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| Sharon |
| Rich |
Citing Elvis Presley as his early influence, Rich Arnhart wanted to sing since he was three years
old. He would stand by the record player and sing along with Elvis wanting to sound just like him.
Later he began to listen to country music favorites, Merle Haggard and Jim Reeves. He wore out
those old records.
After high school, Rich joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Little Creek, VA Naval Amphibious
Base. Here he first sang on a live stage at a place called the "Fifth National Bank." Being rather shy,
Rich found singing on stage was not as easy as he thought. It would be many years before he
would set foot on a stage again.
After his tour with the Navy, and a second four years with the U.S. Coast Guard in Galveston, Rich
honed his skills as a pollution investigator. Those skills secured his employment with the Texas
General Land Office where he rose through the ranks to his position as Regional Director.
During that time music was always on his mind and in his heart. After a 19 year absence Sharon
encouraged him to go back on stage again. They found the Alvin Opry to be a welcome venue.
These performances were the hook and Rich started singing at various Oprys, fairs, and rodeos
around the Houston area.
Rich recommitted himself to the Lord in 2004. He stepped away from singing for almost four years,
until he felt the time was right to make a comeback to music. Rich has returned singing mostly
inspirational country and southern gospel, but he still performs some of the great old country songs
he used to sing.
Rich and Sharon are now performing as The Arnharts, an inspirational country-southern gospel
musical ministry, thus serving the Lord and opening another chapter in his singing career.
In March 2011, Rich was elected a board member of the Bay Area Gospel Music Association.
old. He would stand by the record player and sing along with Elvis wanting to sound just like him.
Later he began to listen to country music favorites, Merle Haggard and Jim Reeves. He wore out
those old records.
After high school, Rich joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Little Creek, VA Naval Amphibious
Base. Here he first sang on a live stage at a place called the "Fifth National Bank." Being rather shy,
Rich found singing on stage was not as easy as he thought. It would be many years before he
would set foot on a stage again.
After his tour with the Navy, and a second four years with the U.S. Coast Guard in Galveston, Rich
honed his skills as a pollution investigator. Those skills secured his employment with the Texas
General Land Office where he rose through the ranks to his position as Regional Director.
During that time music was always on his mind and in his heart. After a 19 year absence Sharon
encouraged him to go back on stage again. They found the Alvin Opry to be a welcome venue.
These performances were the hook and Rich started singing at various Oprys, fairs, and rodeos
around the Houston area.
Rich recommitted himself to the Lord in 2004. He stepped away from singing for almost four years,
until he felt the time was right to make a comeback to music. Rich has returned singing mostly
inspirational country and southern gospel, but he still performs some of the great old country songs
he used to sing.
Rich and Sharon are now performing as The Arnharts, an inspirational country-southern gospel
musical ministry, thus serving the Lord and opening another chapter in his singing career.
In March 2011, Rich was elected a board member of the Bay Area Gospel Music Association.
Sharon learned about music and singing from the minute she was born. Her mother purchased a
small transistor radio and placed it in her crib from the moment she came home from the hospital.
Sharon slept all night listening to that radio.
When Sharon was older she would listen to music and sing in her room while doing her
homework. Sharon was a member of the Glee Club while in school. In her junior and senior year
she started pursuing her other dream of being a nurse; joining TAHOS, (Texas Association of
Health Occupation Students) a co-op program. Upon graduation from high school, she enrolled in
college and graduated from LVN school in 1976.
After marrying Rich in 1987, she discovered he also had a dream to sing. She sang at the Alvin
Opry, sharing the stage with well known singers including Randy Corner and singing duet with
Tony Booth. Her influences in country music were Gene Watson, Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith and
Patsy Cline.
Upon rededicating to the Lord in 2004, her focus switched to Gospel Music influenced by the styles
of Sonya Isaacs, Sheri Easter and Lynda Randall. After a four year break from singing she is now
enjoying performing with Rich as the other half of The Arnharts.
Sharon says, “Singing for the Lord is the greatest gift I have ever been given”.
small transistor radio and placed it in her crib from the moment she came home from the hospital.
Sharon slept all night listening to that radio.
When Sharon was older she would listen to music and sing in her room while doing her
homework. Sharon was a member of the Glee Club while in school. In her junior and senior year
she started pursuing her other dream of being a nurse; joining TAHOS, (Texas Association of
Health Occupation Students) a co-op program. Upon graduation from high school, she enrolled in
college and graduated from LVN school in 1976.
After marrying Rich in 1987, she discovered he also had a dream to sing. She sang at the Alvin
Opry, sharing the stage with well known singers including Randy Corner and singing duet with
Tony Booth. Her influences in country music were Gene Watson, Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith and
Patsy Cline.
Upon rededicating to the Lord in 2004, her focus switched to Gospel Music influenced by the styles
of Sonya Isaacs, Sheri Easter and Lynda Randall. After a four year break from singing she is now
enjoying performing with Rich as the other half of The Arnharts.
Sharon says, “Singing for the Lord is the greatest gift I have ever been given”.
| In May The Arnharts were named as 2011 Duo of the Year by STGMA, South Texas Gospel Music Association. |
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| MEMBERS OF: |
| Southern Gospel - Inspirational Country Music Ministry |
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