Donald Lawrence studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. While in Cincinnati, he was also the Minister of Music at the Southern Baptist Church on Reading Road. To his credit, Donald's musicality has seen many incarnations, as vocal coach to the R&B group En Vogue, musical director for Stephanie Mills, songwriter for The Clark Sisters, and producer for a host of artists including Peabo Bryson and Kirk Franklin.
Lawrence took on The Tri-City Singers after a friend vacated his position as musical director.[1] (NOTE: The three cities that The Tri-City Singers come from are Spartanburg, SC, Gastonia, NC, and Charlotte, NC.) The group debuted in 1993 with A Songwriter's Point Of View on a then-brand-new independent record label called GospoCentric Records. The set debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Charts.[3] The group's follow-up release Bible Stories would top those same charts when it arrived in 1995.[4] It was the first to be billed as Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers and featured black church-ubiquitous hits such as "A Message For The Saints", "I Am God" and "Stranger". The album was released on Lawrence's newly minted label Crystal Rose Records which was distributed through Sparrow Records.
In 1997, Donald Lawrence produced the live portion of Karen Clark Sheard's Grammy-nominated Finally Karen debut. Lawrence & Tri-City also released the seasonal Hello Christmas the same year. Later, Lawrence signed a contract with the Island Records imprint Island Inspirational. Though a live recording did take place for release, the album never materialized.
In 2000, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers signed to EMI Gospel. To promote the new album, a maxi CD of the lead single "Testify" to the mainstream. House remixes by Junior Vasquez sent the song to #33 on Billboard's Mainstream Dance Charts. When tri-city4.com was finally released in 2001, the set peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts and #13 on Billboard's Heatseekers Charts. The album also got a profile boost from the all-star standout "God's Favor", featuring vocal turns from Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price.
Lawrence only waited a year before delivering the follow-up Go Get Your Life Back in 2002. "The Best is Yet to Come", a song sonically much in the vein of the previous smash "Testify," was chosen as the album's lead single. This release featured guest appearances from Ann Nesby (formerly of Sounds of Blackness) and gospel pioneer Walter Hawkins. The momentum continued with the 2003 release of Restoring The Years, a greatest hits album featuring two new songs.
The next album would mark a fresh start for Donald Lawrence. I Speak Life was his first solo album, the debut for his newly inked recording contract with Verity Records, and also the first release under his new sublabel Quiet Water Entertainment. Though the album was without The Tri-City Singers, guest appearances were plenteous. Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Faith Evans, Richard Smallwood, and Carl Thomas all contributed to the album. Even jazz notables Ramsey Lewis and Lalah Hathaway were on hand for a remake of the Bible Stories classic "Don't Forget To Remember". The effort earned Lawrence a total of 7 Stellar Award nominations, and 6 wins.
In March 2006, The Tri-City Singers announced that they would retire, but not before one last live recording. Finale: Act One and Finale: Act Two were released simultaneously on April 4, 2006. Each release was a CD/DVD set that chronicled the audio and video of one half of the concert, with packages that locked into one another respectively. A special edition of Finale was later released with both CDs and DVDs. The blowout concert included guest appearances from Karen Clark Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Daryl Coley, LaShun Pace, Darwin Hobbs, and many other gospel luminaries. The album's lead single "The Blessing Of Abraham" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance in December 2006. His sophomore solo album, The Law of Confession Part I was released in February 2009. Donald said in an interview that The Law of Confession, Part II will be released soon, but he's focusing on other projects.
I Can't Complain
Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Innocent victims, boys and girls
Those attacked by the enemy
Suddenly my problems aren't as bad as they seem
Hallelujah
I can't complain
I'm encouraged to go on
Through sickness and pain
Sunshine and rain
Hallelujah anyhow
I can't complain
Devastation all over the land
Constant attack by the enemy's hand
Lord, I thank You for Your mercy
Hey, I bless Your name for covering me
There are so many with no food
No place to sleep
How can I complain when
You've been so good to me?
In "I Can't Complain", Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers are expressing gratitude and a sense of perspective even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The first verse acknowledges the suffering of innocent victims around the world, but uses this as a contrast to their own problems, which suddenly seem less significant. The repeated refrain of "Hallelujah, I can't complain" emphasizes this point, suggesting that even though things may not be perfect, there is still reason to give thanks.
The second verse continues this theme of perspective, acknowledging the devastation and constant attacks that can occur in life. Despite this, the song emphasizes the importance of thanking God for his mercy and protection. The bridge further emphasizes this gratitude, recognizing that there are many who are less fortunate and struggling to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
When I think about the state of the world
When I consider the current condition of the world
Innocent victims, boys and girls
People who are blameless, including children
Those attacked by the enemy
Those facing harmful or negative forces beyond their control
Suddenly my problems aren't as bad as they seem
My challenges or issues now appear less significant by comparison
Hallelujah
An expression of praise or joy, often associated with religious contexts
I can't complain
There is nothing to complain about
I'm encouraged to go on
I feel motivated or supported to keep moving forward
In Jesus name
I acknowledge and give credit to the divine source of my strength and blessings
Through sickness and pain
Despite illness and physical or emotional suffering
Sunshine and rain
In good times and bad times, respectively
Hallelujah anyhow
An expression of continued praise and joy despite adversity
I can't complain
There is still nothing to complain about
Devastation all over the land
Widespread destruction or ruin in many areas
Constant attack by the enemy's hand
Ongoing harm caused by destructive forces
Lord, I thank You for Your mercy
Expression of gratitude towards a divine being for compassionate treatment
Hey, I bless Your name for covering me
An act of praise and thanksgiving toward a divine power for protection and shelter
There are so many with no food
A large number of people lack access to basic sustenance
No place to sleep
Many people are without adequate housing or shelter
How can I complain when
It is difficult for me to express dissatisfaction or disappointment when
You've been so good to me?
I have experienced such abundance and favor
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON KINNEY, DAVID LEE MURPHY, TRACY LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind