“Good Notes”

John Lakota Locklear (Lakota John) is a roots and blues musician hailing from the Lakota and Lumbee tribes, who grew up in Pembroke near the Lumber River.

Lakota John’s career started with his dad’s record collection, grounding the budding musician in jazz and classic rock. But it was a journey to a blues workshop in Port Townsend, Washington, that opened his eyes to what had been around him all along. “I had to fly 3,000 miles to hear about all those blues guys and about Piedmont roots music,” he says.

He put that inspiration to work producing songs like “Good Notes,” a heartfelt piece, buoyed by his simple and classic picking style, emblematic of his lyrics-first approach. “If the story is strong enough, the music should support it,” John says. “Less is more.”

Come Hear NC, an initiative of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is proud to bring this Carolina Creator to readers of Carolina Country.