Larnelle Harris

Larnelle Harris

Larnelle Performing
Background information
Birth name Larnelle Steward Harris
Born (1947-07-06) July 6, 1947
Danville, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres Gospel, contemporary Christian
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals, saxophone, drums
Years active 1969–present
Associated acts The Spurrlows, First Gear, Gaither Vocal Band, Sandi Patty
Website larnelle.com

Larnelle Steward Harris (born July 6, 1947) is an American gospel singer and songwriter. During his 30-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards[1] and 11 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.

Early life

A native of Danville, Kentucky,[2] Harris started playing the drums at the age of nine. His first formal vocal training came when he attended college at Western Kentucky University, from which he graduated in 1969. Harris then became a part of the popular gospel touring group The Spurrlows (beginning as drummer). He received notability for his solo work and as member of the Gaither Vocal Band from 1984 through 1987.

Music

Perhaps Harris' best-known songs are his duets with Sandi Patty, "More than Wonderful" (1983) and "I've Just Seen Jesus" (1985). Another of his well received and popular songs was "In It After All", written by Constant Change, a.k.a. Dawn Thomas,[3] on his album I Can Begin Again (1989), on Benson Records. The song was a No. 1 radio hit.

Harris' song, "Mighty Spirit" was featured in a 1993 television campaign for the Points of Light Foundation, headed by President George H. W. Bush. He performed the song for Bush and his wife Barbara at the White House.[4] His recording of "All Along the Way", co-written by Greg Nelson and Dan Schafer, reached the No. 1 spot on the CCM Inspirational chart, and stayed for five weeks.[5] His 1995 album, Unbelievable Love, received the 1996 Dove Award as Inspirational Album of The Year.[6]

Harris has received an honorary doctorate of music from Campbellsville University in central Kentucky. He was inducted into the Western Kentucky University Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1993.[7]

Television work

Harris has appeared live on television series such as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The 700 Club, several Billy Graham crusades, and the Trinity Broadcasting Network. He has appeared on numerous Gaither Homecoming shows, and his own Christmas special. In his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, Harris has made many appearances on the WHAS Crusade for Children, a long-running local telethon benefitting children's charities.[4]

Personal life

Harris met his wife Cynthia (Mitzi) while both were students at Western Kentucky University. They have two children Lonnie (Larnelle Jr.) and Teresa. They have lived in Louisville for more than three decades. Despite his schedule, Harris serves as a deacon in his home church, and previously served as its treasurer. Harris is well-known within the gospel music industry for his reluctance to schedule performances that take him away from his family for any length of time.[8]

Discography

With First Gear

Solo

Compilations

Appearances on other albums

Video

Gaither Homecoming performances

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards[1]

GMA Dove Awards

Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Foundation Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007

Other honors

References

  1. 1 2 "Past Winners Search – Larnelle Harris".
  2. ↑ "SR 98: Resolution proclaiming Larnelle Harris Day" (DOC). Kentucky Senate. 1998. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
  3. ↑ "Constant Change Bio".
  4. 1 2 "Larnelle Harris Biography". Christian Publicity Services.
  5. ↑ ""All Along the Way" No. 1 Page". www.DanSchafer.com. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Rick Moore, Nashville Songwriter Series: Robert White Johnson. American Songwriter, January 3, 2011. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  7. ↑ "THE PATH Christian Radio: CDR Radio Network". CDR Radio Network.
  8. ↑ "Created to Shine: Today's Christian". Christianity Today.
  9. ↑ http://hallmuseum.com/9awards.htm The Christian Music Hall of Fame 2009 Archived February 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
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