered at the height of escalating tensions in Vietnam. Stylistically, the hypnotic, repetitive bass line is accented by a stinging fuzz guitar accompaniment, all paired with Seger's signature vocal rasp.

Backed with the classic track "Ivory", this 7-inch single will feature artwork originally used on European picture sleeves for both songs.

Next, we’ve combined our love of music and books yet again and are eager to debut the result. Third Man Books is proud to present the special edition of The Blue Series: The Story Behind the Color. The book is comprised of exclusive interviews with Jack White and Blue Series artists conducted by TMR’s own Psychedelic Stooge, Ben Blackwell, who will be on site to sign copies of the book. The special edition of the book will include a limited edition blue vinyl 7” which features previously unreleased Blue Series session songs by artists First Aid Kit and Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers.

For those who attended Lillie Mae’s Record Release show in Nashville’s Blue Room this past Monday evening, hold onto your ticket to redeem a limited edition yellow version of Lillie Mae’s 7” single “Over the Hill and Through the Woods” featuring exclusive, non-album B-side “The Last Time” in either the Nashville or Detroit storefronts, while supplies last.

And that’s not all from Lillie Mae! The songwriting fiddle player will be on location at the Nashville storefront signing copies of her new album, Forever and Then Some, which will be available on smoke-colored vinyl (clear with white wisps), first come first serve, at both locations.

As we announced last week, the Official Warstic Anthem, “Battle Cry,” written, produced, and performed by Jack White will be available on a limited edition, one-sided, gold-colored vinyl 7” exclusively at Third Man’s Nashville and Detroit storefronts and select independent stores. This song also features the talents of longtime friends and bandmates Daru Jones on drums and Jack Lawrence on bass.

As previously stated in our partnership with Warstic, Third Man Records will be donating a portion of all proceeds of the “Battle Cry” record to The Native Wellness Institute’s Well For Culture Program. This invaluable program promotes the well-being of Native Americans through youth and adult programs and training that embraces the teachings and traditions of Native ancestors. If you already feel so inclined, you can contribute your donation here.

And of course it’s not really Record Store Day without some fresh new merch, right? For our 9th Record Store Day, we’ll be throwing it back to feature some retro-style gear to jive with our groovy RSD 2017 poster, sticker, and lapel pin designed by TMR designer Jessi Yohn.

In true Third Man Record Store Day tradition, our friend Rob Jones has done it again and created three new killer t-shirt designs for The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs and The White Stripes.

In honor of our beautiful mural by Bob Sestok in the Cass Corridor’s Pressing Plant we have new black, white, and yellow record enamel pins.

More women’s cut t-shirts you say? You got it! Two brand new vintage-inspired shirts from our favorite California-made summer camp nostalgia brand, Shop Camp, and one unisex ringer-tee with a slight v-neck and a “hidden message” on the back.

If you’ve been envious of the Ebbets Cass jacket Jack’s been sporting, we’ve finally got one to show Nashville a little love too. The "Grounds Crew" custom embroidery jacket is back, and this time representing our label headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee.

The TMR staff’s love, nay obsession for YETI coolers and tumblers has been no secret. Thankfully, our friends at YETI have answered our call and created personalized three-striped aluminum water bottles to keep your drinks cold as ice all summer long in two “Rambler” sizes: 20oz Tumbler and Colster.

Nashville:

Grill ‘n’ Chill: We’ll have three bands—to be announced, so stay tuned— keeping the party going out in the street and will be firing up the grill for the first time this season to satiate your appetite along with cold drinks to keep you chill all day long.

Detroit:

In addition to the same delights of the vinyl and book kind available at the Nashville storefront, Cass Corridor will be hosting the first round of Pressing Plant tours since it’s debut in February for those who haven’t yet gotten a peek into the behind-the-scenes action of making vinyl records.

Carnival games will be set up with some exclusive prizes (and we’re not talking oversized stuffed animals folks) as well as three kickass Detroit-based bands: Eliza Godfrey, Prude Boys, and Mexican Knives.

It's sure to be an amazing day chock full of music, books, food, and maybe a little mayhem. Thankfully, that's just the way we like it around here. See you there!