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|death_place = [[Studio City, California]], U.S.
|death_place = [[Studio City, California]], U.S.
|occupation = bandleader, record company executive, record producer, personal manager
|occupation = bandleader, record company executive, record producer, personal manager
|years_active = 1950s - 2017
|years_active = 1950s–2017
|spouse =
|spouse =
|children =
|children =
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}}
}}


'''Ray Lawrence''' (born August 19, 1927) is a former [[bandleader]], [[record company]] executive, [[record producer]] and [[personal manager]].
'''Ray M. Lawrence''' (born '''Ray Skreprich'''; August 19, 1927 – August 27, 2017) was an American bandleader, record company executive and producer and personal manager.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Ray's father was born in [[Wickhaven, Pennsylvania]] and his mother was born in [[Uzhorod]], [[Bohemia]]. Ray's grandfather died in the [[Darr Mine Disaster]] of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster Ray's grandmother moved her children back to Uzhorod. While in Uzhorod and during [[World War I]], Ray's father, although he was a United States citizen, was drafted at the age of 16 into the [[Austrian Army]]. He served as a [[runner (war)|runner]] in the [[trench warfare|trenches]]. After his service he met his wife in Uzhorod, married and moved to [[Lorain, Ohio|Lorain]], Ohio, an industrial city 30 miles west of [[Cleveland]], Ohio on the shore of [[Lake Erie]] settled by many Eastern European immigrants. Two of the largest employers in Lorain during the early to mid 1900s were the [[American Ship Building Company]] and [[U.S. Steel]].
Lawrence's father was born in [[Wickhaven, Pennsylvania]] and his mother was born in [[Uzhorod]], [[Bohemia]]. Ray's grandfather died in the [[Darr Mine Disaster]] of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster Ray's grandmother moved her children back to Uzhorod. While in Uzhorod and during [[World War I]], Lawrence's father, although he was a United States citizen, was drafted at the age of 16 into the [[Austro-Hungarian Army|Austrian Army]]. He served as a [[runner (war)|runner]] in the [[trench warfare|trenches]]. After his service he met his wife in Uzhorod, married and moved to [[Lorain, Ohio|Lorain]], Ohio, an industrial city 30 miles west of [[Cleveland]], Ohio on the shore of [[Lake Erie]] settled by many Eastern European immigrants. Two of the largest employers in Lorain during the early to mid 1900s were the [[American Ship Building Company]] and [[U.S. Steel]].


Ray was born the middle of three children in Lorain, Ohio. He was in elementary school during the [[Great Depression]]. When he was 8 or 9 years old he'd work at the carnival, carrying water. During summer vacations to visit his cousin's in Lyndora, Pennsylvania, he'd play together with [[Andy Warhol]]. While in high school on weekends and during the summer Ray worked in the fields picking beans and strawberries, washing cars, delivering women's clothing and at the Lorain Works of U.S. Steel, a large [[steel mill]] on the shore of Lake Erie, as a laborer, [[Shipyard Burner|burner]] and clerk. He would listen to his favorite big bands on the radio, from records and by attending live performances at the many ballrooms (including the [[Cedar Point]] Grand Ballroom, Crystal Beach Ballroom and others) that lined the Lake Erie shoreline.
Lawrence was born the middle of three children in Lorain, Ohio. He was in elementary school during the [[Great Depression]]. When he was 8 or 9 years old he worked at the carnival, carrying water. During summer vacations to visit his cousin's in Lyndora, Pennsylvania, he'd play together with [[Andy Warhol]]. While in high school on weekends and during the summer Ray worked in the fields picking beans and strawberries, washing cars, delivering women's clothing and at the Lorain Works of U.S. Steel, a large [[steel mill]] on the shore of Lake Erie, as a laborer, burner and clerk. He would listen to his favorite big bands on the radio, from records and by attending live performances at the many ballrooms (including the [[Cedar Point]] Grand Ballroom, Crystal Beach Ballroom and others) that lined the Lake Erie shoreline.


