STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Ernie Trevino grew up listening to his father’s vinyl collection.

Doo Wop, Earth Wine and Fire, Tower of Power…he liked the sound of it. And today he has a thousand LP records of his own.

“I like the ritual of it. The touch, the feel of going through albums looking through the stock. I believe the sound that comes out of it is tangible. You can feel it. You can almost see it,” he said.

This young girl and man performed an intriguing number using cans.

Trevino, the new education and outreach coordinator at The Argyros, wants others to hear it, feel it, see it. And, to that end, he’s created “The Listening Gallery—An Evening of Art, Vinyl and Conversation at The Argyros.”

The free event invites Wood River Valley residents to celebrate local art and good music from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at The Argyros in Ketchum.

Trevino has curated a variety of art created by local artists for the foyer of The Argyros. Upstairs in the intimate Bailey Room he will offer a curated listening experience. He will play some of his favorite vinyl, and he’s encouraging guests to bring their favorite vinyl record, share why it matters to them and then listen to the music together.

Following the listening session, there will be a panel discussion on genre—what defines it, who decides it, how it evolves and whether those labels still serve artists and audiences today. The evening will conclude with an open forum, inviting people to share their perspectives.

Open Mic Night featured classical music, as well as country tunes.

“It takes a little more effort to listen to vinyl, and we’ll be providing a four-corner sound system so listeners can get enveloped,” he said. “I’ll bring a couple vinyl records from my library, and I hope others will bring some of their favorite vinyl records to listen to on the upgraded sound system.”

Trevino also hopes people will share the stories of why a particular song is dear to their heart.

“I have my folks’ 45s that they listened to when my Mom was pregnant with me. Cars had record players in them then and my parents would drive around listening to the records that I now own,” said Trevino who grew up in Richmond, Calif., near San Francisco.

“When I started DJing 26 years ago I took about 80 records that I enjoyed all over the place. I love sitting down with friends listening to music, maybe having dinner--no phones, just being alive in the music.”

The Wood River High School jazz band performed.

Vinyl listening events are popular in Japan and some DJs in Oakland and Portland play only vinyl, he said.

“The medium of vinyl has never gone out of style. Eight-tracks and cassettes have come and gone, but vinyl is still around. It’s like a time machine. It can transport you. It’s the closest thing to sitting in with a band.”

Trevino, who DJs as DJ BearSkin Rug, organized The Argyros’ first Open Mic Night in early March. It was a success, introducing a wide range of talented musicians, poets and storytellers ranging from their teens to their 80s to the audience.

“I come from a big extended family in California where holidays were filled with family—uncles, aunts, cousins,” he said. “It created a sense of belonging, and I want to do that same thing here--create a sense of family of community.”

Even Merle Haggard got his due during the Open Mic Night.