Boone-based regional rock band has roots in Alleghany By ROBBY LUCKE Staff A quintet of Appalachian State University students — the majority of them from Sparta — are beginning to make a name for themselves as a rock band. "One Year Later" has played at venues in Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Boone, sharing programs with some nationally-known acts. They have also recorded a compact disc entitled "Next in Line." The group does all original material. "Doing originals has built our fan base," said lead guitarist Justin Wyatt. "We lucked up and didn't have to play covers (re-makes of songs previously recorded by others)." Drummer Trevor Owens said, "It's rewarding when people sing our stuff (at concerts)." Wyatt agreed, saying, "Two people cheering for originals is better than 200 cheering for covers." Wyatt, Owens and bass player Brad Maines are from Sparta, while lead singer Adam Locklear and singer/rhythm guitarist Ruben Rodriguez are from Charlotte. The five have been together as One Year Later since February.

Rockin' — Members of the band One Year Later jam in Sparta. They are (from left) Justin Wyatt, Brad Maines, Adam Locklear and Ruben Rodriguez. In the background is drummer Trevor Owens.

The band's name came as a result of Ethersteeds, a band Maines, Owens and Wyatt were in previously.

The three have known each other most of their lives. Wyatt and Maines used to be cousins by marriage. Owens and Wyatt became friends in kindergarten. Wyatt's mother, Tammy Wyatt, said Justin got his first drum set when he was 21 months old.

Locklear was in a vocal contest in Boone in which he sang the ASU alma mater to the tune of "Crash," a Dave Matthews Band song. Owens explained, "Our good friend and now manager Jay Law saw him. He knew we were looking for somebody, he heard him and said, ‘This is who you want.'" Locklear had been in an a cappella group at ASU. "It wasn't going anywhere. I always wanted to be in a band, and this was my first opportunity," he said.

He took some convincing, however. Maines said, "We called him, and he wouldn't call us back for about a month. Finally he got an itch, he called us back and he was interested."

As Locklear explained it, he at first dismissed them as just a college band. When he visited Owens' dormitory room and heard them, he realized they were good.

Locklear and Rodriguez had been friends and had sung in choirs together since eighth grade. Rodriguez was the final addition.

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