[[File:RayLawrenceAtGreatLakesNavalTraining.jpg|left|thumb|75px|Ray Lawrence at [[Great Lakes Naval Training Center]].]]
[[File:RayLawrenceAtGreatLakesNavalTraining.jpg|left|thumb|75px|Ray Lawrence at [[Great Lakes Naval Training Center]].]]
On his 17th birthday, before finishing high school, and after his brother told him don't go into the Army, go into the Navy, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. This was towards the end of [[World War II]]. He wanted to be a [[dive bomber]] gunner, but because of dental problems he wasn't offered that choice. He served in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theatre]] on the escort aircraft carrier [[USS Point Cruz (CVE-119)]]. The USS Point Cruz hosted a [[United_States_Marine_Corps_Aviation#World War II|Marine Corps air squadron]]. He was on the crew that commissioned the ship and was a [[plank owner]]. He served as a [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm anti-aircraft gun]] gunner, [[Bofors 40 mm gun|40 mm anti-aircraft gun]] trainer and storekeeper. Because of his background he was simply known as "Russian" on the ship. During his service the ship had missions to [[Guam]], the [[Marshall Islands]], [[Okinawa]], [[Iwo Jima]], [[Tokyo]] and other locations. The ship transported some survivors from the dive bomber attack on the [[USS Franklin (CV-13)]], was at [[Buckner Bay]] in Okinawa during [[Typhoon Louise (1945)#Typhoon_Louise|Typhoon Louise]] in 1945 and at [[Bikini Atoll]] during preparations for the [[atomic bomb]] testing of [[Operation Crossroads]] in 1946. While in the Navy Ray was paid $21 per month. After serving in the Navy 2{{frac|1|2}} years he returned to Lorain and finished high school. Ray was originally a member of his high school class of 1945, but because of his enlistment, graduated as a member of his high school class of 1947. On his return to Lorain, Ray did not become a member of the 5220 "club" (52 weeks of work for $20 per week) but instead he worked checking cars for the [[Switching and terminal railroad|terminal railroad]] at U.S. Steel. He then went to [[Ohio University]] in [[Athens, Ohio|Athens]], Ohio.
On his 17th birthday, before finishing high school, and after his brother told him to do so, Lawrence enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. This was towards the end of [[World War II]]. He wanted to be a [[dive bomber]] gunner, but because of dental problems he wasn't offered that choice. He served in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theatre]] on the escort aircraft carrier [[USS Point Cruz (CVE-119)]]. The USS Point Cruz hosted a [[United States Marine Corps Aviation#World War II|Marine Corps air squadron]]. He was on the crew that commissioned the ship and was a [[plank owner]]. He served as a [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm anti-aircraft gun]] gunner, [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm anti-aircraft gun]] trainer and storekeeper. Because of his background he was simply known as "Russian" on the ship. During his service the ship had missions to [[Guam]], the [[Marshall Islands]], [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]], [[Iwo Jima]], [[Tokyo]] and other locations. The ship transported some survivors from the dive bomber attack on the [[USS Franklin (CV-13)]], was at [[Buckner Bay]] in Okinawa during [[Typhoon Louise (1945)#Typhoon Louise|Typhoon Louise]] in 1945 and at [[Bikini Atoll]] during preparations for the [[atomic bomb]] testing of [[Operation Crossroads]] in 1946. While in the Navy Ray was paid $21 per month. After serving in the Navy 2{{frac|1|2}} years he returned to Lorain and finished high school. Lawrence was originally a member of his high school class of 1945, but because of his enlistment, graduated as a member of his high school class of 1947. On his return to Lorain, he did not become a member of the 5220 "club" (52 weeks of work for $20 per week) but instead he worked checking train cars for the [[Switching and terminal railroad|terminal railroad]] at U.S. Steel. He then went to [[Ohio University]] in [[Athens, Ohio|Athens]], Ohio.


[[File:RayLawrenceAndHisOrchestra.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra.]]
[[File:RayLawrenceAndHisOrchestra.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra.]]
In 1948 while at Ohio University he started his own [[big band]] consisting of 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone and 3 rhythm players. He was a drummer. He was born Ray Skrepich, but when it came time to name his band he thought his name was too hard to remember and pronounce, so his father suggested he use his mother’s maiden name of Lawrence. As a result the band was named "Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra". After a couple of years his big band disbanded and he formed a [[rhythm and blues]] [[quartet]] named "Rockin Ray and his Rocket Rhythm". His quartet played [[race music]] on the [[chitlin' circuit]] and shared the bill with groups such as [[Bo Diddley]], [[Fats Domino]] and [[Otis Williams and the Charms]].
In 1948 while at Ohio University he started his own [[big band]] consisting of 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone and 3 rhythm players. He was a drummer. He was born Ray Skrepich, but when it came time to name his band he thought his name was too hard to remember and pronounce, so his father suggested he use his mother's maiden name of Lawrence. As a result, the band was named "Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra". After a couple of years his big band disbanded and he formed a [[rhythm and blues]] [[quartet]] named "Rockin Ray and his Rocket Rhythm". His quartet played [[race music]] on the [[Chitlin' Circuit]] and shared the bill with groups such as [[Bo Diddley]], [[Fats Domino]] and [[Otis Williams and the Charms]].


