Derryck Lawrence { AkA Ear Candy}

Enter to Santana's " Oye Como Va" with bassist Robin Martinez on vocals. This was the final song in a Santanathon, according to my table mates. The rest of the set was a funkfest that had the dancefloor packed with Billings boogiers and the notorious Disco Doctor.

Mike Nordquist had replace Clay Green on drums and Robin Martinez's brother Lance sat in on guitar. While the band sounded good, I sensed a bit of tension on stage during Lenny Kravitz's " Fly Away." Lawrence announced that this was his touring band, but time will tell, since guitarist Marco Castro Should be joining his other band Grudge on tour soon.

As for the Carlin itself, renovations are under way for the new bistro going in. It may be a few months until the opening, but it should be a nice addition. As for the club itself, it has become a bit smaller with less seating , but the soundboard will eventually move to make room for more table.

The Carlin hopping contrast to Casey's empty tables Friday night was manly due to Derryck Lawrence. His song selection, augmented by his showmanship, fills the place consistently. Casey's should try and book this guy. He and Jared Stewart continue to draw the biggest crowds in the Northewest region.

By Scot Prinzing - The Outpost ( In Tune)

When I first heard Derryck Lawrence at the Carlin a few months ago, I was under the somwhat false impression that I was in for an evening of reggae, but it did not dominate the set. Instead, there was a mixed of reggae, modern rock and '70s funk. I could only stay for one set, so I wanted to give him another chance.

Again, last Friday night I was only able to make it for one set and was a little disappointed that only one reggae song.UB40's version of "Red Red Wine," made it in the set. The Rest of the set consisted of a Lenny Kravitz song, two recent Santana songs and the Commodores" funk favorite " Brick House."

After three sets Saturday night I was plenty satisfield. Reggae made up about a third of the material-mostly Marley ( " Kinky Reggae," Jamming," "Waiting In Van"), a few that I was unfamiliar with and a reprise of the UB40 song. In addition to the newer Santana there was a flashback to 1970 with Evil Ways."

When the second set started , the dance floor was filled and stayed that way the rest of the night. Kicking off with "Brick House," Lawrence and his band played a funkfest with Kool and the Gang's " Jungle Boogie" and " Fire" by the Ohio Players before Montel Jordon's " This Is How We Do It " brought all the two-steppin" couples on the floor. The rest of the set was a reggae medley- a little bit of something for everyone.

Lawrence introduced his band as Ear Candy. His long- time friend and Music Director Robin Martinez has been laying donw his funky bass lines with Lawrence from day one.

Lawrence may soon become another success story. He travels between Montana and Las Vegas where he's performed at the house of blues. A gig performing a Luther Vandross tribute show for Premier Cruise Lines hints at his vocal abilities. Next month Lawrence travels back to a casino somewhere in (Utah?). We'll be lucky if he returns to Montana from time to time.

( Scoot Prinzing ) - The Outpost ( In Tune)

After spending several months performing in Hawaii and on cruise ships, Derryck Lawrence is back in town. He is regrouping his band Ear Candy - know for dancable covers of funk, reggae and Santana Favorite.

Returning to the stage this weekend at Sufer Joe's will be guitarist Marco Castro, Bassist and Music Director Robin Martinez and dummer Clay Green. Keyboardist Russ Mummy (2001 Tuney winner) will be joining them for future gigs as well.

Lawrence also plans to put together a Motown revue with three other male vocalist. That type of show is very popular in other parts of the country and hasn't been done in Montana that I've ever heard of. A group in Portland, OR. called Five Guys Named Mo' (not the touring show that was at the ABT a few years back) did Montown sounds as was always in demand.

Since Lawrence seems to be able to keep two or three musical combos juggled at a time, this shouldn't be anything too unusual for him to pull off.

(Scott Prinzing) - In Tune

Keepin’ it funky at the Den

After the symphony, I dropped in to catch a bit of a new band at the Den at West Park Plaza. It was a new band with a new name, but familiar players.

Derryck Lawrence was singing soulfully and playing percussion, Marco Castro was playing some slinky guitar, Clay Green was playing funky beats on a four-piece drum kit, and Scott Morales was snappin’ and poppin’ a five-string bass.

You may recognize the first three of those members from a few years of drawing lots of dancers as Ear Candy. The last three currently play in the Bozeman-based band, Big Caboose and the Soul Penetrators. But in that band, Morales plays keyboards.

This band is destined to be a top draw for dancers in Billings. They play classic funk like the Commodores’ “Brick House” and Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and slow dancing soul like Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.”

They plan to play about one weekend a month at the Den. The name? As of presstime they were still undecided, so stay tuned.

You can find out more about what all Derryck Lawrence – the solo artist – has been up to on his page at www.myspace.com/derrycklawrence.

- Scott Prinzing

After the ballet, I went to the Den at West Park Plaza to catch a set by Primal Nation, Billings’ relatively new funk rock band that has finally settled on a name.

