Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career

by Larnelle Harris, Christine Schaub

Larnelle Harris is one of the most renowned Christian vocalists of our generation. Aside from his numerous accolades in the recording industry, Larnelle has been a stalwart figure of integrity, choosing to always put his marriage and children above his career. In his first memoir, Larnelle honestly shares some of the most difficult moments of his life - from losing his voice for a year to being attacked for his color. And he humbly credits the people who shaped his life and career early on, offering timeless insights into how God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2018

About the author

Admired by fans and peers alike for his majestic tenor voice, Larnelle Harris has become the personification of talent and integrity in a career that spans over five decades. He is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. He was twice inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, both as a solo artist and as part of the Gaither Vocal Band. He has achieved nineteen #1 radio singles and a plethora of top 10 hits. Harris was the first Christian 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. He recently performed for the National Day of Prayer event in Washington D.C., at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall, and sang for a gathering of U.N. Ambassadors in our nation’s capitol. Harris and his wife of 45 years, Cynthia (a.k.a. Mitzy), reside in Louisville, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Miranda A. Uyeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

We often err in thinking our careers carry the most defining moments of our lives.

How untrue.

It is life’s experiences—small and big—from the time we’re young to the present, that ignite the special sparks which light the way. Some shift the earth under our feet, others change our minds about old beliefs, and still others inspire our hearts forever to live differently. It is these things, along with the people through whom we’ve encountered these experiences, that are the vessels through which we learn the secrets of success and true greatness that change our lives forever. This is the lesson Larnelle Harris makes known in his memoir, Shaped Notes: God used ordinary people with extraordinary gifts to influence his life and career, blessings for which he is most grateful. This is a man thankful for every experience, pleasant and unpleasant, that has taught, humbled, and given him wisdom for his path in life. His story turns on the light on many areas in life that one may have complacently ignored, causing a reader to pause and ponder beyond the normal boundaries of intellectual and spiritual reasoning in a defining and positive way.

The purpose of Harris’ Shaped Notes is to deliver a testimony with the hope that it will set people free to embrace life’s experiences, as well as the people we encounter through them, perceiving each as a torch God uses to light the way for His children to follow, a way that He’d prepared in advance for them.

A truly inspiring memoir!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larnelle Harris has long been one of my favorite gospel singers. His rich tenor voice brought life and cogent interpretation to the music and the deep, worshipful lyrics of the many songs he offered as blessing and worship aids. It was a thrill to hear him sing in concert and a challenge to perform his music with friends for our church worship times.

So reading this book about him and the music was a trip down memory lane as well as a blessing to feel his humility and to see his realization that his achievements were brought about by God orchestrating so many people and circumstances. His gratefulness for the influence and care by others is evident. It was interesting also to read the history of particular songs and how they came about. I'm inspired to pull out the old music and listen again.

This isn't a long book, but it's packed with information and particularly with giving God the glory.

[Diane-OP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Challenge category: Inspirational

[Bud Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy to read bio.

[Julieanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I have enjoyed Larnelles music but knew very little about him. This book made me appreciate the person he is even more.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read bios & learn about the lives & backgrounds of famous people. This is a short book written in the 1st person & I found I very interesting.

[Ceste Stanly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. He is so humble. Loved hearing about the songwriting & song selecting progress.