The Picking Party and Swap Meet series was the brainchild of Joe OK, a Murfreesboro-area musician who recognized the need for an inclusive local gathering of musicians of all skill levels to play music and exchange gear.
Joe OK is a pseudonym used by Joel Goode—whose name has often been mispronounced as “Joel Good” (it rhymes with “dude”). He humbly chose the performance name Joe OK instead to reflect his not-great but also not-bad skill level at playing guitar.
“I thought if someone saw [my name] they would think ‘man, he must be good at playing music’; nope I’m just okay,” Goode explains.
His stage name of choice—Joe OK—captures the essence of humility that many musicians feel. It highlights that while talent varies among individuals, what matters is the passion for music and willingness to participate.
The Picking Party isn’t your normal open jam session with individuals up on a stage. It’s not meant to be intimidating and will be off to the side with a circle of chairs, where anyone is encouraged to sit down, join in and play.
“One of the most fun, encouraging things you can do if you are trying to learn about music, or just kind of want to be around it and listen to it if nothing else, is to get together with other like-minded folks,” Goode says.
His goal is to host a communal music event at least one Friday each month, with the next one set for Hop Springs on Friday, Jan. 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. Following the jam, the bands Justin Bowman and the Drifters and PJ and the Bear will perform.
Goode says he wants the format to be as welcoming as possible to all musicians, from beginners to “Jedi-level artists.”
“We are not using the stage. Nobody is plugged in,” he says. “I want everyone to have a chance to sit down. Matter of fact, the first gathering we had ended with a couple of kids sitting around playing percussion instruments while their dad played the one song that he knew. It was awesome.
“Bring whatever instrument you like. Some dude was there a few weeks ago with an accordion. Banjos are only allowed one song . . . and you have to stand outside in the parking lot,” he jokes. “Harmonicas? Same thing. Unless you are Isaac Corbitt, then you are allowed two songs.”
Joey Fletcher is among the supporters of the concept. He recounted his experience from one of the past events organized by Goode, also the road manager of the Joey Fletcher Band.
“It’s a few musicians bringing their gear out. I bought a few things like amps and microphones,” Fletcher says. “While all the swapping’s going on, there’s Joel playing a few songs acoustic; he encourages other folks to play and sing songs. They all trade songs and pick with each other. It’s a fun time.”
Goode says he has seen upwards of $3,000 worth of gear exchanged within a two-hour period, at one event. The guidelines are kept simple; just stick around with the gear you bring.
“There’s a lot of musicians in town that have hoarded things and probably would enjoy the opportunity to bring stuff and just trade and swap—anything music-related: amps, guitars, T-shirts, posters, you name it,” he says. “And when these folks show up? Please sit down with us and swap out a tune or two and tell some stories.”
What the musician has found over the years is that people who love music and artistry are excited to share it, and always the people who come generally end up making some new friends.
“Come on out and don’t be shy about coming up, saying hello, and sharing what you got,” the organizer says.
Hop Springs is located at 6790 John Bragg Hwy.
For more information, keep up with Joel Goode and Hop Springs on Facebook.
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Photo, top: Joe OK courtesy of Joey Fletcher
