Larnelle Steward Harris (born July 6, 1947) is an American

gospel Gospel originally meant the Christianity, Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the second century Anno domino, AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message w ...

singer and songwriter. During his 40-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

and 11 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.

Early life

A native of

Danville, Kentucky Danville is a list of Kentucky cities, home rule-class city and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 17,236 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micr ...

, Harris started playing the drums at the age of nine. His first formal vocal training came when he attended college at

Western Kentucky University Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. It was founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a few decades earlier. It operates regional campuses in Glas ...

, 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). Others of his well received and popular songs are his self-penned "I Miss My Time With You" (1986) and "In It After All", written by Constant Change, a.k.a. Dawn Thomas, 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 George Herbert Walker BushBefore the outcome of the 2000 United States presidential election, he was usually referred to simply as "George Bush" but became more commonly known as "George H. W. Bush", "Bush Senior," "Bush 41," and even "Bush th ...

. He performed the song for Bush and his wife Barbara at the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Washington, D.C.), NW in Washington, D.C., it has served as the residence of every U.S. president ...

. 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. Made the #6 spot of Top inspirational Songs of 1998. His 1995 album, ''Unbelievable Love'', received the 1996

Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards ceremonies presented annually and have been held in Nashville, Tennessee exce ...

as Inspirational Album of The Year.Rick Moore
Nashville Songwriter Series: Robert White Johnson
''

American Songwriter ''American Songwriter'' is a bimonthly magazine covering songwriting. Established in 1984, it features interviews, songwriting tips, news, reviews and lyric contest. The magazine is based in Nashville, Tennessee. History The ''American Songwri ...

'', January 3, 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2016. Harris has received an honorary doctorate of music from Campbellsville University in central Kentucky. He was inducted into the

Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1993.

Television work

Harris has appeared live on television series such as '' Live with Regis and Kathie Lee'', '' The 700 Club'', several

Billy Graham William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...

crusades, and the

Trinity Broadcasting Network The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN; legally Trinity Broadcasting of Texas, Inc.) is an international Christian-based broadcast television network and the world's largest religious television network. TBN solicits donations on its Web site, a ...

. He has appeared on numerous ''

Gaither Homecoming ''Gaither Homecoming'' is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither. Beginnings On February 19, 1992, the ...

'' shows, and his own Christmas special. In his hometown of

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville is the List of cities in Kentucky, most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeastern United States, Southeast, and the list of United States cities by population, 27th-most-populous city ...

, Harris has made many appearances on the WHAS Crusade for Children, a long-running local telethon benefitting children's charities.

Personal life

Harris met his wife Cynthia (Mitzi) while both were students at

. 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.

Discography

With First Gear

*1972: ''First Gear featuring Larnelle Harris'' (Myrrh 6505) *1974: ''Caution!Steep Hill Use First Gear'' (Myrrh 6515)

Solo

*1975: Tell It To Jesus *1977: ''Larnelle...More'' *1978: ''Free'' *1980: ''Give Me More Love in My Heart'' *1982: ''Touch Me Lord'' *1985: ''I've Just Seen Jesus'' *1986: ''From a Servant's Heart'' *1987: ''The Father Hath Provided'' *1988: ''Larnelle...Christmas'' *1989: ''I Can Begin Again'' *1990: ''Larnelle Live...Psalms Hymns & Spiritual Songs'' (with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir) *1992: ''I Choose Joy'' *1994: ''Beyond All the Limits'' *1995: ''Unbelievable Love'' (

, Inspirational Album of The Year) *1998: ''First Love'' *2001: ''A Story to Tell'' *2003: ''Pass the Love'' *2005: ''I Want to Be a Star'' *2017: ''Disturb Us, Lord''

Compilations

*1991: ''The Best of 10 Years'', Vol. 1&2 *1986: ''The Best of Larnelle''

Appearances on other albums

*1991: ''Live with Friends'' The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir; "I Can Be Glad" *1992: ''Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration'' *1993: ''The New Young Messiah''; "Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted", "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" *1994: ''

Promise Keepers Promise Keepers is an Evangelical Christian parachurch organization for men. It opposes same-sex marriage, and champions chastity and marital fidelity and the man as being head of the household. Promise Keepers originated in the United Sta ...

: A Life That Shows''; "In a Way That Matters" *1994: ''Stories & Songs of Christmas''; "

Silent Night "Silent Night" () is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO The United Nations Educati ...

