Grant Lawrence Reminisces about His Early Journalism Days

Grant Lawrence, a well-known author and CBC Music personality, is reminiscing about his first foray into the world of journalism as a paperboy with the North Shore News—a job that was both fulfilling and ultimately bittersweet.

At just 12 years old in the early 1980s, Lawrence proudly took on the responsibility of delivering newspapers along Bellevue Avenue in West Vancouver. 'I loved my North Shore News so much,' he reminisced. 'I worshipped it.' His admiration for notable figures like reporter Michael Becker and editor Tim Renshaw inspired him to dream of becoming part of their ranks.

Persistence in the Face of Rejection

Eager to join the staff, he reached out to the North Shore News to express his interest in becoming a reporter, only to face rejection. 'I sent a letter to the North Shore News, and they said, 'Sorry, we’re not looking for any reporters right now,'' he shared.

Undeterred by the setback, Lawrence took a creative approach by crafting his own version of the paper, humorously dubbed the 'Bellevue Bulletin.' Rather than tackling serious news, he focused on capturing the ears of his peers with sensational headlines like 'Mr. Simpson Walks About His Home in the Nude.' While some neighbors found his antics amusing, others were not as pleased, leading to complaints.

The End of an Era

Eventually, Lawrence's entrepreneurial spirit ran afoul of the rules when he was instructed by his route manager to cease distributing his personal news inserts. The final straw was when he entrusted his paper route to a friend while vacationing with his family. Unfortunately, his friend carelessly discarded bundles of newspapers onto the train tracks, resulting in Lawrence’s termination.

A Return to His Roots

Fast forward to today: Lawrence, who has now transitioned into a successful career in broadcasting and literature, will return to his roots for 'Grant Lawrence and Friends: An Evening of Stories and Songs' at the Kay Meek Arts Centre on April 12. This event promises an evening infused with personal anecdotes and musical performances, reminiscent of the beloved CBC Radio show, The Vinyl Café, hosted by the late Stuart McLean.

The evening will feature a variety of musical talents, including Neil Osborne from the band 54-40, soul sensation Dawn Pemberton, the folk trio The Luckies, and singer-songwriter Jill Barber, who happens to be Lawrence’s wife.

Local Stories and New Beginnings

In the spirit of community connection, the stories shared during the event will largely reflect local experiences. Listeners can expect amusing tales such as one about a herd of cows floating down Burrard Inlet and landing on the beaches of West Vancouver—a story some have eagerly requested.

Moreover, Lawrence will be giving a sneak peek of his upcoming children’s book, *Adventures in Desolation Sound*, set for release in 2024. This book serves as an engaging adaptation of his earlier work, *Adventures in Solitude*, where he reflects on a childhood spent indoors in front of screens, and how his father's efforts to expose him and his sister to the wilderness profoundly shaped their appreciation of the West Coast’s natural beauty.

Event Details

For those interested in joining the evening of music and stories, details are as follows:

**Event:** Grant Lawrence and Friends: An Evening of Stories and Songs

**Location:** Kay Meek Arts Centre, West Vancouver

**Date:** Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m.

**Tickets:** Available through the Kay Meek website.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dive into the humor and heartwarming stories of one of West Vancouver's own, as he reflects on his early days and the journey that has led him back to his community.