Brea Lawrenson
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Brea Lawrenson

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | INDIE | AFM

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | INDIE | AFM
Band Country Singer/Songwriter

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"Brea Lawrenson Wins - Best Song!"

Brea Lawrenson Wins - Songwriter Universe Magazine's - Best Song Contest!!
Song "If I'm Not Here Tomorrow"

Check out the Featured article in Songwriter Universe Magazine!
http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/contestwinner52-123.htm

Reviewed by Dale Kawashima, Head of SongwriterUniverse and currently Executive Director at HoriPro Entertainment Group, which is an internationally-known music publishing company (with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville and Tokyo) and the co-owner of WHD Records, a Japan-based record label distributed by JVC/Victor Records. HoriPro publishes the catalogs of KISS, REO Speedwagon, Marilyn Manson, Sophie B. Hawkins, the Byrds, Jerry Reed, plus many country hits. The Top Five Songs will be reviewed for consideration by HoriPro Music Publishing and WHD Records (which signs and releases international/English-language artists).
- SongwriterUniverse Magazine


"Brea Lawrenson"

http://www.countrymusicnews.ca/news.ihtml?step=2&article_id=1384
CD Review - BREA - No Regrets

BREA
No Regrets
Isle Of Skye – IOS07-01
Produced by : Joe Turner (*) by Stu Epps
(16 Selections – Playing Time 65:16)
If I’m Not Here Tomorrow(*) / I’m Worth It / Everyone Told You / Be Your Fool / Rockin’ Into My Life / All The Time / Walk Away / Just Another Day(*) / First Day Of School / Miss Mary Jane / California / Tension(*) / What’s It Gonna Take / I Will Be / Black And Purple / It’s Alright

Brea (Breanne Lawrenson) is a product of Dominic Darcy’s (The Singing Policeman) Talent Development Program in the Ottawa Valley. She has now moved into a solo career that shows great promise…thanks to a smokey vocal sound, and what appears to be a special gift as a songwriter. Only problem we’re faced with here… she ain’t very ‘country’.

Of course, Brea and her album No Regrets, is geared to today’s contemporary, pop/country world, and she certainly delivers that style of music with plenty of energy and pizzazz. Brea also has her writing pen involved in all 16 songs that are featured here; mainly dealing with topics and themes that are youth and message-oriented.

The album’s lead single, First Day Of School has been shipped to country radio, and the fiery, uptempo tune will likely attract some decent airplay. Other entries here that show potential as future picks include the pop/rocker Be Your Fool and What’s It Gonna Take. Brea also displays a sultry vocal on the hurtin’ tune I Will Be, and it rates as one of the standout cuts on the album.

The song Black And Purple delivers a special message on teenage bullying. The tune, with Brea addressing the issue, will be used in the Canadian Red Cross program RespectED, offering young people informed education on the social problem.

No Regrets was produced largely at Isle Of Skye studios by Joe Turner, a long-time player on the Ottawa music scene. Several cuts (*) were recorded in England with Stu Epps handling production.

- Country Music News


"Brea Lawrenson captures song of month contest"

