Bill Lawrence, who happens to be a great Bass singer was the perfect replacement for Tim Riley. Of course nobody wanted Tim to leave, but there had to come a day when he was going to retire. Nobody fits the bill better than Bill Lawrence. Daniel Riley informed me that he personally felt that Bill was the perfect replacement for his Dad vocally, and in fact Tim Riley hand picked Bill as his replacement.
Bill’s story somewhat different than most because he got started in Gospel Music a little later in life. Bill didn’t get saved until he was thirty years old, and he didn’t even know that there was such a thing as a bass singer until after he got saved. He has always had a very low voice and as a child of eight or ten years old, he was answering the phone at his Dad’s automotive store, and the customers were always astonished to find out that they had been talking to a youngster.
Bill's interest in Southern Gospel Music began a few years after he was saved and he sang with a local group for a while before joining the Kellys. He left the Kellys to join Brian Free and Assurance and stayed there for approximately three or four years. Bill’s wife had a terrible car wreck about three years ago during his time with BF&A and he felt the need to come off the road to be with his family. A short time after Bill left the road, God miraculously healed his wife, and she was able to go back to running his trucking company, which he still owns, and she still operates.
After a short time off the road, Bill noticed that he was unhappy not singing. As it would happen, Tim Riley talked to Bill about filling in for him because he needed knee surgery. It is a good thing that Bill started learning Gold City songs, because Tim decided to have that knee surgery sooner than expect, and Bill was pressed into duty.
It was not long after that when Tim asked Bill if he would be interested in filling in for him as he “transitioned” into retirement. Bill was interested, but knew that he had better be prepared, because Tim’s decisions had a history of happening sooner than later. Sure enough, history repeated itself, but Bill was ready once again.
Bill said that singing with the Kellys was a learning experience, and that joining Brian Free and Assurance took him to another level, but singing with Gold City has been like going to the top step of the ladder. Bill agreed with Steve that the crowds are different and that the Gold City crowds seem to be larger. He also says that there has been no pressure from either the crowds or the fellows in the quartet. Replacing Tim has produced no pressure at all, but has been a wonderful experience.
If you have kept up with Bill in the past you cannot help but notice that Bill has lost a lot of weight. In the last year Bill has lost over 90 pounds and is maintaining it well. When asked about what motivated him he replied that he had been having some chest pains and went to see a Doctor about them. They could not find anything wrong, but he thought that it would be a good idea to make sure that there wouldn’t be a problem in the future, so he started losing weight. Now his feet and knees don’t hurt and he can breathe better, so it was worth it. Life on the road is hard for maintaining weight. He stated that he seems to be gaining 2 to 3 pounds during the weekends, but loses it when he gets home.
Good things just seem to happen to Bill Lawrence and joining Gold City was just one more good thing. We think Gold City feels the same way!
Visit Bill and Gold City at http://www.goldcityqt.com
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 11/30/2004
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 12
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
i heard bill lawerence about 5 times i noticed that he has one of the thickest bass voices i ever heard and really can get down on some low bass singing like he does on the song WHEN HE BLESS MY SOUL he is always smiling on the stage and now he is my favorite bass since tim riley has retired he is a great fit for gold city
Thanks, Deon, for a great article about Bill. He is simply awesome & is doing a fabulous job for GC.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Thanks Leon,
I sure hated to see Tim Riley leave Gold City but Bill Lawrence was certainly the right replacement for him. Bill's pleasing personality and great smile and great bass voice is certainly a great asset to Gold City. Bill you look wonderful since you lost your weight and I know you have to feel better. Keep up the good work. Gold City certainly has a great sound and I know God is blessing. Hope to see you real soon at a sing!!!
I just wanted to say that Bill is one of the greatest, that gospel music will ever have! his rich bass tone fills the room and so does his heart.We love Bill, and all Gold City they are a great bunch of guys. they have always treated us like one of them. we were with them the other night at a TBN taping and they did awsome.I could go on and on about Gold City.
Great Article. Bill is a dear friend of my mine and when Tim called him it was just at the right time. I will agree with each of you, Bill is the right fit for Gold City. Glad to see him apart of them. God Bless Gold City!
God knew from the "Beginning" that Bill would replace Tim and so the course of life is being fulfilled..Bill & Jeff Chapman are now the current "George & Tim" of this Qt era......Bill has been gifted with a truly contra-Bass voice that projects and resonates on every note....Like Tim, he never fades during the song but is heard from start to finish...All Bassos would do well to listen and learn about using the mike properly so that the bass part is always heard without fading or overpowering...
I first met Bill when he sang with Brian Free & Assurance and learned to like Bill personally and his Bass singing. He's not only a great Bass Singer but just an all around great guy. I have known Tim Riley for many years and feel Tim could not have picked a better replacement. Bill has taken the place for my favorite Bass Singer by far. Thanks Bill for your get disposition and friendship. Yours in Christ, Darrell Hudson
Deon
Kevin,
Thanks for setting me strait on that, Brother Deon.
I was so impressed with Bill Lawerance of Gold City..Where is he now...Please let me know how to get in tough with him. I have a great respect for him and his great voice.
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
