Ken Harder
Born the eldest of 13 children in a small Saskatchewan town, Ken has experienced a truly amazing life! Raised in a Christian home with Godly parents, he made a profession for faith at the young age of 8 years. His place in the family didn't allow for much of a childhood, however, he found many different types of outlets, centered on the church and his school activities.
It was in drama club in high school where he became good friends with a beautiful blonde girl, Irma Fehr, who became the love of his life. He married his high school sweetheart in 1965, after which Irma and Ken moved to Calgary where they raised 2 children; a daughter, Kerry and a son Jay and eventually, 6 grand children, Chris, Eli, Justice, Hannah, Lincoln, Maxwell...with a seventh one, on the way. His family is the joy of his life and stories of his grand children regularly end up featured in the concerts.
Ken has always had a keen love for music, singing solos in church from the time he was 11 years old. At the age of 13, he was invited to sing the Baritone part with a mens quartet in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon, where he grew up. He was immediately hooked on the harmonies of gospel music. The musical influences in his life included: The Melody Four Quartet, The Janz Team, The Blackwood Brothers, The Statesman, J.D.Sumner and the Stamps and The Oakridge Boys.
It wasn't until late 1968 when he attended a concert featuring; "The Imperials" that he knew that singing in a quartet was something he just had to do. He recounts that as he listened to The Imperials sing that first time, he could hardly breathe. Their sweet sound was so good with their tight harmonies and their great arrangements. They became the major influence and the group he sought to emulate in his music. Ken was eventually able to start his own quartet in 1972. Irma came up with the name "The Masters Touch and He sang the Bass part with the group he formed until they disbanded in 1978. He went on to sing with his daughter Kerry and then as a soloist until early 1981.
Ken became good friends with the members of the Imperials, eventually booking them to concerts all over Alberta and even sharing the same stage with them and his own quartet. Of course, with promoting concerts, The Masters Touch also shared the stage with The Oakridge Boys, London Parris and the Apostles, The Gaither Trio, The Blue Ridge Quartet, The Downings, Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans, The Speer Family, and many other groups as well.
After being away from gospel music and any singing ministry for nearly 18 years, he was given another opportunity to join the newly formed group, "Lost & Found" as their bass singer. He reluctantly tried out for the part but very quickly realized that God was giving him another chance to do something significant and he became committed to this new ministry. There have been many changes in the group over the past 9 years, but through it all Ken has seen great things happen. As the only original remaining member of Lost & Found, he handles the booking of the group, promotions, CD production and the management of the group. Since Lost & Found became a trio, he now sings the baritone part for the group.
Ken is currently involved in the real estate market as a developer of condominium properties catering to the entry level investor and home owner, in the Calgary area. He writes music, paints in oil, loves to cook gourmet dinners or just plain good food for family and friends, and loves to travel and spend time with his family and his wife for life. (now at 43 years and counting).
He delights in the fact that God has given him these talents and this wonderful opportunity to sing and minster the gospel. He never takes this gift from God for granted. It is his fervent prayer that God will continue to use him effectively in ministry, with Lost & Found or in whatever form He chooses.
