Larnelle Harris

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 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. He performed the song for Bush and his wife Barbara at the White House. His 1995 album, Unbelievable Love, received the 1996 Dove Award as Inspirational Album of The Year. 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. ==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. ==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. ==Discography==

• 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 With the Gaither Vocal Band • 1984: New Point of View • 1986: One X1 • 2009: Reunion Vol. 1 • 2009: Reunion Vol. 2 • 2019: Reunion Live 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: 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" ==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" • 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: • Western Kentucky University Hall of Distinguished Alumni – Inducted 1993 ==References==