LATEST NEWS
New Demo: “Thru the Grace of God”
3.20.24 - In the most dire of times, when life is much less than kind, and all seems unraveled and frayed in depths of our souls there is a place we can go sent from heaven above. We will find our way thru the grace of God.
New Demo: “I Got You”
2.14.24 - Time for that sappy love song to my wonderful wife of 40 years. We have been so blessed with the perfect “life-time guaranty”.
New Demo: “Am I Ready for Love”
12.7.23 - Every once in a while, I write a song that really doesn’t have anything to do with my life, but rather, a random thought. I am sure this situation has occurred to someone out there. Essentially, this song deals with the fear of falling in love with someone new after the first time around with someone else didn’t work very well. Not sure of why I went in this direction, but sometimes my music takes a direction of its own.
Knights of Columbus Wine Tasting Event
New Demo: “Heaven Sent”
7.28.23 - The greatest gifts in life are worth more than what can be bought. This song was inspired by my granddaughter Harper. Watching her dance to one of my songs was truly heaven sent.
New Demo: “Hopelessly In Love”
4.17.23 - Never thought I’d write a song like this……………
New Demo: “Target of Your Smile”
2.14.23 - My yearly Valintine’s Day song entry. Every year I write one song “targeted” specifically to my most wonderful and beautiful wife on Valentine’s Day. Isn’t she lucky? This came to me just the other day as I was searching for her in a large crowd of people at a Lions/Bears game at Ford Field. It traces back to about 46 years ago when we first met. Life is good……
New Demo: “Echoes of Your Soul”
10.9.22 - It has been a while since I have written a song that fits within the Gospel/Christian Genre. I have found my faith to be extremely helpful during times I have struggled the most. I believe that God’s strength, grace and guidance is there for everyone who takes the time and effort to “listen the echoes of your soul”.
New Demo: “Stuck Here In Between”
8.19.22 - For such a great country, I don’t think our current political situation could be any worse. Unfortunately, this song represents my feelings that I feel are more common in our country right now than you hear out loud.
New Demo: “My Patio”
7.02.22 - With all of the hustle going on in my life before retirement, I never realized that one of my favorite places in the world was right outside my backdoor.
New Demo: “A Mother’s Love”
5.08.22 - There is nothing that compares to a Mother’s Love. This song was written in dedication all mothers on their special day.
DSM WINS ITS 6th DETROIT MUSIC AWARD
4.24.22 - Detroit Strong Music is proud and honored to announce that in collaboration with Tosha Owens (and now with Bob Mervak) it has achieved its 6th Detroit Music Award (DMA) since its initiation in 2017. This latest installment: “Love More Hate Less” won the 2022 DMA for “Outstanding Rock/Pop Recording” and represents the 4th Genre of wins for recordings based on original songs by Keith Laurin. Thanks, and congratulations to Tosha Owens, Bob Mervak, Takashi Iio, Brett Lucas, Natalie Frakes and Bryan Reilly for this latest achievement.
New Demo: “Hotel Heaven”
3.14.22 - I guess this is something I think a little more about these days. It’s not a bad thing. I would love to hear Chris Stapleton do this song.
New Demo: “My Valentine”
2.14.22 - A song dedicated to my lovely wife on Valentine’s Day. It is an example of what she suffers through. Sometimes a song is so bad, it can be kind of good?
New Demo: “HLP Day”
1.16.22 - A song dedicated to the birth of my granddaughter Harper Laurin Porter. She is the Princess of my Princess (Allison)!
Announcing the Release of “Love More Hate Less”
12.21.21 - Detroit Strong Music announces the release of its song “Love More Hate Less”. This Rock Balad features a duet vocal performance by Tosha Owens and Bob Mervak and is based on Keith Laurin’s song written only four months prior. The song includes outstanding instrumental contributions from Bob Mervak, Takashi Iio, Bryan Reilly, Natalie Frakes and Brett Lucas. It was engineered by Bryan Reilly. Further thanks to Nick Small who put together the video.
New Demo: “Their Beauty Shines On”
12.7.21 - A song dedicated to the friends and families so sadly impacted by the tragic shooting event at Oxford High School.
New Demo: “A Much Better Man”
10.15.21 - A song based on the fact that so many men owe their path to being a better person to their better half. This is often an underappreciated value that comes out of their relationship.
New Demo: “Love More Hate Less”
8.28.21 - A song based on the concept of how much better our nation could become if everyone, everyday would just love more and hate less.
“Detroit Strong” Chosen as “Signature Song” of WDIV!
8.12.21 - To aid in the advertisement of its Broadcast News Team, NBC (Detroit WDIV) chose “Detroit Strong” as its “Signature Song. This initiated during the 2021 Olympics and continued for the balance of the year. One of the commercials used can be seen in the article below:
“Local 4 has a catchy new signature tune that will be hard to get out of your head.