A young Carleton Place singer, who is working hard to improve her prospects of a career in the country music business, is hoping a recent honour will further her chances in the highly competitive business.
At age 20, Brea Lawrenson has already made a name for herself locally as well as in the Ottawa and eastern Ontario market. She has just returned from a three-week tour of western Canada during which she promoted a song (entitled Black and Purple) about bullying on behalf of an “anti-bullying” program run by the Canadian Red Cross.
Last week she was thrilled to hear another of her compositions ‘If I’m Not Here Tomorrow’ has been named “Best Song of the Month” for November by world-recognized Songwriter Universe Magazine.
“I’m really excited and pleased about the recognition,” an obviously elated Lawrenson told the Record News EMC Monday.
The song is part of her 16-song compact disc (CD) ‘No Regrets’ which Lawrenson released independently in June of this year. The CD has already sold more than 2,000 units.
The young entertainer is hopeful the song of the month award will enhance her chances of gaining more radio airplay (a must for any aspiring singer) as well as added exposure on the burgeoning Internet music scene.
“Getting the radio airplay is the big objective,” she stresses. “The more people who hear your music the better.”
If I’m Not Here Tomorrow is described by the magazine as “a heartfelt, graceful ballad, which has a beautiful pop/AC melody.
“The song starts off in an understated manner and then gradually builds in emotion and intensity,” the review by Song Writer Universe magazine writer Dale Kawashima outlines.
“This recording provides a terrific showcase for Lawrenson’s clear, passionate vocals,” the magazine states.
Obviously Lawrenson is very pleased with the additional exposure.
“I think things are beginning to look better and better,” she says.
Lawrenson credits her manager Robin Moir (a Juno Award nominee during her own singing career) for skillfully handling her career.
“She is a really good manager. She knows a lot of people and does a really good job.”
For Lawrenson, who is currently living at home near Carleton Place and attending Algonquin College in Ottawa, a career in the music business has been a long-time ambition.
Started young
Born in Toronto, she moved to Carleton Place with her family as a youngster. She began taking singing lessons as an eight-year-old and has never looked back. In fact she signed with a talent agency at the tender age of 12.
At 14 she learned to play the guitar and she is well known in her hometown and across eastern Ontario having appeared in talent contests as well as at community concerts and charitable events for many years.
Lawrenson has also won a number of talent competitions over the years including a prestigious award at the Montreal Music Festival.
In 2002 she released her first CD ‘Live No Lies’ which created important publicity for the aspiring entertainer. For the past five years she has been managed by Moir and the latest CD is clearly making headway.
Lawrenson is hopeful the song of the month honour will further fuel her career and says she intends to pursue country music, with an emphasis on what she calls “new country.”
To further expand her song writing ability, she is currently collaborating with well known Ottawa Valley country musician and song writer Barry Brown, formerly of the award-winning Family Brown.
Another important person in Lawrenson’s development is songwriter Joe Turner. He has been the main co-writer on both her CDs and he produced both albums. Turner and Lawrenson co-wrote 12 of the 16 songs on ‘No Regrets’.
Lawrenson told the EMC the song which won her the latest recognition was actually written five years ago, when she was just 15.
She says the song “wasn’t finished” and when she and Turner were working on the new CD she brought it back out and finished it. The tune became the key track on the recording.
Exactly a year ago (November 2006) Lawrenson flew to England where she recorded ‘If I’m Not Here Tomorrow’.
“We spent a week in a studio in Stoke-on-Trent (northwest England). It was a great experience. I love England,” she states.
The song was produced by noted British producer/engineer Stuart Epps who has worked with such notables as Sir Elton John, Oasis and Led Zeppelin.
The young singer also believes the Internet and particularly MySpace (that’s how she met Epps), will also give her expanding career a further kick start.
“My song has had 7.8 million plays on MySpace,” she says proudly. Lawrenson invites people to visit her MySpace site and listen to the song at: www.myspace.com/brea001
Mother Cheryl says her daughter particularly enjoyed the three-week tour on behalf of the Red Cross.
Lawrenson, along with friend and fellow musician Braiden Turner of Barrhaven (who writes and records with her), have become the spokepeople for the anti-bullying campaign. The Red Cross feels ‘Black and Purple’ is a perfect fit for this particular initiative.
“They visited 35 schools. It was a real success,” Cheryl Lawrenson states. The tour took them to Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
The song, which she co-wrote with Turner, is now playing on CBC radio stations nationwide. A cross-Canada tour to promote the program and the song is also in the works.
As for the future Lawrenson laughs when she says, “I’m going to keep plugging away.” That’s something she is used to doing considering she has now been singing for 12 years of her life.
This week she goes back into the studio to work with local country music icon Brown.
However, she is also a realist.
“I’m going to continue to go to school (Algonquin).
“Actually I’ve got some catching up to do at the moment,” she chuckles.
Lawrenson is taking the Police Foundations program and, depending on how her signing career evolves, could eventually move into a criminology program at university.
But at the still young age of 20 she intends to give country music her best shot.
“I enjoy it. I’m going to keep working at it. And I’m confident.”
Locally residents can hear Brea Lawrenson sing in person during the upcoming ‘Light Up the Night’ Christmas show in Almonte on the evening of Friday, Dec. 7. She will be part of the entertainment package at the annual event hosted by country musician and well known national television personality Wayne Rostad, a Mississippi Mills resident.
Before that Lawrenson will be featured during Ottawa radio station CFRA’s annual Christmas Cheer Broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 1.
For more information on Brea Lawrenson visit her website: www.BreaNoRegrets.com
In addition there is information on the anti-bullying program she is helping to promote at: www.blackandpurplecampaign.com
- The Record News EMC - By JEFF MAGUIRE


