The Doo What Hall of Fame?

Jerry spent 40 years trying to correct the mis-labeling of The Persuasions. They were never a Doo Wop group. But when they first started out A Cappella was not a familiar word even to well seasoned journalists. So reviewers figured 5 Black guys harmonizing must be Doo Wop. And of course this label stuck and was perpetuated through 40 years.

Jerry has nothing against the great Doo Wop genre he just wanted the facts to be correct. He was an A Cappella artist who alone was carrying the A Cappella torch and keeping the dying art of A Cappella alive until later when Sweet Honey In The Rock, Rockappella,The Bobs and other groups began emerging and gaining some attention.

Jerry was emphatic with his booking agents and insisted on having them turn down all offers to perform or participate in any Doo Wop shows. He felt that would be the death of The Persuasions if they were to get boxed in like that and forever be known as an "Oldies" group which of course they were not.

The difference between Doo Wop and The Persuasions? Doo Wop music was specific to the 1950's and early 1960's. By the time The Persuasions began recording in 1970 Doo Wop was already considered "Oldies". Also Doo Wop was performed with or without instruments. A Cappella means NEVER any instruments.

The Persuasions may have included a few Doo Wop songs in their act but the majority of their repertoire was contemporary. Jerry's musical background was so eclectic from being exposed to the music in his uncle's juke joint in the South and spending the summers of his youth in Philadelphia. He covered the legends like Brook Benton, Roy Hamilton, Sam Cooke, Jerry Butler to James Taylor, The Oakridge Boys, The Partridge Family, Zappa, The Grateful Dead and on and on. None of which was Doo Wop. And like Jerry will tell you "Ya can't Doo Wop "The Lord's Prayer"

Jerry left The Persuasions in 2003. Then in 2009 it was brought to Jerry's attention only after the fact that the remaining Persuasions had accepted an invitation to perform and be inducted into "The Doo Wopp Hall of Fame of America" His comrades of 40 years never informed the president of this organization that their lead singer, arranger and producer should be included. Did Jerry care? Not really since he never wanted to be known as a Doo Wop/Oldies group. However he was surprised that the Hall of Fame had no idea who he was or that he was even alive. When the president of the Hall of Fame realized his oversight he insisted that Jerry be honored at the 2010 award show at Symphony Hall in Boston. At first Jerry struggled with this decision but in the end he felt that having his 40 years of contributions be acknowledged was very significant. During the ceremony the president Harvey Robbins eloquently and with great passion respectfully stated that there would be no A Cappella music today if not for Jerry Lawson's Persuasions.

Here are the links to that ceremony. We hope you enjoy it and share them.

Part 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUlJ8xeV4EA&feature=related

Part 2:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9LypcitWDo