The band “Lockren” invites you to Farmers Day performance

There is no doubt that female country is one of the fastest growing areas of the music industry and the band “Lockren” is here to bring it to you. We are one of only a handful of bands in the Midwest that features a female lead singer. This allows us to do something completely different in the live music industry. The band “Lockren” was started during the summer of 2005 and is made up of a great mixture of youth and experience.

Our first experienced member is Chris Michael on guitar and fiddle. Chris is a veteran of over 20 years of playing experience in different bands around the Midwest before settling in Cedar Falls.

On keyboard and guitar, we have Jon Purdy. Jon is also a veteran of over 30 years of playing experience around the U.S. and abroad before returning home to Cedar Falls.

On bass we have Jim Lee. Jim is a veteran with over 30 years of live music experience around the US and now resides in Lisbon.

And on drums we have Luke Rathe. Luke is also a veteran of live music with over 15 years experience playing in Road Bands around the US and now calls Gilbertville home.

Our final member, and bringing the youth and enthusiasm to the band, is a 19 year old from Coggon, Amanda Loughren. Amanda started her singing career at the ripe old age of 13 at her school variety show and has been singing ever since. Amanda has earned the respect of her peers with her vocal ability that is second to none. Amanda’s vocals, combined with the harmonies, make this band something special and an experience you will not soon forget.

The band Lockren is primarily a top 40 country band with music from artists such as Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, Trick Pony, Sugarland, Montgomery/Gentry, Johnny Cash and Gretchen Wilson to name a few. But we do not stop there. We have something for just about everyone with classic rock favorites or artists like Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top.

Since our beginning in 2005, we have been fortunate to gain a lot of new fans/friends and we are all very excited about our future. So make your plans to come join the “Lockren” experience soon, and we hope to see you at Farmers Day, 2008.


Milk and Honey will take the Farmers Day Stage in the Park Pavilion on Saturday night of Farmers Day, 2008. They will perform from 9 PM to 1:30 AM.

This well-loved and talented band offers a wide variety of music, including popular songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, and are continually adding new and classic songs to their list. Their music gets the crowd involved and keeps the party going until the end!

Background

The group known as Milk and Honey was formed in the fall of 1967, basing their named from a poem about the land of milk and honey. In 1968, the group purchased an old school bus, outfitted it for traveling, and hit the road. They lost a lot of money and had a great time performing rock and roll. In the winter of 1968, the group decided to go their separate ways.

In 1969, the band was reorganized around college careers of its performers. There was a turning point when two performers left and a female lead singer replaced them; the group performed nearly 250 nights a year.

They opened for such famous bands as The Little River Band, REO Speedwagon, America, The Byrds, Gary Lewis, Asleep at the Wheel and The Association.

In 1974, Milk and Honey recorded and released a song that was a regional hit, Have a Nice Day. Due to family responsibilities, the group made the very difficult decision to remain a regional group, rather than travel nationally.

Since then, they have focused on having fun and making music rather than becoming famous. Several personnel changes have taken place since 1982.

About the musicians

Rick Koch is the godfather of the group because he is the only member from the original Milk and Honey that started in the 1960s. He plays bass guitar, keyboards and does vocals.

He has been married 32 years and has three children, Steph, Jesse and Cody. Ricks father played professionally, which is how Rick got started in the music business. He started playing accordion and piano at the age of 10 in his father group, Kookie and the Krumbs.

Maureen Hastings was the first and only female singer in Milk and Honey, that is, until recently when Jenny Koch joined them on stage.

Maureen has been center stage for most of these years, and also helps out on keyboards. She is married and has two boys.

Maureen joined the band in 1971. She has performed at countless other events including weddings, concerts and singing the National Anthem. Her husband Brent often appears at gigs playing harmonica.

Roger Miller plays lead guitar, bass guitar and does some vocals for the band. He started playing guitar in 1960 with his father and brother in a band called the Miller Brothers. Roger and his brother formed a group called Wendy and the Redheads in 1968. He wanted to play full time, so he hooked up with a group and toured the Midwest in 1974.

Roger wanted to go to Nashville, so when the call came, he was there in a heartbeat. He was given the opportunity to play with some Grand Ole Opry stars for five years. He eventually moved to Iowa and continued to travel with Nashville entertainers for several more years.

He joined Milk and Honey in 1983 and claims to still have as much fun now as he did when he first joined the group. Roger and his wife Kathy have a son Pat and daughter Sarah, and four grandchildren.

Percussionist John Arntson has 19 years of professional performance experience. He has previously worked with other groups such as Boys Night Out, Surprise, Quick Draw and Leather and Lace.

He started his music career with Ed Nelsons Travelin Band. Before he became the full-time drummer, John assisted Milk and Honey for seven years.

Wayne Risvold sings vocals, plays guitar and keyboard. He has over 25 years of professional musical experience and has worked with many bands throughout the years, such as Mirage, East Side Jets, Night Owl and most recently, Anything Goes.

He was the lead guitar for Milk and Honey in the early 1980s and has recently joined the group full time in 2002.

Other members of the band are Jesse and Jenny Koch.

Brent recently joined the group as full-time sound technician. He also plays harmonica and dose some vocals. Brent is married to lead singer Maureen.

Come to Farmers Day in 2008.