Vote For LOCKN’ 2019 Superlative Winners
To celebrate the class of LOCKN’ 2019, we’re hosting yearbook style superlatives! We’re looking for winners in the following categories…LOCKN’ Spirit Award: For Attending Every LOCKN’, They Love Each Other Award, Most Likely To Become Your New Best Friend, Super Hero Award: Most Likely to Save the Day, and LOCKN’ Class Clown. Here’s some of our favorites. Pick your favorite story to win!
Scroll down to read the great stories we’ve chosen and come back to the top of the page to vote for your favorite to win.
LOCKN’ Spirit Award: For Attending Every LOCKN’
1. Gary Madsen
Megan Simms is nominating her friend Gary Madsen for the LOCKN’ Spirit Award. She thinks Gary is the perfect fit for this award because he hasn’t missed a festival yet, and when he is there, he rides the rail in his cool suits enjoying every moment! Who can tell Gary’s experience better than himself? Here’s Gary’s story.
People sometimes wonder why I love LOCKN’ so much! I have been to every LOCKN’ Festival since it started. It truly is the happiest place on earth for me. I have truly been blessed here. In 2018, The Suffers and the crowd sang Happy Birthday to me. I’m still in shock that it actually happened. I was surprised when Susan Tedeschi wished me a happy birthday. Derek did the same and tossed me the slide he played with that night. I had Dave Frey and Pete Shapiro comes down from the stage to take pictures with me for my birthday. Having the drummer Toby from Grateful Gospel comes out from behind the drums to wish me a happy birthday. In 2017, I was the one who tossed David Shaw from The Revivalists the “Virginia is for Music Lovers” shirt that he wore for most of the show and tossed it back to me towards the end of their set. I had Brandi Carlile and her guitarist wish me a happy birthday as the stage was spinning after their set. In 2016, I ended up on a record album photo due to the Hard-working Americans taking a photo of the LOCKN’ crowd. That same year I got to go backstage after church to meet the members of Grateful Gospel and I have become friends with some of them. In 2019, I had so many band members wish me a Happy Birthday and Susan once again was kind enough to extend me a very special happy birthday at the end of “Layla.” I also was blessed to have gotten to meet a very special lady who I deeply care for and I have started a relationship with LOCKN’ IS FOR LOVERS!
I have been lucky to be the focus in so many wonderful pictures and posts that LOCKN’ has shared on their Facebook page and the amazing photographers who make these moments last a lifetime. I think it’s a miracle just to be a part of musical history. Plus, let’s not forget all the amazing friends and family I have made there, plus all of the photographers I have had the pleasure of meeting and making friends with and all the wonderful souls I have been able to spend my time with! I can’t think of a place I would rather spend my time or people I would rather be with than my LOCKN family! This year I met my girlfriend and fell in love at LOCKN’. Also, Megan is my LOCKN’ love story. We met this year, planned a cruise while riding the rail, and less than a week after we got home she came to visit me. Now we are planning our next trip back to LOCKN’ and our future together. Yet another reason I love LOCKN’ so much! I just wanna say thanks for helping make me feel so wonderful, I am truly grateful for all of you and hold you in a special place in my heart!
2. Jim Marshall
Donna Crosby nominated her boyfriend, Jim Marshall, for the LOCKN’ Spirit Award. Donna shares a few reasons why he’s the perfect fit for this award.
Jim and I have been together for 5 years. He saved my life in a way no one can understand. From day one he has been my best friend my rock my world. Jim is a home care nurse and works 70-80 hours a week seeing 10-13 people a day. He is a lifesaver. Jim has attended every LOCKN’ since day one and places a pin for every year in his jeep. 2015 was the one year I couldn’t go with him. This was the year the field was closed all of Thursday due to the bad rainstorm. Jim found a spot to camp in his Jeep until it was safe to attend LOCKN’ and set up camp. That year, Jim waited and never left until the end. In 2018, we walked around with a sheet to have people sign it for Rob from Moe. That year he was sick and could not sing, but it was such a great year too! As well as us at the LOVE sign every year we have been to LOCKN’. We have our hearts set on getting married by the LOVE sign one year as for the first year Jim and I attended LOCKN’ he proposed to me. Jim has met so many cool new friends every year at LOCKN’. He saved a life the first year I was there in 2016 the hottest year to. Last year we held out tent down threw the nasty wind storm and also made great friends last year. One picture is hard to pick a small story is hard to write. Jim Marshall deserves to be nominated for many many reasons. He is a die-hard LOCKN’ fan, a hard-working man who deserves to win something fantastic. He gets up every day at 4:40 am goes to work comes home and works till 10 pm on notes. How could you not pick Jim to win LOCKN’s biggest fan award? We leave our home at 10pm Wednesday night drive 6-7 hours to LOCKN’ about 4am we get there to sleep for a second set up unpack and start to party. Jim Marshall is just an all around amazing man. He truly is the love of my life. This world needs more people like Jim he is the most caring and fun person to be around.
