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Larnelle Harris: The notes that shaped his life

Larnelle Harris

Larnelle Harris has a different perspective now than he once did.

“As I’ve gotten older … I saw a picture in a magazine,” Harris shares. “It was a picture of a turtle on a fence post. When I first saw it, I didn’t think much about it. Then, I started to think about the people in Danville, Ky., and how they’ve spoke things into my life. Then, when I saw it again, I started thinking about it. The turtle doesn’t get on the fence post on his own. I started thinking about the people over the years and those who are still speaking, people who spoke a dream into my heart as a little kid. I didn’t see it as a kid. As I got older, I began to see that.”

Now, Harris is speaking … well, he’s letting his words do the talking anyway.

He released his first book on Feb. 6, “Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career.” He wrote the book along with Christine Schaub.

“People who are close to me, who should be in the book, have talked about that for years,” Harris says of writing a book. “What am I going to tell them? ‘My name is Larnelle Harris. I grew up in Danville, Kent. My parents’ names were’ … there’s nothing to see here.

“I was at the Governor’s Mansion (in Frankfort, Kent.). I had been given an award. One of the ladies from Danville said, ‘Whatcha got coming up?’ I said, ‘I’m thinking about writing a book.’

She said, ‘You haven’t lived long enough to write a book.’ I said, ‘I know, but I want to take this opportunity to just say thank you to them, to those people who have spoke into my life.’”

One of those individuals who spoke into his life came along early on.

“Mrs. Georgia Donehy … Mrs. Georgie played the piano and organ for the church choir,” Harris explains. “She taught piano lessons to every kid in town, whether they wanted them or not. I didn’t want them at first.

“She found out there was a little hidden boy soprano in here, and she started taking me around different places to sing. I did a concert in our church when I was nine years old, and she played the piano. She didn’t want anything. Then, she passed on, and somebody else came along. It’s a wonderful exercise for everybody. We’ve all had those people.”

Larnelle summarizes the purpose of the book in two words.

“There are two little words we don’t use enough,” Harris points out. “It seems like as we go up in generation, we use it less and less. Thank you … that’s what it’s about.

“Mrs. Georgie used to get on my last nerve. She said to my mom one time, ‘you should not let Larnelle play any sports out in the dust, because the dust will hurt his voice.’ But, now, I hope that every town, city, parish has a Mrs. Georgie in it.”

Harris attempts to honor Mrs. Georgie during his concerts.

“I do a package of songs in concert to Mrs. Georgie,” Harris notes. “I wanted to do some songs that I did in that first concert with Mrs. Georgie in the First Baptist Church in Danville, Ky.

“This book is very little about Larnelle, but it is about the process of God putting people in your life, to take you to the next plateau. It’s about those people who guide you who don’t want a thing. Mrs. Georgie had no idea what the future would be for me.”

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Hall of Fame vocalist, Larnelle Harris, honored at 83rd Annual National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses

(Pictured L to R: Larnelle Harris: Dr. Marabeth E. Gentry, NCGCC National President; Rev. Dr. Derrick E. Roberts, NCGCC Chairman of the Board; Dr. Bessie M. Palmer, 2nd Vice President and Host President)

Louisville, KY — Hall of Fame vocalist Larnelle Harris was honored with a Heritage Award from the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses (NCGCC) at their 83^rd annual convention in Harris’ hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.  Harris says it was a humbling experience.

“The NCGCC has a long and storied history,” said Harris. “I was most grateful for the recognition, and privileged to be part of their event.”

Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct Hall of Fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy Awards and 11 Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the gospel music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as “How Excellent Is Thy Name,” “I Miss My Time with You,” and his signature song, “Amen,” are now considered modern Christian music classics.

From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music.   He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union.  He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history. Harris was recently honored by his home state of Kentucky with the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts.

Married to wife Cynthia (a.k.a. Mitzy) for over 44 years, Harris continues to tour worldwide, recently performing at the National Day of Prayer event in Washington D.C., New York’s Carnegie Hall, as well as in Paris, France. In addition to his numerous solo dates, Harris also travels with various multi-artist tours. For more information, visit his website here.

