Kelligrews music man likes to entertain

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For residents of Conception Bay South, a certain performer has become a fixture in the community. Fifty-one-year-old singer and guitarist Gary Lawrence has been entertaining shoppers in Kelligrews now for years.
Lawrence moved to CBS from Bell Island 14 years ago and resides at Helen’s Haven. He has overcome past struggles with addiction, and says he is doing well in CBS. Most days, he can be found outside the local Piper’s, singing and playing guitar.
Lawrence credits his family with getting him into music. When he was six, his cousin received a plastic guitar on which Lawrence first began to play. He got progressively more involved in music as he grew up.
“My dad played in a band over on Bell Island in 1980,” said Lawrence. “He taught me how to play guitar. Gave me the gift.”
The first song Lawrence learned was the Hank Williams classic, “Your Cheating Heart.”
In his early years, Lawrence played mostly heavy metal, songs by artists such as Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard and Judas Priest. Nowadays he plays mostly country and light rock, a genre he says most people can enjoy. Some of his favourite artists include Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson.
Lawrence said he loves to learn as many new things about the guitar and new songs to play as possible.
“Music, I’m at it every day, it’s my first love,” said Lawrence.
He says he likes to make people happy, to make them smile, with his music. This time of year he likes to play Christmas songs, as well, especially for children and families.
Lawrence says one day he hopes to save up enough money to record songs in a studio, and eventually release a CD or EP. In the meantime, he remains dedicated to his craft and local performances. Not only does he aspire to bring joy to others through his music, it also brings unmistakeable joy to him.
“I’m just going to keep on playing music and make people happy,” said Lawrence. “You never know what’s next for me.”