Donald Lawrence

One of the most popular gospel choirs of the 1990s, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers also managed to make waves with the secular media, similar to a handful of other Christian acts during the decade. Comprised of Lawrence plus 34 members — from the "Tri-Cities" of Spartanburg, South Carolina plus Gastonia and Charlotte, North Carolina — the choir debuted with the 1993 album A Songwriter's Point of View on the tiny Gospocentric label. The album eventually reached number two on the gospel charts. At the end of the year, the Tri-City Singers had become one of Billboard's Top Ten Gospel Groups, as well as the recipient of several Stellar Awards and a nomination for the NAACP's Image Award. Second album Bible Stories followed in 1995 on Crystal Rose/Chordant Records, and the choir released a holidays LP, Hello Christmas, in 1997.