From the deeply moving line “heart and soul of the city” to the last line “we are strong,” the new video is fittingly appropriate for the only local TV station still in the heart of Detroit…”
New Demo: “I Love Our Love”
7.25.21 - To Love Love…….
New Demo: “Let’s Toast to Us”
5.28.21 - A “Happy Anniversary Song”!
MORE HIGH ACCOLADES FROM WHFR FM
5.10.21 - One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “We’ve Got Hate on the Run” by Tosha Owens and Detroit Strong Music!!! Posted on May 10, 2021 by PhilMaq
Tosha Owens has won many awards over the years! She has a voice that, when you hear it, makes your heart want to strive to do better! That makes Tosha’s collaborations with Detroit Strong Music featuring song’s written by Keith Laurin, truly special events! They are both interested in raising Detroit’s image and, indirectly, everyone else’s opinion of the city. It is a musical tour-de-force combining R&B and Gospel with Classical elements! I am happy to announce “The Most Awesomest Song of the Day”: “We’ve Got Hate on the Run” by Tosha Owens and Detroit Strong Music!!!
DSM WINS IT’S 5th DETROIT MUSIC AWARD
4.11.21 - Detroit Strong Music would like to thank Detroit Music Award voters for recognizing our video: “We’ve Got Hate on the Run” as the 2021 Outstanding Low Budget Video. Tosha Owens shined as always in this. Producer of the video; Nick Small created a masterpiece. Natalie Franks contributed significantly, along with adding the beauty of the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.
HIGH ACCOLADES FROM WHFR FM
2.21.21 - The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “This Guitar Prays” by Keith Laurin with Tosha Owens!!! Posted on February 21, 2021 by Phil Maq
OK everybody. Open your guitar cases…er, I mean hymnals, to song number 457 and let’s sing along to, “This Guitar Prays,” by Keith Laurin with Tosha Owens! On another of his Detroit Strong projects, Singer/Songwriter and multi Philby Award winner, Keith Laurin, is in the vocal driver’s seat as he sings of his guitar’s anthropomorphic antics. However, being a member of the music as religion congregation myself, I see his guitar as a full of life charismatic entity, too. Keith’s stringed instrument brings life to creations from his heart, soul and thoughts! Another multi Philby Award winner, Tosha Owens, sings mostly back up on “This Guitar Prays” but has her own soulful affirming section! Both of them joining together on a work that has tinges of country, soul, pop, gospel, and blues are a physical embodiment of the sincere sentiment within the words and melody! Since I still believe that music can change the world– or at least make it better place to live, Keith‘s guitar and these songs that are made under the banner of “Detroit Strong Music”, can make people smile, cry, and transform people’s opinions about misinformation to help change the world’s inequities!
New Demo: “Sons of My Son”
2.24.21 - A song based on the excitement of becoming a grandfather for the second time.
New Demo: “This Ring”
2.14.21 - A Valentine’s Day song dedicated to the significance of the bond of marriage.
THE RELEASE OF “Daddy Daughter Lullaby”
1.4.21 - Detroit Strong Music announces the release of the music video for its song “Daddy Daughter Lullaby”. This song represents Keith’s latest entry as lead vocalist. It is dedicated to all those fathers out there who love and cherish their daughters, as Keith does his. The good news is that daddy daughter lullabies never end. Thanks to Robin Horlock, Nick Small and Toby (Ryan Hyland) for helping me make this song come to life. And of course, special thanks to Keith’s inspiration for this song and producer of the video; his lovely and wonderful daughter Allie Porter.
ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “THIS GUITAR PRAYS”
11.17.20 - Detroit Strong Music announces the release of the music video for its song “This Guitar Prays”. This Country/Gospel Christian song represents Keith Laurin’s (DSM Founder and writer of the song) 2nd entry as lead vocalist. The song includes outstanding support from it’s featured vocalist: Tosha Owens. We are very grateful for significant contributions from The Vibrant Ones (Robin Horlock, Nick Small and Toby Hyman) and Plymouth Rock Recording Company. Further thanks is due to Nick Small who put together the video, which even includes a great shot of Keith’s grandson; Easton.
ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “IN HONOR OF THE ESSENTIAL WORKER”
4.23.20 - In appreciation of our heroes, Detroit Strong Music very gratefully announces the debut of its new song/video; “In Honor of the Essential Worker”. As produced, arranged and performed by Nick Small and Robin Horlock of The Vibrant Ones, it is based on an original song just written by Keith Laurin. We would also like to thank Ariana Sollars and Jennifer Martens, two front line heroes themselves, for the pictures they contributed to the video produced by Nick Small. Please share with your favorite essential workers. They are so deserving.
D.S.M. WINS TWO 2020 DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS!!