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About National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses:

The NCGCC was founded by Professor Thomas A. Dorsey, who is affectionately known as the Father of Gospel Music. The first Gospel choral union was organized in Chicago in 1932, and Dorsey was elected president. On August 30, 1933, at the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago, the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses was organized and held its first session. Every feature of the annual National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses was designed for the betterment of the Christian singer, instrumentalist, educator or leader; geared toward enabling the prepared Gospel ambassador; and purposed for the individual to be spiritually motivated to live the message of the Gospel song. Today, led by its President, Dr. Marabeth E. Gentry, and Rev. Dr. Derrick E. Roberts, Chairman of the Board. the NCGCC continues to expand the reach of Gospel music. Visit www.NCGCCInc.com for more information.

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Beyond The Ashes Performs At Kentucky Governor’s Mansion

Tyler Vestal, Anthony Facello, Governor Steve Beshear and Dustin Doyle

Franklin, KY The Dove-nominated and Absolutely Gospel Music Award winning Gospel trio, Beyond the Ashes, was a part of the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion 100 year celebration. The State of Kentucky has been having events for the last year to celebrate the rich heritage of the Governor’s Mansion and to raise money for the Governor’s Mansion Endowment fund that will be for the upkeep of the Mansion and grounds.

Beyond The Ashes had the privilege of performing alongside The Isaacs, The Sneed Family, Larnelle Harris , Kenny Bishop and His Heart Quartet. All of the artists performing had some tie to Kentucky.

Beyond The Ashes performed “Oh The Thought That Jesus Loves Me”, “Coming Of The King”, “He Touched Me”, “I Will Glory In The Cross”, and “Too Near Home”.

Anthony Facello stated “What a privilege it was for Beyond the Ashes to be a part of such a special day. Governor and Mrs. Beshear opened their home and welcomed us with great Kentucky hospitality.”

Beyond The Ashes also took part in the dinner that was served at the Governors Mansion. The event was held Sunday September 28th and was free to the public.

Beyond The Ashes is a young group which is crossing barriers to get Gospel music to all generations.

Their unique style of music will reach and be enjoyed by the gray haired senior citizens as well as the young teenage crowd and all those in-between. Beyond The Ashes is set to make am impression on all genres of music.

To learn more about Beyond the Ashes go to http://www.beyondtheashesonline.com or https://www.facebook.com/beyondtheashes . Reach them by Twitter at https://twitter.com/www.twitter.com/beyondtheashes1 .

To book Beyond The Ashes at your church, concert or contact scheduling@beyondtheashesonline.com or call 615-823-1557 .

New Video and Audio Projects from Hall of Fame Singer Releasing in March

Nashville, TN – New DVD and CD projects from Hall of Fame vocalist and five-time Grammy winner, Larnelle Harris, will be released via Seaboard Records/Captial Christian distributors (formerly EMI CMG) on March 26. The projects entitled Larnelle Live in Nashville feature a live concert performance from Harris along with guests Sandi Patty, Steve Green and Steve Amerson. In addition to singing several of his hit songs, Harris also performs new tunes on the audio and video projects, including a brand-new duet from Harris and Patty. The duo’s previous two duets, “More than Wonderful” and “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” both won Grammy Awards. Among other highlights, Harris is joined by Green and Amerson in a special “Three Tenors” performance segment which the trio debuted last year at Carnegie Hall.

Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the Gospel Music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as “How Excellent Is Thy Name,” “I Miss My Time With You,” “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” plus many others, including his signature song, “Amen,” are now considered modern gospel classics. From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

In addition to his numerous solo concert dates, Harris is also featured on various tours this year including the God of All Glory Tour, The Ralph Carmichael Legacy Tour, Gaither Homecoming tour and the Sandi Patty & Friends tour, the latter of which CCM Magazine reviewed and described Harris as having a “larger-than-life stage presence with impeccable vocal prowess.” Harris and Patty will join award-winning pianist Dino for several concert dates this year as well.

