Specifically he was talking about one group birthed out of Tri-City, “The Murrill’s.”   Made up of four guys and one girl, the high energy, urban sounding group has a promising future.  However they are not the only ones.   Many of the group members appear to have much going on as well, including Sherri Win of the hit duo (Ted & Sherri) who just had a baby and LeJune Thompson, who says “I’ve been busy raising my family, but I am still singing.”   However, Lawrence continued, maybe in a few years, we will do another recording but with a younger generation.”  

In the meantime it was, Donald Lawrence and the Tri City Singers night, with a number of special guests, close friends, hundreds of fans and media coverage from across the country.

This historic event took place at The Tabernacle, located at 152 Luckie Street, in Atlanta, GA with EMI sparing no expense no making sure everyone was there including a number special guests; Walter and Edwin Hawkins, Daryl Coley, LeJune Thompson, Darwin Hobbs, LaShun Pace, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, Karen Clark Sheard, Myron Butler & Levi, The Murrills and Dewayne Woods.

As an opening act for the evening, EMI’s own, Kiki Sheard kicked things off with an upbeat tune and moves that would make you think of Tina Turner. For a moment the crowd almost couldn’t contain itself from screaming.  Her performance showed growth and maturity, while still not losing her youth appeal.   All of this as she continues to grow her audience.

Next up EMI gospel recording artist Myron Butler and Levi (pictured below).   Under the tutelage of Kirk Franklin, Butler says, “We are just getting starting.”  However already the group has a growing following with a powerful ministry, often accompanied with tight beats and slick dance moves.  At times you could feel the trickling affects of Tye Tribbett and Kirk Franklin, however it is clear that Myron Butler and Levi are emerging as the next “IT” group in the coming year.

Returning to the stage was Kiki, dressed in jeans, a pink sweater and pink tennis shoes.  She performed You Don’t Know, with Ricky Dillard shouting out, “Now that’s what up!"  He said, That's a Clark baby" referring to the Clark Sisters and their family.  Everyone around him just laughed but agreed as KiKi continued to exude talent.  Myron Butler and Levi also returned to the stage to sing his newly released hit single Set Me Free. Sounding just as good as his CD.  The crowd loved them.

Finally Donald Lawrence emerged onto the stage.  Dressed in a designer Ronnie & Ronnie suit, Lawrence began to talk about the power of empowering oneself and how as a child of God, we all should be financially secure. He said, “It is my prayer that all of you own your own business and no longer be dependent on others. This is my prayer for all of you.  I want everyone to understand that they can become free of financial burdens and you can start tonight!”  After much applause, Lawrence began to proceed with his first set of songs.

With an appropriate segway, Lawrence kicked off with See yourself in the future, you are royalty.  The words were so powerful as the song merely reiterated what he had just said.  The next song was for people with challenges.  Lawrence said, “Well, giants come and go and they die and they come down.  Remember your praise is your weapon, and tonight that’s what we’re going to do!"   From this point it was a praise party, and the saints were feeling the release all over the concert hall.

Dwayne Woods was later invited to the stage.  He gave a testimony on how God had healed his body.  He said, while he was sick, if he was going to sing about God’s healing power, he wanted God to heal him.  So, after confessing his healing and several trips to the doctors, his doctor one day, finally gave him a clean bill of health.  Woods said "God is the strength of my life."

Sheri Winn was also a featured singer, as she began to sing a song that encouraged listeners to encourage themselves.  Lawrence said, “Sometimes you have to speak victory over your situation even when you’re going through a test… No matter how you feel".

A powerful song for the evening was Matthew 28. This song told the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was dramatically performed with Lawrence showing off his prolific, production and arrangement skills, topped with the powerful and amazing vocals of The Tri-City Singers.

After a brief intermission, Lawrence went back down memory lane, singing a medley of back to back hits, beginning with “Never Seen the Rightous."  Also making special singing appearances were LeJune Thompson, Daryl Coley...who by the way, brought the house down as everyone stood to their feet, Walter Hawkins who was incredible and Karen Clark Sheard, who was simply phenomenal, as she readies for her next CD released in January 2006.  

Other VIP’s to grace the crowd were...Vickie Mac Lataillade, Melonie Daniels, Shawn Tate, Jonathan Nelson, Ricky Dillard, Cheryl Jackson, Willie Mae McIver, Calvin Terrell, Edwin and Walter Hawkins, Lin Woods, Deitrick and Damita Haddon, Alex Snipes, Ted from (Ted & Sherri,) BET's Gerard Henry, Sheilah Belle, Teresa Hairston and Desmond Pringle. 

Look for the first single from their “FINALE” to be released as a one-of-a-kind commercial single on January 24, 2006 which will also include an exclusive video “Sneak-peek” link, giving fans a glimpse of the historic event.  Then on April 4, 2006, EMI Gospel will release the full-length CD “FINALE”.