In the spring of 1953 Ray stopped performing and was a salesman for [[American Tobacco Company]], [[S._C._Johnson_%26_Son|Johnson Wax]] and then a reporter for [[F. W. Dodge Corporation]]. He then started his own theatrical booking agency in [[Cleveland]], Ohio named Artistry and Promotion. He booked musical combos and some variety acts across the United States and Canada. He was married in February 1954, and subsequently he and his wife Grace had three children, Jeff, Connie and Lisa.
In the spring of 1953 Lawrence stopped performing and was a salesman for [[American Tobacco Company]], [[S. C. Johnson & Son|Johnson Wax]] and then a reporter for [[F. W. Dodge Corporation]]. He then started his own theatrical booking agency in [[Cleveland]], Ohio named Artistry and Promotion. He booked musical combos and some variety acts across the United States and Canada. He was married in February 1954, and subsequently he and his wife Grace had three children, [[Jeff Lawrence (entrepreneur)|Jeff]], Connie and Lisa. He also has four grandchildren, Christopher, Kathy, Matthew and Jenna.


[[File:RayLawrenceOpeningRecordDistributorOffice.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ray Lawrence Opening Cosnat West Coast office.]]
[[File:RayLawrenceOpeningRecordDistributorOffice.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ray Lawrence Opening Cosnat West Coast office.]]
In the fall of 1960 Ray joined Cosnat Distributing, a [[record distributor]], in Cleveland, Ohio as a salesman. [[Jerry Blaine]] founded Cosnat and it was a “leader in its field on the Eastern Seaboard “.<ref>”Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers (Music in American Life)”. John Broven, University of Illinois Press, 2009.</ref> In the fall of 1961 Ray moved to [[Los Angeles]], California and was instrumental in setting up Cosnat’s West Coast operations as a salesman and then branch manager.
In the fall of 1960 Lawrence joined Cosnat Distributing, a [[record distributor]], in Cleveland, Ohio as a salesman. [[Jerry Blaine]] founded Cosnat and it was a “leader in its field on the Eastern Seaboard “.<ref>”Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers (Music in American Life)”. John Broven, University of Illinois Press, 2009.</ref> In the fall of 1961 he moved to [[Los Angeles]], California and was instrumental in setting up Cosnat's West Coast operations as a salesman and then branch manager.


In the fall of 1962 Ray became the general sales manager for [[Colpix Records]] and [[Dimension Records]], which were divisions of [[Columbia Pictures]], in New York, New York. After a year Ray was promoted to [[General Manager]] of Colpix Records and worked directly for [[Don Kirshner]] after Kirshner sold [[Aldon Music]] to Columbia Pictures in 1963 and became head of Columbia's newly expanded record division. While at Colpix Records Ray signed and produced [[Woody Allen]]’s first comedy [[album]] and also signed [[John Davidson (entertainer)|John Davidson]] and [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]] before he became a member of “[[The Monkees]]”.
In the fall of 1962 Lawrence became the general sales manager for [[Colpix Records]] and [[Dimension Records]], which were divisions of [[Columbia Pictures]], in New York, New York. After a year, he was promoted to [[General Manager]] of Colpix Records and worked directly for [[Don Kirshner]] after Kirshner sold [[Aldon Music]] to Columbia Pictures in 1963 and became head of Columbia's newly expanded record division. While at Colpix Records Ray signed and produced [[Woody Allen]]’s first comedy [[album]] and also signed [[John Davidson (entertainer)|John Davidson]] and [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]] before he became a member of “[[The Monkees]]”.


