We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lockwood Barr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lockwood thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

In the past few years, I am humbled to say I that I have been earning my living from my creative work. I still honestly still have to pinch myself! I think the process of getting here involved several different pieces all fitting together: I had to do the good old fashioned Nashville grind, get out, meet people, make myself known on the scene. I had to do the musical work, and really discover discipline in my craft, whether it by with practicing my banjo or strengthening my songwriting muscle. And the final piece was a spiritual one. Perhaps this sounds corny, but go with me here. I had to really believe that it was possible to make a living this way, despite what society was telling me. I had to believe in myself, and believe that I was worthy of doing this work. When I started seeing that a musical career was a financial possibility, and really started believing in my ability to make it, that’s when things fell into place in a big way.

Lockwood , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The simplest answer for how I got started in this industry is my family. My family was and is very musical, and I grew up in a house surrounded by it. I would sometimes fall asleep to my mom playing old hymns on the piano and singing, or to the sound of my dad picking his Gibson banjo. Our social life as a family was based around singing in choirs, going to Broadway Musicals with friends, or sitting down to listen and discuss a classic Beatles album. My favorite memories might be belting Raffi’s “Banana Phone” in three-part harmony with my mom and sister in the car.

As for how I got into the music industry on a professional level, I just didn’t have a plan B. I knew it was in my soul to do pursue this line of work. I knew I couldn’t NOT do music. And that way of thinking is what drove me to go to the bars, meet people, ask for work, show up at recording studios where I felt unqualified, but do it anyways.

And taking those social risks continues to pay off in my life. I met my trio mates of Sequoia South through a songwriter round in Nashville. I said yes to a co-write with them after the show. Fast-forward a year, we are making our national TV debut and touring the country as a pop-country harmony trio. All because I said yes to a come play a show at a small coffee shop. THAT is wild. But that is what makes this work so wonderful.

Being a musician is about divinely stumbling into places that you’re meant to be. I’m most proud of keeping my heart open, and continuing to take risks. The entertainment industry that will repeatedly beat you down if you let it. But I believe I am where I am today because I don’t take no for an answer and I keep showing up. And the more I show up, the more the magic happens.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

To spread joy. Truly. That’s it. I believe the arts are a healing medium; a place that people can go to find solace, to feel understood, to learn about themselves. I try to bring the intention of spreading joy and connecting with people in everything I do, whether that be a comedic instagram reel or performing a new song out. I want to send positive energy into the world, and I have noticed that the more I focus on that intention, versus just getting “likes” or other superficial metrics of success, the more fulfilled I am…and for that matter, the more professional and financial opportunities come my way.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Covid. Talk about doing a 180. I decided that even a world-wide pandemic wouldn’t stop me from making music and entertaining people. I jumped into the livestream game HARD, and even played socially distanced drive-in shows. I discovered a new market for comedy reels on social media. I also found a new level of discipline in my instruments.

Essentially, I once again refused to take no for an answer. The door of traditional live shows closed, so I decided to find several windows I could climb through.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: [email protected]
• Facebook: facebook.com/musicbylockwood
• Youtube: youtube.come/musicbylockwood
• Other: Me on Threads: @musicbylockwood My band on instagram: @sequoia.south My band website: SequoiaSouth.com

Image Credits
Paige Eanes, Shane Stever