BillLindau

Blue's singer's career taking off at age 12

Story and photo by Bill Lindau
PEMBROKE -- John Lakota Lockear has already cut an album featuring classic blues numbers, and he has not gone to high school.
That's because he's only 12 years old.
A student at Pembroke Middle School, he plays trombone in the school's marching band. Out of uniform, he has been performing for live audiences for the past two years under the name Lakota John. His CD, entitled "Lakota John, Old Bluez that's Newz to Me," has eight tracks of the blues style associated with B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and others. His younger sister, Layla, also performs on one of the tracks, "Women Be Wise". Earlier this month, with slide guitar in hand, he performed a solo act for the Pembroke Cruisin' concert, singing "Hey Hey" and "Dust My Broom", two of the CD's eight numbers written mostly by Elmore James.
The first people to see Locklear at a concert were far away from Pembroke: Seattle, in fact.
He was out there at a blues camp that his uncle had told him about.
"I figured while I was at the camp, I could make a little money," he said.
His performing career is past the budding stage; it has definitely taken off. He has played at a number of other shows, including the American Indian Women of Proud Nations Conference and the Fayetteville area's Local Artist Blues Showcase series.
He was scheduled to perform other times this month, Tuesday morning at Southeside Elementary School. Next week, on Nov. 24, Lakota John is scheduled to perform at Pembroke Middle. He also plays at his church every Sunday.
Locklear, the son of John D. and Tonya Elk Locklear, is blessed with a musical family. His mother plays the piano. Layla sings and plays the fiddle. John Sr. is an accomplished musician with a tremendous collection of blues and classic rock albums. The Locklears are such classic rock and blues fans that they named Layla after the 1971 hit by Eric Clapton's old band Derek and the Dominos.
Besides blues, Lakota John enjoys playing classic rock, covering songs by the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimi Hendrix and Derek Trucks.
"When I was little, I started listening to my dad's library of CDs," he says. "The first one that I heard was 'Statesboro Blues' (by the Allman Brothers). I really liked the slide guitar and I wanted to pick it up."
"I liked the whole idea about the guitar," he adds. "I liked the sound. When I was little I thought the guitar would be cool."
Lakota John practices his music every day, about 30 to 45 minutes at a time. John Sr. says he tends to practice right before a performance.
Playing the trombone is another different area of music. He says it's harder because the musician has to find the position of each chord, each note.
The entertainment news is full of pop phenoms who attain stardom at an early age. Lakota John remains grounded in his outlook on the scene.
He is considering a career as an architect -- right after he finishes college. Plus, "playing anywhere I can, and making extra money."
"Lakota John, Old Bluez that's Newz to Me" was produced by Rodney Oxendine. Copies are available for $10 apiece and Lakota John T-shirts for $20, or as a combo for $25. For CDs, T-shirts or booking, contact 910.521.9992 or email lakotajohn@bellsouth.net.

posted by Bill Lindau @ 6:17 PM