[[File:RayLawrenceTheRecordMan.jpg|left|thumb|50px|Ray Lawrence "The Record Man".]]
[[File:RayLawrenceTheRecordMan.jpg|left|thumb|50px|Ray Lawrence "The Record Man".]]
In April 1965 Ray started his own business, Ray Lawrence, Ltd.<ref>”Ray Lawrence Firm”. Billboard, May 21, 1966</ref> to specialize in promoting [[phonograph records]] and servicing [[Rack Jobber|rack jobbers]], one stops and retail record outlets. His first client was [[Madman Muntz]] and some of his other clients included [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Robert Goulet]], [[Bill Cosby]], [Farley Parkenfarker], [Okie Duke], [[Woody Allen]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Chet Atkins]], [[Jerry Reed]], [[Floyd Cramer]], [[Three Dog Night]], [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]], [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]], the North Texas State [[One O'Clock Lab Band]] under Leon Breeden, [[World's Greatest Jazz Band]] and others. He was known in the record business for his moniker, "The Record Man".
In April 1965 Lawrence started his own business, Ray Lawrence, Ltd.<ref>”Ray Lawrence Firm”. Billboard, May 21, 1966</ref> to specialize in promoting [[phonograph records]] and servicing [[Rack Jobber|rack jobbers]], one stops and retail record outlets. His first client was [[Madman Muntz]] and some of his other clients included [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Robert Goulet]], [[Bill Cosby]], [Farley Parkenfarker], [Okie Duke], [[Woody Allen]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Chet Atkins]], [[Jerry Reed]], [[Floyd Cramer]], [[Three Dog Night]], [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]], [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]], the North Texas State [[One O'Clock Lab Band]] under Leon Breeden, [[World's Greatest Jazz Band]] and others. He was known in the record business for his moniker, "The Record Man".


In the late 1970s he started Dobre Records, a jazz record label. He produced and released over 50 albums of jazz musicians including [[Milcho Leviev]], [[Cannonball Adderley]], [[Ruth Brown]] and others. A detailed discography is available below. Most of the records were recorded at [[Gold Star Studios]] in [[Hollywood]], California. Five of the albums he produced were nominated for [[Grammy awards]]. Ray was also involved in starting at least two other record labels, including [[Black Jazz Records]] and Jazzz Records.
In the late 1970s he started Dobre Records, a jazz record label. He produced and released over 50 albums of jazz musicians including [[Milcho Leviev]], [[Cannonball Adderley]], [[Ruth Brown]] and others. A detailed discography is available below. Most of the records were recorded at [[Gold Star Studios]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California. Five of the albums he produced were nominated for [[Grammy awards]]. Lawrence was also involved in starting at least two other record labels, including [[Black Jazz Records]] and Jazzz Records.


In 1979 Ray attended the 11th Annual Cultural Awards dinner at the White House hosted by President Jimmy Carter.<ref>"The Record-Making Crowd". The Washington Post, March 21, 1979 [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1979/03/21/the-record-making-crowd/edd757e0-38c9-490b-bda4-508e98c557a0/]</ref>
In 1979 Lawrence attended the 11th Annual Cultural Awards dinner at the White House hosted by President Jimmy Carter.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1979/03/21/the-record-making-crowd/edd757e0-38c9-490b-bda4-508e98c557a0/ "The Record-Making Crowd". The Washington Post, March 21, 1979]</ref>


In May 1980, because of changes in the record industry business model Ray stopped promoting phonograph records and started acting as a personal manager for musical artists, variety acts and others. Some of his clients included [[Trini Lopez]], [[Al Martino]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]].
In May 1980, because of changes in the record industry business model Lawrence stopped promoting phonograph records and started acting as a personal manager for musical artists, variety acts and others. Some of his clients included [[Trini Lopez]], [[Al Martino]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]].


Lawrence died in [[Studio City]], California on August 27, 2017, at the age of 90.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ray Lawrence |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ladailynews/name/ray-lawrence-obituary?id=8555398 |website=Legacy |access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
Ray died on August 27, 2017 in [[Studio City]], California.


==Discography==
==Discography==
Some albums that Ray has produced.
Some albums that Ray has produced.


