The title is kind of odd, as I couldn't think of anything better, but I have an idea in my head for a device to play music off an SD card that can connect to Bluetooth devices or using a 3.5mm jack to play random songs or a specific file for my daughters hockey games.

The gist of it is to build a device that has a SD card with two folders that can contain MP3's - 'Goal' and 'Mix' (or whatever), and it has a touch screen with buttons for 'Goal', that when pressed, plays the file in the 'goal' folder, and a 'Random' button to play a random file from the 'Mix' (or whatever) folder, and a 'Stop' button to immediately stop whatever is playing. Might also need volume up/down buttons. The idea being, at a game, you tag it up with the local Bluetooth soundsystem, or if they use a 3.5mm input, via that, and during warmups, between plays, etc, the 'Random' button can be pressed and it'll pick a random MP3 to play out of the folder associated with 'Random', and when gameplay starts, the 'Stop' button can be pressed and it immediately stops playing, and if a goal is scored, it plays the file in the 'Goal' folder.

Power supply isn't a huge thing as how prolific USB Power banks are these days, a Micro USB (or better USB-C) power supply wouldn't really be a challenge. Raspberry Pi Pico2W, Zero 2W, or an ESP32 variant, or even something else, I have no preference.

I can envision the basic hardware required, but my main problem is while I'm smart with IT infrastructure related things, I couldn't code my way out of a wet paper bag that's already been breached, no matter how hard I've tried to learn how to do so. It really sucks and annoys me as there are so many cool things that can be done when you know how to program these devices, While as good as I am at what I do, and as much as I'd love to learn how to program/code, it has escaped me for my entire life.

Do any more talented people have any thoughts? Is anyone willing to help with such a project?

 

I'd love to learn how to program/code, it has escaped me for my entire life.

I find this interesting. I can’t help but think you are missing something fundamental or have a misconception that keeps getting in your way.

Can you describe in more detail where you get stuck in trying to learn programming?

 

If you can use miniature push-button switches in place of the touch screen, the project will become much simpler. You will not need a microcontroller or any programming. You can use a DF Player. That is a small MP3 module that reads files from an SD card and gives an audio signal out.
DFPlayer Mini MP3 Player Module TF Card U Disk Mini MP3 DF Player Audio Voice Module IO/Serial Port/AD MP3-TF-16P for Arduino - AliExpress
Tune selection and volume can be controlled with NO push-switches. It can be powered by a 3V to 5V dc supply so four AA batteries or a USB power bank are all you need. the output can be wired to an audio jack. Audio Bluetooth transmitters are available that have an audio jack input and can be powered from a USB connector.
Bluetooth Transmitter 5.0 + EDR Audio Adapter For TV PC Headphones 3.5MM Jack AUX USB Stereo Music Wireless Adapter Plug & Play - AliExpress
Alternatively, the audio output can be directly connected to a device that has an audio input.