If you caught the 24th Annual Americana Honors and Awards on PBS on November 29, you may have noticed singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun wearing a trucker hat with “United States vs. Bruce Springsteen” printed on it. What on earth was that about?
Courtesy PBS
Joy at the Ryman
On September 10, 2025—at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium—Joy Oladokun took the stage as part of the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards, a marquee evening organized by the Americana Music Association and recorded for broadcast under the banner of Austin City Limits.
Joy delivered a solo-acoustic rendition of “I’d Miss the Birds” that earned a standing ovation from the Ryman crowd. Her presence on that night marked more than just a set: Oladokun was among the nominees for Artist of the Year—a recognition of her growing influence and artistic voice within the roots/Americana scene.
The 2025 Honors show was a celebration of musical breadth, gathering legends, past-award winners, and rising voices across folk, soul, rock, and Americana. In that context, Oladokun’s intimate, emotionally grounded performance reaffirmed her reputation as an artist who blends heartfelt songwriting with raw vulnerability and wide-ranging appeal.
For fans (and newcomers) who caught the program, her appearance may feel like a reaffirmation: here’s an artist quietly expanding the boundaries of Americana, connecting deeply with listeners, and earning her place among the night’s standout performers.
But I want us to home in on one minor detail: Joy’s hat.
While Joy’s performance was unforgettable, that small accessory likely caught many viewers’ eyes. Its playful phrase, “United States vs. Bruce Springsteen,” has a surprisingly rich backstory.
United States vs. Bruce Springsteen: The Legal Case
The phrase on the hat refers to a moment in Bruce Springsteen’s recent history that made headlines in 2020. Here’s what happened.
In November of that year, Bruce Springsteen had an unexpected—and quickly misunderstood—encounter with law enforcement at Sandy Hook, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area on the northern New Jersey coast. While out on a motorcycle ride, Springsteen stopped to chat with a group of fans. According to reports, one fan offered him a small amount of tequila, which he accepted and drank with them.
Because Sandy Hook is federal land and alcohol is prohibited there, park rangers approached shortly afterward. They stated that they saw Springsteen take a drink and then get back on his motorcycle. He was asked to perform a field sobriety test and was taken to the ranger station for further evaluation. Although early media coverage focused on an alleged charge of driving while intoxicated, a breath test administered later showed his blood-alcohol concentration to be just 0.02—well below New Jersey’s legal limit.
When the case went before a federal judge, prosecutors dismissed the more serious charges, including driving under the influence and reckless driving, due to the very low blood-alcohol reading. Springsteen ultimately pled guilty only to the minor violation of consuming alcohol in a closed area, a rule specific to national park property, and was fined around $500.
What began as a sensational headline quickly resolved into a far more modest reality: a brief and technically illegal toast with fans on federal land that resulted in a small fine rather than anything related to impaired driving. Still, the story lived a surprisingly long media life, illustrating how even a quiet moment at the Jersey Shore can turn national when Bruce Springsteen is involved.
Bruce even joked about the incident while at Monmouth University in October 2023 for the announcement of our new Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music (BSACAM) building, noting to much laughter, “I think having a building with your name on it is a tricky thing. Because I’m still alive…I could get arrested for shooting tequilas in a public park. That’s something that could happen, you know? All I can say is I will try to do my best to do nothing for the rest of my life to embarrass a building, all right?”
United States vs. Bruce Springsteen: The Hat
The Nashville-based small business N.B. GOODS (also known as shopnbgoods), is run by Camille Alston, a former music-industry professional. Rooted in local heritage—the name references Neely’s Bend in Nashville—N.B. GOODS offers original designs, curated vintage pieces, and custom work, all reflecting Alston’s emphasis on creativity, authenticity, and community. The brand has grown steadily thanks to its distinctive aesthetic, strong customer reviews, and Alston’s commitment to producing high-quality, nostalgic goods with personality and charm.
Camille made the first “United States vs. Bruce Springsteen” trucker hat to wear herself to Springsteen on Broadway—and the tongue-in-cheek has taken off from there, worn by the likes of Zach Bryan, Ryan Tedder, Chase Stokes, Bon Jovi, Eddie Vedder, Brianna LaPaglia and more.
Eddie Vedder sporting “the hat.” Photo courtesy Jose Bolanos / @shopnbgoods.
Whether or not Bruce ever wears one himself, the hat has become a playful nod to a memorable moment in his life—and a symbol of the humor, community, and enduring fandom that surrounds him. It’s a small piece of Americana, connecting artists, fans, and a shared sense of musical history in a single, cheeky accessory. And of course, we at the BSACAM have to document it.
Camille with photographer Danny Clinch at his Transparent Clinch Gallery in Asbury Park.
Melissa Ziobro
Director of Curatorial Affairs
Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music
Monmouth University
December 9, 2025