The Corpus Christi music scene is a tight-knit family. It is a community built on late nights, shared stages, and an unspoken understanding that the music played here matters. On March 25, 2026, that family lost one of its most vital, vibrant members. Richard Lockhart, a profound guitarist, songwriter, and the driving force behind the Rich Lockhart Band, passed away at the age of 37.
Rich was more than just a musician on a stage. He was an anchor in the Coastal Bend music community, an absolute masterful player, and above all, a devoted father and friend. This is a tribute to a man who played with the soul of Jimi Hendrix, loved with the heart of a brother, and left an indelible mark on South Texas.
The Making of a Musician
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1988, Rich’s path to the stage was anything but conventional. He was a gifted athlete in high school, playing football and running track, before earning a collegiate football scholarship in Southern California. But fate intervened early on. His mother purchased a guitar when he had actually asked for a bass, and that small twist of fate sparked a lifelong devotion to the instrument.
When injuries cut his athletic career short, Rich returned to the Coastal Bend and found his true calling. He immersed himself in the local music scene, bringing a sound that blended rock, blues, soul, and reggae. He shared stages with legends like Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, and Robert Earl Keen, but his heart always belonged to the local stages of Corpus Christi, from Brewster Street Icehouse to The Exchange.
“You Couldn’t Mess With Us When We Were On Stage”
The Rich Lockhart Band was not just a group of musicians. It was a brotherhood. Formed through serendipitous meetings at local jam nights, the band became a staple of the Coastal Bend. Their sound was raw, unfiltered, and honest. Influenced heavily by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, and Ray Charles, the band was known for performances that were nothing short of transcendent.
“We initially became aware of each other’s musicianship and became boys after hearing each other play here at The Exchange on a jam night. Once we jammed together, it was like a lightning bolt went off.”
Rich’s approach to leading the band was rooted in collaboration rather than dictation. If he had an idea, he would bring it to the group and ask, ‘What can you do with it?’ It was this organic, ego-free approach that allowed the band to operate as a cohesive, fiercely loyal unit. There were nights when the entire band would close their eyes on stage, let the music flow, and open them to find the audience completely dumbfounded.
“People in the audience would literally be dumbfounded, especially by Rich’s solos. It’s just like they got hit by a tidal wave and didn’t really know how to react. And then, they would applaud after they were able to take in what happened.”
The Man Behind the Guitar
For all his talent on the fretboard, those who knew Rich best remember the man he was off the stage. He was described by his friends as a blend between Captain Jack Sparrow, an absolute jokester, a prankster, and a brother who would fiercely have your back. But his most defining characteristic was his love for his family, particularly his children, Brooklynn and Gabriel.
“His number one priority besides music was his family. He was a badass family man.”
Rich also possessed a unique warmth that made everyone around him feel seen. He frequently hosted open jams across the city, inviting fellow musicians up on stage and helping future Corpus Christi artists get their start. He was humble, honest, and completely devoid of ego. Everybody in the Coastal Bend music community knew who Rich Lockhart was, and there was no one who did not have a story about his generosity and his spirit.
“I think what made people connect with him so deeply is his loving nature. He had an ability to bring the best out in you and make you feel like you’re the only person in the room.”
The Music Continues
The loss of Rich Lockhart leaves a massive void in the Coastal Bend. But his bandmates are determined to ensure his legacy endures. They speak of an intense responsibility to carry Rich’s heart and soul with them moving forward, not only musically, but in the kind of people they choose to be.
“Rich would be super pissed if I just quit. The importance of being able to express ourselves musically has definitely grown exponentially.”
The band plans to keep working, carrying Rich’s heart and soul with them moving forward. They hope fans remember the passion, the hard work, and the sheer magic of the music they created together. For those grieving, the band offered a message of endurance.
“Continue to press forward, to honor those you have here and your good ones gone. Be constantly grateful for your time on this earth.”
Rich Lockhart was a badass. He was a father. He was a brother. And he was a Corpus Christi music icon. As his bandmate so perfectly put it:
‘Rich, I’ll see you soon. And we’re going to keep rocking in the meantime.’
If you want to support local music in the Coastal Bend please consider donating to fund the next season of The Golden Mic.
