local musician inducted into Native American Gospel music association hall of reputation

LUMBERTON — Lowell Locklear, a resident of Scotland County, become inducted in the Native American Gospel song association hall of repute on Saturday, Aug. 10.

As part of a three-day adventure held in Lumberton, the induction application is in its third yr of recognizing and celebrating Native americans who have drastically contributed to the development of the gospel music trade.

Created by way of a group of Christian individuals and trade leaders, 100 nominees had been chosen for this prestigious award. Locklear is one in every of 10 nominees inducted within the hall of reputation this yr.

"i'm humbled and honored to be recognized for this award," Locklear referred to. "Singing gospel song has been my lifelong ardour and one that i will not take for granted."

as the lead singer for the Skylite Boys Quartet, Locklear has been singing gospel music for greater than six a long time. He credit his previous have an impact on with the aid of professional singing agencies such as the Statesmen Quartet, the Blackwood Brothers and the Kingsmen Quartet.

Recalling some of his fondest memories, Locklear observed he and the Skylite Boys have shared the stage highlight with the o.k.Ridge Boys, Dottie Rambo and, following the dying of Elvis Presley, the neighborhood served as backup vocals for Elvis impersonator Ronnie Lee, a Chicago native.

Locklear has written and published 13 gospel songs, four receiving national airplay and one receiving foreign airplay in eire.

regardless of the entire knowledgeable highs, his lifestyles has additionally viewed its valleys.

diagnosed with inoperable stage four lung cancer in 2014, Locklear's chances of survival beyond 18 months were slim. five years post-diagnosis, he continues to sing — and with overwhelming assist from family and chums, he and his wife Ann prepare and sponsor free gospel music sings twice a year on the Skylite Gospel Barn located in Laurinburg.

Lowell and Ann attend Berea United Methodist Church in McColl, South Carolina, and are active participants of the Tennessee walking Horse association.