"Brea Lawrenosn"

The EMC Arnprior
http://www.emcarnprior.ca/search?k=Brea+Lawrenson

- EMC Arnprior


"Pictures and Articles"

Pls. go to :
www.BreaNoRegrets.com
Press Section - Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun


"Red Cross & Ottawa musicians team up to prevent bullying in Prince George"


Red Cross & Ottawa musicians team up to prevent bullying in Prince George
Two talented young musicians have loaned their voices to the fight against bullying. Singer Breanne Lawrenson and keyboardist Braiden Turner, have joined the Canadian Red Cross RespectED: Violence and Abuse Prevention Education program, to create the Black and Purple Campaign to Prevent Bullying. The campaign is named after a song on Breanne's recently-released CD Ready to Fly.

Breanne and Braiden visited Prince George September 27th & 28th and performed at four local schools to spread their engaging message of bullying prevention. Red Cross also hosted a free community partners performance on the late afternoon of September 28th.

Both young songwriters recall the pain of being bullied in their younger years, and the harm—both emotional and eventually physical—it caused. “I was excluded and bullied at school. Between the grades of 3 and 10, I was bullied because of my size...the fact that I was tall and that I was strongly built was a perfect target for shorter and thinner girls to make themselves feel better by making fun of me...by the time I was in grade 10, the bullying continued and it fuelled my eating disorder” says Braiden.

http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=023985&tid=077





Breanne Lawrenson and Braiden Turner perform Black & Purple at the Prince George community event.
Photographs Focal Point Studios



- NBCY E-NEWS September/Octobre 2007


"Young area singer's musical DVD pays tribute to Canadian soldiers"

Young area singer's musical DVD pays tribute to Canadian soldiers
Posted Jan 8, 2010

Jeff Maguire, Arnprior EMC
SingerEMC Entertainment

Breanne Lawrenson recorded her first album when she was just 15 and she has been working hard to build a career in the music business ever since.

Recently the Carleton Place area resident, with major assistance from Algonquin College in Ottawa, released a DVD of a popular song as a tribute to Canadian troops and in particular those serving in Afghanistan.

Lawrenson (she prefers to be called "Brea") is not seeking to capitalize on the wave of patriotism surrounding Canada's mission in the war-torn Asian nation which has sparked a number of musical tributes from musicians across the country. Her tribute is a very personal one!

"My cousin Matthew Bradley served with the Canadian Army in Afghanistan," Lawrenson says.

Bradley, 28, hails from Brantford, Ontario, the hometown of hockey great Wayne Gretzky.

Until relatively recently the cousins had only met once.

"I met Matt at my grandma's funeral when I was very young," the now 23-year-old singer/songwriter/musician explains.

"We hadn't been close because we really didn't know each other," she says.

Incredibly it was the Internet that re-acquainted the family members a couple of years ago.

"We found each other again on MySpace (the social networking website)," Lawrenson says, flashing a wide smile.

Bradley, now a soldier in the Canadian Army, had come across some of his cousin's music while surfing the web.

In his first tentative message to Lawrenson on MySpace, Bradley said, "I think we are cousins?"

That computer contact opened the door. The cousins have since become close!

In fact when Bradley's unit departed from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in September 2008, Lawrenson and her mother Cheryl were among family and friends who bade him an emotional farewell.

Fortunately he safely completed his tour of duty, returning home in May of this year.

More than 130 of his fellow soldiers have not been as fortunate. They have been killed while on duty in the country since the Canadian mission there first began in 2002.

Matt was married in Brantford in August of this year. Brea Lawrenson was among those who attended the happy occasion.

The rekindled relationship with her cousin is what moved the entertainer to pay tribute to all of Canada's troops.

She thought her 2007 hit song 'If I'm Not Here Tomorrow' was a perfect fit for the project.

Through a professor friend at Algonquin College she was directed to the Television and Broadcasting Department, part of the media studies section at Ottawa's community college.

DVD FILMED

Tess Porter, who taught Lawrenson during her tenure in the Police Foundation Program at the college, was convinced broadcast staff and students would be interested in the DVD plan.

