Artist:Larnelle Harris f/Sandi Patty
Song:I've Just Seen Jesus
Album:Songs 4 Life: Renew Your Heart
Gospel singer Larnelle Harris is best known for his long association with Bill Gaither. He toured with Gaither for many years. I've Just Seen Jesus was his 1984 debut album and this duet with Sandi Patty was the first of many. Harris is a good singer. But if you're looking for contemporary black gospel, look somewhere else. He was born July 6, 1947 in Danville, KY. He started playing drums at age nine. But he got vocal training at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. After he graduated in 1969, Harris joined the gospel group The Spurrlows. They were led by Thurlow Spurr. He started out in a group led by his brother Theron Spurr. Harris was a featured singer with First Gear. They recorded two albums for Word's Myrrh label in the 70s. Spurr produced both albums. I guess he had big plans for Harris. So He took him to Bill Gaither who was just beginning his empire. He didn't have his own record company yet. Harris' 1985 album I've Just Seen Jesus was on Benson's Impact label. Spurr was still Harris' manager. Gaither was executive producer. The album was produced by Greg Nelson. Harris' duet with Sandi Patty I've Just Seen Jesus was the only duet on the album and the first time they sang together. And it won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance by Duo or Group. Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote I've Just Seen Jesus with pianist Danny Daniels. You can get I've Just Seen Jesus on this Time Life 2CD various artists budget comp. It is also on a Sandi Patty duet comp. Say what you want about Gaither's music. But he was smart enough to know that Harris and Sandi duets were money. I'm surprised he hasn't released an album of all their duets. Harris was a regular part of the Gaither shows for about thirty years. At that point, it looks like he decided to stay close to his home in Kentucky. Harris last recorded in 2017 and he has also written his autobiography. So it looks to me like he's retired. Here's Larnelle Harris featuring Sandi Patty performing I've Just Seen Jesus on a 2012 Gaither Homecoming show.
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