Larnelle Harris

Larnelle Harris was born on July 11, 1947, in Danville, Kentucky. When Harris was nine years old, he started to play the piano. He attended Western Kentucky University where he received formal vocal training. He graduated from college in 1969. In his early years he toured with the gospel group “The Spurrlows”. He is also well known for his solo work and for his work with the Gaither Vocal Band from 1984 to 1987. 

Throughout Harris’s career he has appeared on many different television programs including The 700 Club, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, and the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Harris’s song “Mighty Spirit” was in a 1993 TV campaign for the Points of Light Foundation lead by President George H. W. Bush. Also that year Western Kentucky University inducted him into its Hall of Distinguished Alumni. 

Harris has won many awards in his 30 plus year career. He has five Grammy awards for Best Male Gospel Performance for “Larnelle Christmas”, Best Male Gospel Performance for “The Father Hath Provided”, Best Solo Gospel Performance for “How Excellent is Thy Name”, Best Gospel Performance by Duo or Group for “I’ve Just Seen Jesus” and “More Than Wonderful” both with Sandi Patti. He has eleven Dove Awards, Which includes Male Vocalist of the Year three times. In addition he has received Inspirational Album of the Year for “Unbelievable Love”, “Generation to Generation”, “Larnelle Live…Psalms”, “Hymns & Spiritual Songs”, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”, and “Touch Me Lord”. In 2007, Larnelle was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. 

In the recent past Harris has gained nineteen #1 hit radio singles and countless top ten hits. These songs include, “How Excellent Is Thy Name”, “I Miss My Time With You”, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”, and his signature song “Amen”. Besides his many awards and accolades, Harris was one of the first Christian artists to cross racial barriers and help to build bridges with predominantly white churches who had never had a black singer on their platform. 

Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his ministry and his music. He was the featured artist as part of the history making Moscow Project-sponsored by the International Bible Society and Youth For Christ which distributed over four million Russian New Testaments. He was the first Christian artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union.

He is one of the few celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition for his song “Mighty Spirit”. He has been featured several times on CNN’s live broadcast of the 17^th Annual Easter Service held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. In addition, he has had the honor of being featured in two very popular Christian hard cover books “I’ve Just Seen Jesus” and “What My Parents Did Right”. 

Larnelle and his wife currently reside in Louisville, Kentucky where he is a deacon in his local church. Harris has successfully combined the demanding lifestyle of a global music ministry with being a husband and father of two grown children. 

But one truth remains, there are few names that are as synonymous with inspirational music as Larnelle Harris. Audiences every where are continually inspired by his signature majestic tenor voice.