The Jerry Lawson Documentary
Just a Mortal Man: The Jerry Lawson Story is now streaming on PBS Passport!
Originally premiering on PBS in 2022 the Jerry Lawson documentary was renewed in May 2026 to run through 2029.
If you aren’t already a member of your local PBS, you can get access to Jerry’s documentary (and many more PBS shows, films, and specials) for as little as $5 a month, while also supporting your local community.
Watch the Trailer
About the Documentary
At long last, the one and only Jerry Lawson gets his due in the touching documentary, “Just a Mortal Man: The Jerry Lawson Story.” Worked on for eight years by filmmakers Miles Merritt and Gail Kempler, the 90-minute documentary serves as tribute and epitaph for the man, who passed away in 2019. Lawson was interviewed extensively for the film in various locales, including his rural home town of Apopka Florida. How did he manage to make a debut as a solo artist with some of the best Nashville musicians at the age of 71? How do you deal with the shocking discovery of family secrets? It’s all here, in moving detail. Oh, and the greatest singing this side of Sam Cooke and David Ruffin!
Here’s what people are saying about The Jerry Lawson Story
“No music fan ever discovered the great Jerry Lawson by listening to the radio. That is the elephant in the room whenever I talk about a man who, in my view, was one of the five greatest soul singers of my lifetime.“
– Chris Rizik | SoulTracks
read the full review at soultracks.com
“I watched this today & loved it. It’s much more than a music story, it’s a love story, it’s a musical history, it’s the story of an acappella legend & much more. I’m so glad this got made. As a long time Persuasions fan & long time Jerry Lawson fan trust me Jerry – you’re much more than Just a Mortal Man.”
– Chris Steiner