Radio Host Rich Russo Hosts Pop-Up Store Fundraiser in Garwood

Rich Russo, host of the free-form radio show “Anything, Anything” on 105.5 WDHA, has announced a massive sale of recorded music featuring more than 10,000 CDs, plus various collector’s boxed sets and limited-edition vinyl. The sale will take place at across two weekends - Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18.

One-hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Musicians On Call, a charity that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Since 1999, the charity's musicians (with big names like John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, and others among them) have performed for more than 250,000 patients and counting. Russo serves on MOC's Board of Directors.

Russo, a lifelong Union County resident, will be working for all hours of the sale and expects some “friends” to stop into the store and possibly play live.

Rare items for sale will include the Depeche Mode collection ‘The Singles’, Madonna’s limited-edition colored vinyl ‘Hard Candy’ LP, Iggy & The Stooges ‘Fun House’ seven CD set, the Harry Potter soundtrack with limited-edition bubble hologram, Jesus & Mary Chain box-set and many other collections well below market prices. A majority of the selection will be brand new and priced as follows: 1 CD for $3.50, 5 CDs for $15, 10 CDs for $25, and 25 CDs for $50.

"I've collected these just through the years buying things or friends giving me things, or people sending me things because of my music interests," Russo told Patch. "It's a lot of stuff from a lot of different people."

Still, Russo says this sale doesn't even put a dent in the collection of music that lines his home in Cranford. "There's so much. I thought about just having a sidewalk sale at one point," he said.

"The concept of the charity is fantastic," said Russo. "It's all about the healing power of music. Someone goes room to room and plays songs for people. So you're in hospital for whatever reason and someone comes in and just asks if you would you like to hear a song."

"This money will go towards setting up new chapters," said Russo. "We don't have any programs in New Jersey yet, and I'd really love to get some set up here."

“Anything, Anything” can be heard every Sunday night on 105.5 WDHA (NJ) and 107.1 The Peak (Westchester). The program first came on the air in 2008 on WRXP in New York City.  The free-form show quickly grew with a devoted listener base as the result of Russo not having any restraints on his program set list. He will regularly dig into one of his over 100,000 albums that live in his personal music library. When Russo is not the studio, you may find yourself sitting next to him at a Bruce Springsteen show (he's attended more than 400 live shows) or Pearl Jam show (more than 100).

"I would also like to thank Classic Antiques for donating the space, so that we can guarantee that every dollar goes directly to the organization," said Russo. "I'll be shocked if you walk in and don’t walk out with something very, very cool. It's cheaper than iTunes and your benefitting a great cause. Plus, as my listeners know, don’t be surprised to see a special guest or two come by the sale and maybe play a few tunes as well.”

DATES & TIMES:  

Saturday, Dec. 10 - noon - 4 p.m.
Sunday Dec. 11 - noon - 4 p.m.
Saturday Dec. 17 - noon - 4 p.m.
Sunday Dec. 18 - noon - 4 p.m.

is located at 225 North Avenue in Garwood.