{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size:8pt;"
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size:10pt;"
|-
|-
! Dobre Number
! Dobre Number
Line 104: Line 104:
|1010
|1010
|H. Ray Crawford Quartet
|H. Ray Crawford Quartet
|It’s About Time
|It's About Time
|1977
|1977
|-
|-
Line 128: Line 128:
|-
|-
|1015
|1015
|[[Tommy_Vig|Tommy Vig]] Quintet
|[[Tommy Vig]] Quintet
|Tommy Vig 1978
|Tommy Vig 1978
|1978
|1978
Line 149: Line 149:
|1019
|1019
|Ray Cooper & Group
|Ray Cooper & Group
|Everybody’s Cup of Tea
|Everybody's Cup of Tea
|1977
|1977
|-
|-
Line 199: Line 199:
|1029
|1029
|[[Anita O’Day]] with Trio
|[[Anita O’Day]] with Trio
|There’s Only One
|There's Only One
|1978
|1978
|-
|-
Line 259: Line 259:
|1041
|1041
|[[Ruth Brown]] with Trio
|[[Ruth Brown]] with Trio
|You Don’t Know Me
|You Don't Know Me
|1978
|1978
|-
|-
Line 308: Line 308:
|-
|-
|1051
|1051
|[[Abe_Most|Abe Most]] Quartet
|[[Abe Most]] Quartet
|The Most-Abe, That Is
|The Most-Abe, That Is
|1978
|1978
Line 353: Line 353:
|-
|-
|1060
|1060
|[[Don_Randi|Don Randi]] & Quest
|[[Don Randi]] & Quest
|Bermuda Triangle
|Bermuda Triangle
|1978
|1978
Line 383: Line 383:
|-
|-
|1066
|1066
|[[Joe_Venuti|Joe Venuti]] and [[Tony_Romano_(musician)|Tony Romano]]
|[[Joe Venuti]] and [[Tony Romano (musician)|Tony Romano]]
|Never Before...Never Again
|Never Before...Never Again
|1978
|1978
Line 389: Line 389:


==Notes and references==
==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*"Ray Lawrence: The Record Man". As told to [[Allen Secher]]. Bohas Books, 2017. {{isbn|978-1389802010}}
*"Ray Lawrence: The Record Man". As told to [[Allen Secher]]. Bohas Books, 2017. {{isbn|978-1389802010}}


{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Ray}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Ray}}
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Lorain, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Lorain, Ohio]]
[[Category:American record producers]]
[[Category:Record producers from Ohio]]
[[Category:Jazz record producers]]
[[Category:Jazz record producers]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Navy sailors]]

Latest revision as of 14:04, 14 September 2024

Ray Lawrence
Lawrence in the early 2000s
Born
Ray Skrepich

(1927-08-19)August 19, 1927
Lorain, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 27, 2017(2017-08-27) (aged 90)
Studio City, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)bandleader, record company executive, record producer, personal manager
Years active1950s–2017

Ray M. Lawrence (born Ray Skreprich; August 19, 1927 – August 27, 2017) was an American bandleader, record company executive and producer and personal manager.

Biography

[edit]

Lawrence's father was born in Wickhaven, Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Uzhorod, Bohemia. Ray's grandfather died in the Darr Mine Disaster of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster Ray's grandmother moved her children back to Uzhorod. While in Uzhorod and during World War I, Lawrence's father, although he was a United States citizen, was drafted at the age of 16 into the Austrian Army. He served as a runner in the trenches. After his service he met his wife in Uzhorod, married and moved to Lorain, Ohio, an industrial city 30 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio on the shore of Lake Erie settled by many Eastern European immigrants. Two of the largest employers in Lorain during the early to mid 1900s were the American Ship Building Company and U.S. Steel.

Lawrence was born the middle of three children in Lorain, Ohio. He was in elementary school during the Great Depression. When he was 8 or 9 years old he worked at the carnival, carrying water. During summer vacations to visit his cousin's in Lyndora, Pennsylvania, he'd play together with Andy Warhol. While in high school on weekends and during the summer Ray worked in the fields picking beans and strawberries, washing cars, delivering women's clothing and at the Lorain Works of U.S. Steel, a large steel mill on the shore of Lake Erie, as a laborer, burner and clerk. He would listen to his favorite big bands on the radio, from records and by attending live performances at the many ballrooms (including the Cedar Point Grand Ballroom, Crystal Beach Ballroom and others) that lined the Lake Erie shoreline.

