Rock Dreams: Music  and Community come together.  If you loved the music of the 80s and 90s and found yourself in Mercer County, New Jersey, you understand that Rock Dreams was not just a store; it was community of people that celebrated and shared a passion for music...

"I run a small record store in New Jersey.  I thought I knew my rock and roll.  I can tell Twister Sister from  Mr. Mister.  But I never sold so many copies of a record that was getting so little airplay as Metallica's Master of Puppets.  I didn't believe I'd sell out my initial shipment the day it came in.  And the reorder.  And the next reorder."

"When I heard that Master of Puppets sold over 500,000 copies, I did believe it"

"The world has been following Trenton's lead for along time - Now I'm really proud to be from New Jersey."

Maybe the sign should read, "Metallica's in stock, and Trenton in shock"

This was John Cardarelli's response to Elektra Records acknowledgement of being one of the top independent retail sellers of  Metallic's top selling record.  He was humble and proud.

Rock Dreams was THE place that served as a hub for discovering new artists, bands, and concert announcements.  It transcended its role as a mere retail space; it fostered a community.  John wasn't the owner of a record store, he was the mistro of music where people got together and discovered music, all  kinds of music,  friendships were made, bands were formed and great memories were had. 

Places like this are no more.  Albums, cassettes and CD's are a thing of the past. 

John Cardarelli died July 2017 and has been missed by many and the feeling of Rock Dreams has started to fade away.

Rock Dreams Revived......

My husband, Jim Minelli, began working at Rock Dreams as a teenager and it was a perfect fit for him since he already spent much of his time and all of his money there already.  He loves music, for him its not background sound, it is the main event. 

"If my teacher would have sung all my lessons in school I would have gotten straight A's.",  Maybe that is why we all remember the Schoolhouse Rock songs like, Conjunction Junction whats your function."

Jim's love for music started early when his parents took him to his first concert, John Denver- then list has grown to long to list but includes KISS, VanHalen, OZZY, Pantera, Motey Crue, Pink Floyd, Guns and Roses, Godsmack, Disturbed and diverse to include acts like Cher and Vanilla Ice. 

I have not been able to find a music game show for him to enter to win a million dollars so I have convinced him to use his knowledge to put together a music blog to share all his music wisdom.  A place where music enthusiasts can go to get and share information...a place that feels familiar.....  Rock Dreams Revived.....