" *1994: ''Saviour: The Story of God's Passion for His People'' (with Steve Green, Twila Paris, Wayne Watson, Wintley Phipps) *1995: ''Christmas Carols of the Young Messiah''; "Amen" *1995: ''Master Pieces – Classic Songs Made New''; "Just A Little Talk With Jesus" *1995: ''Hymns & Voices''; " It Is Well with My Soul", " The Lord's Prayer" *1996: ''Emmanuel: A Musical Celebration of the Life of Christ''; "Rejoice Emmanuel" *1997: ''God With Us: A Celebration of Christmas Carols & Classics''; " Go Tell It on the Mountain" *1998: '' Ralph Carmichael and Friends Live''; "Here and Now I Believe" *2000: ''Vestal & Friends, Vol. 2'' Vestal Goodman; "The Lamb Has Brought Us Home"

Video

*1991: ''Larnelle Live: My Time With You'' (VHS) *1992: ''I Choose Joy'' (VHS) *1994: ''Sparrow TV Dinners'' (VHS) various artists; "Teach Me to Love", duet with Steve Green *2002: ''More Than the Music ...Live'' (VHS) various artists; "The Lord's Prayer" *2005: ''Timeless: Concert of Faith & Inspiration'' (various artists) *2013: ''Live in Nashville''

Gaither Homecoming performances

*1993: ''A Christmas Homecoming'' "Amen" *1996: ''Homecoming Texas Style'' "Amen" *1998: ''Down By The Tabernacle'' "I Go To The Rock" *1999: ''Kennedy Center Homecoming'' " America, the Beautiful", "I've Just Seen Jesus" duet with Sandi Patty *2002: ''God Bless America'' "Jesus Saves" *2002: ''Let Freedom Ring'' "More Than Wonderful" with Sandi Patty *2003: ''Going Home'' "Friends in High Places" *2004: ''Dottie Rambo with Homecoming Friends'' "I Go to the Rock" *2004: ''We Will Stand'' "Dream On" *2005: ''Israel Homecoming'' "Amen" *2005: ''Jerusalem Homecoming'' "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked" *2009: ''Gaither Vocal Band Reunion'' Volume 1 "Your First Day in Heaven", "Can't Stop Talking About Him", "A Few Good Men" *2009: ''Gaither Vocal Band Reunion'' Volume 2 "Dream On", "Build An Ark", "The Love of God" *2011: ''Alaskan Homecoming'' " How Great Thou Art", "

The Star-Spangled Banner "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written by American lawyer Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814, after he witnessed the bombardment of Fort ...

" *2011: ''Majesty'' "I've Just Seen Jesus" with Ladye Love Smith *2011: ''Tent Revival Homecoming'' "I Don't Want to Get Adjusted" *2011: ''The Old Rugged Cross'' "His Eye Is on the Sparrow"

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

Source: *1983: Best Gospel Performance by Duo or Group for "More Than Wonderful" with Sandi Patty *1985: Best Gospel Performance by Duo or Group for "I've Just Seen Jesus" with Sandi Patty *1985: Best Solo Gospel Performance for "How Excellent Is Thy Name" *1987: Best Gospel Performance, Male for ''The Father Hath Provided'' *1988: Best Gospel Performance, Male for ''Larnelle...Christmas''

GMA Dove Awards

*1981: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for ''Give Me More Love in My Heart'' *1983: Male Vocalist of the Year *1983: Inspirational Album of the Year for ''Touch Me Lord'' *1986: Inspirational Album of the Year for ''I've Just Seen Jesus'' *1986: Male Vocalist of the Year *1988: Songwriter of the Year *1988: Male Vocalist of the Year *1992: Inspirational Album of the Year for ''Larnelle Live...Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs'' *1993: Inspirational Album of the Year for ''Generation 2 Generation'' *1996: Inspirational Album of the Year for ''Unbelievable Love'' Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Foundation

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

on October 29, 2007

Other honors

* Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service presented by

Ad Council The Advertising Council, commonly known as Ad Council, is an American nonprofit organization that produces, distributes, and promotes public service announcements or PSAs on behalf of various sponsors, including nonprofit organizations, non-gover ...

* '' Cashbox Magazine'' Award for Contemporary Gospel Single of the Year for "I Can Begin Again" * Stellar Award, Best Solo Performance by Male Contemporary for "The Father Hath Provided" * Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Black Artist * The Christian Music Hall of Fame (inducted in 2007) * Western Kentucky University Hall of Distinguished Alumni – Inducted 1993

References

External links

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Videos
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Larnelle 1947 births Living people 20th-century African-American musicians 20th-century American male singers 20th-century evangelicals 21st-century African-American musicians 21st-century American male singers 21st-century evangelicals African-American Christians American evangelicals American gospel singers American performers of Christian music Grammy Award winners Musicians from Louisville, Kentucky Singers from Kentucky Songwriters from Kentucky Western Kentucky University alumni Writers from Danville, Kentucky