Meet Our Charlotte, NC Staff

	Adam Store Manager Expertise: Movies specifically DVD’s I have been working in the music business since I was in high school. I have NO musical abilities of my own so I felt working in music stores was my way of contributing. I worked for many companies that are no longer in the music retail business (Record Theatre (Upstate NY), Blockbuster Music, Wherehouse Music, & Turtles Music) before coming to Manifest in 2004. After graduating from the University of Memphis, I was transferred to Charlotte. Visit My Web Page!
	Patrick Assistant Store Manager Expertise: Vinyl I enjoy Jazz, folk, psychedelic, blues and everything in between. Music has interested me since a young age and I like to gather as many random sounds as I can. If I am not at work listening to music I am probably at home doing the same. I also enjoy reading, homebrewing and spending as much time as I can in the mountains. Visit My Web Page!
	Joe Sales Associate Expertise: Rock (Garage,70’s European Prog, Psychedelic) 70’s Electronica, Jazz Enthusiast A veteran Manifest employee, I enjoy writing/recording music. I have a band called “Alt-Ctrl-Sleep” which consists of my wife April and I, and we are signed to Lakeshore Records(Feast of Love, grammy nominated Napoleon Dynamite & Little Miss Sunshine soundtracks, and artists Meat Beat Manifesto, James Wilsey(guitar/bass for Avengers and Chris Isaak) Visit My Web Page!
	Rich Sales Associate Expertise: Rock, Alternative, Country, Jazz I’ve been playing music all my adult life and writing about it nearly as long. While freelancing for a few magazines, I picked up a part-time job at the (now deceased) Manifest in Clemson, SC. One move to Charlotte later and here I am. In this digital age where everyone buys in isolation, I think Manifest serves a vital role in bringing music lovers of all backgrounds together. Visit My Web Page!
	Greg *Sales Associate* Expertise: Vinyl- Specifically Classsic Rock, Soul, R&B/Funk, 50’s-70’s Jazz, 70’s & 80’s Fusion, Classical, World & International Music and film scores/soundtracks My first job in the music industry was at a store in old central Charlotte on the square called Record City, which specialized in Soul-R&B, Jazz, and Gospel as well as Rock. Following that, I worked for a One-Stop called F&F Distributing before going into the service around 1970. Visit My Web Page!
	Mark Sales Associate Expertise: Resident comic book/dvd and master of the bad pun Born to a military family, my mother was a child of the 60’s, and I didn’t take to her music. Instead at the age of 14 while living in Germany I discovered Black Sabbath and then I was introduced the band that would pull me into music forever Iron Maiden. From then on out I was the biggest heavy metal geek in the world. After growing up in Germany and then moving back to the states at the age of 17, I discovered that music was the best friend I would ever have. Became a huge fan of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and to this day almost 30 years later most of those bands bring a smile to my face. I started my first career in Grocery retail at 18 and dreamed of starting my own hell raising, rootin -tootin angry at the world rock band. Visit My Web Page!
	Mike Sales Associate Expertise: Jam Bands, Classic Rock, R&B, Jazz, Bluegrass I have always been drawn to music. The feeling of hearing/seeing a musician performing his/her craft is inspiring. Traveling around, I have seen many top acts as well as some that are quite obscure. I prefer going to live events where the music and the audience blend in a unique experience. Visit My Web Page!
	Cedric Sales Associate *Expertise:* Jazz Music is Everything to me. I’ve always thought that life is the soundtrack of music, not the other way around. There isn’t a particular sound that I like; jazz, punk, bluegrass, 7 drum & bass are favorites of mine but it all depends on my mood Visit My Web Page!
	Amber Sales Associate Expertise: Books Being a Charlotte native with a work history including everything from giving phone surveys to loading trucks in a warehouse; I came to Manifest in December of 2006. I have found spending time at a record store fits me well because it is a fun and quirky environment that I thought would be long extinct by now. Music has always played a huge part in my life for as far back as I remember. Visit My Web Page!
	John Sales Associate Expertise: Breaks, Drum and Bass, Reggae, Ska, Dub, and many, many more genres Born in 1978, I grew up exposed to music of all sorts, anything from Beethoven to The Incredible String Band, and everything in between. My parents were of the opinion that the TV was evil and would surely rot my brain. So to combat boredom we (my mother and I) would make weekly excursions to our local library branch to pick out some records and books. Visit My Web Page!
	Rachel Sales Associate I grew up just outside of Detroit, and have lived in San Diego and now Charlotte as of recent. Every place I go I take a piece of the music culture with me, so I listen to everything from punk to gospel. Oh, and I ADORE THE 60’S! I’m jealous of my dad… I also do movies major thanks to my older brother. The end is a waltz. Visit My Web Page!
	Mike Sales Associate Expertise: Psychedelic/Art/Prog Pop & Rock, Cult Films & Soundtracks Music and Movies are a huge part of my life. I spent most of the 80's working music retail (anybody remember the old Grapevine/Camelot on Independence?) and I spent the 90's recording and performing with my band, The Ravelers. Lately, I've spent most of my free time composing and recording music influenced by my favorite soundtrack composers - mostly spaghetti western, horror and blaxploitation styled stuff. Listen if you dare at myspace.com/manfromravcon. Visit My Web Page!
	Rebecca Sales Associate Born in Pittsburgh but raised in South Carolina, I grew up listening to oldies and classic rock with my parents. I became interested in art and music at a young age, and my passion for both has grown since. I was once in a semi-band and played guitar, but I realized shortly thereafter that I should stick to just listening to music. I have a very eclectic music taste, but psychedelic rock and hardcore steal my heart. Visit My Web Page!
	Regis Sales Associate Expertise: Post Punk, New Wave, 80's Christian Rock My life is mysteriously described in the Talking Heads' song "Life During Wartime." Professionally, I've been a searcher, but feel I've found a home here at Manifest after years of working in music retail at places including Borders, Media Play, and Hot Topic. I was the front man for a weirdo art rock group called Holster for a while. I've also been an amateur music critic, zine publisher, and concert promoter. I believe music is a unique, powerful energy, and it has certainly had a significant influence on me. My explorations in music have made me a fan of many genres, and depending on mood, time, place, and company still enjoy cheesy 70's disco and "AM Gold" pop, Americana, funk, classical, punk (old AND new), SOUL and R&B, rock, power pop, electronica, indie rock & hip hop, old country, small jazz, and some hardcore. SUPPORT GOOD LOCAL MUSIC! Visit My Web Page!
	Kyle Sales Associate Frustrated with a bounty hunter’s life of stalking and murdering wayward elves, Kyle Cameron decided in 2008 to turn to a far more rewarding career in music retail. Since that time, he has emerged as the store’s foremost authority on Argentinian polka music and the collected works of Young Jeezy. Beyond his retail duties, Kyle still operates a profitable side business selling hand-painted beer coozies and body armor to visiting NASCAR tourists. In his spare time he enjoys modern dance, semi-nude bowling (bottom half only), and watching Grey’s Anatomy reruns on his iPhone. Visit My Web Page!