Dreams Becoming Reality: World Records
Wild Ride
World Records has a large selection of CDs and vinyl.
Pat Evans and wife Bonnie
On Saturday, Oct. 31, Pat Evans, owner of World Records, celebrated the groundbreaking on The Dream Theater.
This project has been in the works for a few years with the actual work to convert his current record store in music venue located at 2815 “F” Street in Bakersfield.
Evans stated, “We were just going to move the record store and not make a big deal of it, but a band contacted us and wanted to play at our store. I had to go with it.” Wild Ride, a band from Los Angeles and the Winner Album of the Year Ventura County Music Awards 2015 played in front of the store Saturday morning.
Inside the soon to be moved store to make room for the theater, Bruce Jones helps a patron.
When asked what he was going to do with the music store while the construction is going on, Evans explained the store is moving down two doors in the shopping center and will conduct business there during the renovations for the theater.
World Records has been in existence since the 1980s founded by Evans and his friend Scott Schwebel with the motto of “Where Music Matters Most.” The No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series and the Bakersfield Blues Fest have been sponsored by the business over the years.
Wanting to have more control and create a proper venue for concerts, Evans came up with the idea to have his own theater instead of having to use local spots to hold the concerts. That dream is now on its way to fruition. the construction is expected to be completed in the next 6 to 9 months.
With help from his patrons, music fans, and Bruce Jones, who manages the store and plays the drums, the dream is coming a reality. Music fans can’t wait for the music to start up again this time in a venue they helped create.
Bruce Jones mans the counter.
Pat Evans in the new World Records Loft located two doors down from the existing store.
The Blues Series featured over 80 shows with performers such as Ray Mansarek of the Doors with Roy Rogers, Little Charlie and Night Cats now Rick Estrin and the Night Cats, Elvin Bishop, Guitar Shorty, Tab Benoit, Robin Ford, and many other major league blues musicians from around the country.