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Pickin’ in the Park in Morristown Welcomes Musicians of All Ages

Musicians for thousands of years have gathered on porches and in public places to play music with friends. Beginning Thursday May 6th hundreds of musicians of all ages and styles will gather at Fred Miller Park in Morristown for a weekly acoustic jam session. It’s called “Pickin’ in the Park,” and goals are to help musicians learn more about their craft and to preserve East Tennessee’s rich musical heritage.

Last year's Pickin In the Park was a huge success with hundreds of people coming to pick and even more to listen to the pickers. Please remember that this is NOT a performance venue meaning there are no stages with amplification and no single band or group of pickers set up to play on a performance basis. It is a venue for musicians and those who love music of all types.

The Pickin’ begins at 6 p.m. and winds up at dusk. The pickins will be held at the same time, rain or shine every Thursday evening May through September 2010. Whether musicians have an ear for that high lonesome sound, bluegrass, country, blues, jazz or rock, they’re all welcome at the Pickin’ in the Park. The weekly event will also feature drum circles for percussionists. The only rules are no electric instruments or amplifiers and microphones for acoustic instruments, no commercial instrument sales, no formal performances and no charge. In other words, it is a fun, free acoustic jam session.

Darrell Williams, president of the Downtown Morristown Association and owner of The Fret Store, says those who don’t play are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and soak in the sounds. We encourage people to pack a picnic or bring a boxed supper from a downtown restaurant. Musicians are always looking for a great place to pick, enjoy each other’s company and make music. “Pickin’ in the Park gives them a location and a free weekly community event.”

The weekly pickings are sponsored by the Morristown Parks and Recreation Department and The Fret Store which is the regions top rated guitar store. Media sponsors are helping get the word out including Fun Things To Do In The Mountains, WJDT 106.5, WBGQ 100.7, The Citizens Tribune, WCRK 1150 and WMTN 1300. The organizers are expecting 300 or more musicians from all over the region to jam with each other every Thursday. Pickin in the Park acoustic jams are becoming wildly popular across the Nation as musicians seek free venues in which to play and families look for no cost entertainment.

Beginners are welcome at the weekly events to jam with more seasoned players. “Sometimes beginners learn that way,” said Williams, “It’s a no pressure type thing. You just sit around, play music with friends old and new.” Our hopes is that musicians from the region will make the event as their own and that Pickin in the Park will grow in reputation and quality for years to come. Listeners who enjoy good acoustic music of all types are encouraged to attend. Make it a family affair as the park is a great place to picnic under the trees and has wonderful playground equipment including a water splash pad open for those hotter evenings.

For further information, visit PickinAtFredMillerPark.com or call Jennifer Gentry at Morristown Parks and Recreation 423-586-0260 or Darrell Williams at The Fret Store 423-581-3280.