April 2002 ~ Featuring Loren Harris
When I joined the Dixie Echoes in 1998, one of the first groups that I had the opportunity to be in concert with was the Wilburns. At least once a month, and many times it was more than that, the Dixie Echoes and the Wilburns could be found working together on many of the same concerts. I always had a lot of fun spending time with the group, and I consider it a privilege to call them some of my best friends. Traveling with Jackie and Elaine in those days were Ricky Atkinson, Troy Peach, and Loren Harris. But for now, I want to share a little information with everyone about a very talented singer and great friend, Mr. Loren Harris.

Loren Harris was born on May 25, 1969, in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents are Rev. Donnie and Sandra Harris. He is an only child. His hometown is Unicoi, Tennessee, but he now lives in Elizabethton, TN. Loren was saved in 1977. His uncle Rev. Ed Davis, at Cherokee Community Freewill Baptist Church, led him to the Lord. He and his family now attend Keystone Freewill Baptist in Elizabethton.

Loren met his wife, Cindy, at Wal-Mart when he went thru her check out line. He adds that he thought she was cute. His cousin's girlfriend worked at this same Wal-Mart and he asked her about Cindy. She told him that they were good friends and that Cindy was single. She set them up on a date the next week and on the second date she came and heard Loren sing. He says that he fell hard for her a week or so later and the rest is history. He thought WOW you can get anything at Wal-Mart.

Loren and his wife Cindy were married in August of 1995. They have one son, Cameron Kent Harris, who was born on September 1, 2000. Loren sang with his family group, the Harris Family, for twenty years. He also sang with The Miracles and Greater Heights, before going full-time in April of 1996. He joined the Wilburns, filling the vacancy left by Tony Peace. After a few months of Loren being with the Wilburns, Jonathan Wilburn left to join Gold City, and in came a great young singer and songwriter by the name of Ricky Atkinson.

Loren had been traveling with the Wilburns for four years, when he found out of a job opening that was much closer to his home. He had been driving several hours just to meet the Wilburns each week, and when he heard that the Perrys were seeking a lead singer, he gave them a call. You've got to understand, that when you have a voice like Loren Harris, there is no need for an audition. All it took was a phone call and he had the job. Tracy Stuffle told him that he knew he could do the job, he already knew how he sounded, and shortly after he started traveling with the Perrys.

He started with the Perrys in May of 2000. Soon after his joining the Perrys, they went through a major sound change. After their soprano singer left, they hired another male vocalist, Curt Davis, and have been giving Southern Gospel fans exactly what they have been wanting to hear. The Perrys have a long history in Southern Gospel Music, and this new chapter to their history is perhaps the best yet! I personally love the new sound, and admire the talents of each of their members. Tracy and Libby Perry Stuffle have a great sounding group that should make them proud.

Now that I've explained a little Southern Gospel personnel change history, let me get back to the main subject of this article. Loren is a big sports fan, and especially likes watching football. He also likes to mess around with computers. His collections include a variety of old Southern Gospel albums. He grew up listening to some of the great groups in Southern Gospel, and has a love and respect for all of the pioneers in Gospel music. Some of his biggest influences are Jim Hammill and the late Rusty Goodman. He is hired to sing lead, but could easily sing any part with a group. I'm not sure if he does it any now, but I've heard him sing the bass part on stage, and he is actually a very good bass vocalist. His jobs on the road include working the product table, singing lead, and the sanitation engineer. In other words, he empties the trash.

Loren says that his family has always supported his career. His parents always told him to chase his dreams, be the best he could be, and to keep God first! Anyone who knows Loren will agree that he is a model Christian and is an awesome singer. He enjoys traveling and meeting people. He has an outgoing personality and is a friend to all. Anyone who has ever had the chance to get to know Loren will tell you that he is easy to get along with and doesn't have an enemy in the world.

For more information on Loren Harris, or the Perrys, you can visit them online at: www.perrysministries.com. It is one of the best group websites in Gospel Music. They update it constantly. At the website you can find out so much more about Loren or the group than this article could cover. The site lists everything imaginable from their favorite stores to their favorite chewing gum! Seriously, if you haven't had the opportunity to hear the latest version of the Perrys with Loren singing lead, make your plans to attend one of their concerts in the near future. Buy some cd's and enjoy Southern Gospel Music at its very best.