Amye Cox is working to revive the Pickin' Parlor at the Beckham Hotel in Mineola. The effort honors her longtime friend and guitar teacher, John DeFoore, who died in August 2021.
DeFoore bought the Beckham Hotel in 1989 and ran the Piney Woods Pickin' Parlor there for 17 years, according to his obituary. He also founded the DeFoore Music Institute, which taught guitar and songwriting to students including Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. Cox said current hotel owners Chris and Sarah Butler support the revival.
The revived Pickin' Parlor held a free gathering on Oct. 23 with a variety of singers and guitar players. Organizers hope to hold gatherings about every six weeks. The event is held at the Beckham Hotel, 115 E. Commerce St. in downtown Mineola.
"I hope to keep this going for a long time to come just like my friend John," Cox said in a written statement.