Ray Lawrence at Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

On his 17th birthday, before finishing high school, and after his brother told him to do so, Lawrence enlisted in the United States Navy. This was towards the end of World War II. He wanted to be a dive bomber gunner, but because of dental problems he wasn't offered that choice. He served in the Pacific Theatre on the escort aircraft carrier USS Point Cruz (CVE-119). The USS Point Cruz hosted a Marine Corps air squadron. He was on the crew that commissioned the ship and was a plank owner. He served as a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun gunner, 40 mm anti-aircraft gun trainer and storekeeper. Because of his background he was simply known as "Russian" on the ship. During his service the ship had missions to Guam, the Marshall Islands, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Tokyo and other locations. The ship transported some survivors from the dive bomber attack on the USS Franklin (CV-13), was at Buckner Bay in Okinawa during Typhoon Louise in 1945 and at Bikini Atoll during preparations for the atomic bomb testing of Operation Crossroads in 1946. While in the Navy Ray was paid $21 per month. After serving in the Navy 21⁄2 years he returned to Lorain and finished high school. Lawrence was originally a member of his high school class of 1945, but because of his enlistment, graduated as a member of his high school class of 1947. On his return to Lorain, he did not become a member of the 5220 "club" (52 weeks of work for $20 per week) but instead he worked checking train cars for the terminal railroad at U.S. Steel. He then went to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra.

In 1948 while at Ohio University he started his own big band consisting of 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone and 3 rhythm players. He was a drummer. He was born Ray Skrepich, but when it came time to name his band he thought his name was too hard to remember and pronounce, so his father suggested he use his mother's maiden name of Lawrence. As a result, the band was named "Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra". After a couple of years his big band disbanded and he formed a rhythm and blues quartet named "Rockin Ray and his Rocket Rhythm". His quartet played race music on the Chitlin' Circuit and shared the bill with groups such as Bo Diddley, Fats Domino and Otis Williams and the Charms.

In the spring of 1953 Lawrence stopped performing and was a salesman for American Tobacco Company, Johnson Wax and then a reporter for F. W. Dodge Corporation. He then started his own theatrical booking agency in Cleveland, Ohio named Artistry and Promotion. He booked musical combos and some variety acts across the United States and Canada. He was married in February 1954, and subsequently he and his wife Grace had three children, Jeff, Connie and Lisa. He also has four grandchildren, Christopher, Kathy, Matthew and Jenna.

Ray Lawrence Opening Cosnat West Coast office.

In the fall of 1960 Lawrence joined Cosnat Distributing, a record distributor, in Cleveland, Ohio as a salesman. Jerry Blaine founded Cosnat and it was a “leader in its field on the Eastern Seaboard “.[1] In the fall of 1961 he moved to Los Angeles, California and was instrumental in setting up Cosnat's West Coast operations as a salesman and then branch manager.

In the fall of 1962 Lawrence became the general sales manager for Colpix Records and Dimension Records, which were divisions of Columbia Pictures, in New York, New York. After a year, he was promoted to General Manager of Colpix Records and worked directly for Don Kirshner after Kirshner sold Aldon Music to Columbia Pictures in 1963 and became head of Columbia's newly expanded record division. While at Colpix Records Ray signed and produced Woody Allen’s first comedy album and also signed John Davidson and Davy Jones before he became a member of “The Monkees”.

Ray Lawrence "The Record Man".

In April 1965 Lawrence started his own business, Ray Lawrence, Ltd.[2] to specialize in promoting phonograph records and servicing rack jobbers, one stops and retail record outlets. His first client was Madman Muntz and some of his other clients included Johnny Mathis, Robert Goulet, Bill Cosby, [Farley Parkenfarker], [Okie Duke], Woody Allen, Barbra Streisand, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Floyd Cramer, Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf, Ray Price, the North Texas State One O'Clock Lab Band under Leon Breeden, World's Greatest Jazz Band and others. He was known in the record business for his moniker, "The Record Man".

In the late 1970s he started Dobre Records, a jazz record label. He produced and released over 50 albums of jazz musicians including Milcho Leviev, Cannonball Adderley, Ruth Brown and others. A detailed discography is available below. Most of the records were recorded at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, California. Five of the albums he produced were nominated for Grammy awards. Lawrence was also involved in starting at least two other record labels, including Black Jazz Records and Jazzz Records.

In 1979 Lawrence attended the 11th Annual Cultural Awards dinner at the White House hosted by President Jimmy Carter.[3]

In May 1980, because of changes in the record industry business model Lawrence stopped promoting phonograph records and started acting as a personal manager for musical artists, variety acts and others. Some of his clients included Trini Lopez, Al Martino and Buzz Aldrin.

Lawrence died in Studio City, California on August 27, 2017, at the age of 90.[4]

Discography

[edit]

Some albums that Ray has produced.