3. Steve Jones
John Jones has nominated his father, Steve, for the LOCKN’ Spirit Award. John recalls how Steve purchased his RV before the very first festival and secured the “LOCKEN” plates for it. He’s always one of the first RV’s in line and waits patiently for another LOCKN’ festival year after year.
Steve Jones hails from humble tent stumbling beginnings in Lynchburg, VA, and lives and breathes all things LOCKN’. The Farm is a second home and family to Steve and his dedication and love for this community shines through year-round. Whether it’s a helpful post on a community page, a kind word, and joke at a show, or a smile at a stranger – he always makes a point to spread the music and love. The Jonesville RV hasn’t missed a LOCKN since and is coming to a Farm near you.
Super Hero Award: Most Likely to Save the Day
1. Paul Orsinger
Paul nominated himself for the Super Hero Award. Making friends and showing first-timers the ropes of LOCKN’ makes Paul a hero in the eyes of all around him.
A peacebuilder and a good listener with an open heart that accepts everyone right where they are. Paul is about including everyone regardless of their past. He is interested in your story and comes with a non-judgemental spirit. And he is about dancing to great music and creating a safe and respectful space for the spontaneous LOCKN’ community… both at the campsite and in the show field. Paul camped at his first music festival after 8th grade with his younger brother. He can’t remember how he talked his mom into getting his older sister to drive them to Warrenton, VA from Bethesda, MD… but he and his brother were hardy campers and lovers of live bluegrass music. Paul has become an unofficial off-season ambassador for LOCKN’ after attending the last 2 years. He will tell anyone who will listen to him and sing the praises of the music line-up, the sound and lights, the well-organized camping, the fun friendly vibe, the good food and craft beer and most importantly, the porta-johns getting cleaned every day!
2. Jerry Alger
Fran Alger nominated Jerry for the Super Hero Award, especially after showing so many selfless acts throughout the LOCKN’ weekend.
Jerry Alger was a superhero making sure we were all safe during the crazy storms. The after the storms he helped around to get everything back together. He is always “taking care” of everyone around him, friend or stranger. Help’s on the Way should be his motto.
LOCKN’ Class Clown
1. Chloe
Sara Jones nominated her funny friend Chloe for 2019′ Class Clown based on many priceless memories.
My friend Chloe is one of the goofiest, giggliest people I’ve ever met. I nominated her because she constantly puts a smile on my face during the weekend with her jokes and shenanigans. There is never a dull moment with Chloe!
2.Jeremy Duff
Steve Houchen nominated his friend Jeremy Duff to be LOCKN’s 2019 Class Clown. Steve shares how Jeremy is a big influence on his LOCKN’ experience and keeps everyone laughing.
My class clown nominee is the shirtless guy, Jeremy. My group of six friends has been at every day of every Lockn and Jeremy never disappoints whether we’re laughing at him or he’s making us laugh. He has a really weak stomach and every trip to the port-o-let is an adventure with a story. The music, the mountains, the best friends and Jeremy are what keeps us coming back!
3. Chris Lawrence
Chris nominted himself and his best friend saying, “Here we are in the big kids chair by Garcia’s forest!”
Most Likely To Become Your New Best Friend
1. Nathan and Timmy
Mark Vallem has nominated Nathan and Timmy for the “Most Likely To Become Your New Best Friend Award”. Mark shares how these mini LOCKN’ celebrities are the sweetest, caring, and loving kids on the campground.
After having their picture published in the LOCKN’ Times, 7-year-old Timmy and 9-year-old Nathan were recognized everywhere they went. But the brothers never let their fame go to their heads! They loved hanging out with our camp neighbors, who we’re going to link up with next year, the LOCKN’ staff, and other kids around the fest. Nathan even got to meet his favorite musician, Mihali from Twiddle. Make sure to fistbump the LOCKN’ Bros when you see them at next year’s fest!
2. Michael Pleasant
Jordan Watts nominiated his brother in law who turned him into a Deadhead! Nice job, Michael! Here’s his story below.
