Browse Artists
Harris, Larnelle
Larnelle Harris is one of the great figures in modern gospel music. In his more than three decades of recording he's brought home six Grammys and 11 Dove Awards, made numerous TV appearances and scored more than a dozen #1 records. But the story of Larnelle Harris lies not so much in facts and figures as in heart and soul. "I wouldn't even cross the street to sing a song just for it's own sake," says Larnelle. "I want to sing songs that change people's lives.
Larnelle continues to do just that on his new album, FirstLove, which was out March 10, 1998. Possessing one of the most singular voices of hisera, Larnelle's music has evolved over the years from a more traditional sound intobold~even edgy~contemporary settings without missing a beat. "I'm not locked into anyone style of music," he says. "I want to write or find the greatest lyric I canand then wrap it in the kind of music that makes it live. If that turns out to be R&B,a majestic ballad, pop or rock...that's what we do."
Larnelle began studying piano as a young boy and sang his first solo in church at age 9. ANative of Danville, Kentucky, he received his first formal vocal training as a music majorin college. Studying classical music and theory by day and earning pocket money as adrummer in local top 40 bands, he had an eclectic course of study that ran from Frenchchansons, German lieder and Elizabethan love songs to James Brown and Ray Charles. Afour-year stint with the Spurrlows, a popular touring gospel band, brought Larnelle to theattention of the music industry and began a steady career ascent that today finds himperforming across America and around the World. In recent years, Larnelle has played tohundreds of thousands of people in several foreign countries including Russia, South Koreaand South Africa.
"I've found such a spiritual longing among peopleas I've traveled the world," he says. "In South Africa we played large halls aswell as going to some of the remote townships. I sang my songs and people just openedtheir hearts, and danced and shouted and rejoiced. It was incredible.
In Korea, I saw joy come over people's faces night afternight. I realized that even though we speak different languages, and many miles separateus and make us feel uncertain and threatened at times, people and their needs really arenot that different at heart."
Even as he continues to grow creatively and spiritually,and his reach broadens to include people from many cultures and walks of life, Larnellesays his goals have remained constant through the years. "What's left for me to do isno different that what was there when I first started," he concludes. "And thatis to grow in every way I can...to open my heart and my life to the Lord and allow Him toshave away the rough edges. I don't ever want to be satisfied."
Visit Official Website.
Larnelle continues to do just that on his new album, FirstLove, which was out March 10, 1998. Possessing one of the most singular voices of hisera, Larnelle's music has evolved over the years from a more traditional sound intobold~even edgy~contemporary settings without missing a beat. "I'm not locked into anyone style of music," he says. "I want to write or find the greatest lyric I canand then wrap it in the kind of music that makes it live. If that turns out to be R&B,a majestic ballad, pop or rock...that's what we do."
Larnelle began studying piano as a young boy and sang his first solo in church at age 9. ANative of Danville, Kentucky, he received his first formal vocal training as a music majorin college. Studying classical music and theory by day and earning pocket money as adrummer in local top 40 bands, he had an eclectic course of study that ran from Frenchchansons, German lieder and Elizabethan love songs to James Brown and Ray Charles. Afour-year stint with the Spurrlows, a popular touring gospel band, brought Larnelle to theattention of the music industry and began a steady career ascent that today finds himperforming across America and around the World. In recent years, Larnelle has played tohundreds of thousands of people in several foreign countries including Russia, South Koreaand South Africa.
"I've found such a spiritual longing among peopleas I've traveled the world," he says. "In South Africa we played large halls aswell as going to some of the remote townships. I sang my songs and people just openedtheir hearts, and danced and shouted and rejoiced. It was incredible.
In Korea, I saw joy come over people's faces night afternight. I realized that even though we speak different languages, and many miles separateus and make us feel uncertain and threatened at times, people and their needs really arenot that different at heart."
Even as he continues to grow creatively and spiritually,and his reach broadens to include people from many cultures and walks of life, Larnellesays his goals have remained constant through the years. "What's left for me to do isno different that what was there when I first started," he concludes. "And thatis to grow in every way I can...to open my heart and my life to the Lord and allow Him toshave away the rough edges. I don't ever want to be satisfied."
Visit Official Website.
Albums
-
First Love
Comfort In The Midst