4.19.20 - Detroit Strong Music very gratefully announces the achievement of two 2020 Detroit Music Awards; “Build a Bridge” – Outstanding Gospel/Christian Recording and “We’ve Got Hate on the Run” – Outstanding Classical Recording. Both songs were beautifully performed by Tosha Owens, based on original songs by Keith Laurin, produced and arranged by Tony Suhy and Kurt Schreitmueller and engineered by Geoff Michael of Big Sky Recording. Special congratulations and thanks are also due to Christian Ryan and Natalie Frakes for their significant contributions to the “We’ve Got Hate on the Run” recording. Congratulations to all the very talented nominees honored at the 2020 Detroit Music Awards event.
ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “SEIZE THE NIGHT”
4.1.20 - Detroit Strong Music announces the release of the music video for its song “Seize the Night”. Intrigued by the challenge to enter a fifth genre of music produced during 2019, this Rock n Roll song represents Keith Laurin’s (DSM Founder and writer of the song) entry as lead vocalist. He took a step on the “Wild Side” for this one. We are very grateful for significant contributions from Pete Peltier (Lead Guitar), Erin Marie (Background Vocals), The Vibrant Ones (Producers) and Plymouth Rock Recording Company. Special thanks to the Plymouth ROC Bar as the major sight of our video recording, which was produced by Nick Small. Kudos also to actors Lee Ehlers and Kenzie McMullen who helped make the song come to life.
2020 DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS FINAL ROUND
3.12.20 - Detroit Strong Music is so excited to announce that 3 songs written by Keith Laurin and performed by DSM artists have made it to the final ballot for the 2020 Detroit Music Awards. Please listen to the songs before before you vote. Thank you for your consideration!
The nominations are in the following categories…
OUTSTANDING CLASSICAL SONG “WE’VE GOT HATE ON THE RUN” - TOSHA OWENS
OUTSTANDING COUNTRY SONG “LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT” - ROBIN HORLOCK
OUTSTANDING GOSPEL/CHRISTIAN SONG - “BUILD A BRIDGE” TOSHA OWENS
2020 DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS ROUND 2
2.10.20 - Detroit Strong Music released 5 recordings in 2019 and they are up for nomination for the 2020 Detroit Music Awards in 5 separate categories. If you are registered for the DMA’s or are part of the Metro-Detroit music scene, please consider these recordings for your nominations. We aren’t asking you to vote for these songs, we are asking you to listen to them before you vote it case it sways your opinion. Thanks for listening!
NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR “WE’VE GOT HATE ON THE RUN RELEASED
2.8.20 - Detroit Strong Music is very excited to announce the release of the music video for its song “We’ve Got Hate on the Run” performed by Tosha Owens. The spirit, pride and resilience of Detroit are captured in this classical piece that is based on Keith Laurin's original song.We are very grateful for significant contributions from Christian Ryan (Classical Music Score), Tony Suhy and Kurt Schreitmueller (Music Arrangements), Natalie Frakes (String Quartet Lead) and Geoff Michael at Big Sky Recording (Engineering).Special thanks to the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony for adorning this beautiful video that was so well produced by Nick Small of Plymouth Rock Recording Company.
WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE BY CLICKING HERE
NEW LOGO DESIGN FOR DSM
2.1.20 - Check out the brand new redesigned Detroit Strong Music Logo! Thanks so much to The Gallery Society for the incredible work capturing the essence of DSM.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY SOCIETY HERE
*ANNOUNCING* MUSIC VIDEO FOR “DON’T SAVE ME” BY THE VIBRANT ONES
2.4.20 - We are excited to announce Detroit Strong Music's latest collaboration with The Vibrant Ones & Plymouth Rock Recording Company. Please enjoy the music video for DSM’s song “Don’t Save Me” by clicking the link below.
WATCH “DON’T SAVE ME” ON YOUTUBE BY CLICKING HERE
TWO NEW DSM SONGS RELEASED
12.24.19 - We are happy to announce two Detroit Strong Music releases today..."Seize The Night" by Keith Laurin" & Don't Save Me" by The Vibrant Ones. Based on original songs by Keith Laurin. They were produced by The Vibrant Ones (Robin Horlock, Ryan Hyland & Nick Small) and recorded & mixed at Plymouth Rock Recording Company in Plymouth, MI. They will be available to purchase soon and will be on all streaming apps in the very near future.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!
DSM WINS AT DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS
5.5.18 - Recently DSM achieved two 2018 Detroit Music Awards with songs; "Detroit Strong" (Outstanding Urban Music Sound Recording) and "Unite Thru Love" (Outstanding Gospel/Christian Music Sound Recording), both produced by Tony Suhy, musically arranged by Kurt Schreitmueller and performed by Tosha Owens.
4.3.2015 - Check out this article in the Detroit Free Press about the origin of Keith Laurin’s song “We’ve Got Hate On The Run”. Click Here