Gospel Producer Lawrence Offers `Confessions`

Since retiring from the famed gospel group in 2007, Lawrence has turned his attention to other production projects with enviable success.

Inspired by a forthcoming book written by his pastor, former Tri-City Singers music director Donald Lawrence took a break from producing other acts to deliver a new solo album, "The Law of Confession, Part 1,"

Since retiring from the famed gospel group in 2007, Lawrence has turned his attention to other production projects with enviable success. He produced four of the top five songs on Billboard's 2007 year-end Hot Gospel Songs chart, and last fall he hosted Verizon Wireless' How Sweet the Sound choir competition, a role he'll reprise in 2009. He also will produce Vanessa Bell Armstrong's new album.

"The Law of Confession, Part 1," released Feb. 3 by Quiet Water/Zomba Gospel, is Lawrence's follow-up to his 2004 solo debut, "I Speak Life." The album features backing by the Co., an ensemble that includes Kim McFarland-Anderson, Jason Nelson and Latrice Pace. Its first single, "Back II Eden," is No. 11 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart.

The new CD was recorded live last summer at Chicago's Living Word Christian Center and was inspired by Dr. Bill Winston's new book, "The Law of Confession."

"It was a teaching that he did at church about a year ago," Lawrence says of the creative spark that fueled the project. "It's about really getting a hold of your words and speaking those things that are positive."

Lawrence thinks the project will have broad-based appeal. "Even though it's a gospel album, this is really for everybody," he says. "It's a universal type of teaching based on spiritual principles. I've had a lot of people that said, 'Donald, that's the most life-changing thing I've ever experienced."'

Lawrence brings a wealth of experience to his latest solo effort. The one-time music director for Stephanie Mills made his foray into gospel in the '90s when he began working with the Tri-City Singers, transforming them into an award-wining choir.

In 2007, he released his last project with Tri-City, "Finale Act I & II," through EMI Gospel. Lawrence's solo work is released on his own Quiet Water imprint, which has a marketing/distribution deal with Sony BMG's Zomba Gospel.

"When you hear my stuff, you automatically hear some element of Tri-City in it, but I just think it was time for us to make that transition," he says of retiring from the group. "A lot of them are doing great things now. I'm proud of them, like a proud dad."