Lockren
Amanda

Amanda started singing when she was 12 years old. She had seen her friends perform in a local talent show and decided she wanted to give it a try. She sang in public for the first time at her school's 6th grade variety show. She then entered a local talent show and tied for 2nd in her very first show. She has been singing ever since!

After Amanda got hooked she took every opportunity she could to sing in public. She would sing karaoke wherever kids were allowed and entered every talent and variety show she could find. Amanda also sang the National Anthem at several sporting events around the area, including stock car races and local baseball, basketball, and hockey games. She also performed as the opening act for several local bands and made guest appearances performing at the 2003 Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Jam and with the band Diablo at Let's Dance in Cedar Rapids.

In 2003, at 16 years old, Amanda started her own business, “Amanda Entertainment”, to organize and promote her own Talent Showcases. These variety shows gave her a chance to do what she loved and also allowed her to help other musicians that were looking for a place to perform. These shows were held at the Coggon Opera House in Coggon, Iowa along with other venues around Eastern Iowa.  An impressive total of 45 different performers participated in these Talent Showcases. The shows featured a wonderful variety of country, gospel, pop, classic rock, and a cappella music.

In the Spring of 2005, at 18 years old, Amanda started the next phase of her career with the debut of the band LOCKREN at the Coggon Opera House. LOCKREN quickly gained popularity and Amanda was thrilled to be able to bring her love of music to a broader audience. Since 2005 LOCKREN has played venues all over Eastern Iowa as well as parts of Western Iowa and Illinois. The band has had the privilege of being the opening act for Jason Michael Carroll, Randy Houser, Tracy Byrd, Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan, and Gary Allen. Amanda also has been learning to play the Bass Guitar and Keyboard with the band and now the fans can see her play a handful of songs on stage with the band. She is continuing to learn more and grow as a performer.

Amanda also recently purchased her own karaoke system and has started her own karaoke and DJ company, “Neon Nites Karaoke”. She has several venues where she is already hosting karaoke and the response has been great

She is thrilled that ten years after she started singing she is still able to share her love of music with others. For Amanda, though, the greatest part of the shows is the fans. She loves meeting and personally getting to know them, signing autographs, seeing them in the crowd wearing LOCKREN T-shirts, and getting out on the dance floor with them during breaks.

Now in 2011, Amanda has entered a new phase of her life. On August 1st Amanda had her 1st baby, Riley Madison. Although this is another new chapter in her life, her love of music is still there! Now, with new band members all ready to go, Amanda is looking forward to starting 2012 off with a bang and beginning the next phase of her life with her Family and her Music.

Amanda would like to say thank you to everyone who has stood behind her, helping her over the last 10 years, and she cannot wait to see everyone on the road again very soon.