She was right!

Christine Tannis, a student in the department, headed up the DVD project.

Filming was done on the grounds of the Royal Military College in Kingston this past May.

The video was released during the United Way of Ottawa kick-off breakfast held at Algonquin College's Woodroffe Campus on Sept. 29.

Lawrenson beams when she says the music video prompted "a standing ovation" from the 500 people in attendance.

"Since the release at the United Way we were contacted by CFRT (Canadian Forces Radio and Television) who requested permission to air the video on Remembrance Day."

If I'm Not Here Tomorrow was broadcast Nov. 11 across the entire CFRT network, including to troops stationed at Kandahar Air Base (the Canadian headquarters) in southern Afghanistan.

"General Rick Hillier (the recently retired commander of all Canadian Forces) also saw the video," Lawrenson notes. "He has expressed an interest in showing it at upcoming speaking engagements - whenever he feels it is appropriate."

Hillier is currently promoting a book on his life in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The DVD proved to be a personal triumph for student producer Tannis. She won the award as "Producer of the Year" at the school for her work on the video project.

As for the song itself, If I'm Not Here Tomorrow was named 'Best Song of the Month' by world-recognized Songwriter Universe Magazine in November 2007.

"I'm really excited and pleased about the recognition," Lawrenson told the EMC in an interview done at that time.

The song was released as part of her third album, a 16-song compact disc (CD) entitled 'No Regrets' which Lawrenson released independently in June 2007. The CD quickly sold more than 2,000 units and gave the young singer's career a major shot in the arm.

"It (If I'm Not Here Tomorrow) got a lot of radio airplay. That is still a big objective for me - getting radio airplay. It is very important," Lawrenson said in an interview two weeks ago.

Songwriter Universe Magazine described the song as "a heartfelt, graceful ballad, which has a beautiful pop/AC melody.

"This recording provides a terrific showcase for Lawrenson's clear, passionate vocals," the magazine writer stated.

Obviously Lawrenson herself was very pleased with that praise. She is also gratified with the additional exposure the DVD has provided.

But the project, which was filmed free courtesy of the Algonquin program, is not a money marker. It is available free of charge!

Lawrenson says her aim was to highlight the often unheralded efforts of Canadian troops and particularly those, like her cousin Matt, who are or have served during the controversial and dangerous Afghan mission.

She is acutely aware of the personal sacrifice involved which is underlined by the deaths of so many Canadians during the war in Afghanistan.

"It was nice to be able to highlight the work and the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers," she says.

VIDEO AVAILABLE

As mentioned the video 'If I'm Not Here Tomorrow' is free and is available from the singer/songwriter's website: www.brealawrenson.com

It can also be found on the Internet through YouTube under the search name 'Brea Lawrenson'.

"People can contact us through the website to request hard copies of the DVD for shipping and handling charges only," she notes.

Lawrenson, who began taking singing lessons at age eight and signed with a talent agency at the tender age of 12, is continuing her attempt to build a career in the music industry.

She has written songs for many years but more recently has, through the patience and commitment of her musician brother Sean Lawrenson, learned to play the guitar.

She says that becoming a musician has made her much more versatile and enables her to perform solo on the eastern Ontario pub circuit, something she does regularly to supplement her income.

"Before I learned to play the guitar I was just a vocalist."

Lawrenson is currently employed by the Musicians' Association (musicians' union) in the Ottawa office.

She says the association "has been very good to me."

They give her the leeway necessary to continue working in the music business. She is currently recording her fourth album. That project, an anti-bullying program she (and a friend) are the spokespersons for and her career in general will be highlighted in an upcoming feature in the EMC. Watch for it early in the New Year!

Lawrenson admits she is still looking for "my big break" although she is philosophical about that - realistic in fact.

"I'm not worrying about it, although obviously I would like that.

"The one thing I have realized is that no matter what happens music will always be something I will do."
- Jeff Maguire - Arnprior EMC News


"Making music for the troops"

Published: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 by Cheryl Stornelli
_______________________________

Matthew Bradley knew there was a reason he discovered his long-lost cousin a few years ago.

Surfing the Internet in his Brantford home, Bradley discovered a MySpace friend invitation from Breanne Lawrenson, a now 23-year-old musician living in the Carlton Place area of Ottawa.

