Larnelle Harris, 5-time Grammy and 11-time Dove Award winning artist, will be performing at Auburn United Methodist Church's 13th Star Spangled Spectacular on Friday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Harris, who has sung at the Kremlin for United Nations Ambassadors and has performed on CNN and The 700 Club, has loved music since he was a child.
Harris used to sit at his family's piano with dark glasses on, hit random chords and rock back and forth, channeling his inner Ray Charles.
"It was a tough life [as a boy soprano]," Harris said jokingly. "The ladies in the church would just cry when they'd heard me sing," Harris said. "The kids my own age would just laugh and throw things."
Harris continued to sing during his teenage years and ended up at Western Kentucky University where he graduated in 1969 with a degree in music and voice.
Harris recorded his first record in the mid-70s with the song "Tell It To Jesus" and has been recording ever since.
"What I'm doing helps people to hopefully discover the next stage in the Christian walk," Harris said.
Harris said that even though he sings some of the same songs he sang when he was a child, "they must show some life and some growth."
He tries to only record songs that he loves and "could make part of (his) DNA."
Harris views his Grammy Awards as tools that have allowed him access to places he never would have been otherwise and they have allowed him to be able to share the gospel of Jesus.
"Now that doesn't always mean that I'm grabbing somebody by the collar and shaking them and asking them about their soul," Harris said.
It allows him to show people that, even as a Christian, he has a sense of humor and can have a casual conversation.
"Notoriety is a tool that God has used in my heart to share his love," Harris said.
Bill and Gloria Gaither, as well as Sandi Patti, are some of Harris's favorite artists he has performed with.
"I just hope that those collaborations continually remind us that we're all in this together, that God wants to use us all," Harris said.
Gary Klarenbeek, director of music at Auburn UMC, heard months ago that Harris was planning a national patriotic tour, the One Nation Under God tour.
When Klarenbeek discovered that Harris was available for the Star Spangled Spectacular, he had to book him.
"He really walks the walk and is such an incredible singer," Klarenbeek said.
Harris has performed in Auburn several times before and is one of a few artists that will invite local singers to perform with him.
Jacquie Cruz, Klarenbeek's daughter and local performer, will perform "I've Just Seen Jesus" with Harris.
Cruz says performing with Harris is something she has dreamt of since she was a little girl.
"I don't have to check anything else off my bucket list," Cruz said with a laugh.
In addition to the song with Cruz, Harris will sing "The Greatest of These," a song taken directly from scripture in the New International Version of the Bible, as well as traditional patriotic works.
Cruz says the Star Spangled Spectacular is a reminder to put God at the head of decisions the United States makes and it will serve as a time to reflect and remember with the community of the sacrifices made for the nation.
According to Klarenbeek, the Spectacular is a great time of community outreach and a time when different denominations come together to celebrate the United States.
More than 80 performers and 35 orchestra members from Atlanta and the Gulf Coast will be at the event.
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