CD Junkies: Bobby Mayer-Martin
Bobby Mayer-Martin believes that CD collecting is more than a passion – it’s a way of life. The 29-year-old Québec, Canada resident says that although not everyone sees the appeal of CDs in 2025, to him, collecting those shiny plastic discs is “one of the most beautiful things you can experience.”
Bobby has tried to introduce his fellow music fanatic friends to CDs, but he said if “the magic” isn’t there, their interest in CDs can fade.
“For me, though, it never left,” he continued. “And I truly believe it’s now a part of my life. I’m a real CD junkie.”
Bobby has an enviable Instagram handle; it’s @cd-collector. He loves to show off his growing collection on IG and on TikTok @bobbymayermartin. Bobby sat down with 360°Sound to talk about the most prized discs in his collection, his favorite artists, buying Japanese imports, and more.
360°Sound: How long have you been collecting CDs? Do you remember the first CD you ever bought?
Bobby Mayer-Martin: I started collecting music CDs at a very young age, around 10 years old, which would have been around 2005. Coming from a family who loved CDs, I always had discs in my hands since I was little. I remember saving up coins here and there, along with my birthday money, to buy my very first albums in a store: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative by Britney Spears and the Crazy Frog album.
About how many CDs do you have?
As of today, I have 955 albums in my collection. I would probably have even more, but during the pandemic, I did a major cleanup and donated close to 200 CDs to thrift stores.
What do you love about the CD format?
I adore owning the artwork of my favorite artists, being able to read the booklet, feel the pages, or just having it for myself. There’s something indescribable that happens when I get a new disc – a sense of physical belonging. I just love holding them in my hands and knowing I have the full experience.
I also enjoy sharing my purchases, favorite songs of the moment, and ideas with my small community on Instagram (@cd.collector) and TikTok (@bobbymayermartin). I’ve met amazing people on these platforms since 2016. I’d even say it changed my life and reignited my passion for collecting in 2017. Being able to take photos of my albums and share them with other collectors is something I truly enjoy.
How often do you buy CDs? From where do you typically buy CDs?
I’ve been working in a thrift store since 2019, so I often get first dibs on the CDs that come in. I regularly buy some from there. When it comes to pre-orders or online shopping, I’d say I buy CDs at least one to two times a week, depending on the new releases.
For my Japanese editions, I use cdsvinyljapan.com. Their shipping to Canada is perfect. I also try to buy directly from artists’ official websites as much as possible to support them. Otherwise, I shop on Discogs and Amazon, and as a last resort, I’ll use eBay. Since there are no CD stores in my small town, I have to travel at least two hours to buy new ones in person, so online shopping is my go-to option.
What are some of your favorite genres? Who are some of your favorite artists?
I’m a huge fan of pop music. I grew up with a mom who played Britney Spears in the house every evening. I even once sang and danced to “Oops!… I Did It Again” in our living room for her and her friends [laughs]. So yes, I’m a big fan of Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.
What are some of your most prized discs in your collection?
I really love my complete collections from my favorite artists, but I have to say that The Singles Collection box set by Britney Spears holds a special place in my heart. It’s a piece I dreamed of owning for a long time before finally acquiring it. I also absolutely adore my signed CDs from Ariana Grande!
What CDs are at the top of your want list?
I recently made a TikTok video showcasing my Taylor Swift CD collection, and it ended up going viral (134.6K views and 30K likes). I must have received at least 50 comments from Swifties telling me I’m missing the Beautiful Eyes EP. I looked it up, and the price is absolutely outrageous! So, I’m just waiting for a miracle to get it [laughs].
How do you feel about the future of the CD? Do you think we will see a CD revival?
How I feel about the future of CDs is still unclear. I do believe that one day they will no longer be produced, or they will become very rare. But, like everything in life, trends always seem to come back around, so I think CDs will still be around in some form. Yes, perhaps forgotten by many, but us collectors will always find a way to keep them alive, at least in our hearts. Just look at the vinyl resurgence over the past five years! I believe music will always find its way to those who want to discover it and collect it!
