Lockren
About Lockren

 

The Band LOCKREN

The band LOCKREN was started during the Spring of 2005 based on the goals and dreams of a very talented young singer named Amanda Loughren. The dream was to make a living in the extremely challenging industry of country music. The goal was to bring together some other very talented local musicians and create a band that would make the fans the #1 priority. The band would keep the fans entertained and dancing through the whole night, including during breaks. They would keep the set lists fresh by adding new songs based on the top 40 charts and fan requests. Most importantly, the band would interact with the crowd by giving out free pictures and autographs, remembering faces and names, performing at charitable events, and building the LOCKREN "family".

Since our beginning in 2005 we have been fortunate to play in numerous Town Celebrations, Casinos, and many County Fairs. We have been very fortunate to be the opening act for several great Nashville Recording Artists such as Craig Morgan, Gary Allen, Jason Michael Carroll, Randy Houser, Rodney Atkins and Tracy Byrd. The band made a resolution to go into 2012 with an exciting, expanded set list and more energy and talent than ever. We didn't want turning 7 years old to slow us down. We were determined to go into the year bigger and better than ever. Towards that end, we added some new members and added new songs. You will hear top 40 hits by artists such as , Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain, Sugarland, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley, and Johnny Cash just to name a few. But we do not stop there. We have something for just about everyone with classic rock favorites from artists like AC/DC, Bob Segar, Joan Jett, Led Zeppelin, and Pat Benatar among others.

The members of LOCKREN have backgrounds that are as interesting and diverse as the band's song list. On Bass, Harmonica, Guitar, and Vocals we have Bill Guernsey. Bill has been a key figure in the local guitar community for years. Adept at finger-style guitar and harmonica, Bill is an active member of the Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association (CVAGA). Bill has done solo-acoustic performances as well as group ensembles, and cameo appearances in local country, rock, and folk music groups. He also played guitar with the band Déjà Vu and bass guitar with Wildcard. Bill calls the Cedar Falls area home. On Lead Guitar and Vocals we have Ron Conkin. Ron was raised in Missouri and began learning guitar from his bluegrass picking relatives in the family music store, when he was eight years old. Ron began his journey as a career musician playing six nights a week on a circuit that spanned the mid-west, traveling from New Mexico to Wisconsin, and North Dakota to Southern Missouri. After years on the road Ron felt he had acquired the skills to take the next step in the entertainment world and after several auditions he gained national act experience with "Jewel Akins," (The Birds and the Bees), and more recently, "The Jimmie VanZant Band," (Southern Comfort, and the self titled first album, "The Jimmie VanZant Band," which featured Ron as one of the guitarists). Ron has decided to set roots and now calls Eastern Iowa home. On Drums we have Chris Wood. Chris is an Indiana native who?s formal musical education began at the age of 13, and evolved through the public school system concluding with a B.A. in Percussion Performance from Indiana State University- completing studies with Dr. Jimmy Finnie. Chris?s other performance background includes contracted tenure with the Terre Haute Symphony, The Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and private teaching, with extensive drumline instruction and composition credits throughout central and southern Indiana. After relocating with his job, Chris now calls Eastern Iowa home and has joined the Lockren "family". On Guitar, Keys, Steel Guitar, and Vocals we have Jon Baumgartner. Jon has been playing professionally since 7th grade when each member of his band was paid $1.00 each per event. In 9th grade he stepped it up by expanding to playing all over central Iowa and it only grew from there. After school Jon started playing professionally, touring the U.S. until settling in Arizona as a Sound, Light, and Band Director for a very successful ?Arizona Jamboree? Country Music Show. Jon then returned home to Iowa joining the band Rio Grande and enjoyed spending time as a father and doing high performance pro audio design and installation for eastern Iowa schools and churches. Our final member is Amanda Loughren on Lead Vocals. Amanda started singing at 13 years old when she entered her school variety show and she has been singing ever since. In 2003 Amanda started Amanda Entertainment doing variety shows at a local Opera House. Then in 2005 Amanda started the Band Lockren and has since earned the respect of her peers with her vocal ability and her high energy performances. In 2009 Amanda also started her own karaoke business ?Neon Nites Karaoke? to continue to share her love of singing with others. August 1st of 2011 Amanda became a mother for the 1st time with the birth of her daughter Riley Madison and is looking forward to a new adventure with balancing motherhood and singing.

The year 2012 doesn't just mark the seven year anniversary of the band. During 2012 the band will also celebrate their 300th performance and we are proud to say that the LOCKREN "family" is going strong and getting bigger all the time as we continue to add new towns and venues to our schedule. We are all very excited about our future. The great combined talent and dedication to musical excellence combined with fun, high energy performances make this band something special and an experience you will not soon forget. So make your plans to come join the LOCKREN "family", and we hope to see you at a gig in the very near future.

The Band LOCKREN