Lawrence describes his creative path by saying, "It's claimed that the music you make is where you've lived." “I don't do things on the spur of the moment. I don't think in genres or from a religious standpoint. It stems from being truthful. I just honor the talent and mission I was given to inspire and affect the world.
And it has gotten people's attention.” They have, for the past 20 years and counting. Lawrence is preparing to commemorate his anniversary milestone with the first of two albums featuring live re-recordings of select songs from his vast catalog, complemented by several new tracks, after scoring his second No. 1 gospel album with YRM (Your Righteous Mind) in 2011.
The inaugural QWE/eOne volume, titled Best for Last, was recorded largely in Chicago with longstanding songwriting/production collaborators Daniel Weatherspoon and Percy Bady and is set to be released this autumn. The second volume, due out in 2014, will be recorded largely in Lawrence's hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Lawrence will be joined by a number of distinguished guests, many of whom have played key roles in his career, for the two-volume series. Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Kelly Price, Lalah Hathaway, Hezekiah Walker, Stephanie Mills, and Yolanda Adams are among others on the list.
On the title track of volume one, Adams' powerful vocals start off a boisterous celebration 20 years in the making.
The song's chorus, though, suggests that Lawrence isn't about to rest on his laurels anytime soon: "Although you may believe your time has passed, God only saves the greatest for last" Your future has more promise than the past.” Lawrence describes the song's theme, "I don't know why it's claimed that your greatest days are your youth." “The Bible says that your latter is greater than your previous.
I wanted to talk to those who believe the game is over. “Dreaming is never too late.” “The Gift Looks Good on You” and “Hebrews 4:9” are two more standouts. Lawrence's core topic of grace is explored in both of these lively teachings.
In this case, he's talking about grace as talent, and how people should value their own abilities rather than gazing over the fence at what others have. He explains, “Most people think grace is about covering sins, but it's also about supernatural enablement.” “Some people have the ability to write or sing with elegance. I'm a musician.
Respect your own grace rather than coveting someone else's. And if you honor it, God will give you permission to expand it.” Lawrence began taking control of his grace as a child in Gastonia, North Carolina.
He learned to play the piano at the age of 15 after being raised by a gospel-loving aunt and being influenced by gospel pioneer Andraé Crouch. He and one of the school's instructors, Worth Gardner, went on to write the 1986 musical revue "Sing Hallelujah!" which toured the country and performed off-Broadway.
Lawrence turned to secular music after a spell on the musical staff of the TV show "PTL Club," when he was invited to become the voice coach for hit-making R&B/pop female duo En Vogue. In the early 1990s, he was attempting to merge the two worlds.
That's when he started working as the music director for Broadway/R&B singer Stephanie Mills, as well as being a member of the urban inspiring ensemble Company, a seven-man R&B group, for eight years. The company was contracted to Irving Azoff's Giant Records and released their debut album, Devotion, in 1993, while providing background vocals for Stephanie Mills.
Lawrence also began submitting tunes to the Tri-City Singers, a group based in North and South Carolina. With 1993's A Songwriter's Point of View, he helped the group to a No. 2 start on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums list, succeeding the act's prior musical director.
Peabo Bryson and Mills made cameo appearances throughout the concert, which blended hip-hop and other modern rhythms. Lawrence's enthusiasm for music continues to show itself in a variety of ways. He's written and produced songs for the Clark Sisters, Clark Sheard, Kirk Franklin, and Hezekiah Walker, among others (including the No. 1 hit "Souled Out").
He has taught at Columbia College in Chicago. In September, he'll mark his sixth year as host of Verizon's national gospel choir talent competition "How Sweet the Sound," which he'll co-host with Walker, Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and other special guests. Expanding into TV, film, and Broadway ventures is one of the company's long-term goals.