Guitarist Marco Castro, drummer Clay Green, and bassist Scott Morales play together in the Bozeman-based R ‘n’ B band, Big Caboose and the Soul Penetrators. Morales is the keyboardist in that band, but he had been honing his bass chops for a while and was looking for an outlet. The three put a trio together and recruited Derryck Lawrence, frontman for Ear Candy (Castro and Green are both past members), and have begun playing regularly in Billings, Bozeman and Red Lodge.

I caught them at the Den a few months ago, so I knew what I was getting myself in for. They play a mix of ’60s through ’80s funk, rock and reggae, with a metal edge. Castro, who is known to many as the founding, double-bass pounding drummer for the metal band Grudge, brings the metal with his shredding guitar solos on songs by the Doobie Brothers, Al Green, Bob Marley, The Police, Steely Dan and Sly and the Family Stone.

The big surprise last weekend was their version of “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses. Not only did Lawrence do an impressive Axl Rose squeal, he even threw in a few of his snake dance moves for laughs. It was a lot of fun, not to mention really rockin’.
- Scott Prinzing (Out Post)

Dear Agent,

One can only imagine that this is the type of correspondence that you receive from each of the location where your artist; Derryck Lawrence has performed as "Luther Vandross." In which he is a principal character, has been a tremendous success on borad the Permier Cruise Line Vessels. Derryck Lawrence's Salute to Luther Vandross and the music of Mr Marcus Miller continues to be one of our cruise guests favorite show. It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Lawrence, as well as enjoying the music presentend by Mr. Lawrence. I can only say that when and where ever Derryck Lawrence performs the audience can expect nothing less then a great performance !!

Mr. Jim Flynn
Director, Passenger Programming
- Premier Cruise Line

Derryck Lawrence and his band " Ear Candy" has performed in our Grand Ball Room several times this past year. He has a great rapport with the guest and is able to adapt to the type of music that the crowd responds best to. Derryck Lawrence is very versatile, he able to go from slow music to snappy dance tunes ending with a heart stopping tribute to the great Mr Luther Vandross with ease.

We took our needs to Mr. Lawrence and explained what we would like to see happen in our ball room. Derryck Lawrence worked with it and mad it happen. Derryck is very open to suggestion and willing to adapt to fit the needs of the business as well as to accommodate late minute changes.

I would recommend Derryck Lawrence and his band " Ear Candy" to perform and / or entertain almost any group.

Lynnette Baisch
Entertainment Dircetor
- Holiday Inn Plaza ( Honnolulu HI.)

On May 2. 2002, Actor, Jazz and Neo-Soul Vocalist Derryck Lawrence, Proved to thousands of audience members and12 stoned faced judge:s that he was the next undiscoverered talent in the music, TV and film industry.
- American Modeling & Talent Convention

Primal Nation: The 2006 Inside Montana Tour

Snow Creek- Red Lodge
New Years Weekend, Feb 24-25 Winter Festival

The Den - Billings
Jan. 13 -14, Jan. 27th, Feb 10th

The Traxx - Billings
Jan. 28th , Feb. 11th

Baxter Hotel - Bozeman
Thr. Jan. 12th ,Tue. Feb. 14, Sat. Feb. 18

Chico Hot Springs
Mar. 24 - 25

By Steve Wagner

Hey baby… there’s a new sound comin’ round, and they got the flava you been waitin’ for! Their name… Primal Nation, and they are sizzlin’. Several of the dudes are from around Bozeman and hail most recently from The Big Caboose and the Soul Penetrators . Those illustrious members include Scottie Morales, Marco Castro and Clay Green. If you’ve seen Big Caboose you’ll recognize Scottie, he is the Big Caboose and plays keyboards, though I think Big Locomotive fits him better… he’s a “Brick House”, that boy. He used to play with OTeil Burbridge, but has been with BC and the Soul Penetrators for the last nine years. Then there’s Clay Green on drums, or as Scottie put it “the Wop in the Middle”, he played drums with Rob Cliff and toured all over, including Japan. He also played with Soul Brat and Rob and Lee Kohler. Next is the newest addition to BC, Marco Castro, now the lead guitarist for Primal Nation. He opened for Judas Priest and co-wrote all of their music and was the drummer for Grudge. He’s an awesome drummer, but his true love is guitar, and that boy can make it smoke!

These three had talked about starting a new group for quite some time, and all agreed ; they had to get Derryk Lawrence to complete the flava of the group by throwing some Mocha into the mix. Derryk is a brother from Indianapolis who sports those dreaded dreads and sings like a rasta mon. He has performed in Las Vegas with the likes of Patti LaBelle, The 4 Tops and Kool And The Gang just to new a few. He comes highly touted having the #4 single on the charts in Montana- Like This. He’s got a huge voice and plays percussion with panache when he’s not laying down some funk or reggae. Bottom line… you simply have got to catch this act! If you can get to Billings, they’ll be at Hooligans on December 17th… then on the 23rd, they make their debut performance in Bozeman at The Robin… so give yourself an early Holiday gift and be there! I’ll be there with my girl. Just tell’em you came to pay homage and there’ll be no charge. Now, now, don’t get confused … the doorman is not named homage!

t - The Out Post