Page 6 - Robeson Living Fall 2021

Robeson County musician got his start playing a plastic guitar as a young boy in church. Jonathan Locklear’s father,
the Rev. Charles Locklear is also a musician.

Strings, Strumming and Music from the Soul

Guitarist Jonathan Locklear By Crissy Neville

Naysayers, take note — dreams can come true. For those will- piano, Jonathan followed his uncle’s footsteps and found the
ing to put in the hours, hard work and lifelong dedication to guitar. It was younger brother Andrew who pursued percus-
a pursuit, be it athletics, academics or in the case of Jonathan sion, similar to dear old dad.
Locklear of Pembroke — the arts — anything is possible.
Whether in his native Robeson County or new home of North Jonathan’s grandfather gifted him with his first real guitar, a
Myrtle Beach, this guitarist’s passion for music has brought $10-yard sale find he still owns today. He played that same
the success and the satisfaction of doing what he loves — full- guitar at age 12 in another church — Smyrna Baptist — one
time. the family served when returning home to the Lumberton area.
Though primarily self-taught, Jonathan gleaned much musical-
Born in Clinton and raised in Pembroke, Jonathan, the son of ity and skill from church mentor Junior Hunt who “took me
Bethany Christian Fellowship Pastor Charles Locklear and under his wing and taught me all the basics,” he reflected. “I
wife Gwendolyn Locklear also grew up in the church. He re- started playing acoustically and soon learned to play rhythm.”
calls playing a small plastic guitar in his early childhood in
one of his dad’s first congregations in Baltimore, Maryland, Music abounded in the Locklear household — a pervasive
a city where many American Indians from Pembroke moved theme throughout his growing-up years and in the various
to for work — and the Locklear family for ministry — in the churches his father pastored.
1960s-70s.
“My parents always provided instruments and were always
The young guitarist was no stranger to music. While his father supportive of my music. I had a blessed childhood. But I give
was a drummer for a traveling gospel band and adept at the all credit to God for the opportunities and accomplishments
Page 6 Robeson Living ~ Fall 2021