Recognizing the familiar name, Bradley didn’t hesitate to respond to the request with a message.

“I sent her a message saying that I thought we were cousins,” Bradley said. “A couple of weeks later, she replied and we realized that we in fact were. We hadn’t seen each other in about 12 to 15 years.”

Shortly after the cousins reconnected, Lawrenson was offered the opportunity to film a music video for her song If I’m Not Here Tomorrow.

Knowing the lyrics were fitting to a situation where someone leaves loved ones behind, she outlined a theme for the video based on Bradley, who was preparing to leave for Afghanistan with the Canadian Armed Forces.

In the military for 12 years as a part-time reservist, Bradley had been waiting for his opportunity to go overseas. He served in Afghanistan from September 2008 to May 2009.

After seeing Bradley off from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Lawrenson used the emotional goodbye as inspiration to tell a story familiar to military families across the country. Filmed in Kingston, the video includes scenes of army equipment and troops training for combat.

“It was a big experience to see Matt off and it was really emotional,” Lawrenson said. “I thought it was a good idea to tell that story because it was life altering for me and made the war a lot more personal.”

Since she finished the music video, some army officials in Petawawa have been showing it during public speaking engagements. Bradley hopes the video will bring good things to Lawrenson.

“I hope something good comes out of it for her,” Bradley said. “She’s a great musician and a great person. I think I did something good by going overseas and giving back to Canada. I’m sure Breanne wanted to give back as well in her own way.”

Lawrenson said she hopes the video helps open up an opportunity to someday perform overseas. She is currently employed by the Musician’s Association of Ottawa, where she is pursuing a career in music.

“It would be scary to perform in Afghanistan, but I want to do more for the military,” Lawrenson said. “They’ve given me a lot of support. It would be a good experience.”

- The Brant News


"Area's Brea Lawrenson hopes to achieve success in country music, musician serves as spokesperson for Red Cross anti-bullying campaign"

By JEFF MAGUIRE

EMC Entertainment - No one ever said it would be easy! But Brea Lawrenson has reason to believe her decision to focus on country music will eventually pay off.

The young Carleton Place-based singer/songwriter/musician says she has always loved music - all kinds of music. That fact is underlined when you consider Lawrenson, who recently turned 23, recorded her first album when she was just 15.

Despite the setbacks which afflict virtually everyone who attempts to break into the highly competitive entertainment industry, she has never given up.

A few years ago she shifted gears and decided the country music genre was the right direction for her.

Now with the assistance of Keith Glass, one of three founding members of the award-winning Canadian country group Prairie Oyster (they made a brief splash in the U.S. market in the early 1990s), she is in the process of recording her fourth album. Lawrenson's as yet untitled compact disc (CD) is being produced in the Perth studio operated by Glass. He has settled in the Perth area and still performs solo, including an appearance at the 'Riverside Jam on the Mississippi' in Carleton Place this past Aug. 1. The Jam, a popular country music festival, marked its sixth anniversary in 2009.

"I met Keith at the Jam," Lawrenson says.

"He likes my new stuff," she told the EMC in a pre-Christmas interview.

"I wrote the songs myself (she now focuses heavily on song writing) and I think it is quite different.

"Keith is taking my songs and he's developing the music. He is taking my music to a new level.

"I think Keith is making it really professional and edgy."

Lawrenson describes herself as being "still at the amateur level" when it comes to developing music and is clearly appreciative of the support of someone with Glass's credentials.

As for her compositions they are anything but amateur!

The young performer's song 'If I'm Not Here Tomorrow' was named "Best Song of the Month" by world-recognized Songwriter Universe Magazine in November 2007.

"I'm really excited and pleased about the recognition," Lawrenson said in an interview at the time.

The song was part of her third album, a 16-song compact disc (CD) entitled 'No Regrets' which she released independently in June 2007. The CD quickly sold more than 2,000 units and gave her career a major shot in the arm.

"It (If I'm Not Here Tomorrow) got a lot of radio airplay. That is still a big objective for me - getting radio airplay. It is very important," Lawrenson says.

ENGLAND SESSION

If I'm Not Here Tomorrow was originally recorded at a studio in Stoke-on-Trent (in west-central England) in November 2006 during a period when Lawrenson was collaborating with Ottawa songwriter Joe Turner. The pair co-wrote 12 of the 16 songs on her 'No Regrets' CD. Turner also produced the album, along with her 2002 CD 'Live No Lies'.

