Shaped Notes

Shaped Notes:
How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts
Influenced My Life and Career
Larnelle Harris
with Christine Schaub
(Morgan James Faith Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1683505273
February 2018/142 pages/$16.99
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.

“There were a few tears shed through the writing process,” says Harris. “Remembering all the people who have poured into my life and how they helped me was humbling. I hope what readers take away from this book is that we all have people in our lives that we can influence for the good or for the bad. And I sometimes wonder where I would have ended up had it not been for the people who came across my path and encouraged me with their words and actions.”


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Admired by fans and peers alike for his majestic tenor voice, Larnelle Harris has become the personificationof 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. For more information, visit www.Larnelle.com. ​

Christine Schaub is the author of the critically-acclaimed MUSIC OF THE HEART series, including Finding Anna--the story behind the writing of the hymn It Is Well With My Soul--and The Longing Season--the story behind Amazing Grace--with Bethany House Publishers. She won the On the Page screenwriting contest at Screenwriting Expo 2 in Los Angeles, developed four biopic teleplays for the stories behind the hymns, and published an online column for the MethodX website (Upper Room Ministries). She graduated from Anderson University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, and has received both regional and national awards in writing and design.


MY THOUGHTS

It's easy to look at Christians in the public arena and make assumptions about their lives. Larnelle Harris has always been one of my favorite musicians, and I was eager to read his memoir. Along with cowriter Anna Schaub, Harris opens up about his childhood and the early years of his career. Authentic in sharing both joyful and heart-wrenching memories, he communicates in a conversational, down-to-earth manner that seems as if he is sitting across a table at a coffee shop. Harris maintains an attitude of gratefulness and joy throughout each chapter that refreshes and encourages. His humility, lack of bitterness, and desire to focus on God inspires. Whether you are familiar with his music, or you struggle to reconcile issues in your own past, Shaped Notes will strengthen your faith.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free Morgan James Publishing and Adams PR Group for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”