In a high-energy episode of Leadership Unlocked, host Dr. George Lockhart welcomed musician, producer, and entrepreneur Double A Lockhart Jr. The two—who share a deep history in the Palm Beach County music scene—discussed the non-negotiable role of discipline, the complexities of navigating music finance, and the artist's responsibility to serve the next generation.

The Gospel Foundation: Discipline and Arrangement

Double A (Aaron Lockhart Jr.) began his musical journey in the church, an experience he calls the "catalyst" and the "foundation" of his musicianship.

Playing gospel music taught him to instinctively understand complex rhythms, bars, and timing—skills he already possessed before formal training. This talent was so undeniable that when he arrived at Tennessee State University, he was immediately placed on the snare drum line despite having "lost the ability to read music."

Double A credits his high school and collegiate band directors with teaching him arrangement. He views the marching band ensemble as a deconstructed record: the tuba is the bassline, the trumpets and trombones are the piano, and the flutes and clarinets are the lead. He incorporates this rigorous structure, combined with the classic hymn structure (hook, bridge, chorus), into every record he produces. Dr. Lockhart agreed, noting the crucial role of the church in teaching musicians the discipline required for technical mastery.

The Business of Music: Protecting Your Art

Dr. Lockhart and Double A stressed that success is impossible without understanding the business side of music, starting with ownership and copyright.

Dr. Lockhart set him up with a performing rights organization early on. Double A’s first royalty check was 30 cents; his recent checks are in the "30-something thousand" range. He advises registering with collection societies (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC) and utilizing digital date stamps (like Pro Tools session creation dates) for a "poor man's copyright."

A true musician receives royalties from multiple streams of income, including performance rights, the label side, Sound Exchange, and streaming platforms. Double A notes that platforms like Tidal pay the most per stream, while YouTube and Apple Music are on the lower end, though still vital for reach.

When it comes to financial management, Double A warns that young artists are often taken down by taxes. His advice is sharp: "If you got $100,000, understand you do not have $100,000." He recommends immediately setting aside a large portion and hiring a CPA and a dedicated lawyer (your own, not someone else's, due to conflicts of interest).

Finding the Passion and Serving the Community

Double A’s biggest inspiration was seeing Bow Wow on TV at the age of nine, which cemented his belief that a kid could achieve massive success through music. This experience led him to use production as a way to get his "foot in the door" and pursue his true passion as an artist. He cautions that the moment music becomes a job ("I gotta crank out another hit"), the creative fire is often lost.

Now an accomplished artist with Grammy nominations, he prioritizes giving back to his hometown through Double A Day in Palm Beach County (driven primarily by Alexis Lockhart). This community drive includes a book bag giveaway, a free concert, and the "Fund the Family" initiative, which provides free food and haircuts while exposing youth to careers in the entertainment world.

His personal three-step formula for the next generation:

Think: Plan out your goals.
Work: Work on your craft every single day.
Serve: After you accomplish your goal, go back to the community and serve the next generation.

To follow Double A Lockhart Jr.’s journey or book a studio session, you can find him and his projects online. Look for the next Double A Day to see his commitment to serving Palm Beach County firsthand.

Watch the Full Episode