Got vinyl LP records? Decorah resident James Ronan says don't recycle them—call him!

James Ronan shows off some favorite LP records

(Note: In January, decorahnews.com carried a story about the recycling of vinyl records: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2011/01/8831.html.   But recently we've become aware of another option—a Decorah man who buys vinyl records)

James Ronan says vinyl records appeal to the senses, not just hearing, but sight and touch as well.  So the Decorah man has a hobby of buying old records.  He can't say just how many he owns, but says he stores "the good stuff" in the third floor of his house, with the other LPs relegated to the basement.

Ronan buys old records at garage sales, auctions and from private individuals.  He doesn't just do it for the enjoyment—it's a business a well.  The right classic LP could fetch as much as $5,000 to $10,000, although those are extremely rare.  It's more common for him to spend "a dime to a dollar," although he isn't interested in polkas or records made by Andy Williams or Billy Joel (they're too common).

Ronan, who announces a one-hour program on KPVL, 89.1 fm on Monday at 7:00 p.m., says vinyl records "are making a comeback," although that's a relative term, since they account for less than one percent of music sales.  Still, he says there's been "a big resurgence" in interest in vinyl records.

So those forgotten old records in your attic might have a better home than the landfill.  Ronan says there's a network of vinyl enthusiasts who will buy and sell old LPs—and he invites the public to contact him.

Ronan announcing his program at KPVL