The CD will retail for $9.99 and the cost of the DVD will be $14.99. Retailers can place orders by calling 1-800-877-4443 or emailing distribution@emicmg.com. For more information on Harris, visit www.Larnelle.com.

Dino, Larnelle Harris, Sandi Patty, and Robert Stearns to Honor Israel at Carnegie Hall

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — Well-respected, award-winning Christian recording artists are honoring Israel this spring in a gala benefit concert being hosted at Carnegie Hall by pianist Dino Kartsonakis and his wife Cheryl.

The special “Honoring Israel at Carnegie Hall” concert will take place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the world famous venue. The event will feature performances, from the Philadelphia Boys Choir, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, and The Christian Cultural Center Chorale as well as the musical talents of Robert Stearns, operatic tenor Daniel Rodriguez, and Grammy and Dove Award-winning singers Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris.

“Anti-semitism is on the rise, and Israel is now surrounded by nations committed to her destruction,” world-famous piano artist Dino said. “Cheryl and I have always prioritized praying and working for the peace of Jerusalem. My friends, it is vital that we stand together.”

Robert Stearns, founder of Eagles’ Wings, and a global leader in Jewish-Christian relations, said, “The evening of music will celebrate our nation’s longstanding and unbreakable bond with Israel at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious venues.”

“There has never been a time in our nation’s history that our public and private bond with Israel has been more critical,” Stearns said. “With this historic concert, we hope to make it clear that New York stands with Israel.”

Proceeds from the event will go to feed hungry Jews, Arabs and Druze in Israel through humanitarian non-profit, “Hope for Zion” as well as to help build a prayer and study center in Migdal Arbel, Israel, whose mission is to cultivate a love and understanding for the people and nation of Israel.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.carnegiehall.org or call 212-247-7800.

October 2012 Edition Of SGNScoops Magazine

We are pleased to celebrate 75 years in Gospel Music with Ms. Lou Wills Hildreth in this edition of SGNScoops Magazine. Sandi Duncan Clark captured many of this living legend’s memories in this month’s cover story. Also in this edition enjoy ministry updates from Larnelle Harris, Voices Won, Freedom, Wilburn & Wilburn, the Hinshaws and Jim Mahalick. Get a peek inside the SGNScoops booth at the 2012 NQC as well as follow Charlie Sexton around as he talks to fans who attended this year’s event. Laura speaks with Gospel Music Historian, Dean Adkins, Sandi shares a conversation with Greg Bentley regarding “talent competitions” and Rhonda Frye speaks with Gloria Gaither about the new Gaither Homecoming Bible. See who released new music and find out who is topping charts! Enjoy several inspirational articles including one from guest writer, Janene Dubbeld and keep up with Jeff Hawes as he travels the world with Karen Peck and New River! Don’t miss the latest update on the Creekside Gospel Music Convention too! We excited to share about this year’s outreach project! This month is packed with the latest news in the world of gospel music delivered by a dedicated staff with many years experience in the Industry. Please share with friends and remember- Always digital, always free…… always good!

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ICONIC MUSIC ARTIST SANDI PATTY TEAMS UP WITH GRAMMY-WINNING ARTIST JASON CRABB TO BRING “A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION” TO A CITY NEAR YOU

(New York, NY – September 19, 2012) – 2012 has been a big year for Christian artists Sandi Patty and Jason Crabb, with Patty touring all over the world and Crabb being awarded with Male Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards. The year isn’t winding down for these two gospel stars though. Today, Sandi Patty and Jason Crabb are ecstatic to announce a 2012 “Christmas Celebration” tour together. The two are blessed to be working together and will announce cities they will be stopping through along with other details in the coming weeks.

