In 1990, God moved the heart of Ray to start a family ministry with his
brothers.  God had blessed the brothers for over 10 years, at that time, to
travel with other groups from the area (The D&L's and The Pierce's).  With
the guidance of the Holy Spirit a music ministry was born
that would flourish into a great blessing to others.

In the beginning, the group consisted of Ray; playing Lead guitar and
singing Baritone, Glenn; playing Bass and singing tenor, and Matthew;
playing drums and singing Lead.   The brothers traveled for two years
before anyone else joined the group.  Seeing the need for a piano player,
there was a young man who attended their church named Brian Dial who
began playing with them.  Soon after a friend, Ken Cole, started with the
group playing Rhythm Guitar and singing Bass.  After this the group
began to seemingly add new members quickly.  Ken's wife Lori Locklear
Cole (no relation), who had traveled as a youngster with her family "The
Glorybound Gospel Singers" and grown up with the brothers began
singing Soprano.    Also joining the group was Wendy Chavis-Locklear,
Matthew's wife.  She had grown up a ministers daughter singing in the
church choir.  This mixture added so much to the group.  They became so
versatile that keeping up with the times was behind them.  They could not
only sing as a Male Trio, but a Quartet, a Mixed Quartet, and a Mixed
Trio.  They had taken something small God had blessed and turned it into
a miraculous move of Gods anointing on so many lives.

Having small children, they all wanted to allow them to be free to
express themselves as well in song.  Glenn's two girls, Priscilla and
Brandi, along with Ray's daughter, Kristy, began singing with the group.
Then came Robert (Ken and Lori's baby).  Not only could he sing, but he
could play drums very well at the tender age of three.  He added such a
cuteness the ensemble of children.  However Ken and Lori also had two
other boys, who at that time, were not interested in the musical side.

Upon more than brothers being in the group they saw the need to
change the name.  It had become obvious to others that there was a need
for that change.  At practice one night, Lori came up with the name New
Covenant.  Since the group was established and recognized  as The
Locklear Brothers they opted just to add the New Covenant part to the
end.  Therefore becoming The Locklear Brothers and New Covenant.

Eventually Brian, Ken, and Lori left the group to pursue careers and other
ministries.  The girls became college students, wives, and mothers.  That
left Ray, Glenn, Matthew, and Wendy to carry on.  Nevertheless, God had a
plan.  In 1999, the oldest brother of the boys, Donnie, gave his life to the
Lord and the next weekend said, "OK, what can I do?"  Being the original
guitar player in the family he fell right in place playing Rhythm Guitar.  

Today, almost 18 years later, our family is still lifting up the name of our
Lord and Savior.  So if you get  chance, come worship with us.
How did we get here..........
History