Lawrence Cooley is a New York-based singer-songwriter who transcends convention

and focuses on the raw emotion of his beautifully crafted melodies, soulful vocals, and willingness to bare it all on stage. His catalog of original songs speaks for itself pulling from his deep understanding of music, from all genres. These days you can catch him hypnotizing audiences, creating a full band sound, from one single acoustic instrument, Cooley’s signature 810 Taylor.

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He first lays down a percussive groove drumming on his guitar, followed by rhythm guitar parts, recorded live through his Boss loop station, then colored by his creative vocals, creating his distinct, record-quality sound. This complex live performance can only be truly appreciated by witnessing it in person.

                                                            

                                                           Cooley Bio

 

Born in Tarrytown, New York, to an English Literature professor and French teacher, Cooley was encouraged to explore his creative writing and master his craft of live performance.  A veteran of the stage, Cooley has been recording and performing professionally since the age of sixteen.

 

At the age of ten Cooley wrote his first song the moment he laid his fingers on the Casio keyboard, which his parents gifted him that Christmas. By age thirteen, Cooley formed and fronted his first band as lead Guitarist and vocalist. His band placed first in every competition they entered and caught the attention of the stage band conductor of Valhalla High School, who brought Cooley into conducting the band himself to win All County Band. Jamie Rollins, singer, who at the time placed #1 in Star Search (the first version of American Idol), took notice and joined Lawrence’s band as lead singer, further developing Cooley’s vocal abilities. The desire Cooley had to record his original songs forced him to work 12-hour shifts over the weekends and additional weekday nights to pay for studio time, while maintaining an A grade in high school. This was the start of Lawrence Cooley’s recording career.

 

He recorded his first records at North Lake Studios, with Eddie Kramer.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/253216-Eddie-Kramer  and with Mike D’amico at Chunky Studios https://www.discogs.com/es/label/1535086-Chunky-Production-Studios-Tarrytown-NY

 

He wrote and recorded over 25 commercial jingles, including The Stewart International Airport Jingle, during his early years as a songwriter.

 

As the lead singer & guitarist of STRAIGHT WIRED (One of the top-drawing bands in NYC and the Northeast coast), known for their debut at Woodstock ’94 and their signing with Kivel Records, was followed by the creation of his band BLUU, evolving with former bandmates, adding Papa Guyo on drums (Formerly of Sly and the Family Stone) and featuring Chris Creviston on Saxophone. BLUU became a major draw at the Bitter End and other NYC Venues. The energy of that era, amongst other notable artists, such as Gavin Degraw and Colin Smith, led to Lawrence’s solo career, signing with Aimee Berger at 2 Generations Management.

 

This led to his first solo record titled PIE STUDIO SESSIONS, produced by Russ Desalvo. https://www.discogs.com/artist/279490- “I have been a successful songwriter in the industry for many years. I don’t know if I could write a song as beautiful as Brother" - Russ Desalvo.

 

The title track of the album Brother features a string arrangement scored by

Rob Matthes, https://www.discogs.com/artist/253344-, performed by the select New York Philharmonic String Quartet. “I listen to this song to inspire me before a show; it’s my favorite Quartet arrangement,” said Rob Matthes. This album also credits Shane Keister on B-3Organ and Piano  https://www.discogs.com/artist/132965- and Frank Vilardi on Drums https://www.discogs.com/artist/352996-. Brother won awards with proceeds going to the Montel Williams M.S. Foundation.

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Cooley’s next album, UTOPIAN WORLD, produced by Nunzio Signore,

https://www.discogs.com/artist/421181- and mastered by Rob Fraboni  

https://www.discogs.com/artist/219997-, This album caught the attention of many, including producer David Foster, https://www.discogs.com/artist/79751-

who selected Cooley to appear on Star Tomorrow, an NBC Show.

 

Cooley’s next endeavor was to sign a production deal with producer Kiyanu Kim (former guitarist for Gwen Stefani),  https://www.discogs.com/artist/3404924-, to record his next album, LISTEN IN.

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While recording the album and performing live at various venues in New York and Florida, Lawrence co-founded the Montauk Music Festival with partner Ken Giustino, a project he took to heart since his family vacationed there every summer. Lawrence's connections in the community, the chamber of commerce, his relationships with venues and business owners, both as a musician and family generations vacationing and residing in Montauk, helped him create the Montauk Music Festival. The benefits of establishing the Festival were a true labor of love for Lawrence, booking over 100 original acts such as Meghan Trainor at age 14, generating millions, and bringing talent and industry to the fore.

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Cooley’s newest song, UNRIVALED produced by Hanan Rubenstein, 
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2087822- is now available on YouTube and filmed in Ireland and Montauk. He also just released FEEL FREE, a single on Spotify and iTunes.

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Lawrence is represented by longtime and well-known entertainment lawyer Bob Donnelly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Donnelly, “He will go down with his sword fighting,” - Bob Donnelly

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Lawrence Cooley is currently writing, recording, and self-producing his new material at his studio with a strong production and development team.

For tour Dates and New Music visit- https//:www.cooley-music.com

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