York and Darden Dive Into New Book on the Life and Legacy of Kurt Kaiser

January 13, 2025
Readers Meet the Author with Terry York and Bob Darden

The Baylor Libraries welcome retired Professor of Christian Ministry and Church Music, Dr. Terry York, for next Readers Meets the Author Series session on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The event will dive into his newly published, “Kurt Kaiser: Icon and Conscience of Contemporary Christian Music”, which explores the life of Kurt Kaiser, worship leader, songwriter, American contemporary church music composer, and arranger. The event will take place in the Schumacher Flex Commons in Moody Memorial Library and via Zoom Webinar from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and will include interviewer Professor Bob Darden, a retired Professor of Journalism.

Kurt Kaiser, born in 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, played piano and organ on live radio at just 12 years old. He studied at the American conservatory of music in Chicago, while also earning two degrees from Northwestern. He joined record label Word, Inc., in 1959 as the Director of Artists and Repertoire, and later became both the VP and Director of Music. Kaiser has more than 300 copyrighted songs and 18 solo piano records. His compositions are found in many church hymns, and he is best known for “Pass It On” and “Oh How He Loves You and Me”.

“I wrote this book to honor Kurt Kaiser, to minister to the Kaiser family, and to contribute to Church Music scholarship. It is an act of both stewardship of experience, and discipleship as a Christ-follower,” York said. “Further, I hope this book shines a light on why Baylor University and the city of Waco were so proud of this ‘adopted son.’”

York joined Baylor in 1998 after serving as Associate Pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas for three years. He has a DMA from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, master’s in Church Music from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s from California Baptist University. He was a Minister of Music in churches across California and Arizona, and has published more than 40 hymns, including “Worthy of Worship”. His hymn “Give Us Courage” was commissioned Truett Seminary and approved by the faculty as the official Seminary Hymn of 2006.

Bob Darden, who will interview York about his book on Kaiser, is a retired Professor of Journalism and author of over two dozen books, some including “Nothing But Love in God's Water: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, Vol. I” (Penn State University Press, 2014) and “Nothing But Love in God's Water, Volume II: Black Sacred Music from Sit-Ins to Resurrection City” (Penn State University Press, 2016). Prior to coming to Baylor, Darden served as Arts & Entertainment Editor for “The Waco Tribune-Herald,” Gospel Music Editor for “Billboard” magazine and Senior Editor of “The Wittenburg Door.”

"Kurt Kaiser was one of the true titans of American sacred music in the second half of the 20th century. Beginning in the early 1960s, his compositions and recordings had an immeasurable impact on untold musicians and artists,” Darden said. “Terry York's biography is a wonderful addition to the literature about a kind and modest man whose gifts are both universal and wholly unique."

A reception with light refreshments and book signing will follow the conversation between York and Darden. Baylor University Press, the publisher of “Kurt Kaiser: Icon and Conscience of Contemporary Christian Music,” will sell copies of the book at the event.

“Baylor University Press is delighted to feature Terry W. York’s latest work, Kurt Kaiser: Icon and Conscience of Contemporary Christian Music, on our 1845 Books imprint,” Nelson said. “The book joins BUP’s impressive and growing list of biographies and memoirs. Readers familiar with Kurt Kaiser’s numerous contributions to contemporary Christian worship and popular songcraft can now encounter the “man behind the music” through York’s well researched and beautifully written profile”. 

CAE Credit is available to Baylor undergraduate students who attend the in-person session.

The Readers Meet the Author Series is presented by the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President and hosted by the Baylor Libraries.