BMI and the Songwriting Series Present "A Conversation with Donald Lawrence"

Press release
Source: BMI

BMI, the U.S. performing right organization (bmi.com), and the Songwriting Series™ (myspace.com/thesongwritingseries and thesongwritingseries.com) will present the music panel “A Conversation with Donald Lawrence” on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Electric Lady Studios (52 W. 8th Street between 6th Avenue and MacDougal Street – one block from Washington Square Park) in New York City. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.; the session will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free and limited seating is available. RSVP at 212-765-7874 or email AQueenProduction@aol.com.

“A Conversation with Donald Lawrence” will be moderated by Max L. Siegel, Senior Vice President of Zomba Label and President of Zomba Gospel. The panel will offer participants an opportunity to engage in a one-on-one conversation with the gospel music legend, as well as get practical, hands-on guidance straight from the source.

“A Conversation with Donald Lawrence” is the first in a series of discussions that will be presented by BMI and the Songwriting Series, aimed at songwriters at every stage of their career. “A Conversation with…” is an abbreviated version of the Songwriting Series program, which offers songwriters the opportunity to learn the art and business of songwriting from award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriters and producers. The Series focuses on r&b, pop, gospel, movie soundtracks, television theme songs and cast music from Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

About Donald Lawrence
A graduate of the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a two-decade music industry leader, Lawrence is the maestro of gospel music. He brings out the gospel in all forms, through all vehicles, whether it be 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 Donald’s 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 partnering with Donald has reshaped the gospel choir of the 21st century, becoming one of the genres most successful and beloved acts. “I love to produce music that moves me,” Lawrence says. “I think it must come from a place and if you write from the heart it will touch the heart.” Lawrence owns Quiet Water Entertainment, a subsidiary of Verity.

About Max Siegel
Max L. Siegel holds dual positions as Senior Vice President of Zomba Label and President of Zomba Gospel, the largest gospel company in the world. Producing No. 1 artists like Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Britney Spears, N’Sync, Usher and R. Kelly, and with over 15 years of brokering deals and project management, Siegel is known for his shrewd and savvy business expertise. An accomplished entertainment executive, attorney, author, conference organizer, and television and film producer, he is one of the most sought-after experts in the entertainment industry. He is the co-author of the book, “About My Father’s Business,” and founder of the About My Father’s Business conference. Siegel is a cum laude graduate from the University of Notre Dame School of Law, where he made history as the first African-American law student to graduate with honors. For more information please visit www.amfblive.com or www.maxsiegel.com.

About BMI
Now celebrating more than 65 years in business, BMI is an American performing right organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world, the non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

About the Songwriting Series
Our Mission: Songwriters give voice to the full range of human expression and emotions. Their art is the keystone of the music and entertainment industries, and it enriches a broader array of media arts. The creator of the Songwriting Series knows that our gifted songwriters need support, encouragement and guidance in order to thrive and sustain the superstructure of the recording industry and other media arts. The Series is committed to creating an environment that provides songwriters with the artistic development, mentorship and business acumen needed to achieve professional as well as artistic success.

About Gwendolyn Quinn
Founder and Creative Director of the Series, Gwendolyn Quinn holds tenure in the music industry that includes extensive professional contact with the producers, songwriters and executives who will participate in the workshop series. Her career encompasses stints as Vice President of Publicity at Capitol Records, Senior Director of Publicity at Arista Records –– during legendary executive Clive Davis’ tenure –– and Senior Director of Publicity at Island Records (then headed by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Blackwell). She has also held positions at Mercury Records, Flavor Unit Entertainment and ASCAP. Her work has paired her with some of the industry’s brightest stars, including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Prince, the Isley Brothers, Monica, Deborah Cox, CeCe Winans, Lisa Stansfield, Faith Evans, Zhane and Brian McKnight, among others. In 2002, Quinn founded GQ Media & Public Relations, Inc., a full-service publicity firm whose client roster includes Aretha Franklin, Smokie Norful, Kirk Franklin and various other projects in the music business as well as clients in the performing arts (theatre), sports, corporate, not-for-profit, faith-based, and the visual fine arts. Quinn is also the founder of the African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC), a national organization of African-American public relations professionals. She is the publisher and editorial director of the collective’s monthly e-publication, Global Communicator (formerly The AAPRC Monthly). She founded A Queen Production, a multi-media production unit in 2001.