November 8, 2006

Gospel Great Donald Lawrence to Speak at BMI Panel, Demo Critique

BMI will present "A Conversation with Donald Lawrence" on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Community Outreach Center (1800 Brewton Drive) in Charlotte, N.C. The Q&A-style panel and demo critique will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with doors opening at 1 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Please contact Shantell Kelty at (704) 333-4280 to purchase tickets in advance. This event is sponsored by Praise 100.9, Charlotte's inspirational radio station.

"A Conversation with Donald Lawrence," hosted by BMI's Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, will be moderated by Praise 100.9's AC Stowe and Tonya Rivens. The discussion will offer participants an opportunity to engage in a one-on-one conversation with gospel music legend Donald Lawrence. Participants will also get practical, hands-on guidance from Lawrence on creating and establishing a career in the music and entertainment business. A limited number of demos will be selected beforehand and critiqued by the panelists at the end of the session. Demo CDs in the gospel, r&b and pop categories (no rap) can be submitted to:

BMI Atlanta
3340 Peachtree Road
Suite 570
Atlanta, GA 30326
Attn: Donald Lawrence Demo Critique

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 24. Participants whose demo recordings are chosen will be contacted in advance of the session; no phone calls please.

A graduate of the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a two-decade music industry leader, BMI songwriter Donald Lawrence is the maestro of gospel music. He brings out the Gospel in all forms and through all vehicles, whether it is a classical piece, a rousing choir-filled praise and worship song, or a big ballad, Lawrence decisively touches, challenges and changes people's lives through the power of God moving in the breadth of his ministry. In a career filled with landmark moments, none stands higher than his 15-year collaboration with what began as a 35-voice, Carolina-based community choir known as the Tri-City Singers. In existence since 1981 and known to the world as Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers, their 1991 partnership has reshaped the gospel choir of the 21st century, making them one of the genre's most successful and beloved acts. Lawrence owns Quiet Water Entertainment, a subsidiary of Verity.

BMI represents more than 500,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers with more than 7.5 million works.