If I'm Not Here Tomorrow was produced by British producer/engineer Stuart Epps who has worked with such notables as Elton John and British super groups Oasis and Led Zeppelin.

More recently the song became the centrepiece for a DVD, featuring Lawrenson, which was produced as a tribute to Canadian troops and in particular those serving in Afghanistan.

The tribute is a very personal one! Her cousin Matthew Bradley of Brantford, Ontario, a soldier in the Canadian Army, returned in May after completing a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

As of last week 140 Canadians, including 138 of Bradley's fellow soldiers, had died while serving in the war-torn Asian nation since Canada's mission there began in 2002.

The DVD, which was the subject of a recent feature in the EMC, was produced by the Television and Broadcasting Department, part of the media studies section at Ottawa's Algonquin college.

Tess Porter, who taught Lawrenson during her tenure in the Police Foundation Program at Algonquin, was convinced broadcast staff and students would be interested in the DVD plan.

The 'If I'm Not Here Tomorrow' DVD was filmed on the grounds of the Royal Military College in Kingston this past May.

The video was released during the United Way of Ottawa kick-off breakfast held at Algonquin College's Woodroffe Campus on Sept. 29.

Lawrenson beams when she says the music video prompted "a standing ovation" from the 500 people in attendance.

"Since the release at the United Way we were contacted by CFRT (Canadian Forces Radio and Television) who requested permission to air the video on Remembrance Day."

If I'm Not Here Tomorrow was broadcast Nov. 11 across the entire CFRT network, including to troops stationed at Kandahar Air Base (the Canadian headquarters) in southern Afghanistan.

In addition Algonquin student Christine Tannis, who headed up the DVD project, won the award as "Producer of the Year" at the school for her work on the project.

Obviously Lawrenson is pleased with the entire project and gratified with the additional exposure the DVD has provided.

The video, which was filmed free courtesy of the Algonquin program, is not a money maker. It is available free of charge!

She says her aim was to highlight the often unheralded efforts of Canadian troops and particularly those, like her cousin Matt, who are or have served during the controversial and dangerous Afghan mission.

REGULAR JOB

At this stage music isn't providing enough money to keep Lawrenson working full-time in the business.

She is currently employed by the Musicians' Association (musicians' union) in the Ottawa office.

She says the association "has been very good to me."

They give her the leeway necessary to continue working in the music business.

She has also been able to continue as co-spokesperson for an anti-bullying program run by the Regina-based Canadian Red Cross.

Beginning four years ago she and close friend (and fellow musician) Braiden Turner began touring western Canadian centres using Lawrenson's song 'Black and Purple' to highlight the anti-bullying initiative. Turner, from Barrhaven, is the daughter of song writer/producer Joe Turner. The young ladies have also collaborated in terms of writing and recording songs.

This fall they undertook another two-week tour of centres in Saskatchewan and Alberta on behalf of the Red Cross. They have also visited British Columbia previously as part of the same program.

Lawrenson is passionate about her efforts to highlight and help prevent the problem of bullying and more serious issues (including suicide) which sometimes go hand-in-hand with the situation.

Again, it is something she can relate to. Lawrenson herself experienced bullying as a youngster.

"We (she and Braiden) relate to it because we both had issues in school.

"I was petite and she (Turner) was really tall.

"We know how hard it can be."

She says most of her issues occurred when she was in elementary school. "After age 15 I was fine."

Now she is working with students who are experiencing the same kinds of issues.

"We (she and Turner) do great shows together.

"We perform music and tell them (students) about our own experiences.

"We are young people talking to young people - and they love it. They can relate to it (real life stories and music)," she says, flashing a broad smile.

Turning serious she adds, "Some kids don't realize they are contributing to the (bullying) problem."

Following performances in schools across western Canada, they engage in question and answer sessions.

"We have learned so much ourselves," Lawrenson notes.

She is proud that "we are doing something about it" and says being on "the prevention side" is very rewarding.

In terms of her love for music, Lawrenson says "that comes from my Dad's side of the family."

Her father Mark lives in Perth.

She resides with her mother Cheryl near Carleton Place and says, "My Mom is just so supportive.

"It's because of my Mom that I have come so far with my music. She has sacrificed a lot for me."

