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Rex Locklar was often described as a “colorful character.”  If Locklar had been rich, he would have been called eccentric.  But he was not rich, so he was just “colorful.”

Back in 1945, Locklar wrote a song titled “Just Plain Ol’ Me” and it was a testimony to his life.  There was nothing pretentious about Rex Locklar. He was not one to, as he said, “put on airs.” He was plain and simple “Ol’ Rex.”

Locklar died on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. He was 87 years old. He left behind a legacy of love of bluegrass music. For 48 years, he hosted biennial bluegrass festivals at the old Henderson schoolhouse in rural Pike County.  For many years, the schoolhouse was known as the Henderson Convention Center. Bluegrass and Southern gospel music would be played on the stage and chicken and dumplin’s would be available in the schoolhouse kitchen. The grounds would be covered with RVs, campers and tents and bluegrass would be played in every nook and cranny.  All for the love of Rex.

On Friday and Saturday, the Henderson Bluegrass Festival will be held in memory of Ol’ Rex and the many who came to Henderson on the second weekend of October and April for the love of the lonesome sound of bluegrass.