Waverly watch out, music lovers are heading out to Lotchapoka. Fred’s Feed and Seed is attracting some of the most versatile musicians and music enthusiasts in the region for Thursday night jam sessions.

Fred Lord has owned the Feed and Seed of for 14 years, utilizing his 46 years of music experience to build the Pickin’ Parlor community. Lord explained that when he realized that people were “having a big old time,” he decided to open the venue to music lovers everywhere.

“Everybody comes here for music,” Lord said. “We’ve had bluegrass, jazz, reggae, olde tyme, new age, classical, and Celtic-Irish and Scottish. Plus folk- every style.”

Lord said that 15 to 20 musicians show up the first and third Thursdays of the month, with more intimate meetings the second and fourth weeks. Normally fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and bass players come, but some weeks include jazz instruments while others are distinctly characterized by the washboards and washtub bass.

“Whoever comes along we don’t have a problem swapping out instruments,. I won’t have to sit and play fiddle or banjo all tonight,” said Lord, adding that he has no idea how many instruments he plays.

Lord added that some great musicians are stopping by.

“Real good people are coming through when ever they are in town or just passing through. Turns into a pickin’ mostly on Thursday and has blossomed out into everyone so far since October,” said Lord.

The Pickin’ Parlor invites all people, no matter the skill level or instrumental background, to play, request songs or teach their own. Lord’s vision insists on an open house policy, but he stressed “no riffraff.”

“The mayor and county commissioner have started to come out,” Lord said. “Students and parents come out, and bring kids.”

Lord, who has “been on the road, oversees, Europe and the Middle East” on tour, relishes in the southern music traditions and community.

“I want it to turn the Pickin’ Parlor into a nice, clean, wholesome place. Families can bring their kids, many of which are taking music lessons. Couples just bring wine and chips, just loving to come out and listen to music,” said Lord.

Attendees are welcome to bring whatever food and drink they want and although there is no cover, donations are taken up for heating.

Only this year has the rising popularity of the Pickin’ Parlor encouraged Lord to host more traditional shows on the weekends. The Pine Hill Haints, Flat Iron String Band and Martha’s Trouble have recently played the venue with Papa D’s providing the eats.

During the more formal shows, the storefront, which is separated from the parlor by a potato sack covered doorway, also features many local merchants, including ceramics and coffee vendors as well as Standard Deluxe.

Still in the planning phases, the Pickin’ Parlor is looking at getting Sam Bush, Taylor Hollingsworth and the jazz band Git in the future. Lord said he liked doing these bigger shows, joking that a hundred of his closest friends show up.

Lord said that he’s really looking to “promote music and get people some money, but nobody is getting rich.”

Lord concluded that whether it’s the informal picking sessions or bigger shows, he’s looking to establish a music community, not just a place to hangout.

“Everyone just has a big time. My contribution to the community, they think it’s just a wonderful time, make friends, make a neighborhood,”he said. “I still do the Feed and Seed during the spring time and garden stuff, for all your growing needs. Well maybe not all of them. It’s the Feed and Seed and Pickin’ Parlor through the droughts and dry weather, but I enjoy playing music more than weighing seed.”