Patty and Crabb couldn’t be more thrilled to be working together. Crabb exclaims: “I’m excited to join Sandi Patty for “A Christmas Celebration.” If you’ve ever heard her sing, you know why she’s called “The Voice”! I am thrilled and honored to share the stage and this special time of year with her. It’s gonna’ be great!” Patty is just as excited, stating: “I cannot tell you how excited I am to be touring with Jason Crabb. I am such a huge fan of him and his music and it is such a joy for me to share this Christmas season traveling the country singing with him.”

This won’t be the last time Patty and Crabb will work together either. The pair is also happy to announce the second “Sandi Patty & Friends Cruise” which will feature Jason Crabb and other special guests such as Larnelle Harris, Selah, Anita Renfroe, Angie Smith, Sheila Walsh and Jim Lyon. The Caribbean cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. and set sail February 23, 2014 through March 2, 2014. Be on the lookout for more information on this amazing event combining the luxury of a Caribbean cruise and wonderful entertainment.

Patty and Crabb will keep busy leading up to the cruise. Both artists are set to release new albums during 2013. Patty is currently working on her new album which is set to release in the early fall of next year. Crabb is also working on an album with producers Ed Cash, Jay DeMarcus and Wayne Haun which is due out early next year.

About Sandi Patty:
Sandi Patty has won 40 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, four Billboard Music Awards and became a Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee in 2004. Her albums have sold more than 11 million units, garnering her three platinum and five gold recordings. As the most-awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, her voice is still the gold standard by which all who follow are measured. Patty latest release “Broadway Stories” features her favorite Broadway songs. She has been blessed to perform these songs with several symphony orchestras.

About Jason Crabb:
Known not only as a singer but also as a musician, author, and host, Jason Crabb was born to bless the world through his talents. In 2009, Crabb’s solo career took off, gaining him one Dove award after another leading him to winning over 20 Dove Awards, a Grammy Award and most recently Soloist of the Year award from NQC Music Awards. This past year, Crabb was honored to be awarded with not only the Male Artist of the Year award at the GMA Dove Awards but also the Artist of the Year award.

For more information and to stay up to date with Sandi Patty and Jason Crabb, please visit:

Hall of Fame Vocalist Larnelle Harris to Release New DVD and CD

Nashville, TN -The new documentary and live concert television special featuring Hall of Fame vocalist Larnelle Harris is premiering this week at various times on TBN, the largest religious television network in the world. The 90-minute special features a short documentary on Harris as well as a live concert filmed earlier this year in Nashville, Tennessee. The concert features Harris along with guests Sandi Patty, Steve Green and Steve Amerson. Harris and Patty are debuting their new duet entitled “Then Came the Morning” on the show. The duo’s previous two duets, “More than Wonderful” and “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” both won Grammy Awards. Harris is also joined by Green and Amerson in a special “Three Tenors” performance segment.

The television show will also be available as a dvd and cd entitled “Larnelle Live,” with pre-orders being offered to consumers on the website www.LarnelleLive.com. Plans are also in the works to distribute the dvd and cd via retail stores, the details of which will be announced at a later date. The dvd and cd feature some of Harris’ biggest radio hits as well as several new songs.

Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the gospel music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as “How Excellent Is Thy Name,””I Miss My Time With You,” “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” plus many others, including his signature song, “Amen,” are now considered modern gospel classics. From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

Harris continues to tour worldwide, recently singing for a gathering of the United Nations Ambassadors. In addition to his numerous solo dates, Harris also travels with various tours including the Gaither Homecoming tour and the Sandi Patty & Friends tour, the latter of which CCM Magazine recently reviewed and described Harris as having a “larger-than-life stage presence with impeccable vocal prowess.”   Additionally, Harris and Steve Green often tour together and Harris, Green and Amerson recently performed a “Three Tenors” concert at Carnegie Hall.  Harris and Patty will join pianist Dino and the 200-voice CMI Choir for two special engagements, July 1 and 2, in St.Louis and Branson, Missouri, respectively.

For more information on Harris, visit www.Larnelle.com.  For pre-order information of the new cd and dvd, visit www.LarnelleLive.com.

