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5-time Grammy winner Larnelle Harris has been named as one of the newest inductees to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Harris joins fellow Kentucky artists and musicians Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner, John Michael Montgomery, The Goins Brothers, and Molly O’Day to be officially inducted next year during a ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky on April 7, 2011.
This latest honor marks Harris’ third Hall of Fame induction, having joined the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. Harris is the only person in history to be a member of all three organizations.
“I am extremely humbled by this,” says Harris. “I am a proud Kentuckian and this honor means a great deal to me and my family.”
In a career that spans three decades, Harris has garnered numerous accolades for his music including five Grammy Awards, eleven Dove Awards (gospel music’s Grammy equivalent) which include three Male Vocalist of the Year honors, and a Stellar Award, among numerous other music awards. He has garnered nineteen #1 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.
Harris’ accomplishments represent some significant moments in music history. Harris 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 a few weeks, Harris will perform for the U.S. troops during Easter services at the Fort Lee army base in Virginia. Harris has been a favorite performer for the U.S. Armed Forces for many years, having performed at the 38th Parallel in Korea as well as many other army bases throughout the world.
Harris is a lifelong Kentucky resident. He was born in Danville and later made his home in Louisville where he still resides with his wife, Cynthia (Mitzy), to whom Harris has been married for over 38 years. The couple has two grown children and three grandchildren. Harris has been given Honorary Doctorate degrees in music from both his alma mater, Western Kentucky University as well as Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
Harris continues to perform concerts in the U.S. and abroad, and this year, has teamed up with Steve Green for the “Teach Me to Love” tour. For further information, visit: www.Larnelle.com. Tickets are on sale now at the Hall of Fame. For more information about the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum call 1-877-356-3263 or visit www.KYMusicHallofFame.com.