I want to nominate my brother in law Michael Pleasant as Most likely to Become Your New Best Friend. He is a huge Deadhead but you wouldn’t be able to tell until you get in the car with him. I was never really interested in the Dead until he took me to a Dead & Co show. I had always known about the Grateful Dead, but never really listened. I’m a fan now. Thanks to him. He’s fallen on some hard times this past year, had to move, and is trying to sell his house, but not having much luck. He wanted to go to LOCKN’ but couldn’t afford it. That’s why I want to nominate him. He deserves it.
They Love Each Other Award: For the Cutest Couple
1. Lauren Bryan & David Coker
Lauren LiVeechi nominated Lauren and David for the “They Love Each Other Award”. Lauren shares their fairytale with us.
Lauren Bryan and David Coker are a unique, engaged, couple from Raleigh, NC. Their love story began over 25 years ago, in middle and high school. They dated numerous times, amidst an on-going scrabble match between their shared group of friends. After high school, David went off to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and Lauren stayed in Raleigh, attending North Carolina State University. Lauren soon got married and had 2 boys, while David lived a bachelor’s life, following his favorite band around until his mid-30s, when he was blessed with a son as well. Currently, together they share 5, 13 and 17-year-old sons. They remained friends after parting ways as teenagers but rarely saw one another. When David went off to college, he wrote Lauren a very special note in her yearbook, but they never realized just how powerful, and telling, that note was until they found each other again nearly 20 years later. After Lauren’s marriage ended, David was there. He was her light when all she saw was darkness. They had always loved each other. They had always felt a void, but suddenly, over a social media post of David’s son, they reconnected, and they have not looked back since. David and Lauren didn’t have the easiest of roads, but together they share a love for music and the outdoors. This love strengthens their bond in ways for which most couples are still searching. They support each other in everything they do. They are each other’s best friend, and they are each other’s champion, encourager: person. David and Lauren attend many shows throughout a normal year, and they got engaged in Alexandria, VA while attending one on 3/16/2019. Their first LOCKN’ Festival was in 2019. To them, being at LOCKN’ is like being in another world. It was their world and it ended too soon: they can’t wait to be back on that magical farm. Aside from music, they spend a lot of time in the mountains around Boone, NC. David is an avid snowboarder, and Lauren, along with all 3 boys, learned to snowboard just this past year. They hike, camp, go to App State football games in the Fall and live a true, close, family life with their children. In Raleigh, their lives are filled with time together at their boys’ football, tee-ball, swim, paintball events and gatherings with friends they love to call “Framily”. David and Lauren’s life is an adventure that neither of them were expecting, but they share every minute of it, with music as their shared pulse, together.
2. Oleander & Alyssa
When Oleander (10-year-old daughter) was 4, her father and I divorced. Through the divorce, I learned to be independent and my independence and strength became a quality I wanted to make sure she learned and valued. I have been to 6 of 7 LOCKN’s, she has been to 2 of 7. This whole experience we have come to call LOCKN’ Is For Us Ladies (another friend of mine and her daughter join us) It’s all about Us Ladies, us moms teaching and showing our daughters self-love, and appreciation all while loving and appreciating everyone around us. I nominated us because you can see it in our confidence that We Love Each Other. She is my rock and I believe I am hers. She got me through my darkest days while I continue to guide her through her learning years. We need to continue our Love Story with LOCKN’.
3. Thomas & Tom
Thomas McNeil expresses his gratitude for the close relationship with his son, Tom.
I lost both my brother and closest friend this past year. These were the two people that shared my love of live shows and music. My son, Tom, stepped up and went with me to LOCKN’. It was a renewing weekend. It was great sharing this experience with him. We Love Each Other.
4. Vic & Cherie
Vic Brazen nominated himself and his girlfriend for the They Love Each Other Award. He shares their love story, and how LOCKN’ was a big influence on their relationship.
I nominated my girlfriend Cherie and I as cutest couple, mostly based on your Instagram comment on the photo I’m sending. Think we have a cool story too. We live in the same area and have known each other for about 10 years. We both liked each other but circumstances and timing never lined up for us. Before the 2018 LOCKN’ we talked about getting to see each other and hanging out down there. We both were with our own groups of friends but made time and the 2nd night of JRAD became our first unofficial date. When we got back home to New England we started hanging out regularly and have been together ever since. This photo was taken during the TTB/Trey set which was 1 year to the day of our first date at JRAD. We spent that whole 2nd set laying in a hammock together in The Hang listening to beautiful music. Late in the set our friend and photographer AJ Genovesi saw us and came over and took this photo. LOCKN’ has always been special to both of us for our own reasons, but this one is extra special because we got to share it together.