Five-time Grammy winner Larnelle Harris was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 7 in a ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky. Harris joined fellow Kentucky artists and musicians Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner, John Michael Montgomery, Keith Whitley, The Goins Brothers, and Molly O'Day. 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.

“There is no better place to live than right here in Kentucky,” said Harris as he accepted the award. “I cannot begin to thank all the people who have contributed to my life and my music. This is a special honor for 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) including three Male Vocalist of the Year honors, and a Stellar Award, among 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 performance of "Mighty Spirit" as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

Beyond his musical accolades, Harris is an accomplished Amateur (Ham) Radio operator and recently became a member of the First Class Operator’s Club, an invitation-only group that is limited to 500 people worldwide. Members 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. Both Harris and his wife have been amateur radio operators for over three decades. Harris says he got interested in the hobby when he was helping some local seminary students communicate with their missionary parents overseas.

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 39 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.

For further information, visit: http://www.larnelle.com/, www.facebook.com/larnelleharris or www.kentuckymusicmuseum.com.