Nashville's Civil Service Commission made us proud last week voting unanimously to approve a paid family leave plan for Metro Nashville employees granting 6 weeks of paid time off upon the birth or adoption of a child. Here at Third Man, we applaud Mayor Barry's leadership on seeing this legislation through. Since 2015 Third Man has employed 6 month paid maternity/3 month paid paternity leaves, as well as a $15 minimum wage and health insurance for all full time employees. We are heartened to see our local government affording more fair and humane policies for its workers. Our founder Jack White, who works as an advisor with Mayor Barry on the 45-member Council on Gender Equality, was heartened at the news that the city was following Third Man's lead.

"This new benefit makes business sense for the city. Paid family leave promotes strong families. Strong families make stronger organizations and stronger communities."

Hear, hear, Jack. Congratulations to all Metro employees and to the city of Nashville at large for joining us in strengthening our fine hometown one new life at a time!

Next month’s Peripheral Visions, co-presented by The Belcourt will be a commemoration of the late, great horror director George A. Romero. On August 8th, we will be showing his 1968 cult horror film, Night of the Living Dead, on 16mm. Romero built the modern zombie drama in 1968 when he made the film with a budget of only $100,000. In an interview with NPR Romero said, “I have a soft spot in my heart for the zombies… They are multipurpose, you can’t really get angry at them, they have no hidden agendas, they are what they are. I sympathize with them.”

His family released a statement saying Romero died on Sunday, July 16th, at the age of 77 after “a brief battle with lung cancer." We will be screening Night of the Living Dead Tuesday, August 8th. Doors 7:30pm, screening at 8pm. Get your tickets here. 

Third Man Records is proud to announce the arrival of The White Stripes The First Show: Live On Bastille Day, a recording of the band's first-ever performance, on digital and streaming services for the first time ever to celebrate the band's 20th Anniversary. The performance, which took place during The Gold Dollar Detroit's open mic night on Bastille Day 1997 — 20 years ago today — sees the Stripes powering through an abbreviated set of "St. James Infirmary," "Jimmy The Exploder," and "Love Potion #9." The First Show: Live On Bastille Day is now available to purchase and stream HERE.

Recorded in crystalline soundboard quality, this first glimpse into The White Stripes unique sound world — which was previously available only as a 7" in Third Man Vault Package #13 — brims with childish charm and a heartwarming awareness of how far Jack and Meg White would journey from such an unassuming start.

From the same era of The White Stripes first show, this photo (previously only published in grainy black-and-white) highlights a wall in Detroit emblazoned with the phrase "Silk, Satin, Suede" which was originally slated to be the title of the White Stripes' first album.

Third Man will be celebrating The White Stripes 20th anniversary all year. Fans are reminded to check out the details of their latest massive Vault package, #33, The White Stripes Icky Thump X, HERE. Registration to receive this package will be open until July 31st.

Third Man Records has had "awkward affections" for Greg Ashley since he first poked his head out of the garage-pysch voodoo underground back in the heady days of the early 2000's, so it's a big pleasure to announce that Greg Ashley & The Western Playboys' self-titled covers EP is out now. Third Man has also shared a "Best of Greg Ashley" playlist, which can be found below.

The EP is available for purchase here and now, as well as in Third Man storefronts and local record store favorites. Take a trip with your first listen to his version of Warren Zevon's "Carmelita" here.

Next Friday is the 7th day of the 7th month in 2017 and because we love numerology we want you all to get lucky and we're going to offer up 7 special titles for the first (and in some cases, only) time in our Nashville and Detroit shops. 

You can see the details and photos of all the exciting releases we'll have available below (make sure you get your eyes on that!), but that's not all... 

Both TMR Nashville and Detroit will have live Monks cover bands playing in their venues for FREE. 

Frank Woodman (Caveman Woodman), Alex Glendening (Deadbeat Beat), Magic Jake Culkowski (King Tuff), John Szymanski (The Hentchmen), and TJ Ghoul (Pretty Ghouls)

Dillon Watson (Savoy Motel), Domo (Ornament), Andy Pharaoh (Ranch Ghost), Cam Sarrett (Big Sur), Mitch Jones (Ginger Bakers)

And for added fun, Margo Price will be opening for My Morning Jacket at the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville that evening (July 7th) and we'll be giving away three pairs of tickets. All you have to do is buy all 7 releases (limited versions if they are available, standard vinyl if limiteds are sold out) and we will put your name in the jar and we'll select winners at random following the performance of The Hunks in the Blue Room. 

Detroit, for their part will be doing a Lillie Mae ticket giveaway for her show at Third Man Cass Corridor on Aug. 26th. The giveaway will work the same as above - buy all the releases to enter! 

And with no further ado... Here's what we'll have for sale on the 7th!