Hall of Fame Artist performs for Ambassadors of the United Nations

Nashville, TN – 04/17/2012 -Hall of Fame vocalist and five-time Grammy winner Larnelle Harris was the special guest artist for the 2012 Easter Celebration Dinner and Concert for the ambassadors and diplomats of the United Nations.  This event was held in the Roosevelt Hotel Grand Ballroom in New York City.  Over 200 ambassadors and diplomats from the 193 member nations, representing several major faith groups, attended the event sponsored by The Foreign Service Fellowship International organization.

Ken Welborn, President of The Foreign Service Fellowship (pictured right with Harris) said, “As soon as Larnelle began to sing, the audience became totally mesmerized by the seemingly effortless power, precise control and convincing passion of his voice.  Larnelle has been divinely gifted with an utterly amazing voice, which he uses most effectively as a true ambassador for Christ.”

Harris said, “I am grateful to Ken and his organization for providing yet another opportunity to make the claims of the gospel known in the hearts of all people. It was a great pleasure sharing a meal, some conversation and a few songs with my new friends. I was reminded of the scripture in 2 Corinthians that ‘the message of reconciliation has been committed to us making us Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us.’” 

Harris was recently honored by his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky as an Outstanding Community Leader and Citizen.  He is the only person in history to become a member of three distinct Hall of Fame organizations: Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.  The latter honor stems from Harris’ pastime of being a Ham Radio Operator for over 20 years.  Harris is now a member of the First Class Operator’s Club, an invitation only group that is limited to 500 people worldwide.  Invitees must demonstrate the ability to send and receive Morse code at a minimum of 25 words per minute, demonstrate regular activity on the amateur frequency bands, and show impeccable levels of courtesy on the air.

In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the Gospel Music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits.  He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union.  He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

This was the third Easter event sponsored by the Foreign Service Fellowship.  Their mission, according to Welborn, is to provide a forum for “genuine fellowship within the United Nations foreign service community based on the love, teachings and lasting peace of Jesus.”

Harris continues to tour regularly across the country and will be releasing a new DVD/CD project in the coming weeks.  For more information, visit www.Larnelle.com or www.facebook.com/LarnelleHarris.

Long-time agent for Larnelle Harris, Noran Spurr, passes away

For Immediate Release (Nashville, TN) –The long-time booking agent for Hall of Fame singer Larnelle Harris, Noran Spurr, passed away on Friday, August 12.  Born in the rural mountains of West Virginia on September 12, 1937, Noran later played an integral “behind the scenes” role in the touring group, The Spurrlows, as well as many other nationally-acclaimed groups and artists. But when the Spurrlows hired a drummer named Larnelle Harris and heard him sing a solo, Noran’s role took on a whole new dimension.  She embarked upon the difficult task of booking an unknown solo artist into churches across the U.S., Canada and overseas.  

Noran’s intense belief in Larnelle’s talent and ministry helped propel him into one of the world’s most renowned singers in gospel music. During their over three decades of teamwork, Larnelle has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, presented with five Grammys, 11 Dove Awards, a Stellar Award, the Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service, and many other accolades.  From the White House to the 38th Parallel in Korea, Larnelle has performed in numerous countries around the world and was the first gospel artist to perform in the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. 

As one of the founders of the Splendor Agency, Noran’s formidable booking expertise was sought after by many well-known artists around the country, and she shared her experience in concert scheduling as a speaker for musical symposiums and conferences held throughout the U.S. An avid sports fan, veracious reader and a self proclaimed “southern yankee,” Noran was a tiny bundle of wit, charm and fierce loyalty to her artist and loved ones. She exuded both a compassionate spirit and resolute determination to make every Larnelle concert fruitful for both the artist and the host. Her personal philosophy was simple: “I believe the essential ingredients for a great life are a strong faith, close family and good friends, and a great sense of humor.” Noran Lucas Spurr is survived by one daughter, Vicki L. Spurr of Longwood, Florida.