MUSICIAN

Her musician brother Sean Lawrenson also comes in for high praise. The siblings are very close and she credits him with helping her master the guitar, something which has really expanded her own musical horizons.

"My Dad played the guitar and there was always a guitar in our house. But I didn't learn to play until much later.

"Before I always had to find someone to back me up and that is hard sometimes."

She says becoming a musician has made her more versatile. It enables her to perform solo on the eastern Ontario pub circuit, something she does regularly to supplement her income.

"Before I learned to play the guitar I was just a vocalist. But I can hold my own now," she chuckles.

"Sean and I even do some acoustic shows together."

Lawrenson began taking singing lessons at age eight and signed with a talent agency at the tender age of 12. She won a number of talent competitions over the years, including a prestigious award at the Montreal Music Festival.

She has had a number of mentors including Turner's father Joe, retired Ottawa police sergeant Dominic D'Arcy, well known in eastern Ontario as "The Singing Policeman", Robin Moir (a Juno Award nominee during her own singing career) and Ottawa Valley country music icon Barry Brown, formerly of the award-winning Family Brown.

At the tender age of 23 Lawrenson qualifies as a music veteran. However, commercial success continues to elude her.

"As a musician you grow. Making good music is the goal, not performing one particular genre."

She says people tried to put her previous album (No Regrets) "in one category or another.

"My songs are not all country. But different people interpret it (music) different ways."

Country music has obviously changed in recent years and it was that change which attracted Lawrenson. The bright lights of Nashville, the world's country music capital, beckon.

"I would love to go to Nashville," Lawrenson gushed in previous interviews with the EMC.

Now, thanks in part to a local connection, the lights of the famous Tennessee city appear to be burning a little brighter for her.

Lawrenson's hometown Carleton Place is twinned with the city of Franklin, Tennessee, located just 15 miles south of Nashville.

Recently a Carleton Place person who is involved in the 'Sister City' program put Lawrenson in touch with a friend in Franklin who is involved in the entertainment business in Nashville.

A management firm in "Music City USA" is now consulting with Lawrenson about her future.

"It looks like it is going to be a great year," the excited musician said last week.

Although freely admitting she is hoping for "my big break" she remains philosophical about it.

"It will happen if it is supposed to happen," she states.

"It (music industry) is a weird business to understand."

She continues to work to build her own following and performs on the pub and club circuit in Ottawa, Carleton Place and eastern Ontario.

Last spring she and her mother traveled to England to visit a cousin who is teaching at a school just outside London. During the visit she was persuaded to give an impromptu performance at a local pub. A video clip from the session ended up on YouTube.

For information on Lawrenson's upcoming shows, as well as how to obtain the military tribute DVD, visit her website: www.brealawrenson.com

Local people who wish to see Brea perform can do so on Saturday, Feb. 6 when she is scheduled to play at St. James Gate Irish Restaurant and Pub on Bridge Street in Carleton Place from 8-10 p.m.

- Carleton Place EMC News


Discography

CD "Live No Lies" 2003
CD/DVD "Ready To Fly" 2006
CD "no regrets" 2007
"First day of School" First single to radio July/07
"I'm Worth It " Single to Radio Jan/08
"If I'm Not Here Tomorrow" June 2009

See "If I'm Not Here Tomorrow" Video on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARIJCIYfqQ

Photos

Bio

Brea Lawrenson Biography

Brea is a young Canadian artist whose body of work reflects her personal search for meaning. Try to mesh country, pop and a little rock, and you'll have an inkling of this young lady's style.
She is recording her upcoming CD with Juno Award Winner Keith Glass.
Her extraordinary vocals, her passion and her unique writing style put her in a class all her own. During her career she has gained a loyal following of fans that identify with the things that have become important to her. As the National Spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross - RespectEd program, Brea tours western Canada each fall, performing and speaking to students in schools about the affects of bullying.

Oct. 2012
Very Excited and proud to announce that Next Big Thing Entertainment in Nashville has officially taken me on, as an artist, under their wing!! I can't wait to see what is in store for us together and I couldn't be more thankful to start this new journey with them by my side in the music industry.


Brea completed another video for her song "If I'm Not Here Tomorrow" and dedicated it to Military Men and Women everywhere, with the greatest respect. It can be viewed on her websites as well as on Youtube.