Interview: Bobby Lawrence
Georgia-based songwriter and recording artist Bobby Lawrence talks to Louder Than The Music about the inspiration behind his music, including his latest single 'Rock Bottom Has A Basement'.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
Music has always been a passion of mine. Most people know me as a preacher, and I've spent many years sharing the Gospel and ministering to people from all walks of life. Along the way, I began to realize that music has a unique ability to reach people in ways that even a sermon sometimes cannot. A song can get past people's defenses, speak directly to the heart, and stay with them long after it's over.
Throughout my life, there have been songs that deeply influenced me, encouraged me, and helped shape who I am. That made me start thinking: instead of preaching for thirty or forty-five minutes, what if I could tell a story in three or four minutes? What if I could share real experiences from my own life through music and connect with people in a different way?
Many of the songs I write are based on true stories and personal experiences—the victories, the struggles, the heartbreaks, and the lessons I've learned along the way. Songwriting became another way for me to communicate hope, faith, and perseverance. In many ways, it's an extension of the same calling I've always had: reaching people with a message that can encourage them and help them through life's journey.
Tell us about your new single "Rock Bottom Has a Basement" and what the inspiration behind it was.
"Rock Bottom Has a Basement" comes from a very real and very personal place. Most of us have heard the phrase "hitting rock bottom," but sometimes life teaches you that there are depths below what you thought was the bottom.
This song was born out of one of the darkest seasons of my life. When I thought things couldn't possibly get any worse, they did. I found myself at the end of my rope, with nowhere left to turn. It was what I often call the time when my nothing ran out. I had exhausted every resource, every plan, and every bit of strength I thought I had.
But what makes this song special isn't just the struggle-it's what happened afterward. The song tells the story of God's grace and mercy meeting me in that pit. When I couldn't climb out on my own, He reached down and pulled me out of the ditch I was in. It's a reminder that even when life takes you lower than you ever imagined possible, God is still there. His grace is greater than our failures, and His mercy reaches deeper than our darkest valleys.
At its heart, "Rock Bottom Has a Basement" is a song of hope. It's for anyone who feels like they've lost everything, anyone who feels forgotten, and anyone wondering if they can make it another day. I've been there, and I want people to know that there is still hope, even when you think you've reached the bottom.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Absolutely. I've already released other songs, and I have many more on the way. Songwriting has become an important part of my life, and over the years I've written more than 150 songs. Many of them are based on true stories and personal experiences-some from seasons of struggle, some from seasons of blessing, and all of them shaped by the lessons I've learned along the way.
My next release will likely be a song called "I Walked Into That One." Much like "Rock Bottom Has a Basement," it's rooted in a true story from my own life. The song reflects on some difficult experiences and the consequences of choices we make, while also highlighting God's grace and faithfulness through it all.
I'm excited about what's ahead because I feel like I'm just getting started. There are still many songs in my catalog that haven't been released yet, and I look forward to sharing them in the months and years ahead. My hope is that each song will connect with people on a personal level and remind them that they're not alone in their struggles, their questions, or their journey.
With more than 150 songs written, I believe there are many stories still waiting to be told, and I'm looking forward to bringing those stories to life through future releases.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I want people to know they're not alone. Life can be difficult, and everyone faces struggles, disappointments, and setbacks. If my music can encourage someone to keep going, find hope, or realize that their story isn't over, then I've accomplished something meaningful.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
That's actually a difficult question for me because I don't really fit neatly into one category. I love all kinds of music. I've written country songs, gospel songs, rock songs, and even songs with R&B influences. I also love acoustic music and simple storytelling songs. So if I had to describe my style, I'd say it's honest, story-driven music that draws from a variety of genres rather than being confined to just one.
I've been influenced by so many incredible artists over the years. I love the honesty and soul of Ray Charles. The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd had a way of telling stories and creating music that felt real and authentic. Elvis Presley was one of the greatest performers to ever step on a stage, and Michael Jackson's creativity and ability to connect with people was remarkable. I also love artists like Conway Twitty, who could tell a story and make you feel every word.
