Donald Lawrence

Donald Lawrence is an American gospel songwriter, producer and choir director whose work has shaped contemporary gospel since the early 1990s. Trained classically at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, he built his reputation leading The Tri-City Singers, a choir drawing its name from Spartanburg, Gastonia and Charlotte, whose recordings blended traditional gospel with R&B and pop arrangements aimed at radio.

Across a long catalogue Lawrence became known for anthemic, theatrically staged songs such as «I Am God», «Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)» and «Encourage Yourself», many built around sermon-like spoken passages and layered choral harmony. His writing and vocal coaching extended beyond gospel — he worked with R&B group En Vogue and singer Stephanie Mills — showing a crossover instinct rare among choir directors of his generation.

Lawrence's later work, including songs like «Healed» and «Jehovah Sabaoth (God of Angel Armies)», kept him a central figure in urban contemporary gospel, mentoring younger artists and continuing to produce for other performers while recording under his own name.