Driving west on State Route 14 through downtown Loachapoka may not peak the interest of an outsider, but in the heart of this small suburb about 15 minutes away from Auburn's campus, Fred Lord is fostering a creative atmosphere for the appreciation and teaching of music.
Lord is the owner of Fred's Pickin' Parlor where he offers lessons as well as a venue for bands to come and play live for anyone who wants to listen.
"Come out and enjoy the music, it's a happy time," Lord said of the music shows he has hosted for the past three years in what was once Fred's Feed and Seed.
The venue hosts bands playing anything from bluegrass and western swing to indie and original.
Music shows at Fred's Pickin' Parlor also have a dress code. On entering the building, the first thing in sight is a tall rack of ties in a variety of colors. Everyone has to wear a tie, Lord said, but the way in which they choose to wear it, including around their head, is completely up to them.
The building itself is one of the historic structures in the small stretch of Loachapoka's downtown. Lord explained that his "hysterical landmark" was built in the late 1800s and required a lot of maintenance
when he first acquired it 15 years ago.
Lord was in the feed and seed business for 12 years, but after a drought and tough times decided to do music full-time.
Music lessons are also offered at the Pickin' Parlor for a variety of string instruments, including the dobro, fiddle and viola.
"He's the best teacher in the world," said Jimmy Langston, one of Lord's students who plays the fiddle and mandolin.
Lord has been involved in music for nearly 46 years and began with the piano when he was 5 years old. Soon after learning to play the piano, he moved on to the wide range of string instruments he now teaches.
"He's nothing but pure, honest encouragement," said Pat, Langston's mother.
Langston is a graduate of Auburn University and believes in what Lord is doing at the Pickin' Parlor and in the Loachapoka community.
"He knows exactly how to play to a person's heart, mind and soul," Langston said.
Langston also talked about the music shows and how Lord fosters learning by sometimes allowing the younger students, like her son, to play on stage alongside professionals who are happy to play whatever the kids want.
Upcoming shows at Fred's include J.P. Harris and The Tough Choices Friday, July 30, and Lazy Birds Friday, Aug. 6.
Lord described J.P. Harris and The Tough Choices as having a "super high-energy country rock" sound. The Lazy Birds are a country, blues and jazz quintet, according to their website, and their influence is taken mainly from the first 50 years of recorded music.
Admission for the music shows is $10 per person, and everyone is welcome to bring a cooler. Food provided by the Yellowhammer restaurant in Waverly, Ala. is also served at some of the shows.
For more information about lessons and shows call Fred's Pickin' Parlor at 334-502-6602.
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