Photos
(Click to enlarge)
Upcoming Appearances
- Sunday, May 27, 2012
- 3:00PM - Fundraiser
- Denville, NJ
- Saturday, August 25, 2012
- 7:00PM - Wedding Reception
- Garrison, NY
= Booked through GigMasters
Past Appearances
- Thursday, March 29, 2012
- 7:00PM - Harvest on Hudson
- Hastings on Hudson, NY
- Wednesday, January 18, 2012
- 9:00PM - Smiths Bar & Restaurant
- New York City, NY
- Saturday, December 17, 2011
- 8:00PM - Starting Gate
- Woodside, NY
- Thursday, December 15, 2011
- 7:00PM - Harvest on the Hudson
- Hastings, NY
- Thursday, December 08, 2011
- 9:00PM - Smiths Bar & Restaurant
- New York, NY
- Saturday, November 26, 2011
- 10:00PM - O'Neills Pub & Restaurant
- South Norwalk, CT
- Wednesday, November 23, 2011
- 8:00PM - Red Mills Pub
- Mahopac, NY
- Saturday, November 19, 2011
- 8:00PM - Starting Gate
- Woodside, NY
- Thursday, November 17, 2011
- 7:00PM - Harvest on the Hudson
- Hastings, NY
- Wednesday, November 16, 2011
- 9:00PM - Smith's Bar
- NYC, NY
Click here for more past appearances
- Location:
- New York, New York
- Travel Radius:
- Will travel up to 3000 miles from New York.
- Pay Range:
-
$500-$3000 per event
- Member Since:
- 2010
- Primary Category:
- Acoustic Guitar
- Additional Categories:
- 70's Hits One Man Band, 80's Hits One Man Band, 90's Hits One Man Band, Alternative Guitar, Alternative Singer, Beach Music Guitar, Beach Music One Man Band, Blues Acoustic Guitar, Blues Guitar, Blues Singer, Classic Rock Guitar, Funk Guitar, Guitar, One Man Band, Rock Acoustic Guitar, Rock One Man Band, Wedding Singer
- Influences:
- Not Available
Group Members
- Jon Fritz - guitar / flamenco guitar
Description
One thing is clear about Lawrence Cooley, he puts his heart and soul into what he loves to do, play music. Audiences are often left exhilarated and exhausted. He is a music lovers musician. If there is a song or sound you are looking for in a performer to move a crowd, look no further, Lawrence Cooley delivers and then some.
Cooley is a one man band who has been performing professionally since age 16. He has played throughout the United States, and Europe. He was the lead singer/guitarist of Straight Wired, one New York's top drawing bands for over 10 years, who were invited to play Woodstock '94. He has worked with Omnipop, STARS Productions, and many of New York's finest agencies, musicians, and clubs. He is an accomplished singer/songwriter and recording artist. His song writing talents and original music speak for themselves. Brother, an original song written by Lawrence was recorded and produced by Russ Desalvo with a Philharmonic Quartet string arrangement scored by Rob Matthes, who complemented Lawrence by saying " I have been a successful songwriter in the industry for many years and I don't know if I could write a song as beautiful as Brother." "Brother" has recently been released on I-tunes and Amazon, and featured on Montel Williams.org to benefit the Montel Williams MS foundation. Certainly his creative expression knows no limitations, be it producing music, writing songs, or performing live.
Lawrence covers the songs of his favorite artists with a penchant for making them his own. His vocal ability has been said to be his greatest quality. Steve Tarkanish, of Stars productions, after hearing him, offered him a contract and said, "In all these years I have yet to hear a voice like yours that can emulate so many artists, sing so many different styles and still have a unique sound of it's own". He will tear from his rendition of Ant's Marching by Dave Matthew's into Dave Mason's "Feelin' Alright" as if they were born of the same mother.
Cooley's experience and versatility gives him the magnetic charm to appeal to everyone. Audiences are amazed at the obvious fact that Cooley not only delivers but exceeds their expectations. If there are two people in the room or two thousand, he has a way of pulling you in. He loves to interact with the audience, to him it is a challenge, the music being a shared experience.
The result is a truly dynamic performance beyond the typical solo acoustic experience. For instance, he will lay down a percussive groove by drumming on his acoustic guitar while recording it through a loop station. Then he will overlay a bass line, then a rhythm part, until you hear a distinct full band sound. As the song progresses he intertwines more intriguing melodies and harmonies on his guitar, going from the crybaby (wa-wa pedal) to the slide guitar all in the same song. He has he natural ability to play a myriad of acoustic styles seamlessly, from funk to pop, to blues, to reggae, to soul, without blinking an eye.
Possessing the right sensibility and chops to appeal to both young and old, Cooley covers the full spectrum of musical generations. A fan once noted that very few artists can go from a beautiful rendition of "What Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, to "Whirlpool" by Seal, to "Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes, to "Dancing Days" by Led Zeppelin, and play them passionately, leaving everyone in the room smiling.
To compare Lawrence to other artists to get an idea of his style is of course difficult, but many people have said that he sounds like a funky Dave Matthew's when playing acoustic, and a Lenny Kravitz/Robert Plant, Jimmy Page when on electric. But hey, don't take anyone else's word for it, see him play for yourself and tell us what you think!
Song List
Available For:
Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.
Feedback
- Lawrence was amazing! Everyone at the wedding had great things to say. The performance was perfect, and Jonathan was unbelievable on guitar. Lawrence's voice was terrific, and the energy was awesome! I wouldn't have had anyone else play my wedding, thanks Lawrence! -- Beth N, Greenport, NY, 6/25/2011
- 5 out of 5 stars! Lawrence is very talented and passionate about his music, we highly recommend him for any occasion!
Very accomodating and audience engaging! -- Corri T, Killington, VT, 8/27/2011
- Lawerence was super flexible, learned a song per our request, has an extensive play list, was willing to travel for a relatively short performance and received tons of positive comments from our guests. Some guests asked for his information that night. We wouldn't think twice about reccomending him and requesting him to play again. -- Shemry B, Narragansett, RI, 9/2/2011
Click here for more feedback