Jerry Lawson

• Legendary A cappella Singer

Jerry Lawson, former lead singer, arranger & producer of the legendary Persuasions for 40 years & 22 albums is heading in many new directions. Among his variety of new endeavors he is  now presenting a unique 'musical lecture' titled “Don’t Start Me To Talkin’.”  This program is hardly a dry lecture of music history. It offers a lively and entertaining look at the lineage of a cappella singing in America from slavery to R&B and pop to rap. He’ll also share a sneak peek from an upcoming documentary about his life and stellar career. A show for all ages, Jerry guarantees a night of fun, and laughter filled with songs, stories, and sing-alongs. A real “hallelujah goodtime"!

Against all odds and despite the many naysayers who believed there was no market for 5 guys without a band, Lawson’s Persuasions were the first vocal group to succeed in the music industry with no instruments other than the human voice. They performed all around the world including the Virginia Dome which was segregated at the time. Their sound was defined by Lawson’s sweet and smoky baritone, his effortlessly organic vocal arrangements and his electrifying stage charisma.

The “Kings of A cappella” recorded and performed everything from Kurt Weill to Shirley Temple and even Frank Zappa who incidentally discovered and signed the group to their first recording contract. Jerry carried the torch & led the way in preserving the dying art of  a cappella and today groups such as Take 6, Rockapella, The Nylons and Boyz II Men have cited Jerry Lawson’s brand of a cappella a major influence.

After leaving the Persuasions in 2003, Lawson announced that he was absolutely through with a cappella forever. Jazz combos and big bands beckoned. But on his way to Russia to record a solo album with the Moscow Philharmonic, (project pending) fate revealed other plans. An unexpected collaboration with San Francisco’s vocal group “Talk Of The Town” yielded a sensational a cappella album with Lawson at the helm. Jerry’s 23rd CD & his first since leaving the Persuasions is  a pitch-perfect soulful a cappella tilt-a-whirl of Soul, Jazz, Country, R&B, Pop & Gospel. Some of the covers include Randy Newman, the Dixie Chicks, Sam Cooke, Shania Twain, Billy Joel, Marvin Gaye, and a special tribute to The Persuasions. Lawson says that after 22 albums, “this is truly the masterpiece of my career!”