Dobre Number Artist Title Year Released
1000 Laurindo Almeida Latin Guitar 1976
1001 Chuck Flores Quintet Flores Azules 1976
1003 Elliott Fisher Land of Make Believe 1976
1004 Bobby Hackett Quartet Thanks Bobby 1976
1005 The Vigs Somebody Loves Me 1976
1006 Stanley Behrens Trio Jazz Harmonica De Luxe 1976
1007 Mundell Lowe Trio Guitar Player 1977
1008 Cannonball Adderley Quintet Volume 1: Montreal 1975 1977
1009 Della Griffin with Trio Sings 1977
1010 H. Ray Crawford Quartet It's About Time 1977
1011 Harry Bluestone Duo Artistry in Jazz 1977
1012 Bobby Forrester Trio Organist 1977
1013 Floyd Huddleston and His Family Singers Happy Birthday Jesus 1977
1014 Anita O’Day with Trio Anita O’Day 1977
1015 Tommy Vig Quintet Tommy Vig 1978 1978
1016 Sonny Til and The Orioles Sonny Til and The Orioles Today 1978
1017 Johnny Guarnieri Trio Makin’ Whopee 1978
1018 Mundell Lowe Trio The Incomparable Mundell Lowe 1978
1019 Ray Cooper & Group Everybody's Cup of Tea 1977
1020 Les Demerle Transfusion 1978
1021 H. Ray Crawford Quartet Piano Lesson 1978
1022 John Tirabasso Quintet Diamond Cufflinks and Mink 1978
1023 Pete Candoli Quartet From the Top 1978
1024 Laurindo Almeida Trio Laurindo Almeida Trio 1978
1025 Milcho Leviev Quartet Piano Lesson 1978
1026 Sonny Til with Band Back to the Chapel 1978
1027 Roger Kellaway Solo Piano 1978
1028 Billy Perkins Sings for Jesus 1978
1029 Anita O’Day with Trio There's Only One 1978
1030 Jay Orlando Quartet In a Mello-Tone 1978
1031 Mel Henke Trio Love Touch 1977
1032 Farley Parkenfarker Plays Elvis 1978
1033 Nat McCoy with Group Soul 1978
1034 Bill Farrell with Trio Lush Life 1978
1035 Dave & Larry Koonse Quartet Father & Son Jazz Guitar 1978
1036 Smokey Stover and the Magnificent 7 Anyone for Country Hoe-Down 1978
1037 Joe Conley & Eric Scott Of the Waltons 1978
1038 Page Cavanaugh Trio Is Alive 1978
1039 Milcho Leviev Quartet Blue Levis 1978
1040 Jay Orlando Quartet Jay Orlando Loves Earl Bostic 1978
1041 Ruth Brown with Trio You Don't Know Me 1978
1042 Lou Levy Trio A Touch of Class 1978
1043 Frankie Ortega Trio Smokin’ 1978
1044 Edie Miller Quartet Legend
1045 Roger Kellaway Say That Again 1978
1046 Page Cavanaugh Trio Next Page 1978
1047 Herb Jeffries with Trio I Remember the Bing 1978
1048 Dave & Larry Koonse Quartet Son of Jazz Guitar 1978
1049 Linda Guymon with Quartet Steve Allen Presents Linda Guymon 1978
1050 Pete & Conte Candoli Sextet The Candoli Brothers 1978
1051 Abe Most Quartet The Most-Abe, That Is 1978
1052 Laurie Loman with Orchestra Country Weepers 1978
1053 Laurindo Almeida and Herb Jeffries Play and Sing the Duke 1978
1054 Gene Townsel Time Wounds All Heels 1978
1055 Mike Warren Survival Kit 1978
1056 Eddie Joe Downs Hard Times 1978
1057 Monty Budwig Dig 1978
1058 George Russell with Orchestra George Russell in London
1059 Herb Jeffries with Trio The King and Me 1978
1060 Don Randi & Quest Bermuda Triangle 1978
1061 George Smith Harmonica Blues King 1978
1062 Dick Whittinghill The Romance of Helen Trump 1978
1063 Jay Orlando Horn Aplenty 1978
1064 Bill Farrell Maybe this Time 1978
1065 Bill Farrell Sings Favorite Concertos
1066 Joe Venuti and Tony Romano Never Before...Never Again 1978

Notes and references

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  1. ^ ”Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers (Music in American Life)”. John Broven, University of Illinois Press, 2009.
  2. ^ ”Ray Lawrence Firm”. Billboard, May 21, 1966
  3. ^ "The Record-Making Crowd". The Washington Post, March 21, 1979
  4. ^ "Ray Lawrence". Legacy. Retrieved 11 October 2023.

Further reading

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