Honestly, we've been blessed in America to have some of the greatest singers, musicians, and songwriters the world has ever known. My father was a radio DJ for a time, so music was always around me growing up. I was exposed to a wide variety of artists and styles from an early age. Later, working construction, there was always a radio playing on the job site, so music became the soundtrack of my life. Looking back, music has always been a part of who I am, and those influences naturally found their way into my songwriting.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Rather than talking about someone I wish I could work with, I'd rather mention some of the talented people I'm already blessed to be working with.
One of those is Vicki Lynn, and I've really enjoyed the songs we've worked on together. She's a gifted songwriter and artist, and she comes from a family with a rich songwriting heritage. Working with her has been both enjoyable and inspiring, and I appreciate the creativity and experience she brings to every project.
More recently, I've started collaborating with Daryl Boyer, and I'm excited about the possibilities ahead. We're still in the early stages of working together, but I've already been impressed by his talent, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective. Sometimes you meet someone and immediately sense there is potential to create something special, and I'm looking forward to seeing where that collaboration leads.
I've always admired songwriters who write from the heart-songs about life, faith, struggle, redemption, love, and loss. Those are the songs that stay with people long after the music stops. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to work alongside gifted writers like Vicki and Daryl, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success isn't measured by charts, streams, awards, or record sales. Those things may be nice, but that's not how I measure success.
As a preacher, I've always believed that the greatest success in life is helping people find Christ and encouraging them to walk closer with Him. The Bible says in Daniel 12:3 that those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. To me, that's real success.
If a song I've written helps lead someone to Christ, encourages them through a difficult season, strengthens their faith, or helps them take one more step in their walk with God, then I've accomplished something worthwhile. If a person hears one of my songs and finds hope when they were ready to give up, then that's success.
At the end of the day, success isn't about how many people know my name. It's about whether I've made a positive difference in people's lives and whether I've used the gifts God gave me to point others toward Him. That's the measure of success that matters most to me.
What is your favorite album of all time?
That's a very hard question for me to answer because my tastes are all over the place. If I had to narrow it down, it would probably be something from Conway Twitty or Ray Charles. Both of them had a way of making you believe every word they sang. There was an honesty and authenticity in their music that has always resonated with me.
The truth is, my favorite album would probably depend on what day you asked me. There are so many great artists and great records that it's almost impossible for me to pick just one. But if you put me on the spot, I'd probably start looking somewhere in the Conway Twitty or Ray Charles catalog.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
That's an easy one for me-"What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.
I've always loved that song. There's something timeless about it. Every time I hear it, it reminds me to slow down and appreciate the simple things that God has given us-the trees, the sky, the people we love, and the beauty that's all around us.
I know it's not considered a Christian song, but in many ways it could be. It reminds us to be thankful and to see the good in the world, even when life gets difficult. That's a message I think we all need from time to time.
So if I'm stranded on an island with one song left to hear, that's probably the one I'm choosing.
What does the next year hold for you?
Lord willing, the next year will be busy. I hope to continue writing, recording, and releasing music. I've got over 150 songs in my catalog, and many of them are still waiting to be heard. I'm excited to see where this musical journey leads and to continue sharing stories through song.
But music is only part of what I do. I'm also the founder of Anchor Ministries, Inc. in Cartersville, Georgia. For years we've been setting up tents, cooking fish fries and barbecues, serving our communities, and sharing the Gospel with people from all walks of life. We also operate out of The Hub in downtown Cartersville, where we minister to people in practical ways through meals, fellowship, encouragement, and prayer.
I also hope to have opportunities to speak at churches, men's groups, recovery programs, conferences, and community events. Some of the greatest joys in my life have come from sharing my testimony and watching God use my mistakes, struggles, and experiences to help someone else. If my story can encourage a person not to give up, then it's worth telling.
Whether it's through a song, a sermon, a testimony, or a conversation across a table, my goal remains the same: to point people toward hope and toward Christ.
So what does the next year hold? Only God knows for sure. But if He opens the doors, I'll keep walking through them. And if you're reading this, perhaps our paths will cross someday at a church, a men's gathering, a recovery program, a community event, or under a tent somewhere. Until then, I'll keep doing my best to share the hope that God has shared with me.
