Although it won’t occur until 2011, WKU music graduate and gospel music sensation Larnelle Harris is one of seven new inductees into the prestigious Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

The inductees were announced Wednesday in Lexington by Robert Lawson, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Executive Director, along with Connie Hunt, event ceremony executive producer.  Other inductees include Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, Steve Warner, John Michael Montgomery, The Goins Brothers, and Molly O’Day.

Harris, a 1969 graduate in music education, has wowed audiences all over the world for more than three decades with his magical tenor voice. His name is synonymous with inspirational music and his achievements are noteworthy.

In a time of racial discord in this country, Harris was one of the first black Christian artists to perform in predominantly white churches, helping to heal the racial division. In 1989, his recording of Mighty Spirit was featured in a nationwide TV campaign for the Points of Light Foundation, culminating in a performance of the song for President and Mrs. Bush at the White House in 1991.  As part of the history making Moscow Project in the former Soviet Union, sponsored by the International Bible Society and Youth for Christ International, Harris performed the first gospel concert ever held inside the Kremlin only one week after the 1991 attempted coup. 

His recordings of Everything You Are, The Father Hath Provided, From A Servant’s Heart, I’ve Just Seen Jesus, Touch Me Lord and Amen are modern classics. 

WKU graduate Barry Landis (M.A. Communication, 1976), former president of The Word Label Group and a leader in the Christian music industry, says of his friend Harris: “Larnelle is one of the all time greats in Christian music. He defined a musical genre for all of us and his renditions with Sandi Patti are still some of the most moving music ever recorded. Besides having the greatest tenor voice in the music field, Larnelle is just an all-time great guy. He never let his monumental success go to his head. He deserves this wonderful honor.”  

Harris has been honored with numerous accolades over the years including five Grammy Awards, 11 Dove Awards, a Stellar Award and memberships in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and WKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum honors Kentucky performers, songwriters, publishers, promoters, managers, broadcasters, comedians and other music professionals who have made significant contributions to the music industry in Kentucky and around the world. Among the past inductees are Rosemary Clooney, the Everly Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Lionel Hampton, Ricky Skaggs, Mary Travers, Sam Bush, and Naomi and Wynonna Judd.

The 2011 Induction Ceremony will be held in the Lexington Center Bluegrass Ballroom at 7 p.m. April 7, 2011. 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