Larnelle Harris

Larnelle Steward Harris (born July 11, 1947) is an American gospel singer and songwriter. During his multiple decades of ministry, Harris has recorded 22 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 11 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts. Known for his classically trained tenor voice blended with the expressive power of Black Gospel, he has been a major presence in contemporary Christian music for more than fifty years. A native of Danville, Kentucky, 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. Harris then became a part of the popular gospel touring group The Spurrlows (beginning as drummer). Harris grew up in a Black family shaped by faith, hardship, music, and perseverance. His parents, Oscar Harris Jr. and Ida “May” Dodd Harris, taught him discipline, prayer, and trust in God, even while living through the racial tensions and segregation of the 1950s and 1960s. Though he experienced the painful realities of racism, Harris was not raised to hate, but to live with wisdom, dignity, and faith. His mother's prayers and the influence of church helped shape his heart, while his musical gift was discovered early as a boy soprano. Over time, Harris came to see his voice not merely as talent, but as a gift from God to proclaim grace, hope, forgiveness, and the love of Jesus Christ. Harris began playing piano at age nine and later studied drums. After graduating from Western Kentucky University in 1969, he toured as a drummer with the gospel group The Spurrlows. He later fronted the jazz-funk band First Gear, releasing First Gear (1972) and Caution! Steep Hill Use First Gear (1974). At the start of his solo ascent, Harris developed vocal nodules due to chronic overuse and a grueling tour schedule. This diagnosis forced him into a full year of complete vocal rest, during which he was unable to speak or sing, relying on a pen and notepad to communicate. This "year of silence" was a profound spiritual turning point; he shifted from relying on his natural talent to a deep, abiding trust in God. He credits this period with providing the spiritual maturity that sustained his subsequent decades of success. Harris launched his solo career in 1975, yielding 19 number-one radio singles. Tell It To Jesus (1975), More (1977), Free (1978), Give Me More Love in My Heart (1980), Touch Me Lord (1982), I’ve Just Seen Jesus (1985), From a Servant’s Heart (1986), The Father Hath Provided (1987), Larnelle...Christmas (1988), I Can Begin Again (1989), Larnelle Live...Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs (1990), I Choose Joy (1992), Beyond All the Limits (1994), Unbelievable Love (1995), First Love (1998), A Story to Tell (2000), Pass the Love (2002), I Want to Be a Star (2005), Disturb Us, Lord (2017). Note: Harris also recorded with the Gaither Vocal Band (1984–1987), appearing on New Point of View (1984) and One X1 (1986). 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. Harris met his wife, Cynthia (Mitzi), while at Western Kentucky University; they have been married over 50 years and have two grown children, Lonnie and Teresa. Known for his dedication to his family, Harris famously limited travel to ensure he remained involved in their lives. He is a lifelong electronics enthusiast and a licensed Amateur (Ham) Radio operator (WD4LZC), a hobby he used to maintain contact with his family from all over the world. Today, Harris resides in Louisville, Kentucky. While he does not maintain an active, full-scale solo tour, he remains active through select special performances and private events. His life is currently defined by local service; appointed to the Louisville Metro Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, he serves as the chairman of the committee on Opportunities for Poverty Elimination (COPE), focusing on poverty, housing, and food insecurity in his own community. 1984: Best Gospel Performance, Duo/Group – "More Than Wonderful" (with Sandi Patty) 1985: Best Gospel Performance, Duo/Group – "I've Just Seen Jesus" (with Sandi Patty) 1985: Best Solo Gospel Performance – "How Excellent Is Thy Name" 1988: Best Gospel Performance, Male – The Father Hath Provided 1989: Best Gospel Performance, Male – Larnelle...Christmas 1981: Contemporary Black Gospel Album (Give Me More Love in My Heart) 1983: Male Vocalist of the Year; Inspirational Album (Touch Me Lord) 1986: Male Vocalist of the Year; Inspirational Album (I’ve Just Seen Jesus) 1988: Male Vocalist of the Year; Songwriter of the Year; Inspirational Album (The Father Hath Provided) 1992: Inspirational Album (Larnelle Live...) 1993: Inspirational Album (Generation 2 Generation) 1996: Inspirational Album (Unbelievable Love) Gospel Music Hall of Fame: Inducted as a solo artist (2007) and with the Gaither Vocal Band (2014). Kentucky Music Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2011. Amateur Radio Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2008 (Call sign: WD4LZC). Additional: Stellar Award (1988), WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni (1993), Silver Bell Award (1991), Kentucky Governor's Award (2014). *1975: Tell It To Jesus 1977: More 1978: Free 1980: Give Me More Love In My Heart 1982: Touch Me Lord 1982: The Best Of Larnelle 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 1992: I Choose Joy 1994: Beyond All the Limits 1995: Unbelievable Love 1995: First Love 1998: Larnelle Collector's Series Volume One 1998: Larnelle Collector's Series Volume Two 2000: A Story to Tell 2005: I Want to Be a Star 2010: Live In Brooklyn 2013: Live In Nashville 1984: New Point of View 1986: One X1 2009: Reunion Vol. 1 2009: Reunion Vol. 2 2019: Reunion Live 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: A Life That Shows; "In a Way That Matters" 1994: Stories & Songs of Christmas; "Silent Night" 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" 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 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: